NEWBERG, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran football team knew it needed a huge defensive effort Saturday and that is exactly what the Lutes got.
PLU held off George Fox 13-12 in the Northwest Conference opener for both teams.
The Lutes defense picked off two passes - returning one for a touchdown - recovered a fumble and recorded a huge fourth-down stop in the final seconds to help secure the victory.
"I'm so proud of our defense tonight," PLU coach Brant McAdams said. "It's not easy to go out on the field in a tight game and perform over and over again."
Fourth-string quarterback Jordan Etter threw the game-winning touchdown pass on fourth-and-16, hitting John Walker on a 27-yard strike to the back corner of the end zone with 4 minutes, 18 seconds remaining.
Etter entered after Kellan Kranc left with an injury after being sacked two plays before. Etter's first pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage before hitting Walker on the desperation fourth-down play.
The defense still needed to make a final stop, though.
The Bruins started marching down the field, eventually facing a fourth-and-1 at the PLU 32.
Aiden Shroyer then stuffed Ethan Bullock on a rush up the middle to secure the victory for the Lutes.
"The defense kept their composure, played within our system, scored on defense and stepped up huge when the game was on the line," McAdams said. "Most importantly they stayed behind our offense all the way down to the final tick."
The Lutes (2-2 overall, 1-0 NWC) took their first lead with 7:05 remaining in the third quarter when Jared Elwin intercepted a Haiden Schaan pass and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown and a 7-6 lead. It was one of two Elwin interceptions on the day.
George Fox (3-1, 0-1) answered on the ensuing drive and then forced a PLU punt, taking over with 8:28 left.
The Lutes defense again came up huge, though, as Syi Campbell forced a fumble and Ashton Barton recovered seeing up the fireworks in the final minutes.
"George Fox is always good on special teams," McAdams said, "and our special teams units stepped up to match that. (Max Boekenoogen) was in true form flipping the field all night."
Boekenoogen finished with eight punts for an average of 39.1 yards per kick.
Kranc finished 16-of-23 for 109 yards, while Etter was 1-for-2 for 27 yards and the winning touchdown.
Walker finished with six receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown, while Raysen Motoyama had 65 yards on 20 carries.
Elwin had two pass breakups to go with his two interceptions, while Kord Tuttle had 1.5 sacks and 11 tackles and Colby Rhinelander had 11 tackles as well.
PLU returns to Tacoma to host Lewis & Clark College at 1 p.m. Saturday in the annual Homecoming game.
