FOREST GROVE, Ore. – Led by the combined 15 tackles of
Hudson Reink and
Iloa Kaio, the Linfield defense held Pacific without a touchdown and fewer than 100 first-half yards as the Wildcats built a commanding 32-point lead on the way to a convincing 42-3 Northwest Conference victory over the Boxers Saturday afternoon at Hanson Stadium.
With its largest win of 2026, Linfield moved to 3-1 for the season and 2-0 in conference play. Pacific remained in search of its first win, falling to 0-5 and 0-2 in the NWC.
The Wildcats outgained the Boxers 485-177, including 346-95 during the opening two quarters when Linfield opened up a 35-3 advantage. Pacific finished with just 51 yards rushing on 30 attempts.
Linfield quarterback
Luke McNabb passed for 292 yards and two touchdowns. The fifth-year senior also ran for two scores, rushing for a game-high 50 yards on seven carries.
McNabb connected with seven different receivers in the games.
Dane Meddaugh caught six passes for 87 yards and a touchdown,
Kenyon Johnson had five grabs for 33 yards, and Jace Bareng pulled in four passes for 81 yards and one score.
Dacy O'Bagy and
Jackson Pfeifer both added rushing touchdowns off the bench. Linfield managed 183 yards on the ground.
Reink had seven total tackles, including four unassisted and one for loss. Kaio added six stops, three of them unassisted.
Brady Crenshaw (five tackles),
Ayden Fink,
Kellen Wiggins and
Jaydon Kaio (four tackles each) all contributed to holding Pacific to 4-for-19 on third-down plays and just 1.7 yard per rushing attempt.
CAT SCRATCH
Saturday's announced attendance was 785…by beating Pacific, Linfield moved within two victories of achieving the program's 70th consecutive winning season. . . the Wildcats can clinch winning campaign No. 70 at home against Pacific Lutheran on October 24. . . Linfield has now defeated Pacific in football 18 straight times. . . the Boxers' last win over the 'Cats came in 1988. . . Linfield punter
Cade Johannsen averaged 47.2 yards on seven attempts, including a long effort of 61 yards. . . Linfield has now outscored Pacific by a combined 79 points in its last two visits to Forest Grove.
AHEAD
Linfield hits the road again next weekend for its longest bus trip of 2026 when the 'Cats head to Spokane, Washington, to face the Whitworth Pirates. Kickoff Saturday at the Whitworth Pine Bowl is set for 1 p.m.
