PUYALLUP, Wash. — It was a defensive slugfest on Saturday at Sparks Stadium. The Pacific Lutheran University football team held Northwest Conference rival Pacific University to just 91 yards through the air but untimely turnovers derailed the Lutes in the season finale, falling 18-7 to the visiting Boxers.

"Not the way you want to finish the regular season. Despite the turnovers and short fields, our defense did an amazing job holding them to field goals to keep us in the game. It's hard to overcome getting that far behind in the turnover and field position battle," said Head Coach Brant McAdams.

Pacific (5-4, 4-3 NWC) drew first blood, kicking a 37-yard field goal on the opening possession of the game. A Lute fumble set the Boxers up on a short field midway through the second quarter. Pacific marched down to the 11-yard line before Ashton Barton picked off a pass in the endzone to keep the contest a 3-0 affair. 

The Boxers made it 6-0 with 3:24 left in the second half, booting a 39-yard field goal after getting the ball courtesy of another Lute fumble. 

For the second straight home game, Syi Campbell made his presence felt on special teams. The senior blocked a Boxer punt with 33 seconds left in the half, giving the Lutes (6-4, 5-2 NWC) the ball on the nine-yard line. PLU's offense did the rest with Manuel Felan catching a seven yard pass from backup quarterback Kellen Kranc before hauling in a two-yard pass to give PLU a 7-6 advantage heading into the intermission.

Pacific reclaimed the lead early in the third, booting a 24-yard field goal before making it 11-7 on a safety with 2:56 left in the third. 

The Lutes were driving in the fourth before the Boxers forced another fumble, recovering the ball and covering 42-yards on just three plays, including a 28-yard rumble by Brody Bantolina for what turned out to be the final score of the afternoon.

Barton led the Lute defensive efforts with 11 tackles, one interception, and a quarterback hurry. Kalen Davis-White had 10 tackles, including three TFLs while Gavin Hawley netting nine tackles, including 1.5 TFLs, a pass breakup, and a hurry. The PLU defensive unit limited the Boxers to just 91 yards passing on 26 attempts while forcing the visitors to one of 14 on third downs.

John Walker led the offense with seven catches for 105 yards while Manuel Felan had six catches for 77 yards and the Lutes' lone touchdown. Kranc threw for 214 yards on the day but the Lutes were plagued by turnovers, finishing with six on the day.

"Words won't do justice to the gratitude we have for this senior class. They've left a huge impact on this program and their legacy will echo for years to come."

PLU finishes the year tied for second in the NWC Standings, the program's highest finish since the 2013 campaign while collecting the most wins since the 2014 season.