The Loyola Cubs faced off against the Culver City Centaurs for their home opener, welcoming the “Take Your Little Brother to the Game” tradition that filled the student section. The Cubs entered Week 2 hungry for redemption after a Week 1 Loss at Damien, and the Centaurs looked to keep things rolling after putting up 72 points in their Week 1 victory.
Loyola’s offense initially struggled to find its rhythm, but their Wolf Pack defense stood strong with the rocking student section and Mighty Roar band behind their backs. The first quarter lit up when quarterback Thomas Knyal connected with Duke Giarraputo on a spectacular 61-yard touchdown pass. Loyola’s defense capped off the dominant first quarter with an interception by Desi Valdes.
Loyola continued their surge in the second quarter with Thomas Knyal tossing a 7-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Cueva. Sean Morris powered through with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, and Loyola’s lead extended to 21 points. Culver City tried to respond but fell short, missing a 46-yard field goal attempt as the clock expired.
The halftime scoreboard displayed Loyola 21, Culver City 0.
The second half kicked off with excitement as Valdes returned the opening kickoff for what seemed like a touchdown, only to have it called back due to a holding penalty. Penalties continued to challenge Loyola’s offensive progress. Culver City finally broke through with a touchdown pass from their quarterback, Silvio, in the third quarter. However, their extra point attempt was blocked by Loyola’s special teams. Culver City had another opportunity to put points on the board but fell short with a missed field goal.
Loyola began the fourth quarter by adding to their lead with a successful field goal. Culver City’s offensive struggles persisted, culminating in a missed fourth-down conversion that ended their last scoring threat. The final score of the game stood at Loyola 24, Culver City 6, securing a decisive victory for the Loyola Cubs and bringing their season record to 1-1. This game showcased Loyola’s strong defensive prowess and their ability to capitalize on offensive opportunities, ultimately earning them a well-deserved win in front of their passionate home crowd.