TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University football team looks to rebound after dropping the season opener to California Lutheran University last Saturday, gearing up for the home opener at Sparks Stadium with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges coming to town for a 1 p.m. clash to close out the non-conference slate.
The game will be a conference crossover between the Northwest Conference and the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Last week, a strong defensive showing propelled CMS (1-1) into a win over the University of Northwestern (Minn.) 14-3. The Lutes were not so lucky, falling to California Lutheran 24-8. Despite the score, the Lutes were ahead in total yards but were stunted by multiple turnovers. A shining star on this stat sheet was
Anthony Louthan, catching the Lute's only touchdown, finishing with 78 receiving yards, and 24 on the ground.
Louthan, who is a senior punter, running back, and tight end, has been a versatile weapon for the Lute's offense. After making the switch from just special teams his junior year, Louthan's multiple abilities began to show. He has had an impact in the rushing game and has been running the ball hard and churning out tough yards. Louthan has recognized his growing importance to the team and the positive impact he makes on the offense and the team morale.
"Those first two years I knew I had more to give to the team, leadership qualities that I could spread," said Louthan. "I think that running the ball takes a form of leadership, and when you run the ball hard, it gives your team confidence."
Away from the gridiron, Louthan is heavily involved with the psychology department and is currently working on applications to psychology graduate schools, making sure to be well before the admission deadlines. His psychology studies have given him a unique perspective when interacting with friends and teammates.
"I believe in deeper relationships, not just surface level interactions, like relationships between me and my friends or my teammates. I think that benefits on the field as well as off the field because deeper relationships and trust work better for a system or a department."
When he's not at practice or at class, Louthan spends most of his time with his close friends and loved ones, making sure that he has a healthy balance between sports, school, and those who are close to him. Louthan will be looking to make an impact on this Lutes offense as they take on CMS.
Sept. 15: PLU vs. C-M-S at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup (1 p.m.)
Series History: The Lutes and Stags have never met on the gridiron.
About the Stags: This will be Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (1-1) second game against Northwest Conference opposition after dropping a 45-35 decision to the University of Puget Sound in the season opener on Sept. 1. The Stags rebounded last weekend, keeping the University of Northwestern (Minn.) out of the endzone in a 14-3 victory.
CMS has done most of its damage offensively on the ground, averaging 174.5 rushing yards a game. Garrett Cheadle leads the charge with 273 yards and three touchdowns through the opening two games of 2018.
