By Christian Bond, PLU Sports Information Student Assistant

FOREST GROVE, Ore. – The Pacific defense limited the Pacific Lutheran offense to seven points, while the Boxers offense scored 34 points before the Lutes got on the scoreboard as Pacific defeated PLU 34-7 in the 2015 Northwest Conference football opener Saturday afternoon at Hanson Stadium.

Pacific improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while PLU fell to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the NWC. The Boxers controlled the pace of the game with lengthy drives combined with an efficient third-down performance. Pacific was 8-for-14 on third downs, and averaged 6.5 yards per play, with all five of the Boxers scoring drives taking at least 10 plays or covering 90 yards.

The Lutes saw improvements in their run game against Pacific after rushing for a combined 54 yards in the first two games of the season. Marc Gallant rushed for 37 yards on 8 carries and scored the only PLU touchdown on the day, while punter Anthony Louthan gained 45 yards on a fake punt for one of the biggest offensive plays PLU had all day. As a team, PLU rushed for 106 yards on 29 carries.

The Pacific offense totaled 444 yards, with most of the damage done through the air. Quarterback Warner Shaw finished the day 25-of-32 on pass attempts for 353 yards and three touchdowns. Jason Smith caught two of those scoring passes, totaling 10 receptions for 157 yards while Nathan Suyematsu grabbed nine passes for 130 yards.

Ben Welch was the Lutes' top performer of the day on offense, as he caught 10 passes for a total of 119 yards. That marked Welch's second game this season with at least 10 catches and 100 yards receiving. Jon Schaub completed 19 of 32 pass attempts for 181 yards in the first game this season where he has been held under 300 yards passing. PLU totaled 287 yards of offense.

Kyle Bennett led the Lute defense with nine tackles. Derek Chase finished the day with eight tackles, including one sack and two tackles for-loss, while Justyn Simmons also picked up a sack and forced a fumble. Drew Oord finished with five tackles and a fumble recovery. Trey Kodama led Pacific with nine total tackles, including 2.5 sacks.

Pacific scored two touchdowns in the opening quarter, with Smith's 54-yard scoring reception from Shaw putting the Boxers up 14-0. A pair of Alex Beekman field goals made it 20-0 at halftime, and Shaw threw a touchdown pass in both the third and fourth quarters to give Pacific a 34-0 advantage. PLU got on the board midway through the final quarter when an 8-yard run by Gallant finished a 15-play, 76-yard drive for the Lutes.

While Pacific converted more than half of its third-down conversions, PLU finished the day 3-of-13 on third down. One week after committing 15 penalties, the Lutes committed only two infractions on Saturday, but the Boxers broke through the Lute offensive line for six sacks on the day.

The Lutes will be back in town next week for Homecoming at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. PLU will host Willamette Saturday, Oct. 10, with kick off set for 1 p.m.