PUYALLUP, Wash. — Seniors Laakea Ane and Colby Rhinelander both scored touchdowns on Senior Day but it was too little too late for the Pacific Lutheran University football team, falling 42-19 to ninth-ranked Linfield University at Sparks Stadium.

"It was a tough one today," said Head Coach Brant McAdams.

"We didn't grab any momentum early on and got behind a very good team. Proud of how our guys fought back in the second half."
 
The Lutes (4-5, 3-3 Northwest Conference) and nationally-ranked Wildcats (8-0, 6-0 NWC) were scoreless in the opening quarter with the Lute defense stalling the 'Cats opening two drives of the game.
 
An interception late in the first quarter set up Linfield on a short field that turned into seven points early in the second quarter. It was part of a 28-point outburst in the second quarter, enjoying a 28-0 edge at the halftime break.
 
Linfield scored touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters before the Lutes came alive and attempted a late rally.
 
Noah Palitz tallied the Lutes' first score, plunging in from seven yards out to cap off a 10-play, 77-yard drive.
 
It was the defense that stepped up on the following possession with Colby Rhinelander intercepting a Carson Van Dyke pass and running 56-yards back for a pick-six to make it 42-13. 
 
PLU wasn't finished with Darius Chaffin hitting Ane on a three-yard pass to finish off an 11-play 83-yard drive with 49 seconds left in the game. 
 
Rhinelander headlined the defense with a game-high 11 tackles, including six solo takedowns along with two pass breakups and his interception. It's his second interception of the season and his second pick-six of the year.
 
Mouse Williams had nine tackles and an interception while Nico Golla had 1.5 TFLs.
 
Chaffin finished the day 23-for-36 with two touchdowns with Palitz finished the day with seven catches for 57 yards. Thor Stepina had five catches for 67 yards while Manuel Felan racked up 62 yards.

"This senior class is a good one and a huge part of the momentum we've bult as a program. We will continue to have high expectations as a program because this group continues to push the standard of excellence."
 
The Lutes close out the season next Saturday, battling for The Trophy against crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound. Kickoff at the Loggers' Baker Stadium is set for 1 p.m.