PUYALLUP, Wash. – The Streak lives on, at least for one more year.
The Linfield Wildcats defeated the Pacific Lutheran Lutes 42-10 Saturday at Sparks Stadium, a victory that extended Linfield's national all-divisions record of consecutive winning seasons to 64.
Led by 311 yards passing from quarterback Wyatt Smith and 12 tackles from rover Keyell Davis, No. 19/24 Linfield raised its season record to 5-1 while improving to 4-0 iin Northwest Conference in Northwest Conference play.
Linfield's streak-clinching victory, coupled with Puget Sound's 34-23 win over NWC co-leader Whitworth, left the Wildcats in sole possession of first place in the conference standings.
Linfield dealt PLU (1-5, 0-4 NWC) its fifth straight loss and 20th consecutive defeat in the storied series between the two longtime NWC foes.
The Wildcats built a 14-3 halftime advantage, then overpowered the Lutes 28-7 in the second half to earn their fourth straight lopsided win.
A fake field goal by PLU went awry after kicker Alex Brost's pass attempt on fourth down was intercepted by Dusten Ramsayer-Burdett and returned 96 yards for the game's first touchdown with the game less than five minutes old.
Smith teamed with Keaton Wood for a 24-yard scoring play six minutes later. Wood finished the day with two touchdowns among his three receptions. PLU got on the scoreboard with 28 seconds left in the half when Brost booted a 37-yard field goal.
Linfield scored the next four touchdowns to blow the game open. Artie Johnson ran for two short scores while Wood and Tyler Torgerson each added TD receptions from Smith.
PLU notched its only touchdown of the contest with 1:44 to play. Luke Bobin caught a 5-yard score from backup QB Bryce Missey.
Linfield awoke in the second half, punching in a 2-yard run by Artie Johnson to begin the third quarter.
The Wildcats outgained the Lutes 515-239, while holding PLU to 79 yards rushing. Smith complted 24 of 34 passes without an interception. Johnson gained 82 yards on 13 carries, including a long run of 28 yards. Zach Russell added 46 yards rushing off the bench.
Keegan Weiss pulled in a game-high nine pass receptions for 96 yards. Colton Smith had four grabs for 67 yards and Torgerson and Wood each had three catches.
Lutes QB Braden Amorozo, making his first career start, finished the game with 17 completions in 31 pass attempts. But he was sacked four times – twice by tackle Chase Lydig – and intercepted twice.
Davis led the way defensively for Linfield, totaling a dozen tackles, including seven solo. Tyler Bergeron added eight stops and Tyler Sitton and Brock Klosterman both were credited with six tackles.
'CAT SCRATCH
Saturday's attendance was 955…Linfield notched its 10th straight NWC victory…the Wildcats' offensive line did not yield a single sack to the Lutes…12 different receivers caught passes in the game…Ramsayer-Burdett's 96-yard interception return for a touchdown ranks as the fifth-longest interception return in program history…Linfield backup QB Clark Hazlett surrendered his first interception of the season. The senior came into the contest having completed 11 of 12 pass attempts without a single miscue.
NEXT
Linfield returns home for a Saturday matchup with the Lewis & Clark Pioneers. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. All kids 17 and under who enroll in the Young Cats Club program will be admitted free of charge. Signups will take place at the Young Cats Club display on Streak Street.