BOX SCORE
TACOMA, Wash. - The Lewis & Clark football team found the will to win on Saturday afternoon, taking down the Pacific Lutheran Lutes 34-32, after trailing all game in the Northwest Conference battle.
The win continues the Pioneers undefeated season and leaves them tied a top the Northwest Conference standings with Linfield. The Pioneers are now 7-0 overall and 4-0 in conference play. The victory marks the first time Lewis & Clark has defeated Pacific Lutheran since the 1989 season when the Pioneers squeezed out a 36-35 win. The Lutes fall to 4-3 on the season and 2-2 in NWC action.
The game began with Pacific Lutheran scoring 14 quick points on its first two possessions. The Lutes scored their first touchdown on the opening kickoff after just five plays. Their second score was a quick one after a 68-yard rush from Alex McDiarmid found the Lutes in the end zone.
Lewis & Clark were held scoreless in the first quarter for the first time this season, ending its six game streak of scoring in every quarter. The Pioneers finally got on the board in the second quarter, putting together a long 13 play, 66 yard drive that ended with freshman Curtis Shirey slipping into the end zone.
It did not take the Lutes long to earn the score back with Dalton Ritchey scoring from seven yards out. This time however, the Lutes were unable to hit their point after attempt, sending them into halftime up 20-7.
The third quarter saw both sides trade touchdowns, with the Pioneers striking first on a 24-yard touchdown reception from senior Shawn Evans. The Lutes then added seven more points to their lead on a 11-yard run from Daniel Herr.
Down 26-14 heading into the final quarter, the Pioneers dug deep to respond with three touchdowns, while holding the Lutes scoreless until the final 30 seconds.
Sophomore Keith Welch hooked up with Andrew Frisina for the Pios first score of the quarter, with Frisina receiving the ball for a 15-yard score. The play capped off a 12 play, 83-yard drive.
Lewis & Clark took its first lead with half of the quarter remaining on a five-yard rush by senior Joevonte Mayes. The Pioneers tried for two points after the score but were unable to convert putting them up by just one point, 27-26.
Pacific Lutheran attempted to trick the Pioneers on its next possession with a fake punt, but were unable to fool the Pios. Lewis & Clark made sure to take advantage on its next possession with Shirey scoring his second touchdown of the day, putting the Pios up 34-26.
PLU made things interesting on its next drive, putting one in the end zone after facing fourth down with a Kyle Warner touchdown. The Lutes attempted to tie the contest with a two-point conversion but had it batted away by the Pioneers.
The Lutes went for an onside kick in order to get the ball back for one last drive, but the ball was swallowed up by senior Chris Kelly who took the ball down the field to the Lute 21-yard line. Welch ended the game on a kneel down.
Mayes led the Pioneers with 116 yards rushing on 19 carries, scoring once. Welch was 15-31 on the day throwing for two touchdowns, one to Evans and one to Frisina. Evans was the Pioneers leading receiver with 57 yards on six carries, while Frisina finished with 48-yards on four catches.
Defensively, senior Angus Blair led the Pioneers with eight tackles, while forcing a fumble. Kelly ended the day with seven tackles including one for a loss. Senior Dan Curtin had another solid game for Lewis & Clark, collecting six tackles, two for a loss of 12-yards, while also sacking the Lute quarterback.
The Lutes were led defensively by Steven McDonald who had 10 tackles and two sacks. Brandon James was the Lutes leading rusher with 47-yards on 13 carries, while Ritchey had seven receptions for 104 yards.
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. for their home finale against the Willamette Bearcats in the battle for the Wagon Wheel.
