TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University football program returns to the gridiron on Saturday, facing familiar rival University of Puget Sound in the first intercollegiate football contest for the Lutes in 448 days. It's PLU's longest stretch between games since the program was interrupted from 1943 to 1945 due to World War II.

"Our primary expectation was to lean into the challenges of COVID and adapt and show that football can be done safely," said Head Coach Brant McAdams who enters his third season at the helm. 

"I think the number one priority was health and safety, and protecting the opportunity to get this experience together. Number two is show the growth we've worked for as a program. if you're doing the process right the results will take care of themselves. So we're eager to see the fruits of our student-athletes' efforts and their investment into the program."
 

Check out more on PLU's efforts to get back on the playing field (LINK to AP Story)

The Lutes will play four games this spring against the other two Northwest Conference institutions located in Washington. The season opens Saturday at Puget Sound before a bye week. The Lutes will host Whitworth University and Puget Sound in consecutive weekends at Sparks Stadium before closing the year in Spokane against Whitworth on Mar. 13.

"It adds a small level of complexity (playing teams twice) that I think is fun. The reality is our goal each week is to go 1-0 so it's not like we're really holding anything back. We've got our playbook installed on offense and defense and special teams so every Saturday we will put our best foot forward."

Offensively, the Lutes (2-7, 1-6 NWC in 2019) return a stable of veterans in the skill positions but will be inexperienced in the offensive line. At running back, First Team All-NWC selection Cody Brown returns for his final season. The Portland, Oregon native rushed for 577 yards and three touchdowns in 2019 while hauling in 16 passes for an additional 107 yards. Joining him in the backfield will be Malik White who spent the past three seasons at Aurora University in Illinois, helping the Spartans win the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference title in 2019. 

Pacific Lutheran returns a talented stable of receivers with Wesley Nixon, Alex Rendon, and Jace Keim combining for 1,370 yards and nine touchdowns a season ago. Rendon led the bunch with 39 receptions and five scores while Nixon topped the trio in yardage, eating up 474 yards on the year. Also returning will be tight end Laakea Ane who had 102 yards receiving and a touchdown in 2019. 

Returning under center will be Bryce Missey. The Spanaway, Washington native threw for 1,382 yards and 13 touchdowns last season and was peaking the final two games of the year, tossing for 730 yards and nine scores against Pacific University and Willamette University. Sharing snaps with Missey will be youngster Kellan Kranc who spent last year on the red turf at FCS Eastern Washington University.

"It's absolutely been a point of emphasis is our leadership and experience that is returning in the skill positions. But no matter what, the success on both sides of the ball will be dictated up front and we're going to be relatively young up front."

Anchoring that young offensive line will be seniors Ryan Lusk and Colin Chun. That includes Lusk moving into the role of center to start the season. 

"Ryan is easily our most versatile offensive lineman. He's played all five positions and while developing some young guys and trying to find the best five offensive linemen, his versatility has been absolutely critical in giving us the ability to plug new bodies in there and get really good practice sessions."
While the offensive line may be young, it's a group McAdams is excited to see what they can do.

"Our first-year o-lineman I think have done what you want any recruiting class to do. They've elevated the competition in the room, they've also elevated the level of team culture because they showed up and started working hard and kept their ears open to coaching points from coaches and teammates. They've embraced the team and the program and I think this is a special group that's stepped into an offensive line room that had a solid foundation and they've gotten after it."

Defensively, the Lutes return a pair of All-Conference performers and include plenty of experience on the line and in the secondary. 

"You can still expect a fast and fearless defense that is going to attack and really try to get after the opponent and try and dictate some situations."

Honorable Mention All-NWC selection Tristan Thomas returns at defensive end as does fellow DE Max Larson. Thomas wrapped up 2019 with a team-best 12.5 tackles for loss, including 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. On the other side Larson was equally as prolific, collecting 9.5 TFLs and 5.5 sacks with an interception. In the interior, Mykah Tuiolemotu is back after collecting 21 tackles, three sacks, and one pick in an injury shortened five-game season. 

"Tristan brings a presence; a demanding leadership presence and Max brings unexplainable energy to the field. Having them as bookends makes coaching fun because I know that huddle is getting a steady dose of really good leadership."

In the secondary, Chase Rhinelander is back. The strong safety finished 2019 with 64 tackles despite playing just seven of the nine games. Joining him will be corners Cheyn Tam-Switzer (two interception) and Jared Elwin (one interception, six break-ups) and free safety Shaun Kim who had 42 tackles as a sophomore last season. 

"It's really fun to have a group that's played a lot of football together. We've shifted some pieces here and there but I think they're a group that communicates well together and takes a lot of pride in their job of eliminating big plays for an offense."

The linebacking corps has some big shoes to fill but Kalen White and Ashton Barton seem up to the task of filling that void. 

"Ashton has kind of emerged in Hunter Briggs' absence. They were high school teammates so it's been really cool to see Ashton step into a vocal leadership role within the linebackers. And he's a two-sport kid that's doing an amazing job balancing football and baseball."

One of the biggest question marks for the Lutes will be with special teams that will have to replace Alex Brost who was the program's kicker for the past four years and was also the punter in 2019. 

"Graduating Anthony Louthan two years ago and Alex Brost last year, that left a really big footprint for us to have to fill. So it's going to be a rotation going in. We're looking forward to seeing someone step up and fill those shoes."

Peiyton Hillard and Andrew Comito will battle at the kicker spot while Max Boekenoogan and Hillard will vie for punting duties during the Lutes' abbreviated spring campaign. 

While it's been an extended break for the Lutes, McAdams doesn't anticipate that being much of an issue after the opening whistle. 

"Saturday's legitimately the first time in over a year our guys have been in this situation so I think there's going to be some cobwebs but I'm anticipating our guys shaking that off pretty quickly and riding the wave of excitement to getting back to doing what we love to do."

Kickoff at Puget Sound's Baker Stadium is set for 12 p.m. Fans are not allowed in attendance all academic year due to COVID-19 restrictions but fans will be able to follow along with the live stream and live stats.