Stingy Whits Ready For Eosc

Fri., Oct. 16, 1998

The midseason report is in for the Whitworth College football team and it looks encouraging.

The Pirates record is sub-.500 at 2-3, but the losses have been by the average margin of less than five points.

“Our players now realize we can play with anybody,” coach John Tully said. “It’s not a hope situation any more.”

Saturday, the Pirates play their second straight road game when they travel to Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. Eastern Oregon, a Division II independent, also is 2-3. However, the team has lost three straight to Pacific Lutheran, Western Washington and Willamette.

Last season, the Mountaineers crushed the Pirates 44-7. This season, the Bucs have held their opponents to 16 points per game. In two games, they’ve lost by a field goal. Whitworth’s improved defense is anchored by sophomore defensive end Sly Blake and junior linebacker Mitch Ellerd. Both players have made 58 tackles.

Blake was named Northwest Conference defensive player of the week after finishing with 18 tackles and one sack in Saturday’s 10-7 loss to undefeated Linfield.

The Mountaineers have an experienced and explosive offense behind quarterback Chuck Nyby. The sophomore from Boise has averaged 211.6 yards per game through the air and has run for 117 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target has been second-team All-American Kyle Washburn.

Pirates quarterback Josh Parbon was held to 86 yards through the air last week, but moved past the 1,000-yard mark for the season. In five games, he has completed 78 of 150 passes for 1,023 yards. He’s thrown for eight touchdowns and has been intercepted six times.

Volleyball

Top-ranked Long Beach State plowed under the University of Idaho volleyball team 15-6, 15-0, 15-1 before 1,623 fans Thursday night in a Big West Conference match at Long Beach, Calif.

Long Beach improved to 17-0 (7-0 BWC) while Idaho dropped to 10-10 and 3-4.

Beth Craig had eight kills and a .227 hitting percentage, tops for the Vandals.

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Stingy Whits Ready For Eosc

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

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