Sept. 8, 2006

Lutes Host Cal Lutheran in 2006 Season Opener

THIS WEEK’S GAME: The Pacific Lutheran University football team hosts the California Lutheran Kingsmen in the 2006 season opener for both teams at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9.

LAST YEAR’S RECORDS: The Lutes finished 3-6 overall and 0-4 in the Northwest Conference. Cal Lutheran compiled an 8-1 overall record and a 5-1 mark in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).

THE SERIES: Saturday’s game will be the 12th meeting between the two schools. PLU owns a 7-4 advantage in the all-time series, including a streak of seven straight victories that ended last year.

2005 GAME: California Lutheran scored back-to-back touchdowns in a 5:11 span of the second half, propelling the Kingsmen to a 42-35 victory over visiting PLU in the season opener for both teams at Mt. Clef Stadium. A 42-yard touchdown pass from Danny Jones to Kellan Mayberry with 2:10 left in the third quarter broke a 28-28 tie. In the fourth quarter, the Kingsmen recovered a fumble at the PLU 35-yard line and took four plays to score. Charlie Brown's two-yard carry with 11:59 remaining gave CLU a 42-28 advantage. The Lutes rallied on Chris Maine's 15-yard scoring pass to Brian Stevens with 4:09 left in the game, but the Kingsmen ran out the clock to claim the victory. The Cal Lutheran win snapped a seven-game PLU win streak in the series. Matt Sagraves gave CLU a 7-0 lead when he intercepted a pass and returned in 16 yards for the score in the first minute of the game. The Lutes knotted the score on Maine's 9-yard pass to Craig Chiado. Cal Lutheran scored on Jones touchdown passes of 13 yards to Brown and 46 yards to Tyler Williams for a 21-7 advantage. The Lutes pulled to within seven on Maine's 9-yard TD pass to Chad Averill with 1:35 left in the first half. The Kingsmen followed with a five-play, 60-yard drive that ended with Jones' 16 yard scoring pass to Mayberry. The touchdown with 26 seconds left in the first half put CLU in front, 28-14. Chiado caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Maine with 13:14 on the clock in the third quarter, and Maine threw a 33-yard TD pass to Chase Reed with 4:19 remaining in the stanza to tie the score. Maine was 19-of-36 for 249 yards and five touchdowns and one interception. He also led the PLU rushing attack with 70 yards on 11 carries. Chiado had six catches for 82 yards and two touchdowns. The Lute defense was led by Kurt Van Selus, who had seven solo and three assisted tackles, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass. For Cal Lutheran, Jones completed 19-of-25 passes for 250 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Mayberry had five receptions for 115 yards and Brown led the running game with 77 yards on 11 carries.

THE COACHES: Scott Westering begins his third season as PLU’s head coach and has a 9-9 overall record. He previously was an assistant coach for 23 years—21 as the offensive coordinator—under his father, Frosty Westering. Scott Westering was a three-year letterman and an All-America tight end at PLU after transferring from UCLA. He was a member of the 1980 NAIA Division II national championship team. Scott Squires is in his 11th season at California Lutheran. A 1988 graduate of Pacific Lutheran, he has compiled a 49-41 record as head coach of the Kingsmen.

END OF A STREAK: It’s said that all good things must come to an end, and that was the case last year when Pacific Lutheran’s 36-year streak of winning seasons ended. The Lutes had ranked among the top three on the list of college football programs with consecutive winning seasons. Ironically, No. 2 Baldwin-Wallace also dropped off the list after finishing with a 4-6 record. Linfield (Ore.) remains atop the list with an incredible streak of 50 consecutive winning seasons.

A LOOK AT THE 2006 SEASON: Pacific Lutheran has plenty of experience with nine returning starters on offense and seven on defense. On the offense, it could be stated that 11 starters return because two other players started at least one other game last year. “Experience can go only so far,” said PLU head coach Scott Westering, “but we anticipate it being a contributing factor to playing at a higher level.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH ON OFFENSE: Anthony Canger (RB, 5-9, 200, Jr.; 2005: 26 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD); Craig Chiado (WR, 6-1, 185, Jr.; 2005: 59 rec., 1,119 yards, 7 TDs, 1st team all-conference, HM All-America); Chris Maine (QB, 5-11, 225, Sr.; 2005: 160-of-265, 2,523 yards, 21 TDs, 14 int.); Mike Pellegrini (OT, 6-3, 240, Sr.; 2005: HM all-conference); Chase Reed (WR, 5-11, 185, Jr.; 2005: 46 carries, 333 yards, 6 TDs, 51 rec., 685 yards, 8 TDs, first team all-conference); Dan Rosales (OG, 6-3, 245, Jr.); Craig Stahl (RB, 5-10, 205, Sr.; 2005: 42 carries, 196 yards, 1 TD); Kelly Totten (OG, 6-0, 250, Jr.; 2005: second team all-conference); Jacob Washburn (WR, 6-3, 215, Sr.; 2005: 23 rec., 411 yards, 4 TDs).

MORE OFFENSE: Chiado and Reed are the “big play guys,” said Westering. Look for PLU to get the ball in their hands. Don Hansen’s Football Gazette named Chiado as a second team selection to its 2006 Preseason Division III All-America Team. Washburn and senior receiver Brian Stevens bring experience and the play-making ability, which gives the Lutes several more weapons in the passing game. The offensive line is “bigger, stronger and faster than last year,” said Westering, who added that he is excited about an incoming class of 11 freshmen offensive linemen. Reed is the top returning rusher from a slotback position and Anthony Canger and Craig Stahl are solid additions in the backfield. “That all fits together in an exciting way,” said Westering. A key for the offense will be to eliminate turnovers. Last season, the Lutes turned the ball over 30 times in nine games. That more than made up for the fact that PLU out-gained opponents by 46 yards per contest.

PLAYERS TO WATCH ON DEFENSE: Chad Blau (LB, 6-0, 230, Jr.; 2005: 33 tackles, 1QB sack as defensive end); Kelly Brown (LB, 5-9, 210, Sr.; 2005: 49 tackles, 1 QB sack, HM all-conference); Andrew Eisentrout (DL, 6-4, 230, Jr.; 2005: 41 tackles); Brent Frank (DB, 6-2, 185, Sr.; 2005: 43 tackles, 4 int., HM all-conference); Andy Hamilton (DB, 5-8, 190, Sr.; 2005: 61 tackles, 2.5 QB sacks as linebacker); Jon Hergert (LB, 5-10, 215, Sr.; 2005: 31 tackles); Andy Holden (DL, 6-1, 260, So.; 2005: Injured); Casey Pyle (DL, 6-0, 210, Jr.; 2005: 27 tackles).

MORE DEFENSE: “We’re such a different team on defense,” said Westering. “We’re a much more physical team up front than we were a year ago.” Besides being bigger and stronger, the Lute players have a year of experience in the 4-2 system employed by defensive coordinator Jud Keim.

“FAIR” AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC (AND PARKING IS TOUGH, TOO): The Puyallup Fair gets underway on Friday, Sept. 8, and that means traffic congestion and fewer parking opportunities around Sparks Stadium. Fans are encouraged to leave early for the game in order to get through the gate on time. By the way, the Fair will still be going strong the following Saturday, Sept. 16, when the Lutes host Wisconsin-River Falls. Kickoff for that game is also scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Be forewarned.

PLU ATHLETICS WEB SITE: For information about Lutes football and all of the Pacific Lutheran University athletic programs, go to the PLU athletics Web site at http://www.plu.edu/~athletic.

RADIO/INTERNET COVERAGE: All PLU football games will be broadcast in the Tacoma area on KLAY 1180 AM. The broadcasts will also be on the worldwide web at http://www.plu.edu/~lutecast. Steve Thomas handles the play-by-play and Karl Hoseth provides commentary.

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