PUYALLUP, Wash. - Playing under the bright lights of Sparks Stadium for the first time since the 1992 season, the Pacific Lutheran University football team struck first but was unable to keep the spotlight all night with crosstown rival University of Puget Sound ultimately prevailing 20-3 on Saturday evening.

"It was awesome getting the opportunity to play under the lights at Sparks Stadium tonight," said Head Coach Brant McAdams.

"We worked for a different outcome, but I know our kids loved the atmosphere that comes with night games."

The homestanding Lutes (0-3) awoke the scoreboard on their second offensive series of the game, marching 42-yards on nine plays that was capped off by a 25-yard field goal off the boot of Peiyton Hilliard. The drive featured a steady diet of Cody Brown who rushed for 15 yards on the drive while the Lutes additionally had an 11-yard completion to Laakea Ane and a 16-yard completion to Jace Keim.

The Loggers (2-1) answered on the ensuing drive, scoring on a 25-yard screen pass to running back Duncan Varela. The score was 6-3 after one quarter after the Lutes' blocked the Loggers' extra point try.

Varela struck again in the second quarter, scoring on the ground from four yards as Puget Sound enjoyed a 13-3 advantage at the halftime intermission. Varela completed the scoring hat trick in the third with another touchdown reception, this time a six-yarder to cap off a 12-play, 70-yard drive that chewed up half the quarter.

"You win together and you lose together. When you lose, you take a hard look at what you can do better and you get back to work. That's what we'll do."

The Lute defense clamped down on the Loggers all game, allowing just 77 yards through the air as the Loggers quarterbacks finished eight-for-21 and were sacked twice. Spearheading the defensive efforts was Kord Tuttle with 11 sacks while Kalen Davis-White and Chase Rhinelander each had 10. Rhinelander additionally tallied an interception. Nico Golla had eight stops while Tristan Thomas had seven, including 1 1/2 sacks.

Offensively, Brown finished with 48 yards on 12 carries, averaging 4.0 yards per rush while Keim caught three passes for 38 yards.

Punter Max Boekenoogen continued to put on a clinic, averaging 42.1 yards per boot, including landing three of his seven inside the 20-yard line.

The Lutes have a bye this coming week before closing the spring season on March 13 at the Pine Bowl in Spokane against Whitworth University.