The final home game for the Puget Sound football team was Saturday, Nov. 4 against Linfield. This was an especially important game for the seniors as they celebrated Senior Day. The Loggers fought hard on defense and offense to try to pull off their first win of the season, but it was not enough and the team lost the game 47-7.
The Loggers stayed in great form during the first half, but it was during the second half where Linfield really took control.
As the game progressed, the Logger defense was able to keep Linfield at 13 points in the first half. Before the half ended, sophomore Connor Savage (Bothell, Wash.) forced a fumble late in Logger territory. This allowed junior Roy Fuchigami (Kailua, Hawaii) to return it midfield for the offense, but the half ended before the Loggers were able to do anything.
Senior Adam Kniffin (Salem, Ore.) had eight catches for 75 yards. Early in the game sophomore Braden Foley (Bothell, Wash.) threw a ball that was just out of reach for Kniffin, but would have been a huge play for the Loggers and put them ahead of Linfield.
It was apparent that both teams were playing hard going into the second half with the score only being 13-0. However, it was the Linfield defense that stayed strong until the end of the game, only allowing one touchdown from the Logger offense. Freshman Austin Wagner (Yakima, Wash.) scored the only touchdown for the Loggers on a 19 yard run; he also had 66 yards on 13 carries. Linfield held the Loggers to only 218 yards on offense and sacked the Logger’s quarterback multiple times throughout the game.
The Loggers had four tackles and a pair of sacks against Linfield. Senior Jacob Zier (Puyallup, Wash.) had three tackles for the Logger defense. Junior Jeff Walton (Sacramento, Calif.) punted nine times throughout the game and averaged 43 yards per punt.
“Despite the loss I was proud of the way that we fought throughout the whole game, never giving up and continuing to match their physicality. We just didn’t execute the little things like we know we can.”
“Speaking for the seniors, it was kind of surreal walking of Baker for the last time in our football careers. It has been an awesome place to play and we are very thankful for the support from our families and fellow students throughout the years,” senior James Korn (Bothell, Wash.) said.
The Loggers ended their final home game and Senior Day with a loss of 47-7 against Linfield. They will conclude their season next weekend in Oregon against Willamette.
