By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

PUYALLUP, Wash. -- Pacific Lutheran University scored on a 25-yard blocked punt return and a safety in the first 11 minutes of the game to build a 9-0 lead on the Lutes' way to a 53-0 victory over Willamette University on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Sparks Stadium. The Lutes improved to 5-3 on the season, 4-1 in the Northwest Conference, while Willamette fell to 2-6 overall, 0-5 in the NWC.

PLU, known for its strong defense this season, limited the Bearcats to 138 yards of total offense and nine first downs. Joseph Castillo (So., RB, Alta Loma, CA/Northview HS) carried the ball 13 times for 43 yards for the Bearcats, while quarterback Dante Chaney (Jr., QB, Arlington, TX/Mansfield Legacy HS) completed 13 of 25 passes for 73 yards and one interception. Justin Genovia (Sr., WR, Aiea, HI/Iolani School) hauled in six passes for 27 yards, while Dom Thornton (Fy., WR, West Jordan, UT/Kearns HS) caught three passes for 31 yards.

Although the Lutes played very well on defense, Willamette moved into PLU territory on four drives. The Bearcats began every possession inside their own 40-yard line.

Willamette opened the game with possession at the WU 32, but lost 10 yards on second down to set up 3rd-and-18. After an incomplete pass, the Bearcats punted, but Jacob Schuh of PLU blocked the kick. It was recovered by Syi Campbell, who returned the ball 25 yards for a touchdown. Logan Ready kicked the extra point to give the Lutes a 7-0 lead.

Later in the first quarter, the Bearcats took over at their own 2-yard line with 4:42 on the clock following a 56-6ard punt by Max Boekenoogen. On the first play, Chaney was tackled in the end zone by Gavin Hawley in the WU end zone for a safety, increasing PLU's advantage to 9-0.

The Lutes added three touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 29-0 lead into the halftime break. John Walker grabbed a 9-yard touchdown pass from Erik Bainter early in the quarter at the 14:44 mark to finish an 11-play, 64-yard drive. Bainter scored on a 1-yard run with 7:00 on the clock to complete a 14-play, 64-yard drive. Noah Palitz tacked on an 18-yard pass from Bainter with 35 seconds left in the half, but Ready missed the extra point kick.

Pacific Lutheran scored once in the third quarter on a 4-yard pass from Bainter to Walker. The touchdown occurred with 10:47 on the clock following a 73-yard drive on eight plays to start the half.

Walker also scored on a 31-yard pass from Bainter with 14:54 left in the game. Overall, Walker registered six catches for 105 yards and scored three touchdowns. The Lutes added a touchdown at the 11:21 mark of the fourth quarter and a 27-yard field goal with 4:45 to go to complete the scoring.

Bainter was 16 of 26 through the air for 207 yards and four touchdowns. He also carried the ball seven times for 36 yards and one score. Raysen Motoyama led the Lutes with seven rushes for 45 yards. In addition to Walker's 105 receiving yards, PLU also benefited from the receiving efforts of Brennon Blevins, who caught three passes for 101 yards.

Hogan Smith (So., DB, Prineville, OR/Crook County HS) and Dom Torres (Sr., DT, North Salt Lake, UT/Woods Cross HS) topped Willamette's defensive chart as they tied for the team lead with six solo tackles and seven total tackles. Torres recorded two tackles for loss. Keaton Adams (Gr., DE, Colorado Springs, CO/Doherty HS) earned four total tackles. Landon Waters (So., DB, Martinez, CA/Alhambra HS) also provided four defensive stops. Genovia returned four kickoffs for a total of 86 yards, while Thornton brought back four kickoffs for 81 yards.

Hawley, Michael Gurr, Ashton Barton, and Nicolas Kron were PLU defensive players who each registered four unassisted tackles and five total tackles. Two other defenders, Campbell and Kord Tuttle also finished with five total tackles, as Tuttle provided two solo stops and Campbell had one solo tackle. Cheyn Tam-Switzer of the Lutes was credited with the game's only interception.

Willamette will play at Linfield University on Saturday, Nov. 5 in McMinnville, Oregon. The Wildcats entered the weekend ranked #4 in the NCAA Division III Coaches Poll released by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and were listed at #5 in the D3foootball.com Top 25.