MCMINNVILLE, Ore. --- In a battle for sole possession of first place in the Northwest Conference, the sixth-ranked Linfield Wildcats put the defensive clamps on George Fox Saturday, handing the Bruins their first conference loss, 38-7 at Maxwell Field.

How It Happened
The NWC's top defense sacked Bruins quarterback Haiden Schaan seven times and held the Bruins to one rushing yard in improving to 7-0 on the season, 5-0 in conference play.

Linfield built a 28-0 halftime lead and held the Bruins scoreless until late in the fourth quarter, when Schaan's 16-yard touchdown pass to Leon Johnson III spoiled the shutout with 2:05 to go in the game. Schaan finished 11 of 21 through the air for 135 yards, but also threw two interceptions, the first turnovers for the George Fox offense in three weeks.

Defensively, the Bruins did not allow an explosive play for the third consecutive week, but Linfield had three different touchdown drives of 10 plays or more. The Wildcats marched 75 yards in just six plays on the opening drive of the game. Quarterback Wyatt Smith connected with Devon Murray on a 15-yard pass, then found Murray again on a 27-yard touchdown strike that was the Wildcats' longest play of the day.

George Fox's first drive ended on a punt, but what a punt it was. Jason Santoni broke his own program record, set earlier this year, with a 74-yard boomer to the Linfield 9-yard line. The Wildcats mounted a six-and-a-half minute drive from there, Connor McNabb running it in from four yards out on the 12th play to give Linfield a 14-0 first quarter lead. 

The Bruins picked up just one first down and 13 yards in the first half as Linfield extended its lead with two more TDs in the second quarter.

By the time the Bruins got moving offensively in the second half, they were staring at a big deficit and never posed a serious threat. Linfield finished with a commanding 28-8 advantage in first downs and outgained the Bruins 403-136 on the day. Senior quarterback Wyatt Smith, held  well below his season average, completed 29 of 40 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns, throwing only his second interception of the season, Connor Morton finished with 95 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown. Murray had eight catches for 89 yards and two scores. Blake Rybar was in on five of Linfield's 14 tackles for loss, finishing with 11 tackles.

Top Performers
Ethan Kassebaum led the Bruin rushing attack with 36 yards on nine carries, including a 31-yard run in the second half that was the longest play from scrimmage for either team. Justin Montijo intercepted Linfield quarterback Wyatt Smith in the second half and had a 16-yard punt return, maintaining his status as one of the top punt returners in the nation. Adam Hawker was the top Bruin receiver with five catches for 58 yards. Lucas Schwin was the game's leading tackler with a season-high 13. Josh Poppleton finished with 10 tackles and had one of George Fox's two sacks.

Coach's Thoughts
Soon to come. 

What It Means
The Bruins fell into a second place tie with Whitworth following the best start in their NWC history. The 31-point losing margin was the most against the Wildcats since 2016.

Up Next
George Fox is on the road again next week, facing Lewis & Clark on Saturday at 1 p.m. before a showdown with the Whitworth Pirates to close out the regular season on Nov. 13 at Stoffer Family Stadium.