TACOMA, Washington – Following consecutive bye weeks, the Puget Sound football team dropped its first Northwest Conference game of the season to visiting Willamette, 63-24, in Baker Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Loggers (2-1, 0-1 NWC) appeared poised for a big day when they scored a touchdown on the fourth play of the game. Willamette (2-2, 1-0 NWC) began the afternoon with the game's first possession, but it was forced to go three-and-out. David Teskey blocked the ensuing punt attempt and Benjamin Martin scooped up the ball and brought it to the house to give the Loggers a 6-0 lead just 1:12 into the game.

From that point on, however, Willamette rattled off 32 consecutive points.

Puget Sound got back in the end zone when Hans Fortune connected with Nate Abernethy for a 35-yard touchdown strike down the middle of the field to make it a 32-12 game late in the second quarter. The Bearcats were quick to counter as a 66-yard drive ended in a touchdown to give Willamette a 39-12 lead going into halftime.

Fortune's second touchdown pass of the game went for seven yards to Dustin Harrison, which brought the Loggers to within 42-18 late in the third quarter. The Bearcats' ensuing possession resulted in Logger freshman Mushawn Knowles' first-career interception.

Austin Wagner punched in his third rushing touchdown of the season off a direct snap from short yardage to cut the deficit to 42-24 with seven seconds left in the third quarter.

The Loggers allowed 575 yards of total offense to Willamette, while Puget Sound put up 369 yards of offense. Logger safety Jacob Wuesthoff led all players with 14 tackles, including one for a loss.

The Loggers look to get back on the winning track at Whitworth on Saturday, Oct. 8. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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