SPOKANE, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University football team was unable to match the offensive firepower of 19th-ranked Whitworth University on Saturday afternoon, ending up on the wrong side of a 55-13 scoreline in a Northwest Conference clash at the Pine Bowl.

"Whitworth is a very good football team and they came out today and played a great game," said Head Coach Brant McAdams. "We talk about practicing to be our best and each Saturday we want to play against our opponent's best. Unfortunately, we weren't at our best today."

The host Pirates (5-0, 3-0 NWC) scored on the opening drive of the game but the Lutes (2-3, 1-2 NWC) countered later in the quarter, with TJ Morris blocking a Whitworth punt. The Lutes recovered the ball in the endzone to close within a single point, 7-6.

Whitworth would tally the next 35 points before the Lutes would find the endzone again after cobbling together a nine-play, 75-yard drive. Anthony Louthan ran 24 yards to the Whitworth one before losing the football. Colin Mckay was able to recover the ball and nudge the ball across the line for the score before Alex Brost added an extra point.

Louthan led the Lute rushing attack, finishing with 52 yards on seven carries, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. Wesley Nixon was the most popular target on the day, hauling in five catches.

Defensively, Matt Anthony led the way with nine tackles, including three for a loss while also collecting one pass breakup.

The Lutes had some standout special teams performances. Louthan averaged 41.6 yards on 10 punts, landing four inside the 20 while TJ Morris accumulated 140 yards on six kick returns while Ethan McElderry had returns of 42 yards and 41 yards on the afternoon.

"We'll get back to the meeting room and grow from this game. We'll challenge this great group of seniors to lead at a higher level and we'll challenge the student-athletes on the field to execute at a higher level."

The Lutes return to the gridiron next Saturday, hosting Willamette University at 12:30 p.m. at Sparks Stadium.