Whitworth Looks To Double Win Total

Two wins in a season? Better yet, two in a row … and perhaps more to follow?

Doubtful has turned to do-able for the Whitworth College football team, coming off an encouraging 49-35 non-conference win over Pomona-Pitzer.

The Pirates open the Northwest Conference season against the University of Puget Sound this Saturday in Tacoma.

Whitworth coach John Tully, in his third season, has repeatedly said that this team is better than his past two. The Pirates (1-2) are proving him correct.

Last week, they scored 28 points in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

The Bucs could manage only one victory last season, beating UPS 39-7. However, the Loggers were 0-9. This year, UPS is off to a 2-1 start, its best since 1987, when it won its first five games.

Whitworth is looking for its first two-game winning streak since 1992.

“We’re fairly equal teams,” Tully said. “I believe their coaches are probably telling them that, too.”

The Loggers are averaging a modest 280 yards of offense, including only 80 yards rushing. Their defense has allowed 350 yards per game.

Quarterback Christian Lindmark, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior, is the main reason behind UPS’ turnaround. Lindmark has completed 43 of 79 passes for 462 yards (one TD, three interceptions). Senior John Weaver has been his primary target, pulling in 15 passes for 195 yards.

After last week’s 443-yard effort, the Pirates are averaging 313 yards on offense, 144 yards rushing and 169 passing. Their defense has allowed 446 yards per game.

Tully said he will stick with the two-quarterback system, employing both Casey Doyle and Tim Mitrovich. Last week, Doyle compiled 274 yards and three touchdowns on 15 of 20 passing. Mitrovich completed just 1 of 2 passes, but his completion was a 16-yard TD pass to senior Dave Glenn, a former Mead High player.

Another former GSL athlete, sophomore Matt Stueckle of Lewis and Clark, is off to an outstanding start. Stueckle has racked up 138 yards (15.3 average) on nine catches. As a kicker, he’s 10 of 10 in PATs and leads the NCIC in punting with a 41.1-yard average.

Tully said he plans to make some changes in the ground game, giving Ben Vaday more opportunities. Primary running back Damian Putney is averaging 3.2 yards per game on 72 carries for 252 yards. Putney is third in the NCIC in rushing, averaging 77 yards a game.

Notes

Senior defensive back Travis Torco of Whitworth was named NCIC defensive player of the week. Torco scored a touchdown, had an interception and a touchdown-saving pass deflection against Pomona-Pitzer.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: COMING UP Saturday: Whitworth at Puget Sound, 1:30 p.m. Radio: KSBN (1230 AM)