After winning three of four games, Menlo had a chance to finish Saturday with a winning overall record for the first time since October 2006. Unfortunately, the Oaks shot themselves in the foot early and often.

Pacific Lutheran's offense went three-and-out to start the game, but Menlo played right into the Lutes hands - literally. Quarterback Cruz Castillo was sacked by Andy Sturza on the Oaks first snap and lost the ball, which was picked up by Erik Magnussen and returned 22 yards for the opening score. It was 7-0 Pacific Lutheran just more than a minute into the game.

On Menlo's next play from scrimmage, running back Payton Bell gained six yards before losing a fumble that was recovered by Andy Sturza at the Oaks 36 yard line. The Menlo defense held when it forced three incomplete passes, but the tone was set. The Oaks lost its third of six fumbles in the game midway through the second quarter and had a pass intercepted just before halftime.

Pacific Lutheran wasn't able to take advantage of every Menlo turnover, but it did turn the Oaks inability to move the ball consistently into more points. Quarterback Jordan Rasmussen completed an eight-yard touchdown pass to Drew Griffin late in the first quarter that capped an eight-play, 62-yard drive and gave the Lutes a 14-0 advantage.

It was 21-0 at the half thanks to a 29-yard strike from Rasmussen to Greg Ford that finished a seven-play, 53-yard march with less than a minute left in the half. Things almost got worse when quarterback Nick Ruhl was intercepted deep in Oaks territory two plays later, but Richard Isett missed a 26-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the half.

Menlo came out much improved in the third quarter even though it was too little too late against Pacific Lutheran. The Oaks marched 60 yards in 11 plays to start the half with Castillo scoring on a seven-yard scamper. Castillo made key completions on the drive to wide receiver Kenny Cavness for 22 yards and tight end Lance Walkup for 15.

Another Menlo fumble, this time by Castillo, led to the Lutes next score, which all but put the game away. Rasmussen connected with Ford for another touchdown pass and a 28-7 advantage with three minutes, 36 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Menlo's next points came when Rasmussen was sacked and lost a fumble that Pacific Lutheran recovered in the endzone for a safety and two Oaks points. However, the 28-9 deficit Menlo faced entering the fourth quarter grew to 35-9 on Rasmussen's fourth and final scoring pass, this time to Isaac Moog from 23 yards out.

A quick answer from the Oaks affected the score line, but not the outcome. Castillo completed a 28-yard pass to running back Shaun Souza and a 13-yard toss to Sean Villareal to move the ball into Lutes territory. Following another pass to Souza - for 11 yards - he connected with Cavness for 16 more. A two-yard pass to Walkup capped the nine-play, 77-yard drive with a tick under six minutes to play.

Menlo lost all six of its fumbles and added the one interception to boot. Pacific Lutheran also got in on the turnover act, but not to such a degree. The Lutes lost two-of-three fumbles and nothing else.

Castillo finished 10-of-29 for 140 yards through the air while adding 22 more on the ground. Souza carried the ball 15 times for 41 yards and had 39 receiving yards. Walkup caught four passes for 44 yards to lead the Oaks receivers.

Defensively, Devon Jonsson led with seven tackles, including 1 ½ for a loss, half a sack, and a pass break up. Boo Molinary totaled four tackles, 1 ½ for a loss, a sack, and two break ups.

Menlo is now 3-2 in the NWC and 4-5 overall. The Oaks host No. 24 Willamette (4-1, 7-2) in their season finale next Saturday at 12 p.m. at Connor Field. Pacific Lutheran is 3-2 in conference and 3-5 overall.