NEWBERG, Ore -- The red-hot George Fox Bruins football team, fresh off of two consecutive wins over conference opponents, now have their toughest remaining test of the season — a six-hour trip to Spokane to take on the Whitworth Pirates.

The Pirates enter the game with a 7-0 record and 5-0 conference mark and are just a handful of votes away from being ranked in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 poll. Meanwhile, the Bruins enter the game as a revitalized team.

After scoring 95 total points through the first six games, the Bruin offense has come alive in their last two contests against Willamette and Pacific Lutheran, scoring 63 points and 35 points in two wins. Fox's win streak has improved their record to 3-5 (2-3 NWC) and has the team moving with upward momentum after three straight losses on the final play of the game.

DeMontre Thomas II travels to Spokane after the best game of his career. Thomas II won the starting quarterback job after a seven-week battle and took every snap for the Bruins in their 35-25 win over the Lutes. Against PLU, the junior QB completed his first 14 passes en route to setting the GFU completion percentage record; Thomas II finished 17/20 for 292 yards, three touchdowns, and one rushing TD.

Joining Thomas II will be the three-player tandem at running back in Taylor Saben, Logan Candanoza, and William Moffitt. All three players have rushed for more than 250 yards, combining for eight touchdowns between the three. Against PLU, the trio all ran at least eight times, with Candanoza scoring once.

At receiver is Dillan Dobbins — the big-play wideout is currently second in the nation in yards per reception (28.24) and has scored four times on the year. Thomas McMillan will start for a tight end corps that saw more action against the Lutes.

Defensively, Nash Wylie commands the middle at linebacker — the senior currently leads the NWC in tackles with 74. Sophomore defensive lineman Jacob Erickson has seven sacks on the season and returns to the lineup after missing snaps against PLU with a leg injury. Even with their star defensive lineman missing time, the Bruins still recorded a season-high five sacks.

In the defensive backfield, Austin Harrison and Hunter Williams continue to fill in for the injured Zak Holsey and Matthew Phillips. Ty Borde also saw time at corner, splitting time with Williams, and was one of the six Bruins to record a sack against the Lutes.

Special teams have been a key aspect for Fox in their last two games. Ben Rembisz has gone 14/14 on extra points in the Bruins' last two wins; after taking over the kicking duties in the fourth game of the season, the freshman has gone 21/23 on PATs and 1/2 on kicks. Rembisz also implemented a pooch kickoff against PLU — with one kick nearly recovered by the Bruins at the 30-yard line. Mikey Goforth will once again command the punting for Fox.

For the Pirates, Graduate transfer quarterback Austin Ewing is having a big impact on Whitworth's success this season.  Ewing has completed 113 of 157 passes (71.97%) for 1,658 yards with 18 touchdowns and only one interception, rushing for four touchdowns this season.  

Ewing's top receiver is Dillon Kuk. The senior has ten touchdown catches this season, second in the NWC. Kuk is the receiver right behind Dobbins in yards per catch (23.43), ranking second in the NWC and ninth in Division III Though Solo Hines is listed as the starting tailback, expect Luis Salgado to make an impact as well — the running back leads the conference in rushing touchdowns with eight.

Whitworth's defense has been downright offensive this season, scoring four touchdowns. Those four defensive touchdowns lead the NWC and rank sixth in NCAA Division III.  The Pirates lead the Northwest Conference, and rank 10th in NCAA Division III, in turnover margin (+1.57 per game) with 20 takeaways and nine turnovers this season.  Daniel McKeirnan helps command that defense, leading the NWC with five interceptions on the season.

The Pirates have won the red zone on offense and on defense in 2023.  On offense, the Pirates have scored 31 out of 37 trips into the red zone, a .838 average that ranks second in the NWC.  The Bucs have been even better on defense, limiting opponents to 15 scores on 25 trips to the red zone, a .600 clip that ranks second in the NWC and ranks 17th in NCAA Division III.

Fox has had Whitworth's number over the past two years, including a 28-14 win at the Pine Bowl in 2022. Now, the Bruins look to become the first team other than Linfield to win three straight over Whitworth since PLU in 2014. And thanks to a revitalized Bruin effort, Fox could play spoiler for the Pirates' playoff hopes.

Digital tickets are required for entrance to the Whitworth Pine Bowl for all fans.  Tickets can be purchased in advance using the Hometown Ticketing App.  Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for senior adults, non-Whitworth students, and children. The game is also available for viewing via this link.