NEWBERG, Ore. --- It came down to the final play of the game Saturday, as the Bruins went head-to-head with the Pirates of Whitworth University during Homecoming weekend. The game resulted in a 28-23 loss for the Bruins, but it felt like anybody's game in the fourth quarter.

Recap:
Whitworth wasted no time in the first quarter, scoring on its first possession after quarterback Ian Kolste burned 3:51 off the game clock. Duke DeGaetano did the rest, rushing for the first touchdown of the game with a 10-yard run. Instead of going for the extra point, the Pirates pulled out some trickery and completed the 2-point play with a pass in the back of the end zone.  The Pirates were at it again towards the end of the first, but this time it was Kolste connecting with Chase Naccarato for a 4-yard touchdown pass to take a 15-0 lead.

Before the end of the quarter, Bruins' quarterback Grant Schroeder sparked some momentum on the ground, rushing for 61 yards to put the Bruins in the red zone. The Bruins seized the moment, scoring in the start of the second quarter off a Damian Cook 1-yard rush.

The touchdown seemed to spark some confidence in the defense, who stymied the Pirates for the entire second quarter. The Bruins' defense held the Pirates scoreless, while the offense kept chipping away at the deficit.

Schroeder continued to make big plays, but this time with his arm. The quarterback found Lane Hadley on a go route that resulted in a 54-yard touchdown pass. With the touchdown, the Bruins found themselves down by one, 15-14.

With plenty of time before half, the Bruins forced the Pirates to punt on their next possession, which gave the Bruins a chance to take the lead. Schroeder kept the chains busy, completing a 14-yard pass to Trevor Daniels, and a 32-yard pass to Wesley Riddell. It felt as if the Bruins had found new life, and the crowd roared for them to keep the Pirates on their heels.

The lead change came after Uriel Gonzalez nailed a 40-yard field goal to give the Bruins a 17-15 advantage.

The Pirates weren't able to muster up any energy on offense, as the Bruins' defense forced another three-and-out, giving the Bruins great field position. With the crowd on their side, Schroeder marched his team down field. After 3:50 ran off the clock, the Bruins found the end zone with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Brad Lander.

The Bruins went into the half with a 23-15 lead.

The third quarter got off to a sluggish start, as neither team wanted to give the other an advantage. The Pirates were able to get within one after a 6-yard touchdown pass from Kolste, 23-22, but that would be the only score of the quarter. Both teams had opportunities to tack on more points, but both teams missed field goals.

The Bruins had another chance in the start of the fourth with a 37-yard field goal, but it missed just right. The Pirates started with the ball on their own 20 and 7:47 left in the game. The possession lasted for five minutes exactly as the Pirates used 15 plays for 80 yards. It ended with Kolste finding Mason Elms for a 14-yard touchdown. The Pirates regained the lead for the first time since the first quarter at 28-23.

The Pirates had a chance to go up by eight with a 32-yard field goal with two minutes left in the game, but the ball would clang off the uprights missing right.

The Bruins had one last chance to win the game with 1:10 left on the scoreboard. Schroeder got the ball rolling with a 6-yard pass and a 4-yard pass to move the chains. A 24-yard pass to Daniels put the Bruins on the Pirates 46 with 38 seconds left in the game. Three straight incompletions forced a fourth and 10 with 12 seconds left, but Schroeder connected with Daniels again, this time for 19-yards. It came down to one last play, as the Bruins were on the Pirates 27 with five seconds left on the clock. A pass went up into the end zone, but it was knocked down by a Pirate defender to end the game.

The Bruins recorded 558 yards in total offense, while the Pirates put up 426.

Top Performers:
Schroeder completed 20-of-41 attempts for 318 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 151 yards on 13 carries. Daniels and Lander led the receiving core, as the pair combined for 10 receptions. Daniels was the point man, though, recording six catches for 86 yards. Caylen Clardy was one tackle away from tying the school record with 15, recording nine solos and six assists.

What Comes Next:
The Bruins will go on the road next week with a game against Lewis & Clark on Oct. 8 at 1p.m.