Pacific Lutheran game notes

THE MILEAGE: Road trips have become second nature for the 1999 Lutes, who this Saturday will play away from home for the 10th time in 14 games. Besides their national playoff journeys, the Lutes played regular season games at California Lutheran (approx. 2,200 miles), Eastern Oregon (700 miles), Willamette (400 miles), Linfield (380 miles) and Simon Fraser (380 miles). Here are the approximate roundtrip mileage numbers for the "Road Warrior" Lutes during their playoff travels:

SERIES HISTORY: This is the first meeting between the Lutes and Profs.

NCAA PLAYOFF HISTORY: Pacific Lutheran is making its second NCAA Division III national playoff appearance in two years as a Division III member. The Lutes are 4-1 in playoff games, including road victories this season over Willamette (28-24), Wartburg (49-14), Saint John's (19-9) and Trinity (49-28). Last year, the Lutes lost to Saint John's (33-20) in a first round game.

The Profs have an outstanding Division III playoff history. Rowan, in the national playoffs for the eighth time and the fifth consecutive year, has an overall playoff record of 20-7. This will be the fifth national title-game appearance for the Profs, who have yet to bring home the championship hardware. They finished second in 1993 (34-24 loss to Mount Union), 1995 (36-7 loss to Wisconsin-La Crosse), 1996 (56-24 loss to Mount Union) and 1998 (44-24 loss to Mount Union).

NO NEWCOMER TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: While it is true that the Lutes are making their first appearance in a NCAA Division III championship contest, Pacific Lutheran is hardly a newcomer to championship competition. While an NAIA member, Pacific Lutheran appeared in seven NAIA Division II title games, winning three (1980, 1987 and 1993).

THE COACHES: Pacific Lutheran head coach Frosty Westering is a member of a select fraternity: college football coaches who have won at least 250 games. This group -- a Who's Who of collegiate gridiron coaches -- includes Eddie Robinson, John Gagliardi, Paul "Bear" Bryant, Charles "Pop" Warner, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Joe Paterno, Bobby Bowden and Tom Osborne. Westering picked up his 250th career victory in the 1997 opener at California Lutheran. Now in his 36th year as a collegiate head coach, Westering has a 276-84-7 overall record (.762 winning percentage).

Westering, who turned 72 years young Dec. 5, came to PLU in 1972 after successful coaching stops at Parsons College (Iowa) and Lea College (Minnesota). Since Westering's arrival at PLU, excellence has been the trademark of EMAL ("Every Man A Lute") football. His Lutes won NAIA Division II national titles in 1980, 1987 and 1993 and finished as national runner-up in 1983, 1985, 1991 and 1994. Westering's overall record at PLU is a staggering 232-58-5 (.795 winning percentage). No PLU team under his guidance has suffered a losing season.

After leading PLU to 15 NAIA Division II national playoff appearances from 1979-97, Westering directed the Lutes into the 1998 NCAA Division III national playoffs in the school's first year of D-III membership. In the '90s, PLU has compiled an impressive 92-19-2 record (.823 winning percentage).

K.C. Keeler is in his seventh season at Rowan and has a 70-16-1 overall record. He is the school's all-time leader in coaching victories. Prior to becoming the head coach, he was Rowan's offensive coordinator for five seasons.

LAST WEEK: Senior fullback Anthony Hicks (Tumwater, Wash./Tumwater HS) rushed for 92 yards and four touchdowns and the Lute defense recorded 11 quarterback sacks as Pacific Lutheran defeated Trinity (Texas), 49-28, in an NCAA Division III semifinal football game at Stevens Stadium in San Antonio, Texas. The win was the fourth straight on the road in the national playoffs for PLU. The Lutes scored on their first drive, marching 78 yards on 11 plays with junior quarterback Chad Johnson (Puyallup, Wash./Rogers HS) scoring on a 6-yard run.

The PLU defense got the ball right back for the offense when junior linebacker Luke Gearhard (Meridian, Idaho/Meridian HS) forced a fumble on Trinity's first play from scrimmage. The Lutes scored eight plays later, capping a 41-yard drive with Johnson's 6-yard pass to junior tight end Jess Nelson (Tumwater, Wash./Tumwater HS).

After Trinity scored on a 50-yard bomb, the Lutes put together a six-play, 72-yard drive, culminated by a 1-yard run by Hicks. The PLU special teams came up with the next big play when sophomore Brian Fulker (Wapato, Wash./Wapato HS) recovered a fumbled punt on the Trinity 4-yard line. Senior running back Jacob Croft (Seattle, Wash./Shorecrest HS) scored on the next play, and PLU led 28-6.

Trinity, behind its outstanding senior quarterback Mike Burton, came back with two touchdowns to pull within 28-21 at the half. The second half belonged to the PLU defense, which sacked Burton 10 times in the final 30 minutes of the game. Senior linebacker Tim Lax (Portland, Ore./Central Catholic HS) was in on five sacks and Gearhard reached the quarterback four times.

Burton, the 1998 Melberger Award winner, still managed to have a monster day in terms of numbers, completing 39 of 57 passes for 437 yards and four touchdowns. He was interecepted once by PLU senior cornerback David Jefferies (Anchorage, Alaska/Service HS). Burton's numbers can in part be attributed to the solid job the Lutes did in stopping Trinity's running game. With Burton losing 83 rushing yards via sacks, the Tigers managed just two net yards on 31 attempts. With the defense on a second half rampage, the offense scored twice in the third quarter for needed breathing room. Hicks scored on runs of 9 yards and 1 yard, then added an 8-yard score in the final period after Trinity had pulled to within 42-28 with 13:18 left in the game.

PLU's defense forced four Trinity turnovers and the offense cashed in three of those for 21 points. The Lutes accumulated 441 yards of offense and averaged 7.3 yards per play. Trinity, on the other hand, had 439 yards, but managed just 4.9 yards per play.

ABOUT ROWAN: In Rowan, the Lutes will be meeting one of the decade's top NCAA Division III programs. The Profs, as mentioned earlier, have already played in four Stagg Bowls in the '90s. And like PLU, which came through the West Region as the seventh and final seed, Rowan came out of the East Region as the fifth seed. The Profs had the inside track on the East's top seed until stubbing their toe in the final regular season game, losing 28-24 to Montclair State (N.J.) at home. That put Rowan on the road for three of their four playoff wins. They won at Rensselaer (N.Y.) 29-10, beat Ursinus (Pa.) at home, 55-0, repaid a debt at Montclair State, 42-13, then knocked off three-time defending champion Mount Union, 24-17 in overtime.

Rowan averages 37.5 points and 398.3 yards per game. The Profs have been balanced on offense, averaging 193.5 rushing and 204.8 passing yards per contest. Two tailbacks lead the Rowan rushing attack. Justin Wright, a senior listed as the backup, has averaged 108.9 yards per game in eight games, while freshman Jason Frabasile, listed as the starter, has averaged 50.8 yards in 12 games. Freshman quarterback Mike Warker has completed 52 percent of his passes this season for 1,861 yards with 17 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Sophomore wide receiver Scott Lipford has 56 catches for 904 yards and five touchdowns, while senior wide receiver Taman Bryant is a big (6-2, 227) target with 52 catches for 975 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The Profs have one of the top-ranked defenses in NCAA Division III, allowing just 11.6 points and 242.5 yards per game. The pass defense is impressive with 37 interceptions, including 12 by sophomore free safety Clinton Tabb. Senior middle linebacker John Gavlick is the leading tackler with 68 total hits, including 15 for loss. Outside linebacker Mark Hendricks has 64 tackles, including 13 for loss. Defensive linemen Tim Watson and Cornelius White both have 10 quarterback sacks this season.

Rowan is a huge team, the offensive line averaging 284 pounds across the front. The defensive line averages 277 pounds per man, and the three linebackers all come in at 6-2 and 235 pounds.

RECORD-BREAKING SEASON FOR HICKS: Anthony Hicks, PLU's senior fullback, continues to add to his record-setting season. Hicks has set new single-season records with 1,560 rushing yards, 25 touchdowns and 150 total points. The former rushing record was 1,226 yards set by Jeff Rohr in 1983. Chad Barnett set the former records of 20 touchdowns and 122 points in 1993.

MORE ABOUT RECORDS: Pacific Lutheran has established a new single-season rushing yardage record with 2,972 yards going into the championship game. The old mark of 2,754 yards was set in 1985. In addition, this week's game will be the 14th of the season, breaking a record for most games in a season set by four previous PLU teams. Should the Lutes beat Rowan, it will be their 13th win, breaking the school record of 12 set by the 1993 team that won the NAIA national championship.

LUTES ON OFFENSE: Pacific Lutheran averages 39.3 points and 431.4 yards per game this season. The offense is well balanced with 228.6 yards rushing and 202.8 yards passing per contest. As mentioned, Hicks leads the ground attack with 1,560 yards, 7.4 yards per carry and 21 rushing touchdowns. The Lutes have scored 51 of their 74 touchdowns this season on the ground. Chad Johnson, the grandson of head coach Frosty Westering and the nephew of offensive coordinator Scott Westering, leads the passing attack. Johnson, who shared Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors with Hicks, is 183-of-300 for 2,546 yards, 20 TDs and nine interceptions this season. He had a streak of six straight games without an interception broken in the Lutes' quarterfinal playoff win over Saint John's.

Johnson's favorite target has been Hicks with 32 catches for 437 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman wide receiver Kyle Brown (Concrete, Wash./Concrete HS) has 30 catches for 512 yards and three TDs and junior wide receiver Todd McDevitt (Leavenworth, Wash./Cascade HS) has 29 catches for 448 yards and three touchdowns.

WHERE ARE THE FIELD GOALS? Pacific Lutheran has not tried a field goal this season, and in fact the Lutes have gone without a three-point attempt for 22 consecutive games. The last time that PLU tried a field goal was in the 1998 opener against California Lutheran. That 32-yarder was missed, and there hasn't been another tried since. The last time that the Lutes converted a field goal was against Puget Sound in the final game of the 1997 season.

LUTES ON DEFENSE: The Lute defense is best described by the phrase, "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts." PLU has been particularly outstanding in the takeaway category during the playoffs with 10 fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Opponents have averaged 19.5 points and 309.5 yards per game this season, including 131.5 rushing and 177.9 passing.

The leaders of the Lute 'D' are first team all-conference performers Luke Gearhard (Meridian, Idaho/Meridian HS), Jeremy Johnston (Tacoma, Wash./Bellarmine Prep) and John Eussen (Tumwater, Wash./Tumwater HS). Gearhard, a junior outside linebacker, has 95 total tackles and leads the squad with 24 tackles for losses of 113 yards. He's also forced and recovered two fumbles. Johnston, a senior inside linebacker, has 82 total tackles including eight for loss. Eussen, a senior defensive lineman, has 57 tackles. He is one of four players with 5½ quarterback sacks. Sophomore safety Jonathan Carlson (Purdy, Wash./Peninsula HS) is second on the team lead with 93 tackles and has recovered three fumbles.

Profiles
Defense

ANDY ARMSTRONG/99
(Defensive Line, 6-2, 250, Junior, Tacoma, Wash.)

1999: Northwest Conference honorable mention honoree...has played in all 13 games this year and has 16 total tackles, including four tackles for loss...part of game's biggest play in quarterfinal win over Saint John's...recovered fourth quarter fumble at PLU 21 yard line and returned it 44 yards before pitching to teammate Tim Lax...the return set up PLU's go-ahead touchdown in 19-9 victory. Earned second team all-conference honors in 1998...split starting nose guard role with Rob Case...in five starts had 22 tackles, 12 unassisted, two tackles for loss...twice all-league defensive lineman and three times academic all-league at Franklin Pierce HS...played in 1995 all-state game...physics major...born Jan. 12, 1977.

JONATHAN CARLSON/5
(Defensive Back, 5-10, 195, Sophomore, Purdy, Wash.)

1999: Starting safety...second on the team with 93 total tackles, including team-best 63 unassisted...one of the hardest hitters on the team...in passing situations moves up to a linebacker spot on PLU's "speed team"...led Lutes with 11 tackles, including quarterback sack, in quarterfinal win over Saint John's...has 37 total tackles in four playoff games...has three fumble recoveries this season. Had outstanding rookie season with 25 tackles, including seven for loss and five QB sacks...had three sacks in PLU's crucial win over Linfield...initially made his mark as outstanding special teams player...all-league safety at Peninsula HS...business major...born Oct. 17, 1979.

ROB CASE/95
(Defensive Line, 6-4, 275, Senior, Yakima, Wash.)

1999: Northwest Conference honorable mention honoree...has started all 13 games this year, either at nose tackle or end...has 25 total tackles...Academic All-District honoree...has recovered two fumbles in playoffs. Had 28 tackles, including 11 unassisted and eight tackles for loss while splitting starting nose guard duty with Andy Armstrong...had five tackles in three different games in 1998... four times earned all-league honors at EVHS...also earned all-region and all-state honors...philosophy and political science double major...born May 13,1977.

JOHN EUSSEN/98
(Defensive Line, 5-11, 230, Senior, Tumwater, Wash.)

1999: Northwest Conference first team honoree...after 13 games, probably weighs 20 pounds lighter than the 230 he's listed at...tireless worker...will line up at end or on the nose, depending on the opponent...has started all 13 games, recording 57 total tackles...tied with three others for team lead with 5.5 quarterback sacks...recovered two fumbles in PLU's 49-28 semifinal win against Trinity (Texas). One of PLU's five captains in 1999...starting defensive lineman each of the past two seasons...had 21 tackles, including five for loss and 2.5 sacks, in 10 starts last year...notched 24 tackles in eight starts as sophomore...had five tackles against Cal Lutheran...psychology major...born July 28, 1976.

LUKE GEARHARD/38
(Linebacker, 5-9, 185, Junior, Meridian, Idaho)

1999: Northwest Conference first team honoree...has started all 13 games at outside linebacker...leads the Lutes in total tackles with 95 and in tackles for loss with 24 (minus-113 yards)...also tied for team lead with 5.5 quarterback sacks (minus-53 yards)...in on four sacks last weekend against Trinity and 1998 Melberger Award winner, Mike Burton...has great quickness...has 39 total tackles in the playoffs including 14 in opening round win against Willamette...had five tackles for loss in that game. Finished eighth in tackles last year despite not starting a game...had 49 tackles, 39 of which were unassisted...had 10 tackles for losses of 54 yards and five QB sacks for 39 yards...also intercepted two passes...one of two married players on the team...at Meridian High set Idaho state record with 167 tackles in regular season...all-state and team MVP in both football and wrestling at MHS...pre-therapy major who hopes to become occupational therapist...born April 30, 1977.

NATE GRYGORCEWICZ/22
(Defensive Back, 5-10, 175, Senior, Elma, Wash.)

1999: Northwest Conference honorable mention honoree...has started all 13 games at cornerback this season....has 55 total tackles, 49 unassisted...had six tackles in second round win over Wartburg. Earned honorable mention all-conference honors in 1998...finished with 23 tackles, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and four pass deflections...returned interception 54 yards for score against Simon Fraser...his interception late in game assured PLU's key conference win over Linfield...two-year starter at cornerback...two times earned all-league honors at running back and defensive back at Elma HS...education major...born Jan. 11, 1977.

JUDD HUNTER/24
(Defensive Back, 6-3, 190, Senior, La Center, Wash.)

1999: Northwest Conference honorable mention honoree...has started all 13 games at safety...has 70 total tackles, two interceptions...had 12 tackles, two for loss, in first round against Willamette...had nine tackles in second round win against Wartburg. One of PLU's five captains in 1999...finished fifth on 1998 squad with 60 tackles, 44 unassisted...had one interception...recorded nine tackles in three different games last year...outstanding athlete who has three times competed in decathlon at national meet...last year placed second at NCAA Division III meet with personal best 6,926 points...placed fifth in long jump at 1998 NAIA national meet...all-league and state all-star at La Center HS...physical education major..born Jan. 16, 1977.

TIM LAX/35
(Linebacker, 6-0, 185, Senior, Portland, Ore.)

1999: Northwest Conference honorable mention honoree...has started all 13 games at outside linebacker...was in on five of PLU's 11 quarterback sacks in semifinal win against Trinity...had 11 total tackles in that game...had key defensive play in quarterfinal win against Saint John's...stripped the ball from SJU fullback at the PLU 21...ball recovered and returned 44 yards by Andy Armstrong, who then lateraled to Lax, who had gotten off the ground and followed the play down the field...he took the ball to the 13-yard line, leading to go-ahead touchdown...Academic All-District honoree. Had 34 tackles while starting all 10 games in 1998...led 1997 squad with eight tackles for loss and seven quarterback sacks among 51 total tackles...honorable mention all-conference as sophomore...has 15 career QB sacks...one of those players that coaches describe as playing "bigger than he is"...all-league and honorable mention all-state at Central Catholic HS...grandfather John Lax played on bronze medal-winning U.S. ice hockey team in 1936 Olympics...outstanding student with a 3.81 GPA as a business major...born Nov. 27, 1976.

JEREMY JOHNSTON/41
(Linebacker, 6-1, 210, Senior, Tacoma, Wash.)

1999: Northwest Conference first team honoree...has started all 13 games at inside linebacker...third on team with 82 tackles...legally blind since birth in his right eye...in on nine tackles in quarterfinal win against Saint John's...Academic All-District for second consecutive year. One of PLU's five captains in 1999...leading returning tackler with 69, including 37 unassisted...had four tackles for loss from inside linebacker position...had nine tackles in three separate games last year...earned 1998 Academic All-District VIII recognition...older brother, Josh, was former safety for Lutes...twice all-league and once all-state at Bellarmine Prep...economics major who hopes to become an attorney...born Sept. 29, 1976.

Offense

JACOB CROFT/23
(Running Back, 6-1, 195, Senior, Seattle, Wash.)

1999: Northwest Conference second team honoree...has recovered from several knee injuries to have excellent senior season...averages 5.6 yards per carry...third on team in scoring with 56 points, including nine touchdowns. Gained 140 rushing yards on 45 carries in eight starts last season...missed final two games with knee injury...averaged 21.3 yards on team-high 13 kickoff returns last year...earned first team all-conference honors as kickoff returner in 1997, averaging 21.8 yards per try...all-league three times at Shorecrest HS...set SHS single-game rushing record with 347 yards...twice named MVP of prep football and basketball teams...business major...born Sept. 23, 1976.

SHIPLEY ENNIS/9
(Running Back, 6-0, 185, Junior, Woodinville, Wash.)

1999: Carries the ball out of the unbalanced "Georgetown" set...scored PLU's first touchdown, 37 yards, on first snap from scrimmage against Wartburg. Outstanding two-sport athlete...started four games last year...caught 10 passes for 127 yards and also returned five kickoffs...has twice been All-America performer in decathlon...placed third in the event at the 1999 NCAA Division III national championship meet after finishing fifth at 1998 NAIA meet...his personal best of 6,961 points ranks third on the all-time PLU list...earned All-Cascade League honors at five positions in high school football...as prep decathlete was ranked No. 1 in country by Track & Field News...business major...born Sept. 21, 1977.

ANDREW FINSTUEN/54
(Offensive Line, 6-1, 240, Senior, Spokane, Wash.)

1999: Northwest Conference first team honoree...Academic All-District honoree for second straight year...starting center for third straight season. One of PLU's five captains in 1999...will start at center for third consecutive season...named first team all-conference in 1998...earned Academic All-District VIII honors last season with 3.8 grade point average...history major who hopes to teach at secondary or college level...came to PLU as offensive guard but made transition to center as a sophomore...older brother, Peter, was second team All-America slotback at Pacific Lutheran...parents John and Kappy were both athletes at PLU...born June 19, 1976.

ANTHONY HICKS/26
(Fullback, 6-0, 230, Senior, Tumwater, Wash.)

1999: Has established three single-season records this season...has rushed for 1,560 yards, breaking the old record of 1,226...has scored 25 TDs (21 rushing), breaking the old record of 20...has scored 150 points, breaking the old record of 122...1999 Northwest Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year with teammate Chad Johnson...has averaged 7.4 yards per carry, 120.0 yards per game rushing...leads PLU with 32 receptions, averaging 13.7 yards, and has four receiving touchdowns...three times earned Northwest Conference Player of the Week honors...has two 200-plus yard games this year, including 237 against Southern Oregon...has carried the ball at least 20 times in only three games this season, with a high of 22 in season opener against California Lutheran. One of PLU's five captains in 1999...voted by coaches as 1998 Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year...rushed for 903 yards despite missing all of one game and parts of two others with shoulder injury...carried ball 19 times for 203 yards and TD against Eastern Oregon...averaged 100.3 yards per game and 6.4 yards per carry...scored 10 rushing touchdowns...showed ability to catch ball out of the backfield with 23 grabs for 211 yards and one TD...had nine catches in national playoff game against Saint John's...transferred to PLU from University of Washington...highly decorated player at Tumwater HS...BFS All-American, Northwest Nugget as one of top 100 football players on West Coast...earned numerous all-league and all-area honors, including league MVP...named most inspirational freshman at UW...older brother, Jamie, played four years at Puget Sound...theatre major who hopes to teach drama after graduation...born sept. 3, 1977.

JOSH HOSTETTER/55
(Offensive Line, 6-1, 245, Senior, Anchorage, Alaska)

1999: Northwest Conference first team honoree for second straight year...four-year starter on the offensive line...has been starting offensive guard for three seasons, was tackle his freshman year...PLU's top offensive lineman... Academic All-District honoree. Earned first team all-league honors in 1998...will start on the offensive line for fourth straight year, third consecutive at guard...was starting tackle as a redshirt freshman...strong, fast, agile...one of two players on team who is married...helped lead Dimond HS to 1993 Alaska state title...earned 1993 all-state honors on both offensive and defensive line...history major...married, wife's name is Kasey...born July 3, 1976.

CHAD JOHNSON/17
(Quarterback, 6-3, 220, Junior, Puyallup, Wash.)

1999: Northwest Conference first team honoree for second straight year...completed first 11 passes in semifinal win over Trinity...finished the game 16-of-22 for 235 yards, 1 TD, 1 interception...carried the ball seven times for 69 yards against Trinity...has completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,546 yards with 20 TDs and only eight interceptions... went six straight games without an interception until picked off twice in first quarter against Saint John's...threw three touchdowns in final eight minutes in PLU's comeback first-round win against Willamette...had best collegiate game this year in regular season win (56-23) at NWC power Linfield, throwing for 374 yards and three TDs. Earned first team all-league honors as a sophomore...was 146-for-252 (57.9%) for 1,947 yards, 14 TDs and 8 interceptions in 1998...also scored seven rushing touchdowns...had best game in playoffs against Saint John's, completing 26-of-37 for 326 yards, 2 TDs and no interceptions...grandson of PLU head coach Frosty Westering, nephew of offensive coordinator Scott Westering...younger brother, Jason, is reserve quarterback at Arizona...all-league quarterback at Rogers HS...captain and starting QB in all-state game...business administration major with 3.5 GPA...born Aug. 23, 1977.

KEVIN LINT/3
(Running Back, 5-9, 180, Senior, Sedro-Woolley, Wash.)

1999: Northwest Conference honorable mention honoree...listed as running back but plays mostly as slotback...has averaged 19.4 yards on his 22 catches this season...returned punt 51 yards against Trinity. Big play threat who earned second team all-conference slotback honors despite playing only half of the season on offense...second on 1998 team with 32 catches...led in total receiving yards with 401...scored six touchdowns, three rushing and three receiving...had four catches for 52 yards and score in national playoffs against Saint John's...had six catches for 89 yards and rushed for two TDs vs. Puget Sound...had 13 tackles as defensive back before position switch...as sophomore scored on a 57-yard punt return against California Lutheran...graphic design major...born Oct. 12, 1976.

TREVOR ROBERTS/62
(Offensive Line, 6-2, 250, Sophomore, Puyallup, Wash.)

1999: Northwest Conference second team honoree...has started all 13 games at guard this season. One of five returning starters on the offensive line...started most of 1998 season at guard after senior Corky Canaday went down with injury...second team all-league in high school...finished seventh in shot put at prep state meet...father, Mike, is assistant coach across town at University of Puget Sound...physical education major...born July 6, 1978.

WILLY WURSTER/77
(Offensive Line, 6-3, 290, Senior, Kamuela, Hawaii)

1999: Starting offensive tackle for second straight year. Biggest player on Lute roster...transferred to PLU from University of Washington, though he did not play there...father, Bill, played football at NWC foe Whitworth...three times earned all-league honors at Hawaii Prep...graphic design major...hopes to teach and coach...born May 29, 1977.