TACOMA, Wash. – The University of Puget Sound football team won its first Northwest Conference game since 2008 with a 42-31 win over Pacific on Saturday. Adam Kniffin broke a couple more school records and Duncan White had another phenomenal outing to lead the Loggers (2-6, 1-5).
Kniffin hauled in 14 receptions for 133 yards and another three touchdowns to break two more school records. Kniffin's 14 receptions gave him 70 for the year, which breaks offensive coordinator Jeff Halstead's record from the 1999 season. His three TDs in the game also gave him 13 on the year, breaking Dan Thurston's record from 1968.
Duncan White put together back-to-back solid performances with another four TD passes. White was 30-of-41 on the day for 360 yards. He now has 2,301 yards on the year, giving him another school record for passing yards in a single season. The previous record was set by Roy Medley in 1984.
"We are very pleased with the progress made this season," said head coach Jeff Thomas. "While I am happy to see Duncan and Adam break several school records, I am also excited to get back in the win column."
The Logger wasted no time in getting on the board, receiving the opening kick and taking only 2:48 to score. White found Kniffin for the first TD score on a 5-yard TD strike. The Loggers went on to score on their first three possessions to build a 21-0 lead.
However, the Boxers (0-6, 0-4) found some momentum toward the end of the first half, scoring 10 unanswered points before going into the locker rooms. TC Campbell found Jake Toll for a 10-yard TD pass and Jon Lee hit a 30-yard field goal as time expired in the half to cut the lead to 21-10.
The Loggers responded with the first 14 points of the second half to push the lead to 35-10. White found Kniffin for the third time midway through the third quarter to get the Loggers up 28-10. After forcing a three-and-out from the Boxers, Justin Erickson broke through and blocked the Boxers punt on the 6-yard line. Riley Neff-Warner picked up the loose ball and stumbled into the end zone for a 35-10 Logger lead.
The Loggers and Boxers traded the next two scores before Pacific once again grabbed momentum. Campbell tossed his third TD pass of the day and Trevor Okamoto found Jayson Fukumoto for a 35-yard TD pass with just under three minutes left.
After the Boxers last touchdown, the Loggers turned the ball over on downs but Erikson stepped in front of a Okamoto pass for his second interception. The Loggers came out in victory formation and knelt on the ball three times to hold on to the win.
The Loggers defense was a constant nuisance to the Boxers with five sacks and two interceptions. Casey Coberly constantly found himself in the backfield with 2.5 sacks in the game to lead the Loggers. The Loggers also recorded eight tackles for loss to hold the Boxers to 63 rushing yards.
The Loggers outgained the Boxer 97-63 on the ground and 360-309 through the air. The Loggers also won the turnover battle with two interceptions while White completed his third consecutive game without throwing an interception.
The Loggers will be idle next idle but finish up their 2010 season at Whitworth in two weeks.
