Pacific Lutheran University Athletics

PUYALLUP, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University football team's five-year monopoly on The Trophy came to a halt on Saturday, getting unseated 23-13 by crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound on Homecoming at Sparks Stadium.

After a scoreless opening quarter, the visiting Loggers (1-3, 1-1 NWC) scored with 11:48 left before halftime, cashing in on a Lute turnover with a 68-yard drive.

The Lutes (2-3, 1-1 NWC) quickly answered with Anthony Mahaffey finding Dayton Savea for a 76-yard touchdown in Mahaffey's first throw of the game just 45 seconds later.

The Loggers snuck in three more points before halftime, getting an interception as time expired. A PLU penalty moved Puget Sound 15-yards closer as the Loggers booted a 42-yard field goal on an untimed down to take a 10-7 lead into the halftime break.
 
Puget Sound went up two scores with 5:59 left in the third, scoring from 15-yards out to cap off a 10-play, 60-yard drive. The Loggers would boot two more field goals, one of 30-yards and another of 25-yards to stretch their lead to 23-7 with 7:44 remaining.

The Lutes drove 73-yards on just five plays with Mahaffey finding Preston Santi for a three-yard touchdown but the Lutes' two-point play and subsequent onside kick failed as Puget Sound snapped a five game skid in the series and claimed The Trophy for the first time in program history after it debuted in the fall of 2021.

Mahaffey finished the day with 197 passing yards while Darius Sum led the team on the ground with 41 yards on 10 rushes, averaging 4.1 yards per play. Dayton Savea had a huge day receiving with seven catches for 157 yards and a score.

Jackson Hale anchored the defense with 13 tackles, including five solo takedowns while Mason Taylor-Wells finished with 10. Micah Ragaza-Bourassa and Will Frank both finished with nine tackles while Kyson Young and Kaden Watts both had sacks. 

PLU outgained the Loggers 295 to 284 on the day but was sabotaged by turnovers, tossing four interceptions on the afternoon. 
 
"Congrats to Puget Sound for a great game plan and getting the job done. Rivalry games are always tough and they capitalized on opportunities to get the win," said Head Coach Brant McAdams.
 
"We have a lot of work to do to be ready next week on the road against Pacific."
 
Saturday's game was the 102^nd meeting between the crosstown rivals, a series that dates back to the 1931 season. 
 
The Lutes hit the road next Saturday, facing Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.