Oct. 20, 2007

Lutes Suffer First Shutout Since 1979 as Wildcats Win, 24-0

Robert Thomsen - 12 tackles, two sacks

Box Score

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - A matchup of the Northwest Conference's top two offensive teams turned into a defensive battle, at least for one half.

Holding their longtime rivals to six first downs and 79 yards of total offense and forcing three turnovers, No. 19 Linfield defeated Pacific Lutheran, 24-0, Saturday at rain-soaked Maxwell Field.

The result marked the first time PLU had been shut out on the football field since a 9-0 NAIA playoff loss at Findlay (Ohio) in 1979, ending a streak of scoring games at 293. It also was the first blanking of a PLU team by Linfield since back-to-back shutouts in 1965 and 1966.

The Wildcats won their third straight game to improve to 4-2 and 2-1 in the NWC. PLU dropped to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

The first half was a scoreless chess match. Linfield twice marched inside the PLU 25, but a fumble at the 11 and an interception in the end zone by Jeff Ebel prevented the Wildcats from assuming command early.

The offensive numbers in the first half were less than stellar, with the Wildcats leading the yardstick, 137-49. PLU had just 12 yards passing at intermission despite Lutes quarterback Brett Gordon completing 8-of-12 attempts.

Linfield broke the ice four minutes into the third quarter as Dan Lever dove over the goal line from three yards out. Scott Birkhofer booted the extra point and the hosts led 7-0.

The Wildcats gave themselves a bit of breathing room with 51 seconds left in the third quarter when Birkhofer capped a seven-play, 51-yard drive with a 43-yard field goal to make it 10-0. Linfield quarterback Trevor Scharer marched the Wildcats 77 yards in nine plays for their next score, hitting backup QB Aaron Boehme along the back of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown.

Wildcats linebacker Paul Partlow set up Linfield's final touchdown by returning an interception 27 yards to the PLU 8, setting up Travis Masters' game-clinching 8-yard scamper up the middle.

The Lutes' best scoring opportunity of the game came in the second quarter when Greg Ford's fumble after a reception was recovered by Linfield's Jaymin Jackson at the Wildcats' 26-yard line. PLU did not cross the 50-yard line in the second half.

Scharer completed 17-of-30 for 191 yards and one touchdown and Masters carried 18 times for 129 yards and one score.

Gordon, who completed 11-of-24 for 47 yards, was sacked five times and intercepted twice. Chase Reed caught four passes for 20 yards. Defensive end Robert Thomsen led the way defensively for PLU with a game-high 12 tackles, including two sacks and one other tackle for loss.

(Courtesy of Linfield Sports Information Office)