Linfield turns back Whitworth 32-19 to take command of Northwest Conference

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Oct. 17—The Whitworth football team had to play close to an error-free game Saturday to knock off perennial Northwest Conference power Linfield.

Whitworth won't know if a mistake-free effort would have been enough after the Pirates made too many mistakes before a crowd of 1,885 at the Pine Bowl.

Eight sacks and two fumbles lost only tell part of the story. Throw in a slow start offensively and a few defensive breakdowns and it's no wonder the Pirates couldn't overcome a two-score deficit most of the game.

The 23rd-ranked Wildcats built a 15-0 lead, survived some conservative moments in the second half before stopping Whitworth 32-19.

Whitworth (3-2 overall, 2-1 NWC) still has an outside chance at a playoff berth. But the Pirates will need help.

They'll be left to wonder what could have been after stubbing their toes against Linfield.

"We didn't execute well early in the first half and put our defense in a bad spot," Whitworth coach Rod Sandberg said. "Then they really settled down and our defense balled hard. You've got to execute and you can't turn the ball over. And when you get in the red zone you got to score."

There's a reason the Wildcats (4-1, 3-0) are at the top of the NWC each year. While conference championships and playoff appearances are perhaps the most obvious milestone markers of a successful program, consider this: Linfield leads all college football programs in sustained excellence.

The Wildcats have 69 straight winning seasons, most on any level, dating back to 1956.

A 70th straight winning season is on the horizon.

For Whitworth, the Pirates hung tough after getting nothing out of their first three offensive possessions and finding themselves trailing 15-0 after two touchdowns and a field goal.

The good news is the game remained a two-score difference thanks to Ethan Williamson blocking two extra-point kicks.

The Pirates' offense came to life midway in the second quarter. Converting two big third downs, Whitworth marched 75 yards on 11 plays, scoring when Grant Spillman bulled in from a yard out pulling the Pirates within 15-7 with 3:06 to go before halftime.

The touchdown was set up when quarterback Logan Lacio found tight end Nate Peterson for a 20-yard gain to the 1 yard-line. Peterson carried a couple Wildcats the final five yards after the catch.

It should have been a one-score difference at the least going into halftime. Sandberg thought the score should have been tied.

Linfield used a late touchdown to take a 22-7 lead into intermission.

The Pirates, who have pulled off two big wins with second-half comebacks, came out of the halftime break eager to turn things around.

First, Linfield went three-and-out on the first series. Then Lacio directed a quick drive, culminating in a 22-yard field goal from Iden Bone to cut the deficit to 22-10.

Late in the third, the momentum sat squarely on Whitworth's sideline. A nice punt return from Hayden Throneberry set the Pirates' offense up at their 46.

Facing a third-and-9 at Linfield's 42, Lacio hit Spillman on a safety-valve pass for a 12-yard gain.

Receiver Deacon Dietz, celebrating a birthday, hauled in a 17-yard pass. Two plays later, Lacio tossed a 19-yard pass to receiver Tyson Hoke, who made a diving catch just inside the goal line for a touchdown.

Hoke, Whitworth's top receiver, made his season debut. He finished with a team-high 10 receptions for 111 yards.

The score pulled Whitworth within 22-17 with 13:15 remaining.

Whitworth's defense rose up again, forcing a punt. But a critical muffed punt return gave Linfield the ball at Whitworth's 19.

Linfield turned the error into a quick touchdown for a 29-17 lead with 7:43 left.

Whitworth marched down the field, but its drive stalled at Linfield's 3.

Lacio said he's to blame for Whitworth's offensive sluggishness in the first half.

"I take full responsibility," said Lacio, fighting back tears. He completed 25 of 43 for 257 yards and a touchdown. But he was sacked eight times.

"You know I'm the leader of the offense — no matter what, win or lose," Lacio said. "I gotta pick them up. They trust me as their leader."

Whitworth faces another challenge at home next Saturday. Lewis & Clark (5-1, 3-0), tied atop the NWC with Linfield, beat George Fox 49-35 in a wild game Saturday. Last week, Whitworth rallied from a 13-3 deficit to beat George Fox 17-13.

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