Pirates Prepare For Another Perilous Voyage

Soft spots in the schedule?

Not for the Whitworth College football team, whose tailspin has reached 13 straight losses dating back to last season.

Truth is, the soft spot on the Northwest Conference of Independent Colleges schedule is Whitworth. Saturday, the Pirates (0-5, 0-1) travel to Salem, Ore., to try to snap out of their funk against Willamette.

Once again, it won’t be easy for Whitworth, a team that has been outscored by its opponents 209-67. Its latest defeat came last Saturday, a 41-18 pounding by No. 13 Pacific Lutheran University (4-1, 1-0). Sophomore linebacker Mitch Ellerd was Whitworth’s brightest spot, finishing with 14 tackles, including two for losses.

The Bearcats are having a solid season and post the same record as PLU. They enter ranked 16th in the NAIA Division II Top 25 poll and are coming off a 20-3 win over Linfield.

Last week, the Pirates failed to stop PLU running back Peter Finstuen, who finished with 185 yards rushing, 80 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

This week, Whitworth must deal with Willamette’s running-game-by-committee that starts with quarterback Chuck Pinkerton. The Corvallis, Ore., junior has rushed for a team-high 337 yards and five touchdowns on 72 carries.

Pinkerton is second in the league in total offense, compiling 1,112 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Bearcats lead the NCIC in rushing at 252 yards per game. Whitworth is averaging 127, last in the conference.

The Bearcats have completed 52 of 99 passes and are averaging 173 passing yards per game. Whitworth, behind quarterback Casey Doyle and reserve Rob Leslie, has completed just 49 of 115 passes for a 137 average.

The Bearcats’ most productive receiver has been Forrest Williams, who has caught 16 passes for 322 yards and four TDs.

, DataTimes