PLU gameday: Previewing matchup with Whitworth | Tacoma News Tribune

1 p.m. Saturday, Pine Bowl, Spokane

The series: PLU leads, 51-19. The Lutes once had a 32-game winning streak over the Pirates (1966-2000), the longest in school history. PLU has won the past five meetings, including a 41-27 victory last season in Puyallup.

What to watch for: In coach Scott Westering’s second season in 2005, the Lutes started 0-4, but won their next game. How crazy would an 0-5 start be? Neither Westering — Frosty or Scott — has ever seen it. The last time it happened was 1958, when PLU lost its first seven games. Quarterback Jon Schaub (93 of 159, 1,052 yards, five touchdowns, six interceptions) and the Lutes offense will need to keep up with a high-octane Whitworth attack, led by running back Duke DeGaetano (108 rushes, 469 yards, eight TDs). Schaub will have to be aware of an active Pirates defensive line, paced by a pair of Peninsula High products: Daniel Portillo and Danny Welstad.

What’s at stake: The Lutes are not going to win the Northwest Conference title. A first win would be nice, though.

TNT pick: Whitworth, 37-24.