PORTLAND, Ore. — Big special teams plays early on set the tone for the Pacific Lutheran University football team on Saturday afternoon. Scoring on offense, defense, and special teams, the Lutes outlasted host Lewis & Clark College 46-36 in a Northwest Conference clash inside Griswold Stadium.
 
Brock Kinch blocked a punt on Lewis & Clark's opening drive, scooping up the ball and running 40-yards to make it 7-0 PLU just under two minutes into the game. Later in the first quarter, Ryan Dikover booted a 41-yard punt with the coverage team making a tackle at the two-yard line. The Pioneers (5-4, 2-4 NWC) fumbled the first snap of the drive and recovered the ball in the endzone for a Lute safety to make it 9-0. 
 
Connor Meade made it 17-0 Lutes (5-4, 4-2 NWC), returning a punt 62-yards for a touchdown just 20 seconds into the second quarter with AJ Stepina catching the two-point try. 
 
Anthony Mahaffey hit Jacob Schuh from 35-yards out to make it 23-7 before Jackson Hale had a pick-six with just over five minutes left in the first half to make it 30-7 PLU. The Pioneers scored just before halftime, getting an interception and scoring three plays later with 42 ticks left in the half, tightening the gap to 30-15. 
 
Host Lewis & Clark would close to within a score on three occasions in the second half but the Lutes answered the call each time, getting touchdowns from Jase Ellamar later in the third, an AJ Stepina receiving touchdown midway through the fourth, and an Evan Harvey 25-yard field goal inside two minutes to hold off any chance at a Pio comeback.  

"I'm super proud of the way our defense and special teams jumped on big plays and turned them into scoring opportunities in the first half," said Head Coach Brant McAdams.

"Once the offense settled in, they marched the field, ate up clock, and finished with points. We're looking forward to honoring these seniors in their last game next Saturday."
 
Mahaffey finished the day 18-for-28 for 205 yards and three touchdowns while Schuh had 91 yards on the ground, averaging 4.6 yards per touch while also leading the squad with five receptions for 75 yards and a score. 
 
Kawika Lopez had eight tackles to lead the Lutes while Hale and Eli Fernandez both finished the day with interceptions. Hale's monster day included seven tackles, including five solo, one quarterback hurry, and a pick six. 
 
Saturday's win was the fourth time this fall the Lutes have scored over 40 points in a game. 
 
PLU finishes off the season next Saturday, hosting George Fox University at 1 p.m. at Sparks Stadium.