PUYALLUP, Wash. - A swarming defense led the way as the Pacific Lutheran University football team generated early turnovers en route to a 17-10 victory over California Lutheran University in the season-opener at Sparks Stadium.

"Winning college football games is always tough. So to get a win, particularly our first game at home is exciting. I'm really proud of our guys and coaching staff," said Head Coach Brant McAdams.

The Lutes (1-0) found the end zone on their third drive of the day with a Max Larson sack-fumble setting the Lutes up with a short field on the CLU 16-yard line. Quarterback Bryce Missey hit Alex Rendon from eight yards out to give the hosts the early 7-0 advantage. PLU doubled its lead just five minutes later with a 25-yard reception by Jace Keim putting the Lutes back in the red zone. Zachariah Trujillo capped off the drive with a two-yard plunge, giving PLU the 14-0 lead with 4:54 left in an opening quarter the suffocating PLU defense limited the Cal Lu to negative nine yards offense.

The Kingsmen (0-1) narrowed the gap to a single possession early in the third quarter, with Cesar De Leon hitting Jujuan Thomas for the 31-yard touchdown. Pacific Lutheran added to its lead midway through the fourth quarter with a Cheyn Tam-Switzer interception and 28-yard return setting up the offense at the CLU 46-yard line. A 39-yard pass from Erik Bainter to Rendon put the Lutes in the red zone before Alex Brost booted a 21-yard field goal to give the Lutes the 17-7 advantage,

Cal Lutheran booted a 19-yard field goal with two minutes left but the Lutes recovered an onside kick try and Bainter scrambled for a first down on third and four to secure the win.

Cody Brown led the Lutes ground game, finishing with 76 yards on 23 carries while Missey racked up 37 yards. Keim and Devan Brady each finished with three receptions while Rendon was two for 47 with a score.
 

Alex Rendon paced the PLU offense with two catches for 47 yards, including the season's first TD. #GoLutes #d3fb pic.twitter.com/lzuuivatog

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) September 14, 2019

Defensively, Chase Rhinelander had 14 tackles while Hunter Briggs had eight tackles and one fumble recovery. Mykah Tuiolemotu made his presence felt in his collegiate debut, racking up two sacks and one fumble recovery.
 

The @PLUFootball defense had four takeaways and was led by @ChaseRhineland today with 14 tackles! #d3fb #GoLutes pic.twitter.com/NOfB2R4lSS

— PLU Athletics (@golutes) September 14, 2019

Cal Lu outgained the Lutes 252-211 but were undone by turnovers with the Lutes scoring 10 of their 17 points off CLU miscues.

The Lutes are back in action next Saturday, heading to southern California to face Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.