HILLSBORO, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University football team is well represented on the All-Northwest Conference teams released on Wednesday by the league office. Three Lutes secured First Team All-Conference accolades while 11 total Lutes were recognized for their outstanding efforts on the gridiron this fall.
 
Defensive standouts Nico Golla, Kalen Davis-White, and Colby Rhinelander headline the All-NWC honorees with the trio securing First Team honors. Laakea Ane, Thor Stepina, and Nico Skinner secured Second Team All-League while Darius Chaffin, Manuel Felan, Griffin Montana, Gavin Hawley, and Kellen Meade all secured Honorable Mention All-NWC status. 
 
Nico Golla lands First Team All-Conference at defensive line. The Puyallup, Washington native led the NWC and ranked eighth nationally in sacks, averaging 1.15 per game and ranked 14th in Division III in tackles for loss (1.9 per game). Golla finished the season with 54 tackles, 19 TFLs, and 11.5 sacks along with two forced fumbles. His 11.5 sacks ranks eighth all-time on the school's single season sacks list. 
 
Kalen Davis-White secures First Team All-NWC status as a linebacker. The Hilo, Hawaii native led the NWC in total tackles, averaging 8.5 per game. Davis-White finished the year with 68 tackles in just eight games, netting 8 TFLs and 4.5 sacks.
 
Colby Rhinelander is the third Lute defender to secure First Team All-League, earning the honor as a defensive back. The Kuliouou, Hawaii native tallied two interceptions and nine pass breakups this fall, taking both of his picks to the house. Rhinelander wrapped up the year with 46 solo tackles and 61 total takedowns.
 
Laakea Ane nets Second Team All-NWC as a tight end. The versatile back from Waianae, Hawaii had 19 catches for 129 yards and four touchdowns in 2023.
 
Thor Stepina had a breakout season this fall and is Second Team All-NWC as a wide receiver. The Portland, Oregon native missed the opening three games of the year but quickly made up for lost time, finishing the year with 35 receptions for 650 yards and three touchdowns. 
 
Nico Skinner is the third member of the Lute offense to land Second Team All-League. The lineman was part of an offense that averaged 367.1 yards per game.
 
Darius Chaffin is recognized as Honorable Mention All-NWC after throwing for 2,183 yards for the Lutes, tossing 19 touchdowns and completing 68.1 percent of his passes. The Kalihi, Hawaii native tallied 2,523 yards of total offense— a season output that ranks 10th all-time in program history.
 
Also earning Honorable Mention was wide receiver Manuel Felan. The Toppenish, Washington native had 42 catches for 609 yards and three scores in the nine games he played. 
 
Griffin Montana secures Honorable Mention All-League as an offensive lineman. Montana was part of a front five that helped the Lutes rush for 1,252 yards on the season.
 
Gavin Hawley lands Honorable Mention as a defensive lineman. The Midvale, Utah native played in seven games and had 29 tackles, including five TFLs and 2.5 sacks. 
 
Kellen Meade rounds out the Lute award winners as an Honorable Mention selection at defensive back. Meade led the team with four interceptions while also getting five pass beak-ups and making 34 tackles. 
 
The Lutes finished the 2023 season with a 5-5 overall record and a 4-3 mark in Northwest Conference play, finishing in third place in the league standings.