TACOMA, Wash. -- After a long-awaited wait, the Loggers were finally back at home to kick off the 2026 season, dropping their first match of the year to Lewis & Clark 42-21.
How it Happened
The Loggers got off to a great start on the first drive of the day. In his first start in his Sophomore quarterback,
Brady Beck carried the Loggers down the field deep into the River Otter's territory. He started 3/3, and combined with several positive rushes by
De'Andre Dukes Jr., the Loggers made an impact right away. An incomplete pass on fourth down turned the ball over, though, as the Loggers came up empty on the first drive of the day.
The River Otters took their turn at marching down the field, completing their 7-minute scoring drive with a touchdown. After a Logger punt, the Otts brought it back down the field for another touchdown, but the Loggers still held their own. They pushed the ball back to midfield yet again, As
Matt Reed got some work done on the ground. He picked up 19 yards in three carries to get the Loggers a pair of first downs, as the offense started to find their groove. Before the half, the River Otters piled on seven more points, as the Loggers found themselves down 21-0 at the break.
Puget Sound responded well, coming out of the second half looking like a much better team. After forcing a Lewis & Clark punt in the opening possession, they worked an 11-play, 78-yard drive all the way down the field to get on the board. Beck slung together a solid couple of passes, and Dukes Jr. also muscled his way for a couple of important yards. The drive was highlighted by a conversion on 4th and 8, where Beck slung a pass to tight end
Josiah James. This put the Loggers on the five yard line, where Dukes Jr. rushed it in on the very next play.
To start the fourth quarter, the River Otters tacked on another touchdown to make it 28-7. Now in go-mode, the Loggers stepped on the gas pedal and started pressing down the field. Beck threw nine straight passes, and converted on 4th down once again to place the Loggers in scoring position. With just over eight minutes to go, Beck found an open
Demari Ross who made a fantastic grab on the sideline for the score.
Kicker
Thomas Goeglein, after missing the extra point, redeemed himself with a truly impressive onside kick. Bouncing over the Lewis & Clark special teams unit, the ball found its way perfectly into the hands of
Tyler Evars, who secured the ball for Puget Sound. Starting at midfield, the Loggers marched down the field, as Beck found Ross again for the 18-yard score. A nifty move by Drake Granbery III helped the Loggers convert the extra point, as they found themselves down seven with six to go.
The Loggers weren't quite as successful in the succeeding onside kick, and the Otts drove the ball into the endzone for another score. Beck's first turnover of the day was a pick-6, making it a final score of 42-21. The Loggers showed flashes of excellence, and are looking to take that energy into the rest of the season.
What Happens Next
The Loggers get ready for Senior day on Saturday, September 12, as they face off against Lewis Clark Valley. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
