Box Score SALEM, Ore. — Anthony Mahaffey is quickly becoming Willamette University's worst nightmare. Just a year removed from a dramatic come from behind win over the Bearcats, the Pacific Lutheran University quarterback did it again, engineering two fourth quarter scores as the Lute football team escaped McCulloch Stadium with a 14-6 victory on Saturday evening in the Northwest Conference opener. 

PLU's defense carried the day, limiting the host Bearcats (1-3, 0-1 NWC) to just 110 yards of total offense on a day the Lutes (2-2, 1-0 NWC) had an uncharacteristic four turnovers.

Trailing 6-0 midway through the fourth quarter, Mahaffey put the Lutes on his back, orchestrating a seven-play, 65-yard drive to seize the lead for the first time. The signal caller started the drive with a five-yard completion to Reece Etrata before scampering six yards for a first down. Mahaffey found Ha'aheo Felipe for an 18-yard competition before using his legs for an additional five yards the next play, setting up shop at the Willamette 35-yard line. Mahaffety would find Darius Sum for a 31-yard touchdown pass, taking a 7-6 lead with 7:20 left in the game.

A Cole Becker sack on the ensuing possession, pushing the Bearcats into a third and long before eventually punting the ball back to the Lutes. Mahaffey came up big once again, first rumbling 53 yards to the Bearcat 10-yard line before finding Felipe to make it an eight-point Lute cushion. 

Willamette attempted to rally in the waning moments before a Connor Nauta sack fumble sealed the victory.
 
Both of the Bearcat field goals came off turnovers, picking off a pass before booting a 43-yard field goal late in the first quarter before cashing in on a blocked punt in the second quarter with a 34-yard field goal. 
 
Mahaffey came off the bench and finished the day by throwing two touchdown passes and finishing with 77 yards on just six carries. Last season, the senior erased a 21-0 first half deficit en route to a 31-28 Lute win, tossing four touchdowns on the day. 
 
Mason Taylor-Wells headlined a defense that kept Willamette out of the endzone, finishing with 11 tackles and a fumble recovery. Cole Becker was everyone as well, collecting three sacks and seven tackles. 
 
The Lutes return to Sparks Stadium next Saturday, hosting crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound for homecoming.