CLAREMONT, Calif. - The Pacific Lutheran University football team erased an early 17-point deficit before falling victim to a fourth quarter touchdown as host Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges escaped with the 24-17 victory on a hot Saturday afternoon at Zinda Field. 

"I'm extremely proud of the way our team responded after finding ourselves in a 17-point deficit on the road," said Head Coach Brant McAdams. "We have young faces continuing to make plays on all three phases of the game and veterans leading with resolve."

The host Stags (2-1) found the endzone on their second drive of the day, marching 52-yards on five plays with Zach Fogel threading a four-yard pass to Carter Henderson for the score. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps doubled its lead early in the second quarter, utilizing a two-play, 47-yard drive for the 14-0 advantage. The Stags lead would swell to 17 with 5:16 left in the second after booting a 32-yard field goal.

The Lutes (1-1) got on the board the following possession, piecing together a 12-play, 69-yard drive capped off by a 2-yard plunge by Zachary Trujillo. Quarterback Erik Bainter hit Jace Keim for a 28-yard reception on a third and five to keep the drive alive and set up first and goal before Trujillo put the exclamation point on the drive. 

Pacific Lutheran's defense and special teams set the tone early in the second half, setting up the squad's second touchdown of the day. The Lute kickoff coverage unit forced Claremont to start its opening drive of the third quarter on the 16-yard line. Two consecutive negative yardage plays set up a third and 22 from the four yard line. CMS was able to convert, setting up a punt that was blocked by Kord Tuttle. Ashton Barton pounced on the loose ball and returned it three yards for the touchdown, whittling the gap to just three points.

A Cheyn Tam-Switzer interception set up the Lute offense on the CMs 24-yard line. The Lutes would march to the seven yard line before Alex Brost nailed a 25-yard field goal to level the score with 46 seconds left in the third. 

Claremont methodically drove down the field the ensuing possession, scoring with 12:51 left in the game on a seven-play, 65-yard drive. PLU's next three offensive drives went punt, interception, punt, before CMS utilized a nine-play drive to chew up the final 5:58 on the game clock to secure the win. 

Bainter finished the day with 15 completions for 113 yards and 23 rushing yards with Keim his top target with four catches for 41 yards. CMS outgained the Lutes 342-157 including a 213-44 advantage in rushing yards. 

Chase Rhinelander again led the Lutes in tackles, racking up 12 while Nicholas Bautista added 10, including 2.5 TFLs. Mykah Tuiolemotu continued to wreck havoc in the interior, finishing with six tackles and an interception while Tam-Switzer picked off his second pass in as many games. 

"We're ready to get back to work over the next couple of weeks as we look to improve heading into conference play."

The Lutes take next weekend off before hosting Lewis & Clark College on Oct. 5 for Homecoming. Kickoff at Sparks Stadium is set for 12:30 p.m.