The Whitworthian

Issue date: 10/9/07

Media Credit: Jesse Clark Sophomore running back Adam Anderson hurdles his way to extra yardage during the Pirates victory over PLU. [Click to enlarge]

Whitworth improved to 2-0 in conference by defeating Pacific Lutheran University 28-21 in a Homecoming nail-biter on Oct. 6. The Pirates started the game strong, scoring all four touchdowns in the first half, taking a 28-0 lead at halftime, but slowed down in the second, allowing PLU to score two touchdowns in the final 2:15 of the game.

"We played well as a team," junior tight end Drew Griggs said. "We just need to work on finishing games."

Whitworth racked up 223 yards rushing against what used to be the conference's top rush defense. Sophomore running back Adam Anderson led the way, rushing for one touchdown and 170 yards. Breaking off a 61-yard run on the first Whitworth drive, Anderson finished the drive with a 2-yard jaunt into the end zone.

"We came out ready to play," Anderson said. "Both sides came out strong, especially in the first half."

PLU turnovers were costly, as the Pirates defense forced five turnovers and turned three of which into scores.

"Our defense played well together, and our offensive line absolutely controlled the game," Whitworth Head Coach John Tully said.

A forced fumble after a big play from PLU down field led to a 15-play, 80-yard drive capped by a Milton Nelson 9-yard scamper gave the Pirates a 14-0 lead.

After both senior defensive back Ryan Marshall's fourth interception of the year and senior defensive back Jay Tully's third, junior quarterback Kory Kemp hit Griggs for two touchdown passes.

The first led to a play action pass from the 3-yard line with 8:01 left in the first half.

After Tully's interception, Kemp hit Griggs on fourth and two with another play action pass for a 26-yard strike to end the half.

PLU opened the second half with a 12-play, 60-yard drive for their first touchdown of the contest. Whitworth stuck to the ground playing for field position and ball possession, but was held scoreless the entire second half.

PLU remained stagnant up until 2:15 in the second half, when they drove 97 yards to close the gap to two touchdowns. That led to an onside kick recovered by PLU.

On the next play, PLU successfully completed a hook-and-ladder for another touchdown leaving them one score behind with 2:04 left in the game. That touchdown forced a second onside kick, which Whitworth recovered. The Pirates then ran out the remainder of the game clock.

"It was a little too close for comfort," junior defensive lineman Brandon Martin said.

Both Whitworth and PLU came into the game undefeated in Northwest Conference play.

"It's a big win, against a good football team," coach Tully said. "It puts us on top, which is always a good thing."

The conference-leading Pirates hit the road this weekend for the first time in nearly a month as they take on the Lewis & Clark Pioneers on Oct. 13.

Contact JC McAleavey at jc.mcaleavey@whitworthian.com.

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