Box Score FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Pacific Football battled against one of the top teams in all of Division III, No. 5/7 Linfield, but the Wildcats prevailed after a strong second half to take the contest 42-21 on Saturday afternoon at Hanson Stadium.
 
The Boxers trailed by just one score after the first two quarters in a strong first half for the defensive unit. Pacific's defense forced three turnovers to keep things close through three quarters of action. Nationally-ranked Linfield eventually pulled away in the final 15 minutes to remain undefeated on the year.
 
 
How It Happened
 
Linfield got started early with an 11-play, 91-yard drive after they were pinned deep on their own end of the field. The Wildcats doubled their advantage in the early minutes of the second half when Connor Morton scampered from 18-yards out for the touchdown.
 
Pacific's offense struggled to find a rhythm but Hunter Brown gave them good field position with his interception that he returned inside the Linfield 20-yard line. Kash Taylor capitalized on the opportunity with his 12-yard touchdown run to cut the lead in half.
 
Just before the end of the first half, the defense came up with another take away when Andrew Welch stripped the quarterback and Hunter Brown jumped on the loose ball.
 
The visitors showed their class on their first drive of the second half when they marched 74 yards in just six plays to restore the two-score lead. Linfield later made the score 28-7 following their score late in the third quarter.
 
On the Boxers' next drive, Ryan Helt connected with Isaiah Pitre for a 52-yard strike to make it 28-14. 
 
However, Linfield would answer with another touchdown to all but put the game out of reach. Pacific replied with a solid drive that was capped off by a Dominic Funk grab in the end zone, Helt's second passing touchdown of the game.
 
 
What It Means
 
Pacific falls to 3-2 overall and suffers its first conference defeat.
 
Up Next
 
The Boxers will stay at home next Saturday when they host George Fox for a 1 p.m. contest inside Hanson Stadium.
 
For the latest information on Pacific Athletics, make sure to check out GoBoxers.com. You can also find the Boxers on social media at @GoBoxers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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