Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- A 48-yard run by Michael Kytlica was followed by Dejour Williams' 28-yard touchdown reception for Lewis & Clark's only score in a 59-7 loss to the No. 9 Linfield Wildcats on Saturday afternoon at Maxwell Field.
Kytlica, who debuted at running back in the Pioneers' second game after starting his freshman season at linebacker, had 96 yards rushing - second-most in the game - on 16 carries to lead Lewis & Clark offensively. Williams touchdown catch, thrown by Michael Machado who started the second half at quarterback, was his only reception of the game. He led the Pios in receiving yards while Dennis Kamakana had a team-high four catches.
Linfield led at halftime, 42-0, after quarterback Sam Riddle threw for 272 yards and six touchdowns in the first half. Bryan Cassill had 109 yards on 11 rushes and Spencer Payne added 69 more yards on the same amount of carries.
Machado finished 5 of 13 for 37 yards with a touchdown and interception. Niko Fortino, who made his third start of the season at quarterback, went 4 for 8 for 11 yards and an interception. The Pioneers were outgained 383-48 in passing yards.
Tawayne Malone Jr. led the Pios with 12 tackles and Remington Campbell added nine more in the Pios' Northwest Conference opener.
Lewis & Clark (0-3; 0-1 NWC) finished the game with two takeaways and a blocked punt. Pete Lahti made a goal-line interception in the second quarter and Anthony Bailey recovered a first-quarter fumble by Riddle that put the Lewis & Clark offense at the Linfield 17-yard line. Thor Retzlaff's 28-yard field goal attempt was blocked.
Andrew Werst blocked a punt attempt by Kevin McClean on the third play of the fourth quarter. Machado threw three incompletions and rushed for no gain to end the ensuing drive that started from the Linfield 23.
TOUCHDOWN! Dejour Williams catches a 28-yard touchdown pass from Mike Machado. #LCFB trails Linfield, 49-7 in the 3rd quarter. #chamPIOns pic.twitter.com/yUQZ5e2I96
— L&C Pioneers (@LCPioneers) October 1, 2016
The Pioneers allowed 717 total yards including 334 rushing yards. Lewis & Clark had 140 yards on the ground. Linfield is now 2-1 and 1-0 in the NWC.
Jay Locey, a five-time NWC Coach of the Year for Linfield, returned to Maxwell Field for his first time since taking over the Lewis & Clark program in 2015. Locey led the Wildcats to the 2004 NCAA Division III National Championship.
Lewis & Clark returns to Griswold Stadium on Oct. 8. The Pioneers will host George Fox in the Bruins first visit to Portland since reinstating football three seasons ago. The late Lewis & Clark head coach Joe Huston will be honored during the game.
Other Northwest Conference Scores - Saturday
Willamette 63, Puget Sound 24
Pacific Lutheran 27, Pacific 16
Whitworth 28, George Fox 23