TACOMA, Washington – It wasn't pretty, but it was worth the wait. The Puget Sound football team beat Pacific Lutheran, 28-20, in the Loggers' first game of the 2020-21 year Saturday afternoon.

The Loggers (1-0, 1-0 NWC) committed four turnovers, but Duncan Varela helped carry Puget Sound to victory. The senior running back reached the end zone three times – twice on the ground and once on a reception. In all, Varela ran for 132 yards on 35 carries.

Jack Bonicatto led all players in receiving yards with 108 on six catches, and Murdock Rutledge threw for 214 yards.

Varela's first touchdown was a nine-yard catch to the left side, tying the game 7-7 late in the second quarter. The Lutes (0-1, 0-1 NWC) answered back just two minutes later and took a 14-7 lead into halftime.

Puget Sound looked like a different football team in the second half. The Loggers' opening drive in the third quarter went 83 yards in 15 plays and took nearly eight minutes off the clock. The outstanding drive concluded with a two-yard rushing score by Varela.

Silas Washington's one-yard touchdown score gave the Loggers a 21-14 lead early in the fourth quarter. An 11-yard completion to Bonicatto on fourth down was a crucial play leading up to the go-ahead score.

With just over one minute left in the game, Varela punched in his third touchdown from five yards out. Puget Sound has now won three consecutive games against Pacific Lutheran.

Dating back to the 2019 season, the Loggers have won seven consecutive home games. 

Puget Sound's season is scheduled to continue at Whitworth Saturday, Feb. 13.