FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Pacific Football dominated in all facets of the game on Saturday afternoon inside Hanson Stadium, roaring to a 35-0 victory over Willamette on Homecoming Weekend.
Willamette was held to 135 yards of total offense as the Pacific defense was almost unstoppable. The Boxers' offensive attack was explosive, racking up 414 total yards. This was Pacific's first shutout win since Oct. 15, 2016 when the Boxers defeated Lewis & Clark 55-0.
Top Performers
- Freshman Brody Bantolina had a breakout game at running back, rushing for 91 yards on just six carries. He broke off a 64-yard touchdown run in the second half to put the game out of reach.
- Ryan Helt had a good day under center, completing 14-of-25 pass attempts for 170 yards and three scores.
- Isaiah Pitre continued his solid junior season with his five catches for 65 yards. The University of Oregon transfer also hauled in the Boxers' second touchdown of the game.
- Tyler Vargas made three grabs for 46 yards and a touchdown.
- Sancho Eskridge recorded his first interception of the season while making four tackles, including a tackle-for-loss.
How It Happened
Pacific forced a three-and-out on the first drive of the game and quickly went to work after starting its drive on the Willamette 40-yard line.
Kash Taylor carried the ball three times to get his team down to the eight-yard line before
Dominic Funk took one around end to find the end zone, giving his team a quick 7-0 lead.
The Boxers' defense came up with another quick stop to give the offense a short field once again. Helt started to air it out, completing three passes before connecting with Pitre for a 17-yard strike to double the lead.
Willamette fumbled on the ensuing kickoff when
Josiah Chaffin flew down the field to knock the ball loose and made the heads up play to come up with the recovery. The Boxers would take over on the visitor's 20-yard line. However, Pacific's drive would quickly stall and the 48-yard field goal attempt would be blocked by Willamette's Landon Waters.
The Red and Black put together a slow and methodical drive on their next set of downs but saw it come to an abrupt end when Helt tossed an interception at the Willamette 10-yard line.
After more dominance from the Boxers' defense, Pacific would get the ball back with just over five minutes left in the half. Forest Grove's team used the air attack to make it a 21-0 ballgame before the break as Helt hit Vargas in the middle of the field, and the receiver made a couple defenders miss for a 25-yard score.
Pacific kept the momentum alive in the second half when Taylor took a short pass to the house, making the score 28-0.
Just before the end of the third quarter, Bantolina took a handoff straight up the middle and showed of his speed as he went 64-yards untouched for his second touchdown of the season, wrapping up the 35-0 victory.
By The Numbers
- Pacific recorded 23 first downs while Willamette picked up just seven.
- The Boxers held the Bearcats to just 24 rushing yards (0.9 yards per attempt).
- Pacific held the ball for 37:59 while Willamette's time of possession was 22:01.
What It Means
Pacific improves to 2-1 overall and take the first contest of NWC play, Willamette falls to 2-2 overall.
Up Next
The Boxers will look for their third straight victory Oct. 8 in Tacoma, Wash. when they face Puget Sound.
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