NO. 18 PACIFIC LUTHERAN (3-1, 1-1 NWC) AT PACIFIC (2-2, 2-0 NWC)
Game No. 5 • Home Game No. 3Sat., Oct. 18, 1 p.m., Hanson Stadium, Forest Grove
Radio: 1360 AM KUIK
Play By Play: Matt Richert  Analyst: Scott Hermo
Live Stats |
Live Audio & VideoBOXERS TAKE TWO-GAME WIN STREAK INTO TOUGHEST TEST YETAfter battling back from a 17-point deficit to score 44 unanswered points in a 44-17 rout at Puget Sound, the Pacific football team returns home for their toughest test yet of the season. The Boxers put their two-game win streak on the line on Saturday as No. 18 Pacific Lutheran comes to Forest Grove. Pacific will look to avenge a 17-16 loss last year to the Lutes that ended the Boxers' five-game win streak.
BOXER BYTES• After falling behind 17-0 in the second quarter to a much-improved Puget Sound squad, Pacific came alive to score 44 unanswered points and make a number of big defensive stops to knock off the Loggers 44-17.
•
Warner Shaw provided a balanced effort for the Boxers at quarterback. He completed 13 of 26 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown. He was also the Boxers' leading rusher, carrying 12 times for 70 yards and three touchdowns, which included a 25-yard scoring run in the third quarter.
• The Pacific defense allowed the Loggers only 125 yards of offense in the second half. The Boxers forced the Loggers to turn the ball over on downs in the red zone twice in the fourth quarter and also had two of the team's three interceptions in the final 15 minutes.
• Linebacker
Jack Perez led the Boxers with nine tackles.Â
Trey Kodama finished with seven solo tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss for a total of 10 yards.Â
Brandon Harms finished with seven tackles and seven pass break-ups.
• With the win, Pacific improved to 2-0 in Northwest Conference play for the second straight season and ran its current win streak against Puget Sound to four straight games.
A WIN OVER PACIFIC LUTHERAN WOULD...• Give Pacific their first victory over Pacific Lutheran since the program was reinstated in 2010 and would snap a 17-game losing streak to the Lutes dating back to 1973.
• Give Pacific their first 3-0 start in conference play since the reinstatement of the program.
• Give Pacific a two-game home winning streak.
• Give the reinstated program their first win over a NCAA Division III top-25 ranked team.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT: PACIFIC LUTHERAN
QUICK FACTSLocation: Tacoma, Wash.   Enrollment: 3,349
Nickname: Lutes   Colors: Gold & Black
Conference: Northwest (NCAA Division III)
Stadium: Sparks Stadium (4,500, covered, FieldTurf)
President: Dr. Loren Anderson                Â
Athletic Director: Laurie Turner
Sports Information Director: Tyler Scott
SID Phone: 253-535-7356 Â
SID E-Mail: scotttj@plu.edu
Athletics Website: golutes.com
Facebook: facebook.com/golutes     Twitter: @golutes
Head Coach: Scott Westering (Pacific Lutheran 1972)
Westering's Record At Pacific Lutheran: 55-37 (10 Years)
Westering's Record Overall: 55-37 (10 Years)
Assistant Coaches: Jud Keim (Asst. HC), Craig McCord (DC), Trevor Roberts (OL), Jim Lindberg (Def.), David LaSalata (Def.).
2013 Record: 7-3Â Â Â Â Â Â NWC Record: 5-1 (2nd)
All-Time Series: Pacific Lutheran leads 29-8-3
Last Meeting: Pacific Lutheran won17-16 in Puyallup, Wash., on Oct. 19, 2013
About The Coach: Scott Westering is in his 11th season as Pacific Lutheran head coach after taking over from his father, Frosty, prior to the 2004 season. Westering has led the Lutes to four straight second place finishes in the NWC. Westering's 2010 team to an 8-1 overall record and his 2012 squad earned a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Last year, the Lutes finished with an 8-2 record. Westering joined the PLU coaching staff in 1981 and became the program's offensive coordinator two years later. He has played roles in three NAIA Division III championships and the Lutes' 1999 NCAA Division III championship. Westering played football at PLU, where was was a captain and All-American tight end on the Lutes' 1980 NAIA championship team.
Last Meeting: Pacific Lutheran marched 39 yards in the final 35 seconds and kicked a last second field goal to beat the Boxers 17-16 on Oct. 19, 2013, at Sparks Stadium. Nick Kaylor netted the game-winning score with two seconds left, earning redemption for two missed field goals earlier in the period. The Lutes opened up with a 14-0 lead before the Boxers came back to score 16 unanswered points. A pair of
Moses Villareal-Gomez field goals and a nine-yard touchdown pass from
T.C. Campbell to
James Berry brought the Boxers within 14-13 at half. Villareal-Gomez's field goal with 1:57 left in the third gave Pacific the 16-14 lead as both teams traded goal-line stands throughout the second half. Pacific outgained PLU offensively 345 to 335, with Campbell completing 14 of 19 for 162 yards and a touchdown.Â
Jordan Fukumoto caught five passes for 113 yards. PLU quarterback Dalton Ritchey completed 22 of 31 for 269 yards, but took four sacks. Kellen Westering caught six passes for 86 yards.
Pacific Lutheran Notes• Pacific Lutheran enters the week ranked No. 18 in the the D3Football.com Top-25 Poll. The Lutes are the first team listed among "others receiving votes" in the American Football Coaches Association poll with 65 points.
• The Lutes enter the week ranked 45th in NCAA Division III in rushing offense, averaging 217.5 yards per game. They are tied for seventh in fourth down conversion, converting 72.7 percent of the time, and are 18th in time of possession, averaging 33 minutes, 12 seconds per game.
• Niko Madison is one of the conference's top running backs and is 71st in Division III, averaging 94.5 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Dalton Ritchey is fifth in the NWC with 65.8 rushing yards per game in addition to averaging 160.5 passing yards per game with six touchdowns and six interceptions.
• Defensively, linebacker Blake Peterson is ranked 10th in the NWC with 34 tackles and fifth in the NWC with 8.5 tackles per game. PLU enters the week having allowed 22.5 points per game and is 21st in first downs allowed, having only allowed 71 in their four games.
• Pacific Lutheran University was founded in 1890 by Scandinavian immigrants and still maintains ties with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The school is not in Tacoma proper, but in Parkland, which is six miles south of Tacoma.
• Notable alumni of PLU include hall of fame college basketball coach Marv Harshman, gospel singer and reality TV star Crystal Aikin, Alaska governor Sean Parnell, Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden and KING-TV sports anchor Chris Egan (a former co-worker of Pacific sports information director
Blake Timm).
PACIFIC NEWS & NOTES
In The Air And On The Ground: Warner Shaw's (Jr., Waimea, Hawaii) passing game continues to improve, but on Saturday he proved as effective on the ground as he was in the air. Shaw completed 13 of 26 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown, but he also rushed 12 times for 70 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Boxers in rushing. He scored Pacific's first touchdown on the game on an 11-yard rush and recoving his own fumble in the end zone and then threw a 24-yard pass to Darin Kamelaoha (Sr., Waipahu, Hawaii) that brought Pacific within 17-14 at the half. Shaw then ran for two more second half touchdowns, one on an eight-yard run that gave Pacific the lead and then a 25-yard run that put the Boxers up 31-17 late in the third quarter. Shaw enters the week ranked third in the NWC with 222.8 passing yards per game, 77 completions and 117 attempts and is 10th in the league with 36 rushing attempts and an average of 3.3 yards per rush. Among NCAA Division III quarterbacks, Shaw is ranked 22nd with a .658 completion percentage amd 55th in total offense with an average of 252.8 yards per game.
Two-Way Threat: Brandon Harms (Sr., Canby, Ore.) continues to be a threat for the Boxers both on defense and on special teams. The cornerback finished with seven tackles and an impressive seven pass break-ups in the Boxers' 44-17 win over Puget Sound on Saturday. In the return game, Harms returned one punt on Saturday for a season-high 34 yards, which set up Pacific's last touchdown in the first half. Harms enters the week ranked second for the Boxers with 26 tackles and leads the team and the NWC with his total of 11 passes broken-up. His 2.5 pass break-ups per game ranks fifth in NCAA Division III. On special teams, Harms ranks second in the NWC and 36th among Division III players with an average of 11.4 yards per return.
Coming Up Big On Defense: The Pacific defense came up big when the team needed them. With a score of 31-17 entering the fourth quarter, Puget Sound made two runs into the red zone, only to be turned away by the Boxers. The Loggers had the ball at the Pacific 20-yard line early in the fourth quarter, but were forced into three incompletions as they turned the ball over on downs. The Loggers had the ball on the Pacific six-yard line on their next possession, but again were forced into three straight incomplete passes to turn it over again. The next series saw the Loggers pushed back into their own territory by two straight sacks before once again turning the ball over on downs. Puget Sound's last two drives were stopped by interceptions by
Jaquari People (Jr., Merced, Calif.) and
Shahin Marzband (Jr., Hayward, Calif.). The Boxers finished with three interceptions, all in the second half, and four sacks.
Add Defense: In addition to People and Marzband,
Jack Perez (Jr., Petaluma, Calif.) led Pacific with nine tackles, eight of those were solo efforts.Â
Trey Kodama (So., Pearl City, Hawaii) added seven solo tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss for a total of 10 yards.Â
Nolan Ramirez (So., Santa Clarita, Calif.) added six tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss for 10 yards.Â
Chase Rogers (Sr., Gresham, Ore.) had Pacific's first interception, picking off Braden Foley with 2:22 left in the third quarter. Pacific's defense enters the week ranked 20th in NCAA Division III in fourth down conversion defense (.364), 30th in rushing defense (107.8 yards allowed per game), 70th in passing efficiency defense (111.41) and 86th in total defense (346.5 yards allowed per game).
Don't Forget Your Sack: After going without a sack in their first two contests, the Pacific defense has made a beeline for opposing quarterbacks in conference play. The Boxers enter the week ranked third in the NWC with 11.5 sacks and 53rd among NCAA Division III teams with 2.75 sacks per game. Pacific added 4.5 to their total against Puget Sound with
Trey Kodama,
Jeff Bajema,
Jaquari People and
Nolan Ramirez completing the sacks.Â
Avery Richardson (So., Corona, Calif.) did not play on Saturday, but leads Pacific with his three sacks in Pacific's win over Whitworth on Oct. 4. Richardson is tied for fourth in the NWC with his three sacks and is ranked 29th among NCAA Division III players with one sack per game. Kodama and People are tied for ninth in the NWC with their two sacks apiece.
Putting The Flag Away: After being flagged 14 times for 135 yards of penalties in their win over Whitworth, Pacific cut back significantly on their penalties against Puget Sound. The Boxers were flagged just three times for a total of 21 yards. Pacific has been penalized 29 times for 265 yards in four games, ranking third in the NWC. The Boxers are ranked 61st in Division III in fewest penalties and 70th in fewest penalty yards.
Holding On To Time: Pacific continues to try and control games by holding onto the ball. The Boxers nearly split evenly with Puget Sound in time of possession on Saturday, officially having the ball for 29 minutes, 53 seconds. The Boxers are ranked second in the NWC in time of possession and 20th in Division III, averaging 33 minutes per game. Pacific had a season high time of possession of 39 minutes, 6 seconds, against Whitworth on Oct. 6.
In The NCAA Division III Stats: Pacific this week in ranked in the NCAA Division III top-100 in 24 different statistical categories. Pacific is ranked ninth in kickoff returns, averaging 25.87 yards per return.Â
Bronson Barretto (Jr., Mililani, Hawaii) is ranked 36th individually with his average of 27.7 yards per return. Among top-40 statistical categories, the Boxers are ranked 20th in time of possession (33 minutes per game), 22nd in fumbles lost (2), 30th in tunrovers lost (6), 31st in rushing defense (107.8 yards allowed per game) and 35th in first downs defense (77). The complete list can be found online at
http://stats.ncaa.org/team/index/11980?org_id=2751.
Boxers Picked Close Fourth In NWC Preseason Poll: In terms of how they will perform in conference games, Northwest Conference coaches do not expect a fifth year slump from the Boxers. Pacific was picked in close fourth place in the annual preseason poll conducted in August. Pacific received 34 votes, just two less than Willamette, who was picked third with 36 points. The Boxers finished fourth in the NWC in 2013, amassing a 3-3 conference record. Pacific Lutheran was picked second in the poll with 42 points. Linfield was the runaway pick to win the conference. The five-time defending champions received all but one first place vote and a total of 56 points.
Yes...He's Back: All-NWC wide receiver
Jordan Fukumoto (Sr., Mililani, Hawaii) made his return to the Pacific lineup against Whitworth on Oct. 6. Fukumoto, who was a Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-District selection in 2013, is in his first year as a student in Pacific's graduate School of Physical Therapy and had initially elected to not use his final year of eligibility to concentrate on his studies. Fukumoto had two catches for 16 yards against Whitworth and added 43 yards on two catches, including a 39-yarder, at Puget Sound on Saturday.
The (Not) Goin' To Chicago Blues: The Pacific 2014 schedule was shortened to nine games with the cancellation of the Sept. 27 game at the Univ. of Chicago. The game at Chicago's Stagg Field was canceled after a fire was intentionally set on Sept. 26 at the Federal Aviation Administration's radar control center in Aurora, Ill., which caused a ground stop at both of Chicago's major airports. The ground stop forced the cancellation of over 2,000 flights, including Pacific's scheduled flight to Chicago Midway International Airport.
They're Smart Too: A total of 13 Pacific football players were named over the summer as Northwest Conference Scholar-Athletes. To be selected, student-athletes must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 by the end of the academic year and must have been an active member of the varsity roster the full season. The awards are in addition to the selection of
Jordan Fukumoto and
Brandon Harms to the 2013 Capital One/CoSIDA Division III Academic All-District VIII Football Team.
It's Hanson Stadium Now: It not only looks different, but Pacific's home stadium answers to a different name as well. A roof was added to the main stadium grandstand over the summer, providing coverage for over 1,100 fans who sit on the field's south sideline. Along with the roof came a name change to Hanson Stadium, which was approved by Pacific University's Board of Trustees in May. The moniker honors Trustee Rich Hanson and his wife, Joy, who provided the leadership gift to start fundraising for the stadium roof project. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson were honored by conducting the coin toss prior to the College of Idaho game on Sept. 6. Formerly known as Lincoln Park Stadium, Hanson Stadium was opened for the 2007 season and is home to Pacific's football, soccer, women's lacrosse and track and field programs.
From Scrimmage Line To Sideline: Some of Pacific's top players from the 2013 season have moved from the field to the sidelines to begin their coaching careers. Eight graduates from last year's team will help to lead the Boxers as part of the coaching staff. The list includes
Sean Bangs (defensive assistant),
Gabe Flory (assistant linebackers),
Eric Gietzen (assistant offensive line),
Aaron Koford (kickers),
Bryan Mills (safeties),
P.J. Minaya (quarterbacks),
Michael Smith (assistant defensive line) and
Brian Taylor (tight ends). Pacific is developing into a great starting spot for coaches. Over four years, seven coaches have moved on from Pacific to NCAA Division I coaching positions.
Yoro Promoted: In addition to the addition of eight coaches from Pacific's Class of 2014, Head Coach
Keith Buckley has promoted
Jacob Yoro to assistant head coach. One of two assistants who have been with the program since the 2010 reinstatement, Yoro serves as the Boxers' defensive coordinator and as the program's recruiting coordinator.
Season Honors: The following Pacific players have been recognized with NWC or national weekly honors this season...
Avery Richardson: D3Football.com Team of the Week for the week of Sept. 29-Oct. 5. The linebacker finished with eight tackles, including six solo tackles, and three sacks for losses of 22 yards in the Boxers' victory over Whitworth.
Nathan Suyematsu: NWC Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week and D3Football.com Team of the Week for the week of Sept. 29-Oct. 5. The wide receiver and punter finished an average of 43.5 yards per punt on four punts. Three of the four punts landed inside the 20-yard line and the fourth was a touchback. His wrok included a season-long 61 punts, the third longest in school history.
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Jack Perez: NWC Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for the week of Sept. 1-7. The linebacker finished with 16 tackles against the College of Idaho on Sept. 6. The total was a single game high since the program's 2010 reinstatement.
Bronson Barretto: NWC Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week for the week of Sept. 1-7. The running back and kick return specialist finished with 179 all-purpose yards and had four kick returns for 155 yards against the College of Idaho. He capped his day with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, the third longest in program history.
Pacific One-Liners (And Sometimes Two)• Two Pacific players spent the spring as key members of the Boxers' baseball program. Wide reciever/kicker
Nathan Suyematsu was a First Team All-NWC selection as a second baseman after hitting .342 with 53 hits, 29 runs and 13 doubles.Â
Kyle Treadway was one of the Boxers' starting pitcher, finishing with a team-leading 2.68 earned run average. Both Suyematsu and Treadway played summer baseball, with Treadway finishing as a Golden State Collegiate Baseball League all-star after a standout season with the Atwater Aviators.
• Offensive lineman
Riley Rankin is a cousin of late all-pro football player and Monday Night Football personality Don Meredith. In fact, Meredith predates Rankin's arrival on the Pacific campus by 52 years as he was part of the 1960 Dallas Cowboys' team that opened training camp in Forest Grove. Following in Meredith's footsteps, Rankin holds a Work Study job as a public address announcer for Pacific sporting events.
• Twenty-nine Pacific players hail from Hawaii, continuing a long-standing Pacific tradition. Nearly one-third of Pacific's undergraduate student body comes from the 50th state.
• The only state with more representation on the roster is California, with 42 athletes coming from the Golden State.
• Defensive lineman
Eddie Carrillo is in his second year as president of Pacific's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He is the first multi-year president of the body.
