Written by Student Assistant Christian Bond

TACOMA, Wash.  - Trailing late in the fourth, the Pacific Lutheran University football team took the ball down to the nine yard line with eight seconds left in the game but was unable to punch it through before time ran out, falling 22-18 to Northwest Conference rival George Fox University at Stoffer Family Stadium.

PLU (3-3, 2-2 NWC) started with the ball on the Bruin's (3-3, 3-1 NWC) 27-yard line with 1:22 left in the game. While completing a pass, quarterback Jon Schaub was hit by a Bruin defender. Schaub was slow to get up, causing the official to call an injury timeout at eight seconds. The timeout was called for an offensive player, resulting in a 10 second runoff of the clock, causing an abrupt end to the game.

Ethan McElderry shined early for PLU. McElderry scored the first touchdown of the game on a 22-yard scamper. The sophomore running back needed to dive to the corner of the end zone for the score and he got it. McElderry finished with 108 all purpose yards and a touchdown. 

Ben Welch helped the Lutes get out to a two score lead with his first career receiving touchdown. Welch caught an 11-yard pass from Schaub, cutting his way into the end zone, giving the Lutes the early 12-0 lead. Welch finished with four catches for 31 yards. 

Schaub took a majority of the snaps for the Lutes. The senior was effective, going 22-for-34 for 204 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Cole Chandler played the second quarter at quarterback and was 4-for-7 for 38 yards through the air. Chandler ran seven times for 20 yards. 

The PLU defense was outstanding. They kept the Bruins off the field, forcing five punts and allowing George Fox to possess the football for a mere 25:13 of the 60 minute game. 
Carson Ketter led the defense with 14 tackles. Isaiah Watkins picked up seven tackles, including a sack. Cooper Murphy had four tackles and a forced fumble while Tanner Perry had 3 tackles and a sack. 

The Bruins didn't have a lead until the fourth quarter with 6:45 left in the game. Quarterback Grant Schroeder ran into the end zone from five yards out, capping off a 79-yard drive. After the an Uriel Gonzalez extra point, George Fox led 22-18 and hung on the rest of the way to pick up the win. 

PLU returns home next Saturday for the Battle of the South Sound against the University of Puget Sound. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Sparks Stadium.