Visiting Menlo College stole the game from Whitworth on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Pine Bowl to capture the 14-10 victory for the Oaks and move to a winning record (2-1) in the Northwest Conference.
The loss sets the Pirates back once again, to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the NWC.
Menlo faced tough competition after falling to Whitworth last season 36-34.
Freshman quarterback Taylor Eglet’s second start for the Pirates was less fruitful than the first. The QB completed 20 of 35 passes, totaling 172 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Last weekend Eglet led the Pirates to a 24-15 victory over the University of Puget Sound Loggers by completing 10 of 16 passes for 104 yards to yield three touchdowns with no interceptions.
Junior defensive back Derek Stottlemyer led the defensive effort for the Bucs after intercepting the Oaks’ freshman quarterback Cruz Castillo on two occasions.
Stottlemyer’s first pick was returned 50 yards to set up senior wide receiver Kyle Scroggins’ three-yard touchdown and put the Bucs on the board in the second quarter.
With 10 seconds left in the first half and a 7-0 Pirate lead, senior kicker Andy Largent hammered a 36-yard attempt through the uprights to send the Pirates into the locker room with a 10-0 halftime advantage.
The Pirates came out confident for the start of the second half. But despite Pirate confidence, it didn’t take long for visiting Menlo to respond.
Castillo found sophomore wide receiver Erik Rasmussen in the end zone and completed a 16 yard pass to put the Oaks on the board and narrow the Buc’s lead to 10-7.
Stottlemyer’s second pick of the game came at a crucial time for the Pirates. But despite its defensive benefits, it was rendered offensively useless after Largent failed to convert a 39-yard field goal attempt.
Shortly after, Menlo took the ball 78 yards in six plays to find the end zone on a one-yard carry and gave the Oaks the 14-10 lead.
In the remaining six minutes the Pirates were unable to retaliate and thus handed the Menlo Oaks their first victory over the Pirates since 1999.
Next week Whitworth will host Pacific Lutheran in its final home game of the 2009 season.
Contact Danika Heatherly at danika.heatherly@whitworthian.com.
Buc football pilfered by visiting Menlo
Danika Heatherly, Sports Editor
Published: Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Updated: Tuesday, October 27, 2009
 "Photo: Zachary Autry/Whitworthian")
Zachary Autry/Whitworthian
Pirates fall short to the visiting Menlo Oaks in Satuday's game at the Pine Bowl. The Pirates boasted a 10-0 lead at the half, but surrendered their lead to the Oak's offense late in the fourth quarter. The loss moves the Pirates to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in the NWC.
Be the first to comment on this article!