Bearcats prolong Pirates’ slump

SALEM – The Whitworth football team’s struggles continued Friday night with a 50-21 loss to Willamette in a Northwest Conference game.

The loss was the Pirates’ fourth straight after a promising 2-0 start.

Derek Traeger hauled in three touchdown passes in the first half as the Bearcats (4-0, 1-0) built a 22-0 lead. Willamette added a rushing score from Taylor Wyman and touchdown receptions from Ryan Johnston and De’zhon Grace in the third quarter.

Griffin Hare scored Whitworth’s first touchdown on a 5-yard run in the third. Kekoa Tubeville and Erik Kobe caught touchdown passes for the Pirates (2-4, 0-2) late in the fourth quarter.

Willamette quarterback Josh Dean completed 22 of 28 passes for 331 yards and five touchdowns. Traeger had 11 catches for 171 yards.