SAINT PAUL, MInn. — The Pacific Lutheran University football team produced a gritty effort in the season opener on Saturday but ultimately ran out of gas in the second half, falling 41-9 to host and 13th-ranked Bethel University.
 
"I thought our guys stood up and fought hard against a really good opponent," said Head Coach Brant McAdams. 
 
"We talked about attacking consistently throughout the game and our guys did that. The team that makes the least mistakes has the best chance to win and we made too many mistakes to compete the way we expect to today."
 
The Lute defense came up big in the opening quarter, forcing the Royals (1-0) to punt on their opening possession. Bethel looked to have a pick six on the Lutes' (0-1) second offensive drive but a penalty nullified the score and set the Royals up at the Lute 12-yard line.
 
The PLU defense stood its ground, forcing Bethel to boot a 21-yard field goal.
 
A Max Boekenoogen punt pinned the Royals on their four yard line early in the second quarter. The Lutes pounced on the opportunity, with an errant center snap going through the endzone giving PLU a safety with 10:48 left before halftime. 
 
Two late second quarter drives gave the Royals breathing room at halftime, utilizing a four-play, 40-yard drive to take a 10-2 lead before cobbling together an 80-play drive right before intermission, enjoying a 20-2 edge at the break.
 
John Walker showed off his explosiveness early in the second half, hauling in a pass from Erik Bainter for a 40-yard score, whittling the gap to 20-9. 
 
Unfortunately for PLU that's the closest it would get with Bethel scoring three late touchdowns to pull away.
 
Bainter finished the game throwing for 267 yards and a touchdown with Walker leading the receivers with 115 yards and a touchdown. Patrick McInerny hauled in a team-high five catches, racking up 72 yards.
 
Michael Gurr led the defensive unit with 11 tackles, including six solo. Kalen Davis-White had eight tackles while Jared Elwin had a pair of TFLs.
 
PLU outgained Bethel through the air, 267-238, but the difference was in the ground game with the hosts netting 223 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
 
"We have some good things to build on and a lot of flaws we will zero in on fixing over the next two weeks."
 
The Lutes have next weekend off before trekking to southern California to face University of La Verne on Sept. 17. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.