Whitworth expects battle at Menlo

Northwest Conference newcomer Menlo College gets its crack at nationally ranked and unbeaten Whitworth today at noon when the two teams face off in Conner Field in Atherton, Calif.

Menlo (3-3 overall, 1-2 in the NWC) is in its first season as a football-only member of the conference and has made a dramatic turnaround this fall after finishing 0-10 as an NCAA Division III independent last year.

Still, the Oaks are coming off a lopsided 34-10 loss to Pacific Lutheran and should have their hands full against a veteran and well-balanced Whitworth team (6-0, 2-0) that is ranked No. 11 in this week’s D3football.com top 25 poll.

The Pirates trashed Lewis & Clark 70-3 in the Pine Bowl last Saturday, rolling up their largest margin of victory since 1976 when they blanked Montana Tech 70-0. A win today would give the Bucs their best start since 1960, but coach John Tully expects to get the Oaks’ best shot.

“Menlo is always a tough challenge,” he said, “especially at their place where we’ve had some very close games.”

The Oaks have been alternating quarterback this fall, with senior Adam Hazel and junior Gregg Parker sharing snaps. They have combined for 993 yards and eight touchdowns through the air, but have also thrown eight interceptions.

Whitworth’s offense is led by senior quarterback Joel Clark, the Pirates’ career total offense leader and senior tight end Michael Allan, who has a team-high 29 receptions for 502 yards this fall. Allan needs one more touchdown catch to surpass Sam Adams as the school’s all-time leader in that category.