Whits in NWC opener

With one of the most ambitious non-conference schedules in school history in its rear-view mirror, Whitworth College opens Northwest Conference play this afternoon at Pacific Lutheran University.

Kickoff is set for 1:30 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Wash., where the 14th-ranked Pirates (4-0) will try to keep their record unblemished against a PLU team that is 1-3 overall and 1-0 in the NWC after staging a huge fourth-quarter rally to reel in the University of Puget Sound 32-28 in last Saturday’s NWC opener for both teams.

The Lutes own a lopsided 45-15 lead in the series, but have dropped their last two games against the Bucs. Still, they will present a major challenge to Whitworth’s defense, which much contend with a passing game built around returning all-NWC receivers Craig Chiado and Chase Reed.

“Offensively, they give a ton of looks and have very talented players at all skill positions,” Whitworth coach John Tully said of the Lutes. “Our defense will have to play very well to contain them.”

The Bucs also feature an outstanding passing game, which is led by senior quarterback Joel Clark, who had his way against PLU last fall when he threw for 264 yards and a school-record six touchdowns in a wild 54-35 Whitworth win.

The Pirates will be without senior center Jon Erlenmeyer, who suffered a knee sprain in last Saturday’s 17-14 win over Azusa Pacific and will probably miss at least two more games. In addition, running back Chris Ahsing is still listed as doubtful because of an ankle sprain that has sidelined him the last two games.