TACOMA, Wash. - It's a new era for the Pacific Lutheran University football team in 2018, taking the field on Saturday against California Lutheran University in the debut of new Head Coach Brant McAdams. 
 
While the core values of the program remain the same, several other aspects of the program will look a little different under McAdams, who joined PLU prior to spring ball after serving as an assistant at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. One of the most obvious visual changes will be the helmets with the Lutes switching their lids from white to black, harking back to the Lutes of the early 1970s. From a scheme standpoint, both the offense and defense will be revamped this year, showing a few different looks than what has been seen in the past.
 
"I expect to see the same kind of effort. You can look at the scores from last year and we were in almost every single game and I think as a tradition, this place has always played football really hard. So we want to see that type of effort and commitment to their teammates continue," said McAdams.
 
"Effort-wise, attitude-wise, you hope to see similar or better. But offensively it's going to be a brand new scheme both in the run game and the passing game. Defensively, it's going to be a brand new scheme, both in the box and in coverage."
 
One facet of the game that will remain largely unchanged is the special teams which will continue to be orchestrated by longtime assistant Judd Keim. 
 
Offensively, Walker LaVoy is slated to be under center. The senior saw extensive action in the final three games of the season in 2017, throwing for 240 yards in an upset win on the road against nationally-ranked George Fox University and ending the year with four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. 
 
"I think the quarterback position battle was awesome. We had Walker LaVoy coming in with the most experience but Nolan Hoover, who hadn't seen a lot of game action on Saturday's, coming in and competing extremely hard. You can tell he has a phenomenal work ethic and leadership and that was proven when his teammates elected him a captain. I expect good things from the quarterback position."
 
LaVoy emerged as the starter and his ability to run and pass will keep opposing defenses off balance.
 
"His poise is great. He makes good decisions, has a strong arm, and is athletic. If he has to pull the ball down and not force something he's dangerous with his feet and that's tough on defenses."
 
Ethan McElderry, TJ Morris, and Shea Carroll will be the workhorses in the backfield. The trio combined for 226 rushing yards and two touchdowns last season and will be called on to carry the ground game. When the ball is in the air, count on Brady Winter to be on the receiving end often. The senior finished with 405 receiving yards last season. 
 
"I think we have a pretty deep backfield with three senior running backs. I think we can expect big things from Brady Winter in the passing game. He's surrounded by a good supporting cast at receiver."
 
The offensive line looks to be anchored around Logan Black. 
 
"Up front I think this is a good senior class. Probably our most impressive lineman is center Logan Black. He's a coach's kid. He's pretty cerebral and is the quarterback of the offensive line. He gets us set and is pretty athletic for his size."
 
One of the most versatile weapons on offense will be Anthony Louthan who saw time as a tight end and running back last season while also serving as the punter. Louthan tallied 155 rushing yards while also hauling in five receptions in 2017. He additionally punted 39 times, pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line on 10 occasions.  
 
"I think you can call him our utility player on offense. He'll be a versatile tight end/slot receiver for us. But at the end of the day he gives us more depth and size in the backfield, so if we need to we'll put him back there." 
 
Defensively, McAdams will be calling the plays and will be operating the Lutes out of multiple looks, attempting to build on a unit that ranked third in the nation in fewest first downs and fifth in team sacks. 
 
"Our goal is to be multiple, we're not going to just sit in one defensive front and one defensive coverage and make it easy on the opposing quarterbacks to know what there read is. We're going to make it as tough on the quarterback post-snap as possible."
 
Second Team All-Northwest Conference selection Parker Trewet is the returner with the most tackles. The linebacker finished with 51 tackles and seven tackles for loss in 2017 while Matt Anthony tallied 27 tackles and three TFLs. The coaching staff expects big things from first year starter Hajriz Aliu at outside linebacker while relying heavily on Anthony Bautista and Parker Bowles in the secondary.  Bautista was a ball hawk last season for the Lute secondary, nabbing a team-high four interceptions while also netting three breakups and seven deflections. 
 
Up front, Taylor Rupe is back after logging 2.5 sacks in his first season with PLU. 
 
"We have Rupe returning who was a competitor for newcomer of the year. He's just big and athletic, and then young and upcoming players in Max Larson and Cody Barnett, two sophomores slated to be in the starting unit. Cody moved over from wide receiver last spring and Max having moved from outside backer to defensive end this fall."
 
Saturday's clash against California Lutheran will be the first of two non-conference games before the Lutes embark on the rugged NWC slate. 
 
"We're going to find out where we are (on Saturday). Game one I want us execute the fundamentals. I want to see us fly around and have fun. I want to see us show a little resilience. Every game comes with some form of adversity so I want to see us play through that and controlling what we can control. Ultimately I think this is a good test in our first game." 
 
Sept. 8: PLU vs. California Lutheran at Thousand Oaks, California (1 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Kingsmen have met 23 times on the gridiron with PLU enjoying a slim 12-11 advantage in the all-time series that began back in 1967. The last five encounters have been decided by a touchdown or less with Cal Lu prevailing 27-21 in the 2017 season opener. 
 
About the Kingsmen: California Lutheran (5-3, 3-3 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) started the season red-hot in 2017, winning five of its first six games, with the lone setback a 28-27 decision on the road against SCIAC rival University of La Verne. The final three games of the season saw CLU absorb two defeats while the third game against Occidental College was canceled after the Tigers forfeited the season due to a lack of healthy players.
 
The Kingsmen will be inexperienced at quarterback but will have a veteran line in front to protect, including First Team All-SCIAC pick Andrew Reyes. Defensively, Cal Lu returns two-time First Team All-SCIAC selection Obasi Dees in the defensive backfield.