In a slick, defensive battle, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS) football took down the University of La Verne Leopards 5-0 at home on Saturday, Nov. 15. Both teams battled in the rain, mud and grime, but the Stags found an edge in their run game amid the inclement weather.
By the end of the game, the Stags slipped and slid on the turf, celebrating their hard-fought win with a frenzied mudbath. This game marked their second victory against La Verne and the final game of the 2025 season.
Throughout the game, CMS relied heavily on its formidable run game, managed by season rushing leader Cooper Nixon HM ’27. Nixon ran for 196 yards of gain — his fourth straight game with over 100 yards rushing — giving his team a decisive advantage under the inhospitable conditions.
Nixon gave credit to the offensive line and their contribution to the Stags’ run game, which improved over the course of the season.
“We started off slow this season, [but] we kept working,” Nixon said. “We made a lot of adjustments. Then, we started doing really well and [La Verne] allowed us to power up our run game.”
La Verne has let up an average of nearly 200 rushing yards per game to their opponents, but the favorable matchup was not the only positive for the Stags. The turbulent weather was also key to their victory — heavy rain proved a significant challenge for both offenses, forcing each to change its game plan and avoid passing to reduce the risk of turnovers.
Both teams combined for just two passing yards on the day, a jarring testament to the on-the-ground battle Saturday’s weather produced.
CMS head coach Kyle Sweeney wasn’t deterred by the conditions and made adjustments for his team where it mattered most.
“Very quickly, it was clear that you weren’t going to be able to do typical things,” Sweeney said. “[There] was so much mud and rain on the field [that] we were calling plays based on where the mud [was] instead of what [we] actually wanted to do.”
Throughout the game, the Stags’ defense was dominant, shutting out the Leopards and limiting their offensive abilities.
Defensive lineman Michael Houk CM ’26 expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance in the face of the swampy state-of-play.
“It was great,” Houk said. “We really love to finish it out that way to get a muddy win. The locker room before, that’s the most energy we’ve had this season. Nobody could tell us we weren’t going to win [this] game.”
It is fair to say the Stags faced similar offensive struggles to La Verne’s, despite the dominant run game. The Stags weren’t able to score a touchdown in all four quarters, and it was not until the third quarter that they were able to get on the board with a field goal from Samuel Brewer HM ’26.
This set up the Stags with a three-point advantage until the fourth quarter, when a punt from Brewer left the Leopards stranded at their three-yard line. Linebacker George Kruger CM ’27 took advantage of the field position, tackling the Leopard running back in the endzone and securing a safety for the Stags.
Sweeney has invested substantial effort in refining the Stags’ run game, which was evident despite not reaching the end zone. As the SCIAC has seen fierce competition in recent years, the Stags have found a secret weapon in their offense’s strong front line and dedicated rushers.
“You always want to have a strong run game,” Sweeney said. “In the last few years, we’ve been fortunate to have some really talented running backs, tight-ends [etc.]. If you can do it, there’s no better way.”
As this was the final game of the 2025 season for CMS football, the Stags took their time to enjoy the victory and the mess they made of Zinda Field. This win also evened their record at 5-5, restoring morale for the Stags, who are looking forward to improving next season, according to Nixon.
“We have a lot of the puzzle pieces,” Nixon said. “We [have] the talent [and] the skill, it’s time to make big things happen next season.”
For the senior Stags, this game prompted a moment of reflection on what lies ahead after a collegiate career spent fighting for their school on the gridiron.
“There’s a lot to do after football,” Houk said. “So you [have] to find that, say goodbye to the sport and see what’s going on next.”
The SCIAC football season has wrapped up as the Chapman University Panthers bested the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen 27-17 in the 2025 SCIAC championship. Although neither the Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens nor the CMS Stags reached the SCIAC playoffs, strong hints throughout the season suggest that both teams will look to reclaim the throne next year and bring the trophy back to Claremont.
Facebook Comments