Pacific Lutheran Lutes football
| Pacific Lutheran Lutes football | |
|---|---|
| First season | 1926[1] |
| Head coach | Brant McAdams 8th season, 34–37 (.479) |
| Location | Parkland, Washington |
| Stadium | Sparks Stadium (capacity: 4,500) |
| NCAA division | Division III |
| Conference | Northwest |
| Colors | Black and gold[2] |
| NCAA Division III championships | |
| 1999 | |
| NAIA national championships | |
| NAIA Division II: 1980, 1987, 1993 | |
| Conference championships | |
| 1939, 1940, 1941, 1947, 1953, 1954, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001 | |
| Website | golutes.com |
The Pacific Lutheran Lutes football team represents Pacific Lutheran University, located in Parkland, Washington, in NCAA Division III college football.
The Lutes, who began playing football in 1926, compete as members of the Northwest Conference.
PLU play their home games at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, Washington.
History
Conferences
- Independent (1926–1937)
- Washington Intercollegiate Conference (1938–1947)
- Evergreen Conference (1948–1965)
- Pacific Northwest Conference (1966–1984)
- Columbia Football League (1985–1987)
- Columbia Football Association (1988–1995)
- Northwest Conference (1996–present)
Championships
National championships
The Lutes have won four national championships.
| Year | Association | Division | Head coach | Record | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | NAIA (3) | Division II (3) | Frosty Westering | 11–1 (4–1 NWC) | Wilmington (OH) | W, 38–10 |
| 1987 | 11–1–1 (4–1–1 CFL) | Wisconsin–Stevens Point | T, 16–16 | |||
| 1993 | 12–0–1 (5–0 CFA) | Westminster (PA) | W, 50–20 | |||
| 1999 | NCAA (1) | Division III (1) | 13–1 (4–1 NWC) | Rowan | W, 42–13 |
Postseason appearances
NAIA playoffs
The Lutes have made fifteen appearances in the NAIA playoffs, with a combined record of 22–12–1 and three national championships.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Quarterfinals | Cal Lutheran | L, 14–34 |
| 1980 | Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Linfield Valley City State Wilmington (OH) |
W, 35–20 W, 32–0 W, 38–10 |
| 1981 | Quarterfinals | William Jewell | L, 14–19 |
| 1983 | Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Baker (KS) Westminster (PA) Northwestern (IA) |
W, 35–3 W, 16–13 L, 21–25 |
| 1985 | Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Linfield Findlay Wisconsin–La Crosse |
W, 30–12 W, 40–29 L, 7–24 |
| 1986 | Quarterfinals | Linfield | L, 21–27 OT |
| 1987 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Midland Carroll (MT) Baker (KS) Wisconsin–Stevens Point |
W, 40–21 W, 36–26 W, 17–14 OT T, 16–16 |
| 1988 | First Round | Oregon Tech | L, 35–56 |
| 1990 | First Round Quarterfinals |
Concordia Wisconsin Central Washington |
W, 37–9 L, 6–24 |
| 1991 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Central Washington Linfield Dickinson State Georgetown (KY) |
W, 27–0 W, 23–0 W, 47–25 L, 20–28 |
| 1992 | First Round Quarterfinals |
Montana Tech Linfield |
W, 37–0 L, 30–44 |
| 1993 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Cumberland (TN) Central Washington Baker (KS) Westminster (PA) |
W, 61–7 W, 35–17 W, 52–14 W, 50–20 |
| 1994 | First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals National Championship |
Midland Western Washington Northwestern (IA) Westminster (PA) |
W, 34–14 W, 25–20 W, 28–7 L, 7–27 |
| 1995 | First Round | Findlay | L, 7–21 |
| 1996 | First Round | Western Washington | L, 20–21 OT |
NCAA Division III playoffs
The Lutes have made six appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs, with a combined record of 8–5 and one national championship.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | First Round | Saint John's (MN) | L, 20–33 |
| 1999 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Stagg Bowl |
Willamette Wartburg Saint John's (MN) Trinity (TX) Rowan |
W, 28–24 W, 49–14 W, 19–9 W, 49–28 W, 42–13 |
| 2000 | First Round Second Round |
Bethel (MN) Saint John's (MN) |
W, 41–13 L, 21–28 OT |
| 2001 | First Round Second Round Quarterfinals |
Whitworth Central (IA) Saint John's (MN) |
W, 27–26 OT W, 27–21 OT L, 6–31 |
| 2012 | First Round | Linfield | L, 24–27 |
| 2013 | First Round | Linfield | L, 21–42 |
References
- ^ "Football Year-By-Year History". golutes.com. PLU Athletics. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "Brand". Retrieved August 3, 2023.