Pirates must consider rivals as mighty Oaks

Normally, there might not be much to recommend about Whitworth College’s final non-conference football game of the season, which will play out at noon today in the Pine Bowl.

But with the Pirates (3-2 overall, 1-1 in the Northwest Conference) fighting for their playoff lives, today’s matchup against winless Menlo takes on added importance.

Whitworth’s two losses have come against defending NCAA Division III champion and top-ranked Linfield (47-32) and Eastern Oregon, which has been ranked among the nation’s top 25 NAIA teams throughout much of the year.

By winning out, the Pirates could put themselves in position to receive an at-large playoff bid. But a loss this afternoon would crush any such dreams.

The Oaks, an NCAA Division III school based in Atherton, Calif., are 0-6 and coming off a much-needed bye week after having been thrashed 54-0 by Cal Lutheran the week before.

But Whitworth coach John Tully is putting little stock in Menlo’s record, noting the “very rigorous” schedule the Oaks have played.

“Menlo looks very athletic – like all of the Menlo teams we have played in the past,” he said of the Oaks, who have lost to Division I-AA San Diego and Division II Humboldt State. “They have players who will challenge our offensive and defensive personnel.”

Whitworth won last year’s matchup in Atherton 41-35 when quarterback Joel Clark threw a 25-yard touchdown pass on the Pirates’ first overtime possession. Menlo outgained the Bucs 520-453 in that game, but Clark ended up throwing for 325 yards and two touchdowns to hold off the Oaks, who will become an affiliated member of the NWC in football next fall.