Sept. 9, 2006

Cal Lutheran Rallies to Beat Pacific Lutheran, 17-14

Statistics

PUYALLUP, WA –Connor Pearce kicked a 38-yard field goal with 2:15 left in the game to cap a California Lutheran rally as the Kingsmen defeated Pacific Lutheran, 17-14, in the 2006 football season opener for both teams on Saturday at Sparks Stadium

The Kingsmen won their second consecutive season opener against Pacific Lutheran after defeating the Lutes, 42-35, to start the 2005 campaign.

Pacific Lutheran held a 14-7 lead entering the fourth period when an interception by Tim Stevens, one of three Cal Lutheran picks during the game, set up the Kingsmen on their own 41-yard line. On the ensuing play, Danny Jones lofted a screen pass to Louis Montano in the left flat, and he used excellent blocking to race untouched down the left sideline for a 59-yard score. The extra point by Pearce brought the score even at 14-14.

Cal Lutheran forced a PLU punt on the following possession, and the Kingsmen started what proved to be the game-winning drive from their 40-yard line. They converted a fourth-and-one from their 49-yard line when Jones faked a handoff and found Sean Coen for a 7-yard gain. After another first down and facing fourth down at the PLU 22-yard line, the Kingsmen went with Pearce, and his kick put the visitors from Thousand Oaks, Calif., ahead for the first time.

On PLU’s next play, Chris Maine threw his third interception, this one grabbed by Chase King, and the Kingsmen ran out the clock.

The Lutes took an early 7-0 lead, turning a Cal Lutheran fumble into a 34-yard scoring drive. Maine completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Craig Chiado to complete seven-play drive.

Cal Lutheran tied the score later in the first period after Jason Spratt’s interception set his team up at the PLU 27-yard line. Montano had rushes of nine and four yards, leading to a 14-yard scoring aerial from Jones to Danny Hernandez.

The Lutes regained the lead in the second period when Maine capped a 15-play, 76-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.

At the halftime break, the Lutes had out-gained the Kingsmen, 151 yards to 120. The Cal Lutheran defense proved stingy in the second half, limiting the Lutes to 74 yards of offense in the final 30 minutes.

Cal Lutheran, meanwhile, finished with 299 total yards. Jones completed 14-of-25 passes for 234 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Montano led all rushers with 74 yards on 20 carries. Coen had three catches for 82 yards for Cal Lutheran. For the Lutes, Maine was 18-of-29 for 157 yards with one touchdown and the three interceptions. Chiado had eight catches for 67 yards, and Anthony Canger was the leading ground gainer with 49 yards on 14 carries.

Pacific Lutheran returns to action next Saturday, hosting Wisconsin-River Falls at 1:30 p.m. in another non-conference game.

- PLU -