FOREST GROVE, Ore. - The Pacific Lutheran University football team was 33 seconds away from its third consecutive win on Saturday but ultimately came up short in the season final at Hanson Stadium, stumbling 20-17 to Northwest Conference rival Pacific University.

"I'm very proud of this football team and the seniors that led it," said Head Coach Brant McAdams.

"We held a lead for the entire game on the road versus a good football team and forced them to convert on fourth and goal to take the lead in the final seconds. Our defense played incredible today. When your defense plays like that, you're always in it."

Darius Chaffin got things started, returning the opening kickoff 92-yards for a touchdown to give the visiting Lutes (3-4, 4-5 NWC) the early 7-0 edge. The first-year has now scored on the ground, through the air, and on special teams this fall.

The Boxers (6-3, 5-2 NWC) responded the following drive, putting together a 14-play, 65-yard drive, tying the score at 7-7 before taking the lead on a 40-yard field goal with 39 seconds left in the opening quarter.

Pacific Lutheran started the second quarter by mounting a 95-yard drive spanning 12 plays, reclaiming the lead at 14-10 on a five-yard rush from Erik Bainter. A 20-yard reception by Marc Basa kept the drive alive on a third down on PLU's own 11-yard line before later hauling in a 44-yard catch to setup Bainter's five yard scamper.

Peiyton Hilliard boosted the Lute edge to 17-10 with 2:51 left before halftime by booting a 37-yard field goal. Pacific nailed a field goal of its own with under a minute before halftime as the Lutes held a slim 17-13 edge at the break.

The score remained static until late in the fourth quarter with the Boxers mounting a 13-play, 69-yard drive to take the lead for good at 20-17 with 33 seconds left. That included converting a fourth and goal on the eight-yard line with Ty Hargis catching the game-winner from Kenyon Harris.

PLU drove to the Pacific 43 yard line on the ensuing possession before time expired, giving the host Boxers the comeback victory.

PLU's defense ended the day with another stout effort, collecting seven sacks and two interceptions. Kalen Davis-White led the way with 15 tackles while Kord Tuttle and Ashton Barton both had 11. Nasier Ford tallied a pair of sacks with Max Larson and Tuttle each claiming 1.5 sacks. Davis-White and Jared Elwin each picked off a pass.

"Our offense made some big plays to keep the chains moving at critical points in the game and our special teams broke the game open on the opening kick. Lots of flashes of championship football, but not enough to win today."

Basa led the receiving corps with three catches for 93 yards while Bainter threw for  147 yards and rushed for another 40.

"We closed the gap this year. From winless in the winter season to 30 seconds away from beating the number three team in the NWC on the road. That is a huge jump. The best part is our kids walked off that field invigorated and hungry to move the needle further over the next nine months."