PUYALLUP, Wash. --- On a day where each team played giveaway, the George Fox Bruins made their second-half possessions count in a 27-14 victory over the Pacific Lutheran Lutes at Sparks Stadium on Saturday. It was the Northwest Conference opener for both teams.

How It Happened

Leading 10-7 at halftime despite getting little going on offense, the Bruins opened the second-half with a punishing 12-play drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock. Facing 3rd-and-11 right off the bat, Haiden Schaan connected with Elias Polanski on a 24-yard pass to midfield before Ethan Kassebaum took over. The senior running back carried the ball five times for 34 yards on the drive as the Bruins' running game awoke from hibernation in the final two periods. Still, another 3rd-and-long conversion was required and Schaan and Polanski came through again, this time hooking up on a 21-yard pass to the 2-yard line on 3rd-and-16, setting up Fautano Aufele's TD plunge on the very next snap.

Now up 17-7, the Bruins forced a PLU punt, but gave it right back on Schaan's third interception of the day. Jared Elwin's pick gave the Lutes the ball at the George Fox 35-yard line, but two plays later George Fox had it back. Wyatt Adams intercepted PLU quarterback Erik Bainter, the first career pick for the fifth-year senior from McMinnville. The Bruins didn't get far on the resulting drive, but forced PLU's third turnover of the day when safety Justin Montijo scooped up a Bainter fumble near midfield. 

The Bruins essentially put the game away on their ensuing drive, again featuring a punishing ground attack. Backup quarterback Austin Davis came in and got just enough push on a 4th-and-1 keeper to sustain the drive, before Kassebaum burst through the middle for an 11-yard run into the end zone, giving George Fox a commanding 24-7 lead with 11:14 to play.

The Bruins rushed for a season-best 187 yards, paced by Kassebaum's 103 yards on 18 carries, but they would get strong performances in all three phases on this day. The Bruin defense forced three Lute turnovers, including freshman Kiegan Schaan's scoop-and-score, 22-yard fumble return with 5:47 to go in the first quarter that gave George Fox a 7-0 lead. At that point in the game, the teams had combined for one first down. In addition to the three takeaways, the Bruin D turned the Lutes over on downs three times in George Fox territory. The Bruins also had a decisive edge in the kicking and return game, that played no small part in their first win of the season.

Top Performers

Jason Santoni showed why the George Fox coaching staff considers him one of the top special teams weapons in Division III football. In addition to drilling a pair of 40-yard field goals, the fifth-year senior from Central Point, Oregon averaged over 45 yards on four punts, putting two inside the 20, including a 52-yard bomb that PLU mistakenly fair caught at the five-yard line. That set up Schaan's fumble return touchdown. The freshman safety also had a team-high six solo tackles and ten total tackles to go with his first career score. Montijo led the defense with 11 stops along with his fumble recovery. Kassebaum had a career day for George Fox, adding two pass receptions for 21 yards to his first 100-yard rushing game. 

Coach's Thoughts

"It took a total team effort in all three phases (Offense, Defense, and Special Teams) to win this game," said head coach Chris Casey. "Establishing the running game in the second half, our defense causing turnovers, and our overall special teams performance (kick off coverage - no kickoffs beyond the 30 yard line, our blocking on Punt and PAT/FG protection and Jason Santoni's kicking/punting).  We had to pull together through adversity several times in the game.  PLU is a much improved team and it was a very physical, hard fought victory for us.  Our staff is very proud of our players' toughness and effort.  This is a confidence builder for us and something to build on."

What It Means

The Bruins picked up their first win of the season after two competitive losses to ranked teams from the Southern California Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Their 181 rushing yards far outpaced the combined total from those first two games (112).

Up Next

George Fox returns to Stoffer Family Stadium for the first time in a month, hosting the Willamette Bearcats in a Hall of Fame weekend tilt at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9.