SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth University cleared a major hurdle toward a second Northwest Conference football title in the last three seasons with a 10-6 win over visiting Pacific Lutheran on Saturday afternoon in the Pine Bowl.
With one more win, the Pirates (6-2 overall, 5-0 NWC) can clinch the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Whitworth concludes the season with games at Willamette (1-7) on Nov. 8 and at home against Puget Sound (1-7) on Nov. 15.
One week after needing all the offense it could get in a shootout win at Lewis & Clark, the Pirate defense came up big against the Lutes (4-4 overall, 3-2 NWC). Lane Watkins led the effort with six tackles, including two stops for losses of four yards, and an interception inside the Pirates' five-yard line that he returned 28 yards. Watkins also blocked an extra point attempt.
Omari Williams picked off another PLU pass deep in Whitworth territory.
Whitworth scored its only touchdown early in the second quarter when Logan Lacio hit Dawson Tobeck on a quick slant from two yards away to cap a 57-yard drive.
PLU appeared on the way to tying the game, marching from its own 25 to inside the Pirates' five when Watkins leapt high in the air to intercept an attempted pass to the flat from Lute QB Anthony Mahaffey. That drive took over nine minutes off the clock.
The Pirates extended the margin to 10-0 in the middle of the third quarter when Iden Bone kicked a 26-yard field goal after Whitworth had first and goal at the nine.
Late in the third the Lutes again got deep into Pirate territory when Williams came up with his interception at the 11-yard line.
PLU got on the board on the first play of the fourth quarter when Jacob Schuh broke around the right end for a 22-yard touchdown run. Watkins blocked the extra point to keep the margin at two scores.
Then the defense settled in. The Lutes got the ball back two more times and were able to pick up only a single first down before punting on the first possession and went three-and-out on the second possession.
The offense got the ball with 4:51 to play and converted a pair of first downs to be able run out the clock.
PLU outgained Whitworth 324-280. But the Pirates did not commit a turnover and that may have been the difference.
Lacio completed 25 of 34 passes for 233 yards with one touchdown. Caleb Northcroft caught five passes for 51 yards, while Tyson Hoke had four for 41. The PLU defense held Luis Salgado to 44 yards on 15 carries.
Mahaffey completed 19 of 30 passes for 209 yards with the two interceptions for PLU. Schuh ran for 73 yards and a score on 18 carries. He also caught six passes for 45 yards.
Hunter Letteer led the Whitworth defense in tackles with eight, while Drew Cody and Chris Knutson each had seven stops. Jackson Hale made 10 tackles for the Lutes.
