PUYALLUP, Wash. — A big day on the ground and a staunch defense effort helped the Pacific Lutheran University football team overcome a rash of turnovers to post a 17-10 Homecoming victory over Northwest Conference rival Pacific University on Saturday at Sparks Stadium.
The Lute backfield combined for 223 rushing yards on the day, averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per rush. Defensively, the Lutes (2-3, 1-1 NWC) put the clamps on the Boxer ground game, limiting the visitors to just 92 yards on the ground and just 244 total yards. Those two dominant efforts negated a day the Lutes turned the ball over five times.
The visiting Boxers (1-3, 1-1 NWC) drew first blood, kicking a 33-yard field goal on the game's opening drive. The Lutes answered the next drive, going 76-yards on 11-plays with
Darius Chaffin hitting
Marc Basa from 12-yards out for a touchdown.
Pacific reclaimed the lead early in the second quarter, intercepting a pass and mounting a 41-yard drive that was capped off by an 18-yard run to make it 10-7 Boxers. PLU's defense would keep the Boxers off the scoreboard the rest of the day.
It was the
Jacob Schuh show early in the third quarter, rushing for gains of 24-yards, 10-yards, and then nine-yards into the endzone on consecutive plays to put the Lutes ahead 14-10.
Cole Sargent booted a 24-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to give PLU the 17-10 lead, a score that would hold up the rest of the game.
"We're super proud of how our defense responded to some tough adversity through the game today. It's a huge statement to keep Pacific from stacking the momentum after our turnovers. On top of that, our guys held the top rushing offense to half their output," said Head Coach
Brant McAdams.
"Our punt team flipped the field a couple of times and our punt return game helped win the field position battle. That kind of support spurred our offensive ground attack to take control of the game."
Schuh led the Lutes on the ground with 74 yards on eight carries, netting 9.2 yards per carry. Chaffin scrambled for 70 yards while throwing for 159-yards, completing 15-passes on the day.
Raysen Motoyama racked up 47 yards on 10 carries with
Noah Palitz getting four touches and averaging 8.5-yards per rush.
Manuel Felan led the receiving corps with six catches for 69 yards while
Laakea Ane had four catches for 38-yards.
Kalen Davis-White led the defense with 15 tackles including two TFLs while
Layne DePeralta added 10, including eight solo takedowns.
Nico Golla had two sacks while as the unit, the Lutes had nine TFLs.
"We're back to the process on Monday, but we're not taking any win for granted. Proud of our guys for finding a way to win."
PLU is back on the gridiron next Saturday, facing Willamette University in Salem, Oregon at 1 p.m.
