SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth could not overcome a 22-7 halftime deficit in a 31-19 loss to visiting Linfield in a Northwest Conference football showdown on Saturday afternoon in the Pine Bowl.
The Pirates (3-2 overall, 2-1 NWC) closed within 22-17 in the fourth quarter before a key special teams turnover turned the tide back in favor of the Wildcats (4-1, 3-0). Linfield and Lewis & Clark (5-1, 3-0) remain unbeaten in conference play. L&C visits the Pine Bowl next Saturday in Whitworth's next game.
After forcing Whitworth into a quick three-and-out with two sacks on the Pirates' first possession, the Wildcats only had to go 37 yards for the game's first touchdown. Matthew Spurbeck broke two tackles near the line of scrimmage and then raced 19 yards to the endzone.
The Pirates did not get a first down on their second possession and Linfield scored again, going 66 yards in only four plays. Luke McNabb passed 32 yards to Kai Laukkanen for the score.
But Ethan Williamson blocked both extra points and Linfield led 12-0 instead of 14-0.
After the Wildcats tacked on a 35-yard field goal by Andrew O'Dell for a 15-0 lead, Whitworth finally got untracked offensively in the second quarter, going 75 yards in 11 plays. Grant Spillman scored from one yard away to get the Pirates on the scoreboard. The PAT got the Bucs within 15-7 with 3:06 left in the first half.
That was enough time for the Wildcats to score once more on McNabb's 24-yard pass to Jayce Bareng, giving Linfield a 22-7 lead at halftime.
Whitworth's defense gave the Pirates life in the third quarter. The Pirates forced the Wildcats into a three-and-out to start the half. Hayden Thoneberry's 40-yard return set up the Bucs in Wildcat territory. After gaining first down at Linfield's four, the Pirates had to settle for Iden Bone's 25-yard field goal to pull within 22-10.
Th defense came up big again when Drew Cody intercepted McNabb on the Wildcats' next possession. But the Pirates were forced to punt at midfield.
Whitworth forced another Linfield punt and another good Throneberry punt return set up the Pirates near the 50-yard line. The Bucs went 55 yards in 10 plays, scoring a touchdown on Logan Lacio's 19-yard pass to Tyson Hoke. The PAT pulled Whitworth within 22-17.
The defense held again, forcing a Linfield punt with just under ten minutes to play in the game. But Throneberry lost the punt in the direct sunlight and could not cleanly field the ball, allowing the Wildcats to recover at the Pirates' 12-yard line. Four plays later, on fourth and one at the three-yard line, McNabb rolled right and found Dane Meddaugh for a touchdown.
Trailing 29-17, Whitworth moved down the field, converting a 4th and 15 at Linfield's 44 with a 37-yard pass to Deacon Dietz setting the Bucs up at the Wildcat's seven-yard line. But a trick play on fourth down led to an incomplete pass, giving Linfield the ball at its own three.
McNabb dropped the snap and fell on the ball in his own endzone, leading to a safety and giving Whitworth life. After taking the ensuing free kick, Lacio fumbled while getting sacked, allowing the 'Cats to take over at the Pirates' 11. Four plays later O'Dell kicked a 28-yard field goal to complete the scoring with under two minutes to play in the game.
Linfield outgained Whitworth 375-257. The Pirates only had 99 yards at halftime. The Bucs ended with -38 rushing yards, thanks to eight sacks for 77 yards in losses.
Lacio completed 25 of 42 passes for 295 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Hoke caught seven passes for 111 yards. Deitz had three receptions for 71 yards.
McNabb completed 20 of 28 passes for 234 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Kenyon Johnson caught seven balls for 74 yards. Jackson Pfeifer ran five times for 50 yards.
Cody led the Pirate defense with a season-high 13 tackles and the interception.
