McMINNVILLE, Ore. - Quarterback Aaron Boehme (Jr., Stanwood, Wash.) passed for a career-high 409 yards and five touchdowns, and ran for three other scores, helping the fifth-ranked Linfield Wildcats hold off upset-minded Puget Sound 54-36 Saturday at Maxwell Field. The high-scoring victory clinched at least a share of the Northwest Conference championship for the unbeaten Wildcats (8-0, 5-0 NWC) and with it, the automatic berth to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Clinging to a 47-36 lead with 5:57 remaining, it was Linfield defensive leader Jaymin Jackson (Sr., Vancouver, Wash.) who picked up a struggling Wildcats defense. When Tim Fogarty hauled in a pass from Spencer Crace, Jackson blew the play up by forcing a fumble that was recovered by Drew Fisher (Soph., Gresham, Ore.).

Linfield took advantage of the Loggers’ miscue by piecing together a seven-play, 63-yard drive for the game-sealing touchdown. Boehme found Buddy Saxon (Soph., Grants Pass, Ore.) in the corner of the end zone to put the ‘Cats firmly in control, 54-36.

Though winless in 2009, the Loggers proved early they would not leave quietly. Quarterback Spencer Crace, starting in place of injured regular Kavin Williams, orchestrated an efficient offensive attack, predicated on short passes and picking up first downs.

At the center of the Loggers attack was Crace and wide receiver Ross Zuhl, who vexed the Wildcats for a school-record 18 catches. Including two touchdowns. Completing 21-of-24 passes in the first half, Crace carved up the Linfield defense to the tune of 215 yards through the air.

Puget Sound started the game with a crisp opening drive. The Loggers used a shotgun formation with multiple short passes, converting two first downs to place the ball on the Linfield 34 yard-line. Moving the chains on quick-hitters remained the theme of the day for the Loggers.

Crace found Tim Fogarty on a crossing route for 34 yards down the Linfield 4 yard-line. On the next play, Crace ran the ball in for the score.

Linfield answered quickly with a score at the 9:25 mark. Boehme scored on a sneak from the UPS 1 to cap off the drive.

The Wildcats turned to the air in their second drive of the game. Boehme hooked up with Chris Slezak (Sr., Salem, Ore.) for a 43-yard completion to the UPS 37 yard-line. Trevor Patterson (Sr., Pendleton, Ore.) got in on the action on the following play, catching a 37-yard touchdown pass from Boehme at the 4:02 mark.

Puget Sound regained life when Boehme’s pass found the hands of Logger defensive back Damarkus Milner at the Linfield 34 yard-line. A 17-yard completion to Zuhl gave the Loggers the ball deep in Linfield territory. Crace finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown pass Chad Koenig to tie the score at 14.

After Boehme’s second touchdown run of the afternoon, Crace answered with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Casey Larson.

With 4:26 remaining in the second quarter, Boehme found Patterson for their second touchdown connection. Linfield would go into the locker room with a 28-24 advantage. Zuhl had 11 catches for 100 yards in the first half. Boehme rushed for two touchdowns while throwing for a pair of scores during the opening two periods.

It was much of the same in the second half. Both defenses continued to get gashed through the air. The half opened with the teams exchanging a pair of scores.

Boehme hit Gunnar Cederberg (Sr., Tigard, Ore.) in the end zone for a 21-yard score. Zuhl continued his hot day with a 25-yard score of his own to cut the Linfield lead to 35-30.

With just under three minutes in the third quarter Boehme found Patterson in the back of the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown reception. The Loggers answered back in appropriate fashion, scoring on a 22-yard screen pass from Zuhl.

Boehme’s third touchdown run of the afternoon put the Wildcats up 47-36 with 12:23 to play.

In a game that saw both offenses explode, Linfield’s 505 yards of total offense was good enough to outduel a feisty Puget Sound offense that tallied 377 yards of offense.

Boehme completed 26-of-35 of his passes, good for a career-high 409 yards. Patterson was the recipient of three of Boehme’s touchdown passes.
Crace had a career day in relief duty, throwing for 328 yards and four touchdown passes. The senior quarterback completed 35-of-44 passes. Zuhl was fabulous, finishing with a school-record 18 receptions for 185 yards and two scores.

Paul Partlow (Sr., Portland, Ore.) played a solid offensive game, picking up 13 tackles. Along with his game-clinching forced fumble, Jackson added eight tackles.

With the loss, Puget Sound drops to 0-7 and 0-4 in the NWC.

NEXT: Linfield is on to a bye week. The ‘Cats return to action Nov. 14 when they play host to Pacific Lutheran in the annual Hall of Fame Game at 1 p.m.