THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - California Lutheran raced out to a 28-0 halftime lead and cruised from there in defeating visiting Pacific Lutheran, 49-7, in a non-conference football game played Saturday at Mt. Clef Stadium.

The loss was the second of the season in as many games for the Lutes, who have been outscored, 95-14, in their two losses.

The Kingsmen scored on offense, defense and special teams to improve their season record to 1-1.

The CLU offense took the ball after senior free safety Garrett Redd intercepted PLU quarterback Jordan Rasmussen on the game's opening drive and returned it seven yards to the Lutes' 29 yard-line.

From there it was a couple rushes by senior Brian Stuart for 12 yards, a 14-yard pass from senior quarterback Jericho Toilolo to junior Christian Edwards, setting up a three-yard touchdown run by Stuart to put CLU out in front less than five minutes in.

CLU's defense forced a punt on the ensuing drive and Toilolo led the offense down the field in nine plays totaling 76 yards, finishing with a 10-yard touchdown pass to freshman Matt O'Brien with five minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Pacific Lutheran took the ball and held on to it for the next nine minutes, going 67 yards on 18 plays. Rasmussen found Greg Ford early in the drive for a 39-yard pass to move in to CLU territory at the 45-yard line. The Lutes converted a fourth-and-three and fourth-and-13 on the drive, but had their luck run out on a fourth-and-goal from the CLU 13-yard line.

Stuart picked up his second score of the game with 1:31 remaining in the first half on a one-yard run, culminating a six-play, 59-yard drive.

After a PLU three-and-out, it was time for the CLU special teams to get its score when junior Derek Wilson went 69 yards for the punt return touchdown with 43 seconds left in the half. It was the second Kingsmen touchdown in a span of 48 seconds.

Up 28-0 at the half, the Kingsmen picked up where they left off to begin the third quarter, going 60 yards on 10 plays. Stuart capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown, his third on the day, to put the Kingsmen up 35-0.

Another PLU three-and-out put the ball back in the hands of Toilolo and the offense who took over at the PLU 38 after a 15-yard punt return from Wilson. Toilolo found senior Chris Hammond on a 33-yard strike and following a holding penalty hit Christian Edwards on a 14-yard touchdown pass.

As the third quarter finished it was time for the CLU defense to get into the end zone. Redd intercepted Rasmussen for the second time on the day and went 39 yards on the return and the Kingsmen led 49-0.

Pacific Lutheran scored at the 6:31 mark in the fourth quarter on a 21-yard pass from Rasmussen to Drew Griffin.

Rasmussen finished the game with 272 passing yards, six passes going to Ford for a total of 93 yards and five ending up in the hands of Kyle Whitford for 105 yards.

For the second straight game the PLU running attack was ineffective. Though Rockey Rosser finished with 38 net yards on just five carries, five quarterback sacks led to the Lutes netting just two yards on 21 attempts.

Cal Lutheran ended up with a 367-274 advantage in total yards and held the ball for 35 minutes to just 25 for the Lutes.

Pat Burke led the PLU defense with seven solo tackles and Bryan Neumiller, Tony Rice, Tim Cumming and Tony Slater all finished with a quarterback sack.

Pacific Lutheran has next Saturday off before hosting Lewis & Clark in the annual Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Puyallup's Sparks Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

(Courtesy of Cal Lutheran Sports Information Office.)