PORTLAND, Ore. – Pacific's electric running game propelled them to an impressive 56-41 victory over Northwest Conference foe Lewis & Clark on Saturday afternoon at Griswold Stadium.
It was a tight contest in the first half as the teams went into the locker room tied at 14-14. The Boxers exploded for four touchdowns in the third quarter before notching two more scores in the final 15 minutes to seal the win.
Pacific rushed for a season-high 360 yards and four touchdowns. The Boxers' rushing attack was led by their three running backs.
Kash Taylor, Brody Bantolina, and
Kalai Pasi combined for 39 carries and 334 yards. Taylor and Bantolina each eclipsed the century mark in the win.
Top Performers
- Kash Taylor enjoyed his best game in the Red and Black with a career-high 162 yards on the day. The Hemet, Calif. native scampered for a 79-yard touchdown run and averaged 11.6 yards-per-carry.
- Brody Bantolina also reached his career-high with 101 yards on just 13 attempts.
- Kalai Pasi found the end zone three times while racking up 71 yards on 12 carries.
- Ryan Helt was extremely efficient, going 10-for-11 for 157 yards and four touchdown passes.
- On the defensive side of the ball, Sancho Eskridge was all over the field, recording a career-high 14 tackles.
How It Happened
The Pioneers opened the game with a nine-play, 67-yard drive in just over four minutes to take an early 7-0 lead. Pacific marched right down the field on the ensuing possession but fumbled near the goal line, turning the ball over to the hosts.
The Boxers' defense came up with a big stop on Lewis & Clark's next possession and gave the offense some great field position, taking over on the Pacific 41-yard line. Helt and the offense went to work as the gunslinger capped off the drive with a 34-yard strike to
Isaiah Pitre to even the score at 7-7.
The hosts were stifled by a huge fourth-down stop from the Pacific defense and Forest Grove's team took advantage of the opportunity by taking the lead on the next possession, this time Pasi going for the 26-yard touchdown run.
However, the Pioneers would tie things up just before halftime when Cruz Montana completed a short pass Jonathan Newsome from two yards out.
It took the Boxers just 2:24 to score on their first drive of the second half as Helt connected with
Kai Bookland for a 29-yard score to regain the lead.
Pacific's defense started to dig in and recorded another quick stop. On the next drive, Taylor exploded for a 79-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to two scores.
A muffed punt allowed Lewis & Clark to cut the deficit to one score, but the offense continued to keep its rhythm when
Tyler Vargas reeled in a 53-yard grab for the touchdown. The Pioneers answered just over two minutes later, but Pacific replied with another Pasi touchdown run to take a two-score lead into the final 15 minutes.
Lewis & Clark managed an 11-play, 65-yard drive to keep things close but the Boxers kept rolling along when they scored in just six plays, finishing the drive off with Pitre's second touchdown catch of the day.
Pacific finally put the game away in the dying minutes when Pasi posted his third rushing touchdown, sealing the 56-41 win on the road.
What It Means
Pacific improves to 4-3 overall (3-2 NWC) and makes it 10 consecutive wins against Lewis & Clark.
Up Next
The Boxers return to Forest Grove to host Whitworth inside Hanson Stadium on Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.
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