Early Kick Is Cal Lutheran’s Only Joy Against Whitworth

It took Whitworth College one quarter to get going.

Cal Lutheran never did and lost to the Pirates, 28-3, in a nonconference game on Saturday afternoon in Spokane, Wash.

It was the third consecutive defeat for the Kingsmen (0-3), who got their points on a 50-yard field goal by Ryan Geisler.

Geisler, a junior from Camarillo High, holds the Cal Lutheran record with a 57-yard field goal as a freshman in 1997.

This season, Geisler has converted his three attempts, including a 53-yard try three weeks ago. He made only three of 12 attempts in 1998.

Geisler’s field goal a minute into the second quarter broke a scoreless tie.

Whitworth scored twice in the second quarter after being outgained, 110 yards to 10, in the first quarter.

The Pirates’ second touchdown, an 11-yard pass from Josh Parbon to Matt Stueckle with two seconds left in the second quarter, gave Whitworth a 14-3 lead.

That touchdown was set up by an an interception, one of six turnovers by Cal Lutheran.

Three of Whitworth’s four touchdowns came after interceptions.

Chris Czernek, a transfer from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, completed 19 of 32 passes for 178 yards and three interceptions.

Jason Fowle was four of 14 for 59 yards and one interception for the Kingsmen.

Cal Lutheran’s leading rusher, former Buena High standout George Keiaho, was limited to 28 yards in 10 carries, but teammate Dorian Stitt had 72 yards in 15 carries.

Whitworth (2-1) was led by Damian Putney, who rushed for 114 yards and two scores.

Putney had a school-record 303 yards rushing against Simon Fraser last week.