TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University football team was unable to close out its home schedule unscathed, falling behind early in a 35-7 setback to Northwest Conference rival George Fox University on Saturday at Sparks Stadium.

"Every week in the NWC is going to be a slugfest," said Head Coach Brant McAdams. "George Fox is a good program and did what it took to control the ball and time of possession."

The Bruins (5-4, 3-3 NWC) methodically drove down the field in their opening drive, chewing up over eight minutes off the clock as Anthony Garcia plunged in from two-yards out for a 7-0 lead with 5:28 left in the opening quarter. An interception put GFU back in the redzone, finding the endzone again just under two minutes later. GFU would piece together two more 80+ yard drives in building a 28-0 lead.

The Lutes (3-5, 2-4 NWC) got on the board late in the second quarter with a roughing the punter call giving PLU a fresh set of downs. Pacific Lutheran took full advantage of the second chance, with Walker LaVoy finding Brady Winter the next play from scrimmage for a 45-yard touchdown pass. GFU would answer with a score 10 seconds before the half, taking a 35-7 lead into the locker room.

The Lute defense buckled down in the second half, keeping the Bruins scoreless over the final two quarters.

"We made some minor adjustments on defense at half and kept them out of the endzone in the second half. We just need to get on the positive end of the third down and turnover battle to take a game back into our hands."

Brady Winter finished with two catches for 52 yards while Wesley Nixon hauled in two passes for 47 yards. LaVoy completed nine of his 14 attempts for 133 yards and a score.Defensively, Matt Anthony and Hunter Briggs led the team with 13 tackles while Hajriz Aliu had 11 tackles and three TFLs.

Saturday's setback was the Lutes' lone blemish at Sparks Stadium in 2018, finishing the home slate with a 3-1 record.

GFU controlled the clock, holding the ball for over 43 minutes while racking up 482 yards of offense, including 330 on the ground.

"I'm disappointed in the final score but our seniors continued to demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity. Our guys have a positive mentality and belief in each other that we get to cultivate one more week."

PLU closes out the 2018 season next Saturday in Portland, facing Lewis & Clark College.