PUYALLUP, Wash. – The Whitworth offense could never find consistent momentum in a 28-7 loss at Pacific Lutheran in a Northwest Conference football game on Saturday afternoon at Sparks Stadium.
The Lutes improved to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the NWC, their first 3-0 conference start since 2011. PLU earned its first win over the Bucs since 2014, ending an eight-game losing streak to Whitworth.
Four consecutive second half possessions ended in two turnovers and two fourth-down stops in PLU territory for the Pirates, who dropped to 3-3, 1-2.
PLU scored on its first drive of the game when Erik Bainter completed a three-yard slant pass on fourth down to John Walker, finishing a 64-yard drive.
Whitworth lost starting quarterback Ryan Blair after he limped off the field following Whitworth's second possession. The Lutes took over and drove for a second score, another touchdown pass from Bainter to Walker. The nine-yard touchdown pass completed a 63-yard drive.
The Pirates got their first first down of the game, and drove for their only touchdown, behind third string quarterback Logan Lacio. Lacio directed a 16-play, 81-yard drive that ended in Logan Kitselman's five-yard touchdown run to pull the Bucs within 14-7.
But the momentum didn't last as PLU went 58-yards in the final two minutes to score on a 21-yard pass from Bainter to Manuel Felan at the end of the half, giving the Lutes a 21-7 halftime lead.
After Whitworth went three and out on their first possession of the second half, the Pirates were driving well on their second. But the Lutes intercepted Lacio in their own territory and returned the ball all the way to the Pirates' 24-yard line. Five plays later Jonathan Tyrell-Smith scored on a one-yard run to increase the lead to 28-7.
Whitworth was driving again deep in PLU territory when Lacio was sacked on consecutive plays after the Pirates gained first down inside the Lutes' ten-yard line. The second sack ended in a fumble recovered by PLU.
Whitworth had the ball inside the PLU ten again early in the fourth, but could not score. A fourth down pass from the seven-yard line sailed high over Kanen Ables, who was wide open under the goal post. Whitworth's next drive ended at the PLU 31-yard line on fourth down as well.
PLU only outgained Whitworth 297-272 and the Pirates had a 16-15 edge in first downs.
Lacio completed 25 of 36 passes for 263 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was sacked four times for 37 yards. Evan Liggett caught five passes for 88 yards, while Jet Uechi had five for 50 yards.
Whitworth struggled to run the ball on Saturday, finishing with -6 rushing yards. Luis Salgado ran three times for 18 yards.
Bainter completed 13 of 22 passes for 148 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Felan caught six passes for 91 yards, while Walker had five grabs for 48 and two scores.
Dylan Ventress led the Pirate defense with 15 tackles. Patrick Serrano had his second interception of the season for Whitworth.
Whitworth will stay on the road next weekend at Willamette University.
