Once is not enough •
Lutes W i n d ist r ict c rown aga i n •
70
The 1978 Pacific Lutheran football season was characterized by the win one, lose one approach. The lutes did win I heir final three games of the season, and for the second year in a row claimed the NAIA Dimici I lille. The lutes kicked off the season by overpowering the Alumni in the an nual bailie al Franklin Pierce Stadium 35-16 and then moved up 10 Bel lingham 10 trounce Western Wash ington University 45-3. Trouble struck against crosstown rivals University of Pugel Sound. The game, hosted by PlU was in the Kingdomc for The second consecu tive year. The game slayed dose for the belief pari of three quaners be fore UPS pulled away for a 27 -14 vic tory. The following week the lutes pulled out a 14-13, squeaker over Whitworth. Whitworlh gambled and lost on a two pain! conversion play wit 2:16 remaining in the game. PlU took to the road for the next two weeks losing to the Linfield Wildcats, who were the number one leam in the nation in the NAIA. Al though the lutes held a 17-6 lead in the first half of the defensive strug gle, Linfield proved that they were the topped ranked team by scoring 18 points in the second half.
The following week, the team out scored lewis and Clark 31-6, and re leased their frustration of the one point loss 10 linfield. The lutes dominated every phase of the game, controlling the ball for 20 of the 30 minutes in the first half. For the game, they ran off 101 plays and gained 592 yards of total offense. Good turned to bad when Willa melle entered Frank[in Pierce Stadi· um'on October 21. Willamelle was in last place in the orthwest Con ference with a 0-5 record. Coach Frosty Westering summed it up, "In my seven years at PlU there was only one other game in which we were dominated so badly.", PlU was able to generate just 16 yards rushing, and 164 in total offense, 225 below its season average in a 23-6 loss. Having lost the chance to win the NOrlhwest Conference Title, the lutes beat the Pacific Boxers on Homecoming 23·0, and then came back the next week to beat Eastern Oregon 37-7. The lutes final game of the season was played in pouring rain and on a muddy field. It took two trick plays and quarterback Brad Westcring to catch a touchdown pass for the lutes to get by Eastern Washington Un i-
versity and lay claim to the District crown. When the awards were given out PlU was around to grab their share. Five lutes claimed dual honors being named to the first team All-District squad as well as The Nonhwest Con ference team. Honors were given to senior linebacker John Zambedin; two junior defensive ends Roy Chapman and Steve Kienbergaer; senior cornerback Brian Anderson and sophomore tight end SCali Wes tering, who hauled in 39 passes and scored five touchdowns. Junior quarterback, Brad Westering earned first team recognition a1 the district level and honorable mention in the Conference. Westering passed for 960 yards and len touchdowns, while throwing 214 times for a PlU record. Westering also lied the PlU career interception record of 39. 1. The defensive unil lakes a resl JI �U'lime while li�lening 10 Defensive COOldinalol'\, Paui lloselh and Ken n�jole. 2. Hurdting over Cen((�r John Xhultl is Run· ningbKk Mike Weslmiller againsl lh{' AlunlOi. ) ScOIl Wesledng jumps high In Ihe air 10 grab a Brad Westering pilSS.
.