PORTLAND, Ore. -- Lewis & Clark built a 17-point third quarter lead then held on to defeat visiting Whitworth 30-22 in a Northwest Conference football game on Saturday afternoon at Griswold Stadium.

The Pioneers improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1963 and are 2-0 in the NWC. They also defeated the Pirates (1-5, 0-2) for the first time since 1997, ending a 12-game losing streak to Whitworth.

The Pirates took an early 7-0 lead, driving 62 yards in only eight plays and scoring on a 12-yard pass from Bryan Peterson to Austin Ehlo. But L&C responded with a quick score of its own, capped by QB Keith Welch's 13-yard run and the game appeared like it would turn into a high scoring affair.

Drew Goranson's 17-yard field goal gave Whitworth a 10-7 lead late in the first quarter, but the Pirates were unable to punch the ball over the goal line after having first and goal at the three yard line. Peterson was sacked on third down, the first of nine sacks that Whitworth would give up in the game.

It was the Bucs' last lead.

Welch put the Pioneers ahead 14-10 midway through the second quarter with an 18-yard pass to Shawn Evans. Less than three minutes later Ronnie Thomas fumbled at the Pirates' 25 yard line. Two Welch running plays later and L&C had gone ahead 21-10.

Whitworth appeared ready to pull closer going into halftime. The Pirates drove inside the L&C ten again, but this time Peterson's pass was intercepted by Dan Curtin at the six with 57 seconds to go in the second quarter. The Pioneers were able to drive the length of the field and Simon Monley kicked a 43 yard field goal as time expired for a 24-10 lead.

Monley's 24 yard field goal in the third quarter was the only scoring, giving L&C a 27-10 lead as the teams went to the fourth quarter. But Whitworth had -2 yards of offense in the third quarter thanks to heavy pressure by the L&C pass rush, which had four sacks in the period.

Zac Hill came on as QB in the fourth quarter and directed two scoring drives. The first went 83 yards and was completed when Hill ran in from seven yards away with 9:34 to play. The two-point conversion was no good, however, and the Pirates trailed 27-16.

After a three-and-out, Whitworth was in business again, getting a first down inside the L&C 20 yard line. But after a short run, sack and two incomplete passes the Pirates turned the ball over on downs.

Another three and out gave Whitworth the ball with 2:54 to play. The Pirates went 57 yards and scored on Sean Scott's one-yard run, set up by a 21-yard pass from Hill to Blaska. Another two-point attempt failed and Whitworth was down 27-22.

The Pirates tried an on-sides kick, which was recovered by L&C at the Whitworth 34 with 1:45 to play. Three plays later Monley kicked his second 43-yard field goal of the game to virtually clinch the victory with 33 seconds left.

Hill's desperation pass at the end of the game was intercepted.

Whitworth outgained L&C 410-343. The Pirates threw for 291 yards and ran for 119. But the Bucs gave up 61 yards on the nine sacks. L&C ran for 163 yards and threw for 180.

Peterson completed 13 of 20 passes for 148 yards with one touchdown and one pick. Hill went 11 of 27 for 143 yards with a rushing touchdown and one interception. Scott ran for 56 yards on ten carries.

Jake DeGooyer had a big offensive game for the Pirates, catching 12 passes for 149 yards, running for 41 yards on two carries and returning three punts for 29 yards. He had 219 all-purpose yards in the game. Ehlo's touchdown catch was his fifth of the season.

Welch completed 14 of 31 passes for 149 yards with one TD. He ran 19 times for 99 yards and two scores. Evans caught six passes for 50 yards.

Fernando Noriega led the Whitworth defense with ten tackles. Sam Wright had a season-high seven stops for the Pirates.

Whitworth will try to end a four-game losing streak next Saturday at home against Pacific (Ore.).