Whitworth capitalizes on second-half turnovers, tops Puget Sound

To get in the Northwest League win column, Whitworth would have to neutralize Puget Sound’s tendency to cause turnovers and play error-free ball.

The Pirates did just that, forcing four second-half turnovers, leading to a 38-21 win over the Loggers (3-3, 0-3) in front of 2,050 at the Pine Bowl.

Whitworth (4-1, 1-1 NWC) scored twice in the fourth quarter off UPS miscues, part of 21 unanswered points to turn a four-point deficit into a comfortable win.

“We made plays when we had to,” Whitworth coach John Tully said. “Absolutely it was the difference. Our guys caused turnovers, and we were able to capitalize.”

Sophomore quarterback Joel Clark continued to sizzle for the Pirates, completing 17 of 25 passes for 359 yards without an interception.

“The offensive line’s doing a great job,” Clark said. “We saw a lot of film, and knew we could do this to them.”

“He really put the ball on the money,” Tully said. “Joel pitched it really nicely. This is a big win for us.”

UPS had an easy time running the ball, getting almost 6 yards per carry on 55 rushing attempts. Rory Lee led the Loggers with 141 yards on 18 carries.

The Pirates took the lead 24-21 early in the fourth quarter on Clark’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Snell.

Loggers linebacker Steve Martin fielded the short ensuing kickoff, but freshman defensive back Ryan Marshall stripped the ball, and Pirates running back Chris Ahsing fell on the fumble.

Nine plays later, Clark hooked up with Jared Thomas for 23 yards on a fourth-and-16. Clark capped the short drive with a six-yard touchdown run on a shotgun draw for a 31-21 lead.

On its next possession, Puget Sound would fumble again on its side of the field, and the Pirates again pounced on the opportunity when Clark threw a strike on fourth-and-1 to Thomas for a 19-yard touchdown. Thomas paced the Pirates receivers, catching five passes for 132 yards.

“We came off Linfield, which was a huge offensive game (a 48-37 loss).” Thomas said. “We felt really good and spread the ball around well.”

“They made a big play on that kickoff return, and kept the momentum,” Puget Sound head coach Phil Willenbrock said. “We weren’t able to maintain a high level of intensity. They did a great job on offense, and their quarterback did a nice job.”

UPS came into the game seventh in the nation in turnover ratio, but the two lost fumbles and interceptions by Nick Kuntz and Philip Entel were impossible to overcome.

“If you get four turnovers in a game like that, that’s going to win us some games,” Kuntz said.

Next week, Whitworth plays a non-league game at Menlo College in Atherton, Calif.

Humboldt State 34, Western Washington 27

Daniel Nembhard scored on a 5-yard run with 3:27 left, giving the visiting Lumberjacks (4-3, 2-1 GNAC) their first win over WWU (4-3, 1-2) in 42 years.

The Vikings rallied from a 17-point hole to tie the game at 27, but had their six-game home winning streak snapped.

Central Washington 25, Western Oregon 13

Emilio Iniguez rushed 37 times for 177 yards and Brian Potucek caught two touchdown passes as CWU (4-4, 2-1 GNAC) knocked off visiting Western Oregon (1-6, 1-2).

With 115 yards, Potucek became CWU’s all-time leading receiver.

Pacific Lutheran 48, Chapman 31

The Lutes (4-1) won their second straight on the road, defeating the Panthers in Orange, Calif.