Isaiah Shim
Sports Editor
It almost didn’t happen. There was almost no season this year for Pacific Lutheran University’s (PLU) football team. And then it happened. Four games, two against each in-state opponent, University of Puget Sound and Whitworth University.
Head Coach Brant McAdams grateful and excited. “I hoped for a seven-game conference schedule, but any games were better than no games.”
McAdams said that the players responded extremely well to the change, “I thought they were mature and selfless. I think they all wanted to protect the opportunity for themselves and for their teammates, especially the seniors.”
One of those seniors, lineman Ryan Lusk shared the sentiment and was excited to play with his fellow teammates. “I’m an only child and they are truly my brothers and I couldn’t imagine anyone else I would rather play with during this time.”
But just because they got to play didn’t mean that things were all going to be the same. With COVID still an issue, all of the athletic teams at PLU had to change their daily routines. As a senior, Lusk has been able to maintain a steady routine over the years, and due to COVID, that obviously had to change.
“Everything besides playing actual football has been online. Classes, meetings, and other stuff in life have really challenged most of us to really make a schedule to be on time and make sure we get our stuff done on time,” said Lusk. ”Never thought I would get tired of looking at a screen all day in my years here at PLU till now because it just seems forced to be online and that’s the world we live in today but we make do and move on being the best self we can be and improve each and every day.”
Despite the extra obstacles, Lusk said that this season has meant a lot to him. “Just seeing the guys having the drive to be successful on the field and play the sport we love. It’s crazy I still can remember my freshman year at PLU and the pure joy my teammates had on the journey of the program.”
As a coach, McAdams said that the most difficult aspect of dealing with COVID was the unknown. “It’s an invisible opponent,” he said. “It’s like playing defense in football. You can play great 79 snaps in a row, but if you let your guard down on play 80, you could give up a score that costs you the game.”
With three games in the books, the Lutes currently have a record of 0-3. They will attempt to end their season on a high note as they travel to Spokane to face the Whitworth Pirates, who beat them 28-10 in their last meeting.
McAdams wants to see his team play a complete game, “I want to see us take another step forward towards a championship combination of joy and excellence. We’ve shown flashes at times this year in both.”
“This game is meant to be fun and we compete at it for a reason. We are pursuing performance excellence. It takes time to put it all together. We have the ingredients, now we need to bring them together!” said McAdams.
Lusk also wants to see their team have fun while still performing their best on the field. “Guys playing free, to their fullest potential of 2021, and not worrying about the scoreboard because that’s not what PLU football is all about. It’s about giving your all and having a great time with the men you have trained so hard with to enjoy the process.”
“Something I have learned from Coach McAdams is that, ‘You can have fun but also get the job done.’ Getting the job done doesn’t mean win the game, it means doing your job as a teammate, friend, and mentor for the guys next to you.”
Head Coach Brant McAdams (far right) and the senior football players.
Photo from Ryan Lusk.
