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McMINNVILLE, Ore. – The Linfield Wildcats are now the only unbeaten team in the Northwest Conference, cooling down a hot Pacific Lutheran team with a 45-0 shutout of the Lutes Saturday afternoon at Maxwell Field.
Pacific Lutheran (4-3, 3-1 NWC) was riding a three-game win streak to open its conference schedule, securing a big road victory over George Fox before returning home to beat Lewis & Clark and Whitworth. The Catdome wasn't as kind to the Lutes, who didn't pick up a first down until the third quarter.
Sophomore Chance Sparks made the switch to cornerback this season and still scored a touchdown. The converted receiver sent an early message to the PLU offense when he picked off Lutes quarterback Erik Bainter for a 44-yard pick-six on just the third play of the game. Sparks had two touchdown receptions during his freshman campaign.
The Wildcats tacked on seven more points in the opening quarter when Blake Eaton connected with Colton Smith for a 1-yard score with just under six minutes remaining.
The sophomore Eaton completed 27 of his 32 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns before backup quarterback Dawson Lieurance entered the game to start the fourth quarter. Eaton's 84.4 completion percentage topped his previous season high of 77.8 percent, set on two occasions.
Gavin Dalziel sent a 36-yard field goal through the uprights to open a 24-point second quarter for the No. 5/6 Wildcats. Connor Morton scored on a 15-yard run less than three minutes later.
The 'Cats took a 38-0 lead into the break following two more touchdown passes from Eaton. He hit Smith for three yards for the senior's second score of the afternoon before tossing another touchdown pass to Devon Murray with 10 seconds left in the half.
Linfield went out in style, just as it opened the contest. Evan Fisette snagged his first interception of the season in the third quarter, returning it 18 yards to the house to put the dagger in a 45-point victory for the 'Cats. The score matched the biggest margin of victory in Linfield's all-time series with Pacific Lutheran.
Linfield rushed for 136 yards, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. Morton rushed for 51 yards on 10 attempts while Aaron Martinez racked up 71 yards off the bench, including a game-long 44-yarder.
Smith led the receiving corps with 86 yards on a season-high 11 catches to go with his two touchdowns. He leads the 'Cats with seven touchdown receptions while Murray has six. Joel Valadez finished with 72 receiving yards to round out the top offensive performers.
The Linfield defense was as advertised, limiting PLU to 114 yards of total offense and five first downs. The Lutes were a combined 0 for 16 on third and fourth down opportunities. Blake Rybar led the defense with eight tackles, seven solo, to go with two of the team's six tackles for loss. Grady Kentch forced a fumble in the second quarter that was recovered by Chase Lydig.
NEXT
The 'Cats (6-0, 4-0 NWC) have another tough matchup ahead of them when they make the short trip to Newberg to play George Fox (6-1, 3-1 NWC) on Oct. 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Bruins' Stoffer Family Stadium.