TACOMA, Wash. – A couple of notable performances were turned in but the Puget Sound football team fell 55-24 to Whittier in its home-opener on Saturday. Adam Kniffin became Puget Sound's all-time leader in receiving yards, Kupono Park had his first career 100-yard effort on the ground and Connor Savage had two of the three interceptions in the game.

After a field goal on the game's opening drive from Whittier (1-1), the first quarter turned into a defensive showcase. Their were four turnover in the half with a pair of interceptions for both sides. The Loggers (0-3) were also able to record a safety for their first points of the game.

Jeff Walton's 44-yard punt was downed inside the five and Savage met Kimble Tilllman in the end zone on the first play of the drive to put up two points for the Loggers. Braden Foley's pass on the first play of the next drive was picked off by Tyquion Ballard near midfield. Two plays later, Savage pulled down his first INT on a long pass to the Loggers' 1-yard line.

As the Loggers drove into Poet territory, Nick Alcantar came away with the second Poet pick with the Poets still clinging to a 3-2 lead. On the last play of the first quarter Frank Muzio returned the favor for the Logger as he stepped in front of a pass on the Loggers' 25 and returned it to nearly midfield.

The Loggers took their first lead of the season on the next drive when Foley found Galen Arakawa for a 21-yard touchdown pass and a 9-3 Logger lead. However, the Poets scored on a five play, 52-yard drive on the next possession to take a 10-9 lead and never looked back. The Poets scored the next 24 points in the game to build a 27-9 lead.

The Loggers never came closer than 10 points after the Poets 24-point run. Park scored both of his touchdowns in the third quarter to pull the Loggers within 10 but the Poets always had a response.

Park had a career game with 115 yards rushing on 24 attempts. Foley threw for 315 yards despite his three interceptions on 24-of-43 passing.

Kniffin earned the Loggers career mark for receiving yards on a 37-yard pass down the sideline early in the third quarter. He finished with four catches for 62 yards. Foley hit eight receivers in the game.

Nasser Kyobe had a season-high 10 tackles while Savage had six tackles to go along with his two interceptions and safety.

Dameron Fooks led Whittier eight catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Steven Rivera threw for four touchdowns and 254 yards.

The Loggers are back home next week to open up Northwest Conference play against Lewis & Clark at 1 p.m.