Lutes Host Lewis & Clark in 2009 Homecoming Game

THIS WEEK: Pacific Lutheran (0-2) opens its Northwest Conference schedule hosting Lewis & Clark (0-2) at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Saturday, 12:30 p.m.

THE SERIES: Pacific Lutheran has dominated Lewis & Clark, with a 33-9-1 all-time record against the Pioneers. Since Frosty Westering took over as head coach in 1972, the Lutes hold a 28-2 advantage. PLU has not lost to Lewis & Clark since 1989 - a winning streak of 14 games - during which time the Lutes have outscored the Pioneers, 614-157.

LAST YEAR: Sophomore wide receiver Greg Ford shattered a pair of Pacific Lutheran single-game receiving records as the Lutes defeated Lewis & Clark, 40-14, at Fred Wilson Field. Ford, out of Steilacoom High School, caught five touchdown passes from Michael Byrne to surpass the record of four by Gavin Stanley against Western Washington University in 1993. Stanley, incidentally, is now the Lutes’ receivers coach. Ford, who finished the game with seven catches for 272 yards, also annihilated the PLU single-game receiving yardage record of 224 yards set by Mike Welk against Oregon Tech in 1988. Ford and Byrne didn’t take long to hook up and get the Lutes on the board as Ford got behind the Lewis & Clark defense for a 43-yard score on PLU’s first play from scrimmage. The pair teamed up with 1:32 remaining in the first quarter on a 57-yard scoring aerial, and they added their third score at 10:04 of the second period on another 43-yard play. The duo rounded out the first half scoring with a 33-yard strike with 1:31 showing on the clock. On the first play of the second half, Byrne got the ball to Ford and he broke free for a 60-yard scoring play. It was the third time that the quarterback and his receiver hooked up to give the Lutes a one-play scoring drive. At that point, Pacific Lutheran led 33-0 and the coaches emptied the benches as lots of players saw action. A total of 14 PLU players carried the ball for a net of 144 yards and three quarterbacks combined to complete 15-of-25 passes to six different receivers for 353 yards and the five scores. Pacific Lutheran finished the game with 497 net yards and 19 first downs to 302 yards and 12 first downs for Lewis & Clark.

PIONEERS PREVIEW: Through two games this season, Lewis & Clark has been outscored 55-35. The Pioneers are having a hard time on defense, giving up 186 yards rushing and 264 yards passing per game. Per rush, the Pioneers have held teams to four yards, but opposing quarterbacks are averaging 9.4 yards per pass attempt. Offensively, Lewis & Clark has averaged 2.3 yards per carry and 5.8 yards per pass attempt, with a total of 74.5 yards rushing and 142 yards passing per game. The Pioneers are struggling to hold onto the ball, with four fumbles through the first two games, although only one has been recovered by the opposing team. Neither Lewis & Clark nor its opponents have recorded a sack this season, and the Pioneers have given up points all nine times their opponents have entered the Red Zone. The Pioneers have struggled to score in the second half, with only one touchdown scored in the third quarter and no points in the fourth.

ABOUT THE COACHES: Scott Westering is in his sixth year as head coach at Pacific Lutheran, where he has compiled a 23-24 overall record. Scott joined the PLU coaching staff in 1981 after playing tight end for the Lutes under his father, Frosty Westering. Since 1983, Scott has served as the Lutes' offensive coordinator, helping PLU to two NAIA Division II and one NCAA Division III national championships, as well as four runner-up finishes. He has coached 11 first-team All-Americans, including the 1999 NCAA Division III Player of the Year, Chad Johnson. Scott was a captain and All-American tight end on the 1980 PLU team that won the Lutes' first NAIA national championship. He was inducted into the PLU Hall of Fame in 1998. For the Pioneers, Head Coach Chris Sulages returns for his second season with a 1-10 record at the university.

HALL OF FAME HONORS: The 20th class to enter the Pacific Lutheran University Athletic Hall of Fame will be its biggest - by any measure - as four national championship football teams will be inducted at a dinner scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2, in Olson Auditorium. The 1980 Lutes won the school's first-ever national title, the first of three National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division II football crowns. The other two titles came in 1987 and 1993. The 1999 PLU football team won the school's only NCAA Division III championship. There were several common denominators on those title teams - longtime PLU football head coach Frosty Westering; Scott Westering, Frosty's son, who played on the 1980 title team before serving as offensive coordinator; and Paul Hoseth, the defensive coordinator for the first three title winners and PLU's athletic director in 1999. Profiles on each of the teams can be found in the Hall of Fame press release.

LUTES ON THE AIR: All Pacific Lutheran football games may be heard in the Puget Sound area on KLAY 1180 AM with Steve Thomas calling the action and Karl Hoseth handling the color commentary. The games may also be heard online at www.klay1180.com.

- PLU-