SPOKANE, Wash. – Adam Kniffin concluded his record-breaking season with a school record 22 receptions in the University of Puget Sound football team's 63-35 loss to Whitworth. The Loggers (2-7, 1-5) ended their season with another prolific offensive display.
The Loggers tallied 470 yards of total offense, led by Duncan White's 421 yards passing. White was 42-of-67 in the game with five touchdowns in the contest. White and Kniffin hooked up 22 times for another school record. Kniffin extended his school record to 92 receptions this year.
Kniffin's 22 catches amounted to a season-high 203 yards and four more TDs. He also extended his school record to 17 touchdowns this year.
Despite another high-powered air attack, the Loggers fell in another shootout. The game started on a high note for the defense. After the Pirates (5-5, 3-3) drove down to the four-yard line, the defense held strong to force a turnover on downs. The Loggers took over but were forced to punt.
Adam Anderson scampered 81 yards for the game's first score on the next play to give the Pirates a 7-0 lead. The Loggers answered on the next drive when White and Kniffin connected for their first of four TDs.
However, the Pirates strung together 21 unanswered points to take a commanding 28-7 lead before White found Thiesen Chang for a 10-yard TD strike with 1:58 left in the half. Andersen led the Pirates down the field again and scored the third of his six touchdowns with 23 seconds left.
Down 35-14 at the break, the Loggers traded scores with Pirates in an explosive third quarter. The teams combined for 42 points in the quarter and White and Kniffin connected for a trio of touchdowns.
After a long Whitworth touchdown, the Loggers answered with their second TD of the quarter – a five –yard TD pass – to close the gap to 49-28. The Loggers then jumped on an onside kick to take momentum in the game.
White and Kniffin connected again three minutes later to close the gap to 49-35 on one of the most athletic plays of the game. The Pirates collapsed the pocket around White, but he sidestepped the defenders and scrambled toward the sideline. White turned and hurled the ball toward the end zone where Kniffin rose above the defender and landed just inside the sideline for a 30-yard touchdown.
The Loggers attempted another onside kick but the Pirates recovered and eventually scored the last 14 points of the game for a 63-35 final.
Anderson led the Pirates with 225 yards and six touchdowns on the ground as well as one passing TD. Casey Larson had 68 yards on 15 attempts to lead the Loggers.
Damarkus Milner led the Loggers defensively with 12 tackles. Chris Subia added four tackles and 1.5 sacks.
The Loggers set several offensive records this year with one of the best passing attacks in the nation. Twelve seniors played in their game for the Loggers, who will return many key starters next year, including seven starters on offense and seven on defense.