SPOKANE, Wash. – Like a boy playing with fire, the Whitworth Pirates were almost burned by the visiting Pacific Lutheran Lutes before prevailing 31-17 in a Northwest Conference football game on Saturday in the Pine Bowl.
Whitworth (5-1 overall, 2-1 NWC) survived six turnovers and saw a 17-0 lead evaporate before holding off PLU (2-3, 1-2).
Five of the six turnovers came in the first half. The Pirates prevented the Lutes from turning four of those turnovers into points, but Whitworth was unable to build the large first half lead it had an opportunity to build.
The game began with a moment of silence for Jordan Taff, a PLU player who passed away unexpectedly earlier this week.
The Pirates then punted once and lost interceptions on their next three possessions. While starting quarterback Jaedyn Prewitt was credited with all three interceptions, none were necessarily his fault as receivers juggled balls they had a chance to catch. Cheyn Tam-Switzer grabbed the first pick and Michael Gurr snagged two.
But the Whitworth defense forced PLU to punt after each interception. The Pirates finally got on the board when Solomon Hines ran in from one yard out. That touchdown came one play after Daniel McKiernan blocked a PLU punt and recovered the ball on the Lutes' one yard line.
The Pirates had a chance to extend the lead in the second, driving near the PLU 20, but Hines lost the ball for a fumble.
Once again the Lutes could not take advantage and Nate RaPue kicked a 32-yard field goal following Whitworth's next possession to extend the lead to 10-0.
The Pirates went up 17-0 with only 1:29 left in the first half when Prewitt found Kanen Ables over the middle for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Whitworth then forced a PLU punt and took over at their own 33 with 27 seconds left. But Prewitt was sacked and lost a fumble on the second play and the Lutes had the ball on the Whitworth 23 with 10 seconds left.
This time the Lutes finally took advantage as John Walker caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Erik Bainter on the next play to give PLU some momentum heading into halftime.
Whitworth statistically dominated the first half, outgaining the Lutes 260-106, including a 136-32 edge in passing yards.
PLU held the ball for 13:02 of the third quarter. A long first drive ended at Whitworth's 27 on a fourth down stop when Jimbu Joseph hurried Bainter into a quick throw. After a Pirate punt, the Lutes held the ball for the final 6:32 of the third. On the first play of the fourth period, Bainter lofted a pass to Walker for a 28 yard touchdown over a Pirate defender.
Whitworth's next play was its final turnover of the game, an interception grabbed by Tam-Switzer at the Pirates' 45 yard line. Ten plays later Peiyton Hilliard kicked a 45-yard field goal to tie the game.
The Pirates' offense, held to six plays and 12 yards to that point in the second half, finally came alive. Set up by Cameron Sheley's 35-yard kickoff return, Whitworth went 60 yards in ten plays, scoring on Ethan Peloquin's 18-yard touchdown catch from Prewitt.
The Pirates held the Lutes on fourth down at the PLU 40-yard line with 3:22 to play. Four plays later Isaiah Jones ran for an 18-yard touchdown for the final margin.
Whitworth outgained PLU 367-277 despite running 12 fewer plays in the game.
Prewitt completed 13 of 26 passes for 178 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. Hines finished with 89 yards on the ground, while Jones ran nine times for 54 yards. Matthew Fiesta was effect on four end-arounds with 55 yards on four carries. Five Pirate receivers finished with two catches apiece.
Bainter completed only 9 of 28 passes for PLU for 93 yards. But he did throw two touchdowns and he ran 17 times for 108 yards. Malik White was held to 32 yards on 18 carries.
Patrick Serrano and Dylan Ventress had ten tackles apiece for the Pirates. Jaylen Gonzales had nine tackles, forced and recovered a fumble, and had one sack.
Gurr and Tam-Switzer each had seven tackles to go along with their four interceptions.
The Pirates will be back at home to host Willamette next Saturday at 1:00 pm.