Contact: Mark Albanese, Director of Sports Communication

PUYALLUP, Wash. -Despite an extended layoff the Pacific Lutheran University football team showed little signs of rust on Saturday afternoon at Sparks Stadium, jumping out to an early lead en route to a 23-13 victory over the Northwest Conference rival University of Puget Sound in the Battle of the South Sound.

The Lutes (1-1, 1-0 NWC) needed just 58 seconds to get on the board with Cole Chandler hooking up with Brady Winter for a 63-yard touchdown. The Loggers (1-2, 0-1 NWC) answered with 10-play, 71-yard drive to tie the game and was threatening again late in the first quarter before a Carson Ketter picked up a fumble that squirted into the endzone and rumbled 100 yards down the sideline for the touchdown, giving PLU the 14-7 edge. Pacific Lutheran struck again midway through the second half with Chandler hitting Jacob King for an 11-yard score, capping off a nine-play 56-yard drive to extend the lead to 20-7.

"It just bounced right up to me, a perfect hop," said Ketter. "We needed to make a play and we rose up when we needed to."

Puget Sound closed the gap to just seven late in the third quarter on a 16-yard touchdown strike but a 10-play, 70-yard drive late in the fourth quarter set up a 20-yard field goal from Alex Brost to cement the win.

PLU's defense was a menace to UPS quarterback Tanner Diebold all day, generated nine sacks and two interceptions. Isaiah Watkins led the way with three sacks while Tabby Yu and Anthony Bautista each picked off passes. Ketter finished with 11 tackles in addition to his 100-yard scoop and score while Parker Trewet made 11 stops on the day, including two TFLs.

"That was our big emphasis this week, staying deeper than their deepest. That was the challenge and for the most part we did alright," said Ketter. "We've had injuries but everybody can help, everybody knows everybody and their jobs and it makes it that much easier to adjust."

Chandler threw for 174 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions with Brady Winter his most popular target, making three catches for 76 yards. TJ Morris rushed for 50 yards on 10 carries while Kyle Madsen racked up 42 yards on nine attempts.

"It's pretty motivating to watch the guys in front of you doing what they need to do to make great plays," said Madsen.

With the victory, PLU has now won 28 of the last 30 meetings between the two Tacoma schools.

The Lutes are back in action next Saturday, heading to Forest Grove, Oregon to take on Pacific University.