Box Score NEWBERG, Ore. -- The George Fox football team had some fireworks on homecoming. The Bruins forced four turnovers and recorded the longest play in program history, but weren't able to pay off those moments into a victory as Whitworth came away with the 17-13 win.

How It Happened
The teams exchanged punts to start the game, with JJ Leman and Brody Snyder picking up the two biggest plays for Fox in the quarter; Leman had a scramble for 12 yards while Snyder broke through for a 28-yard gain on GFU's second drive. The Pirates had the first drive of the day into scoring range, but a Zak Holsey QB hurry and a Mika Petaia third-down tackle forced the 'Bucs to kick a field goal. After the first, Whitworth led, 3-0.

Karsen Denault quickly made an impact right as the quarter ended, pulling in his first big catch of the game for a 48-yard gain. Leman found Kaelan Frey to start the second quarter, setting up a Ben Rembisz field goal from 27 yards out to tie the game.

A positive moment for the Pirates quickly shifted to the biggest play of the day for GFU midway through the second. After an Eli Miller TFL forced a punt, Whitworth's Matthew Herzog laid down a beauty of a punt, pinning Fox at the seven-yard line. One play later, Snyder was in the end zone — taking a short screen pass over the middle from Leman and racing 93 yards down the sideline to score on the longest play from scrimmage in program history.

The Bruins nearly did it again on their next possession, with Leman finding a leaping Denault for a 40-yard acrobatic catch on a drive that started on the eight-yard line. The Fox drive fizzled, though, forcing a Riley Rutledge punt. After Rutledge's first punt barely trickled into the end zone, he was given another chance after a Bruin penalty. The All-NWC punter took advantage. Rutledge practically set the ball down on the goal line, with the ball rolling to long snapper Noah Bjornstedt, who downed the ball at the two-yard line.

Despite the poor field position, Whitworth tried to catch the Bruins napping. QB Logan Lacio launched a ball deep, but Duke Alderete-Labuguen skied through the air for the INT. With just five seconds left and out of Rembisz's range, the Bruins opened up the bag of tricks. Leman found Frey over the middle for a short game — but Frey quickly lateraled the ball to Denault. The sophomore raced down the sideline and was just pushed out of bounds at the five-yard line to end the half. Though GFU wasn't able to score on the hook-and-ladder, they still led 10-3.

Defensive end Kuyper Assink is known for his sacks. However, he started the third quarter with a rarer defensive play: his first career interception. Assink showed off his hands, catching the ball off a karem. With the ball on the plus-side of the field, Leman moved the team into field goal range. Though his pass to Bupe Chisanga Jr. was broken up in the end zone on third down, Ben Rembisz made it a 10-point game with a 31-yard field goal.

Whitworth countered with their best drive of the game to that point. The Pirates began the drive passing and ended with three straight runs, capping off their nine-play, 74-yard drive with a nine-yard run by Kurt Solano. 

Snyder appeared to have another massive play on the ensuing kickoff, taking it 94 yards to the house. Instead of a 20-10 lead, though, a holding penalty shifted the momentum as the ball was placed at the 20-yard line instead. Chisanga Jr. had a seven-yard catch to end the quarter with the Bruins up, 13-10.

Unfortunately for Fox, the fourth quarter did not start the way they hoped. Leman's first pass of the period was intercepted, giving the 'Bucs even more momentum. The Pirates had four plays of 10-plus yards as they marched down the field again. Deacon Dietz capped off the drive with an impressive toe-tapping 12-yard catch to put his team up 17-13, somehow getting a foot down while simultaneously being pushed out of bounds. 

The Bruins had their chances to take the lead back, but couldn't punch the ball into the end zone. Assink continued his audition to be the Bruins' next defensive back, deflecting another ball into the hands of fellow defensive lineman Jonah Tua. Fox got the ball to within a fourth and two, but Leman's pass to Tucker Land was just out of reach.

After dealing with double teams all day, Jacob Erickson broke through, chasing down Lacio and strip-sacking him. Alderete-Labuguen jumped on the ball, and GFU had one final moment. Leman picked up one first down on a pass to Land, but the Bruins had a fourth and seven with 46 seconds remaining. Leman rolled out to the right and tried to fire a last-ditch pass across his body to Land again. The pass fell incomplete, and the Pirates kneeled out the game, handing Fox the 13-17 loss.

Top Performances
JJ Leman finished his day with 330 yards (his second time breaking the 300-yard barrier), one touchdown, two interceptions, and 34 yards rushing. Brody Snyder, meanwhile, led the team with 60 yards rushing while pulling down two catches for 96 yards and a TD. Leman's 93-yard connection with Snyder in the second quarter was the longest in program history. Karsen Denault extended his streak of 100-yard games to three, recording five catches for 162 yards.

Duke Alderete-Labuguen had seven tackles on the day, intercepting one pass and recovering a fumble. Jacob Erickson, meanwhile, led the team with eight tackles, recording one sack and forcing a fumble. Defensive lineman Kuyper Assink and Jonah Tua each had an interception, with Assink recording five tackles and a pass breakup.

Ben Rembisz made all three of his kicks, one PAT and two field goals, while Jacob Hundven averaged 61 yards per kick on his Riley Rutledge had one punt of 50 yards, downing one at the two-yard line.

Coach's Thoughts
"That was a tough one," Bruin head coach Spencer Crace, "We played hard, but didn't finish. This team has what it takes to be excellent. We need to eliminate self-inflicted wounds and keep growing. Another big one this week! Back to work."

What It Means
Fox falls to 3-2 (0-2 NWC), but has played the top two Northwest Conference teams to start conference play. Whitworth moves to 3-1 (2-0 NWC).

What Happens Next
The Bruins will face a familiar foe in the Lewis & Clark River Otters (4-1, 2-0 NWC). The two teams, who met on September 12 in the Oregon Cup Championship, will kick off at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 17, in Portland, Ore.