SPOKANE, Wash. – Seventh-ranked Linfield methodically put together three long second half scoring drives to pull away from Whitworth in a 35-17 Northwest Conference football contest on Saturday afternoon at the Pine Bowl.
The Wildcats (4-0 overall, 2-0 NWC) scored on drives of 81, 80 and 75 yards to open a three-score lead over the Pirates (3-2, 1-1) and spoil Homecoming Saturday for the Bucs.
Whitworth had a chance to take the early momentum. The Pirates went 47 yards on their first possession and got a 30-yard field goal from Alvaro Campos Ontiveros.
Linfield then fumbled the ensuing kickoff. But the Pirates were pushed back by a 15-yard penalty and a sack and were forced to punt. The Wildcats then fumbled the punt and Whitworth took over on the Linfield 24. The Pirates had to settle for a 41-yard field goal attempt and Campos Ontiveros missed a little left, his first miss of the season.
Linfield took advantage and went 76 yards to score on its first possession. Colten Smith caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Blake Eaton to give the Wildcats a lead they'd never relinquish.
Neither team scored again in the first half. Linfield had a chance on its second possession after taking over on an interception, but the Pirate defense held on fourth and goal at the two-yard line.
The Wildcats scored the first four times they had the ball in the second half. Eaton survived an all-out blitz and found Joel Valadez alone over the middle for a 37-yard touchdown to complete the 81-yard drive that took six plays.
Eaton scored on a one-yard QB sneak to finish off an 80-yard possession that took 13 plays, giving Linfield a 21-3 lead.
Riley Morrison caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Blair on fourth down at the beginning of the fourth quarter to get Whitworth within 21-10.
But the Wildcats kept pouring on the offense. Valadez got open for a 41-yard touchdown pass from Eaton to finish off a 75-yard drive that took eight plays.
Isaac Fields made an over-the-shoulder catch in the corner of the endzone for another Whitworth touchdown with 3:36 to go, getting the Bucs back within 28-17.
Linfield recovered the on-sides kick attempt and Tyler Larson broke free for a 40-yard touchdown run two plays later to complete the scoring.
The Wildcats outgained the Pirates 442-288.
Blair completed 24 of 36 passes for 196 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Fields caught five passes for 51 yards, while Ethan Peloquin caught five for 43 yards. Morrison had four grabs for 26 yards. Blair was the Pirates' leading rusher with 26 yards on 11 carries, despite getting sacked four times for 18 yards in losses.
Eaton threw for 286 yards, completing 26 of 35 passes. He had three touchdowns without an interception. Valadez caught 11 of his passes for 178 yards and two scores. Connor McNabb ran 16 times for 98 yards.
Whitworth will try to bounce back by spoiling Pacific Lutheran's Homecoming celebration next Saturday in Parkland, Washington.
