Harris Tandem Leads Pacific to First Win at PLU Since 1972 in 44-31 Victory

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Pacific University junior quarterback Kenyon Harris had his third 400-yard passing game of the season (426 yards) and fifth multiple touchdown (three) game of the season to lead the Boxers to a 44-21 win over host Pacific Lutheran on Saturday in Puyallup.

The Boxers (4-5, 4-2 NWC) overcame an early 3-0 deficit to score the next 20 points en route to the win. To spark the rally, Kenyon Harris engineered three-consecutive touchdown drives of at least 10 plays for Pacific, who won on the road for the first time since 1972. Junior Josh Harris had his fourth-straight, 100-yard rushing game with a game-high 143 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown.

The Lutes (1-7, 0-6 NWC) recorded 468 yards of total offense in the loss including 378 through the air. Quarterback Bryce Missey completed 18 of 35 passes for 378 yards and four touchdowns in the loss. He had three-different receivers – Jace Keim (124 yards), Alex Rendon (118 yards) and Wesley Nixon (110 yards) – with over 100 yards in the loss.

Following a PLU time out on 4th and 1, the Boxers called on Josh Harris, who led Pacific down the field, who rushed six yards to extend the drive. Following a PLU penalty, Kenyon Harris connected with Jack Lopez for a 13-yard touchdown reception to put the visitors ahead 6-3.

On the ensuing drive, the Lutes missed a 42-yard field goal and Pacific capitalized as they went on a 10 play, 75-yard drive to add to its lead. Josh Harris culminated the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run to put Pacific ahead 13-6.

Next, the Boxer defense forced a three and out of the PLU offense and the Harris tandem went back to work to march the Boxers down the field. Kenyon Harris went 6-for-6 to lead the Boxers, ending with a 4-yard touchdown plunge by Kash Taylor.

The Lutes managed to comeback and cut the deficit to 20-17, midway through the third quarter before another exhaustive drive by the Pacific offense put the lead back to double digits. A 12 play, 78-yard drive that saw Kenyon Harris find Kyle Kern for a seven-yard touchdown reception put the visitors ahead 27-17 with 3:24 left in the third quarter.

The Lutes came back to cut the deficit to three, 27-24, but the arm of Kenyon Harris and the speed of Kobe Williams put Pacific back ahead 34-24 on an 86-yard touchdown pass. The 86-yard touchdown pass is the third longest in program history for the Boxers. Another quick strike touchdown by the Lutes cut the deficit to three, 34-31, with 1:03 left in the third quarter.

The fourth quarter saw the Boxers outscore the Lutes by a 10-0 margin. To start the quarter, Taylor scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, following an eight play, 65-yard drive. Pacific added its final points of the game when Caden Almer made a season-best, 38-yard field goal to wrap up a 11 play, 40-yard drive.

Pacific will wrap up the season on Saturday, Nov. 16 when they host Whitworth at 1 p.m.