SPOKANE, Wash. – JT Muñoz ended the comeback hopes of visiting Pacific Lutheran with a 33-yard fumble return on the final play of the first half, leading Whitworth to a 42-13 win over the Lutes in the Northwest Conference opener for both teams on Saturday in the Pine Bowl.
The Pirates (3-0 overall, 1-0 NWC) controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the game, leading to large advantages in first downs (24-15) and time of possession (36:04 – 23:56).
Whitworth scored on the game's opening drive, going 71 yards in 11 plays, mostly on the ground. Luis Salgado's 20-yard run to the one-yard line set up his one-yard touchdown run.
PLU (1-3 overall, 0-1 NWC) tied the game when quarterback Darius Chaffin ran in from four yards away to complete a 19-yard drive set up by an interception.
Whitworth answered right back when Austin Ewing threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Evan Liggett to finish off a 67-yard drive near the end of the first quarter.
Ewing ran in from four yards out just over five minutes into the second quarter to increase the lead to 21-7. Solo Hines ran for a three-yard touchdown on the Pirates' next possession to cap a 68-yard drive with 2:54 to play.
Whitworth was poised to break the game wide open when the Bucs recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. However, the PLU defense stiffened and held Whitworth on fourth down at the five-yard line. That's when the game nearly turned in the Lutes' favor. On the next play Chaffin hit Thor Stepina in stride near midfield for a 95-yard touchdown pass to pull the visitors within 28-13.
PLU was able to force a Whitworth punt just before halftime and had the ball near midfield with only a few seconds left. Instead of downing the ball, the Lutes tried for a big play. Dylan Owen sacked Chaffin and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Muñoz, who scooped up the ball and scored from 33-yards away.
Leading 35-13 at halftime, Whitworth focused on defense in the second half and held PLU scoreless the rest of the way. The Pirates scored their final touchdown on a five-yard pass from Ewing to Dillon Kuk with six minutes left in the game.
Whitworth outgained PLU 371-299 and had a 4-1 edge in turnovers. The Pirates ran for a season-high 167 yards.
Hines picked up 79 yards on 16 carries, while Salgado ran for 74 yards on 14 attempts. Ewing completed 13 of 23 passes for 142 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Ryan Blair went 5-12 with the interception. Tight end Isaac Fields led Whitworth receivers with six catches for 45 yards. Liggett had three receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.
Chaffin completed 15 of 31 passes for 221 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Stepina caught four passes for 147 yards and a score. Chaffin was also PLU's leading runner with 42 yards on 12 carries.
Joshua Lawson led Whitworth's defense with eight tackles. Daniel McKeirnan had an interception for the third straight game. Zachary Brooks finished with six tackles and recovered a fumble.
Kalen Darius-White had 13 tackles for PLU and broke up a pass.
Whitworth will travel to play at Willamette next Saturday.
