TACOMA, Wash. - Coming off a win last weekend beating Pacific University 30-23, the Pacific Lutheran University football team packs its bags for the trek East to Spokane to face 19th-ranked Whitworth University. 
 
"This year we are taking two buses so the whole team is going, it will be really fun to have the whole sideline there," says senior Hajriz Aliu. 
 
Aliu helped the Lutes' (2-2, 1-1 Northwest Conference) come back from a deficit in last weekend's game with an interception for a touchdown. Aliu plans to translate that same tenacity that facilitated the win last weekend to the "faceless opponent" this Saturday. 
 
"We don't let outside factors influence how we prepare. We're preparing to be our best selves." 
 
Aliu is focused on enjoying his final season on the Lute football team. 
 
"I want to leave it all on the field. I'm not too concerned with the stats at the end of the day as long as I'm giving the team everything I have. Our ultimate goal is to reach our best potential performance and closing that gap of where we are to where we could be. Whether it be not missing class or going to all our meetings, it's not just about the field work." 
 
Aliu also endorses a work ethic to be admired, something he wants to make sure the younger classes adopt. 
 
"The cool thing about being perfect is that you won't get there. It's cool to always be chasing something, it keeps you motivated. I want them (the younger players) to know that where you are right now doesn't determine where you could be and not to be so worried about starting or not. We care more about work ethic than what stats are on the field." 
 
Despite his drive for continuous improvement, Aliu makes time for fun too. He participates in weekly Applebee's "half price apps" with teammates and isn't shy to say he likes a good romantic comedy. 
 
Aliu, who is pursuing a degree in business with a concentration in finance plans on entering the police force following graduation. The question is where, whether it be here in the Pacific Northwest or back home in San Diego is to be decided, right now Aliu is just looking to take in all that his senior year and senior season has to offer. 
 
Oct. 13: PLU vs. Whitworth in Spokane, Washington (1 p.m.)
 
Series History: PLU enjoys a 51-22 edge in the all-time series that dates all the way back to the 1931 season. Whitworth has held the upper hand as of late, winning the last three encounters, including a 17-14 victory last season at Sparks Stadium. 
 
About the Pirates: 19th-ranked Whitworth (4-0, 2-0 NWC) is the lone undefeated remaining in the NWC, overcoming deficits in each of the last three games to keep the perfect season intact. The Pirates finished off the non-league slate with a 31-28 nail biter over Chapman University before edging perennial power Linfield College 19-14 on Sept. 29 to open conference play. Whitworth overcame a sluggish start and tallied 24 unanswered points at the expense of George Fox University on Saturday, coming away with the commanding 38-14 win. 
 
Leif Ericksen ranks second in the NWC in passing yards per game, slinging the pigskin for 265.5 yards per game with Garrett McKay his preferred target. McKay leads the NWC in receiving yards per game (113.5) while finding the endzone three times this season. On the ground, Mason Elms leads the NWC in rushing touchdowns, finding paydirt six times in 2018.