Post-Game Interview

PUYALLUP, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University football team was unable to weather a late charge from Northwest Conference rival Lewis & Clark College on Saturday afternoon, having Homecoming spoiled by two late scores in a 28-14 setback at Sparks Stadium.
 
"I think there's a lot to be said for being a seasoned team and Lewis & Clark is a seasoned football team. I thought we've done a great job up to this point gelling as a football team but you only get nine opportunities to prove that and we fell short today," said Head Coach Brant McAdams.
 
The visiting Pioneers (2-1, 1-0 NWC) drew first blood scoring on a nine-play, 67-yard drive on their opening possession. The drive initially looked like a calamity for Lewis & Clark, fumbling the ball and having PLU's Kylan Sadettan return it to the house, only to have the play negated on an offsides call. L&C took full advantage of that second chance, pounding the rock with six rushes covering the final 29 yards including the touchdown run from Michael Abraham from three yards out. 
 
The Lutes (1-2, 0-1 NWC) took the lead later in the first quarter, piecing together a six-play, 55-yard drive to paydirt. Quarterback Bryce Missey found Wesley Nixon for 11 yards to start the drive before a 15-yard run from Cody Brown. Missey would hit Alex Rendon for 26-yards before finding Devan Brady for the nine-yard touchdown strike, taking a 7-6 advantage.
 
The Pios reclaimed the lead with 9:51 left in the second quarter with Huero Lopez scoring on a 24-yard reception to close out a 14-play, 78-yard drive.
 
It would take the Lutes just 15 seconds to take the lead in the second half with Cody Barnett intercepting a Caden Voges pass on the first play from scrimmage and rumbling 51-yards to the house, giving host Pacific Lutheran the 14-13 edge.
 
A short punt set the Pios in good field position late in the third and L&C made sure to capitalize with a five-play, 55-yard drive to take a 21-14 lead. L&C would ice the game with another Abraham touchdown, capping a 94-yard drive with 7:38 left in the contest.
 
PLU's next drive went 44-yards before stalling on the Pioneer 26-yard line before the Pios drained the final 3:44 on the clock to secure the victory.
 
Nixon finished with six receptions for 83 yards to lead the offense while Alex Rendon hauled in five passes for 45 yards. 
 
Chase Rhinelander finished with 12 tackles while Hunter Briggs had 10, including two tackles for loss. Max Larson had nine takedowns and one interception while Barnett had six tackles and three breakups along with his pick-six.
 
Alex Brost had a busy day with 10 punts, landing six inside the 20 and two landing inside the six. 
 
L&C enjoyed a 405 to 158 edge in total offense while controlling the ball for over 36 minutes.
 
"We're going to regroup and get back to practice and back to work and see if we can't take a big step forward coming off this game. I told our guys after the game that after a disappointing result like this you have one of two options. You can either hang your head and point the finger or you can take ownership and responsibility and make a commitment to work hard. Our guys know that there's really only one option, so I expect our guys to own it and show up next week hungry to work.
 
The Lutes are back on the gridiron next Saturday, facing George Fox University at 1 p.m. in Newberg, Oregon.