Baxter’s Interception Saves Whits
Whitworth linebacker Jeff Baxter intercepted a pass by Eastern Oregon State quarterback Richie Davis with 56 seconds left to thwart a Mountaineers drive and allow the Pirates to escape with a 21-17 win at La Grande, Ore., on Saturday.
The season-opening win was the first victory for new Whitworth head coach John Tully.
Whitworth trailed 14-7 late in the second quarter before the Pirates put together a 10-play, 65-yard drive, capped by a 10-yard pass from quarterback J.J. Green to wide receiver Scott Sund which knotted the score at 14-all.
In the third quarter, Whitworth took the lead for good when Green connected with tailback Caleb Arceneneaux on a 4-yard touchdown pass to put the Pirates up 21-14.
The Mountaineers added a field goal early in the fourth to cut the lead to 21-17.
Whitworth had a chance to increase the lead, but Green fumbled at the Eastern Oregon 4-yard line, putting a quick end to the Pirates’ drive.
With 7:21 to play in the fourth quarter and the Pirates moving once again, tailback Brion Williams fumbled at the Mountaineers’ 35. EOSC marched down to the Whitworth 25 before Baxter, the Pirates’ team captain, made his game-saving interception.
Baxter finished the game with six solo and six assisted tackles, an interception and two sacks.
Whitworth will host Central Washington Saturday at the Whitworth College Pine Bowl at 1:30 p.m.
Whitworth 21, Eastern Oregon 17
Whitworth 0 14 7 0 - 21
E. Oregon 0 14 0 3 - 17
W-Williams 1 run (Jensen kick)
EO-Maag 12 run (Ulrich kick)
EO-Mendoza 35 pass from Davis (Ulrich kick)
W-Sund 9 pass from Green (Jensen kick)
W-Arceneaux 4 pass from Green (Jensen kick)
EO-FG Ulrich 44
(6) WWU 30, (5) PLU 26
In a non-division battle between two nationally ranked NAIA Division II powers at Bellingham, No. 6 Western Washington defeated No. 5 Pacific Lutheran for the first time since 1976. WWU (1-0) quarterback Jason Stiles completed 22 of 31 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns.
CWU 21, Wilamette 16
At Kennewick, Wash., Kenny Russaw caught eight Jon Kitna passes, including a school record-tying three touchdown receptions, for 123 yards as Central Washington beat Willamette at Lampson Stadium. Russaw caught TD passes of 12, 5 and 38 yards, giving him 11 touchdowns in 12 career games.
, DataTimes