Pacific Lutheran University Athletics

PUYALLUP, Wash. — Darius Sum rushed for 130 yards but the Pacific Lutheran University football team was unable to maintain a fourth quarter lead, stumbling 33-24 to in-state rival Whitworth University in a Northwest Conference clash at Sparks Stadium.
 
Sum's outstanding day included averaging 10.8 yards per carry and scoring a 68-yard yard touchdown in the second quarter. 

Sum's efforts helped the Lutes (3-5, 2-3 NWC) own a 24-23 edge heading into the fourth quarter before the pesky Pirates (4-3, 3-2 NWC) booted a 47-yard field goal to pull ahead 26-24. It was Iden Bone's fourth field goal of the day, also hitting from 21-yards, 39-yards, and 37-yards.

PLU was driving later in the fourth with a 20-yard run from Sum putting the Lutes inside the redzone at the Whitworth 19-yard line. Unfortunately, the Lutes were unable to convert with a fumble and a sack pushing the team outside field goal range. The Pirates capitalized, mounting a scoring drive to make it a nine-point game with 3:11 remaining. 

Whitworth scored the opening 10 points of the game, turning a short field into a touchdown midway through the first quarter before getting a field goal early in the second quarter.
 
Caleb Moberg got the Lutes on the board with 10:24 left in the second quarter with a 36-yard field goal. A Will Frank interception put the Lute offense right back on the field with Sum running 68-yards on the first play to tie the game.

PLU wasn't finished in the second with David Castleberry blocking a punt that set up a 12-play 63-yard Lute scoring drive with quarterback Dallas So'oto finding Connor Meade on a 10-yard score to make it 17-10 PLU.
 
Whitworth answered with a field goal as time expired and retook the lead early in the third, capitalizing on a big punt return to make it 20-17. 
 
Ha'aheo Felipe hauled in a 14-yard pass from So'oto to make it 24-20 in the third but the visitors would score the final 13 points to steal the win.

"We're proud of the way we competed today," said Head Coach Brant McAdams.

"We've got some young guys making big plays on offense. Overall we took a step forward today but ultimately we didn't execute well enough to get the win."

So'oto was 31-for-44 with 252 passing yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 36 more yards. Connor Meade was his top target, catching nine passes for 81 yards and a score while Dayton Savea had seven catches for 63 yards.

Jackson Hale led the defense with 18 tackles while Mason Taylor-Wells had 11 and two pass breakups on the day. Micah Ragaza-Bourassa and Kyson Young both registered sacks.

The Lutes close out their home slate next Saturday, hosting Lewis & Clark College on senior day. Kickoff at Sparks Stadium is set for 1 p.m.