PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Despite a quick strike in the opening quarter of the game, the George Fox football team ultimately fell to the Pacific Lutheran Lutes, 14-24.

How It Happened
PLU opened up the game with a lengthy drive, taking up nearly nine minutes as they marched down the field. Though the Bruin defense bent, allowing two fourth-down conversions on the 18-play drive, they did not break, holding the Lutes to a field goal. Then, it was the offense's turn — and they took no time to find the end zone, scoring on their third play of the game.

DeMontre Thomas II found Taylor Saben on a swing pass out to the right, who then broke down the sidelines, using key blocks on the edge to break off a 69-yard score. The longest touchdown of the season for Fox gave the Bruins a 7-3 lead, a lead they would carry into the second quarter.

Two punts from the Lutes and one from the Bruins opened up the second quarter of action before Fox got their first sustained drive going midway through the period. Three straight 10-yard pass plays — two to River Osen and one to Kaelan Frey — kept the Bruins moving the chains, and soon put them in the red zone. The tides changed, though, with a third-down sack on Thomas II that pushed back the Bruins seven yards; the longer field goal attempt would sail wide left, keeping the score 7-3.

PLU cornerback Sam Morasch had another momentum-changing play with 23 seconds left, intercepting Thomas II and returning the ball to the GFU 38. Quickly, the Lutes moved the ball down, scoring with four seconds left on a 20-yard pass from Darius Chaffin to Thor Stepina. Suddenly, the Bruins trailed at the half, 7-10.

Four in-game minutes later, Stepina found the end zone again — this time between three Bruin defenders — to extend the Pacific Lutheran lead to 17-7. And after a wild bounce on the ensuing kickoff pinned Fox at their five-yard line, it seemed that the Fox offense was out of luck. Instead of hanging their heads, the Bruins fought back, working their way down the field to challenge the Lutes. River Osen had the premier play of the drive, catching a ball from Thomas II down the left sideline for a 26-yard gain. Unfortunately for the Bruins, the drive stalled deep into Lute territory, with a failed fourth-down conversion giving the ball back to PLU.

The fourth quarter began with another turnover on downs for Fox before the teams exchanged punts. A final seven-minute drive from Pacific Lutheran was the nail in the coffin for the Bruins, as a Lute touchdown with two minutes remaining made the score 7-24. Despite the deficit, George Fox continued to fight hard, working their way down the field in the final minute; Thomas II scrambled to his right and found Frey for the 24-yard touchdown to make the final score 14-24, PLU.

Top Performances
DeMontre Thomas II finished the day 20-30 for 278 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Taylor Saben had 20 yards on the ground, but it was his receiving that gave the Lutes fits; the junior finished with three catches for 77 yards and a score. River Osen led the team with a career-high seven catches for 73 yards, while Kaelan Frey scored his first career touchdown on the day.

On defense, Nash Wylie led the team with 11 tackles on the day, including one sack. Blake Mazurowski, Dustin Kunze, and Nathan Dalton all chipped in on a sack as well. Wylie and Zak Holsey each had a pass breakup, while Nolan Martin had 10 tackles and Noah Tack had eight.

What It Means
The Bruins fall back to .500 at 4-4 (2-3 NWC) on the season, while the Lutes move up to 6-2 (4-1 NWC)

What Happens Next
Fox's last home game will be one of their toughest tests of the season, as the Bruins welcome No. 10 Whitworth (8-0, 5-0 NWC). Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m., with Senior Day festivities to follow.