PORTLAND -- Down 27 points early in the second half, Pacific fought back to get within a touchdown at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
But the Boxers could not complete the comeback, falling 51-37 Saturday afternoon at Lewis & Clark.
The Pioneers, who raced out to a 17-0 lead, extended their advantage to 27-7 at halftime.
After Lewis & Clark opened the second half with a 10-play, 69-yard scoring drive, Pacific answered with touchdown runs by
Brody Bantolina and
Kalai Pasi to get the Boxers within 34-20 with 4:21 remaining in the third quarter.
The Pioneers needed only 49 seconds to respond on an 89-yard touchdown pass. Pacific quarterback
Braeden Titus then connected with
Josiah Chaffin for a 5-yard touchdown. Bantolina added a 40-yard touchdown run to get the Boxers within 41-34 with 13:17 remaining in the game.
After Pacific and Lewis & Clark swapped field goals, the Pioneers put the Boxers away on a 49-yard touchdown pass with 1:46 remaining.
Lewis & Clark outgained Pacific 622 yards to 419. The Pioneers passed for 479 yards.
Titus completed 15 of 29 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown. Bantolina rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Chaffin had five receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Riley Camarillo caught six passes for 96 yards.
Linebacker
Rylan Ma'ae had 12 tackles to lead Pacific's defense. Safety
Anthony Lopez recorded nine tackles and an interception.
Next: the Boxers host Whitworth on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 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 Instagram and Twitter.
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