Pacific will face one of its toughest tests of the season on Saturday when Pacific Lutheran comes to Hanson Stadium for homecoming.
 
The Lutes are 2-2, coming off a narrow 34-24 loss to 2023 Northwest Conference champion Whitworth. 
 
Pacific Lutheran got within a field goal, 20-17, entering the fourth quarter before the Pirates pulled away with two touchdowns in the final period. 
 
Pacific is coming off a 62-34 win at Puget Sound on Oct. 5. Trailing 34-27 at halftime, the Boxers outscored the Loggers 35-0 in the second half to improve to 3-1 on the season. 
 
Pacific junior running back Brody Bantolina leads all of Division-III in both rushing yards (723) and rushing yards per game (180.8).
 
The school record for rushing yards in a season (1,240) belongs to Joshua Harris in 2019. 
 
The Lutes have eight rushing touchdowns from five different players. Jacob Schuh leads the Lutes on the ground with 287 yards and a touchdown. 
 
Bragging rights within the NWC are not only up for grabs, but also inside the Chaffin family. 
 
Quarterback Darius Chaffin, the older brother of Pacific's leading receiver, Josiah Chaffin (364 yards, four touchdowns), has passed for 712 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns. 
 
Thor Stepina has 17 receptions for 292 yards and two touchdowns. 
 
Senior linebacker Kalen Davis-White leads Pacific Lutheran's defense with 28 total tackles. Senior defensive back Sam Morasch is tied for first in the NWC with three interceptions. 
 
The Boxers had won three straight (2019-22) over Pacific Lutheran when the Lutes won a defensive battle, 20-17, last season. 
 
Pacific's defense forced five turnovers in last year's game – three interceptions and two fumbles. 
 
The Boxer defense has already caused 12 turnovers this season – nine fumbles and three interceptions.
 
Sophomore safety Anthony Lopez leads Pacific with 28 total tackles and an interception. Senior safety Zion Booker has 20 tackles and two interceptions.

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