NEWBERG, Ore. --- Over 3,300 excited fans packed Stoffer Family Stadium for the first home night game in school history and watched George Fox University's football team battle hard in a 33-47 loss against the University of La Verne Leopards.

It was the season opener for the Leopards after coming off a 3-6 record last year.

The opening kickoff set the tone for a game marked by big plays for both teams. ULV's Dallas Parent returned the opening kick then fumbled the ball after a gang tackle by the Bruins, but Alex Arellano picked the ball up for La Verne and made his way downfield for a touchdown to take a 6-0 lead.

The Leopards struck again taking a 13-0 lead after running back Jackson Sparks ran in for a 28-yard touchdown at the 9:47 mark.

Momentum would change for the better with less than five minutes left in the first quarter after John Shaffer dashed for a 68-yard run to put the Bruins in the red zone. Shaffer finished the drive off with a 3-yard touchdown run, which marked the first of his career.

The Bruins kept the spark alive ending the first quarter with a Uriel Gonzalez field goal. Gonzalez finished the night going 2-for-2 with a 28 and 35 yard field goal.

The second quarter opened up with the Leopards on offense, but Tell Cruickshank intercepted the ball and ran in for a 47-yard touchdown to take a 17-13 lead.

ULV took the lead back just before halftime with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Alex Vilalobos. The Leopards led the Bruins 20-17 at half.

In the second half, ULV's Sparks struck again with a 12-yard run after marching down the field. George Fox didn't wait long to match the Spark touchdown with a 48-yard touchdown pass from Grant Schroeder to Derek Richwine.

The Leopards opened up the game in the fourth quarter with back-to-back touchdowns to take a 47-26 lead. The Bruins wouldn't go down without a fight after Schroeder connected again, but this time it was to Tony Long for a 21-yard TD pass.

Shaffer led the Bruins with 180 all-purpose yards with 153 on the ground and 27 through the air. Schroeder went 18-30 with 244 yards and two touchdowns. Brad Lander led the receiving crew for the second straight game catching five balls for 85 yards.

Sparks led the Leopards finishing with 170 yards on 16 attempts.

The Bruins (0-2) will take a two week break before heading to Willamette on Friday, Oct. 3 to start conference play at 7 p.m.