THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Turnovers, penalties, and a lack of execution cost the Southwestern Pirates football team in a 37-7 season-opening loss to the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen. 

Southwestern committed two early turnovers leading to 13 points. The Pirates also extended Cal Lutheran drives and stalled their own with five penalties, including four personal fouls, for 57 yards. Those issues only exasperated an offense that struggled to find its footing, picking up just nine first downs and getting outgained 443-143 in total offensive yards. 

"It was disappointing that we didn't give ourselves a chance. Turnovers, four personal fouls, we couldn't get our plays in and run our plays," Southwestern Head Football Coach Joe Austin says. "We couldn't stay on top of routes, and we couldn't run our base offense or defense. We couldn't run anything."

The Pirates had an opportunity early when punter Wil Herbst pinned Cal Lutheran inside their three-yard line for the Kingsmen's first possession, eventually leading to a three-and-out series and giving the Southwestern the ball on their own 40 via punt. However, quarterback Landry Gilpin fumbled on the drive's first play, and Cal Lutheran capitalized with a five-play, 43-yard drive that ended on a Jackson Taylor one-yard touchdown rush for the 6-0 lead after the missed extra point. 

Cal Lutheran scored again early in the second quarter when Nick Lasher connected with Tyson Lundring for a 63-yard touchdown to give the Kingsmen a 13-0 lead after the extra point. 

On the ensuing Southwestern drive, Cal Lutheran's Zion Brown intercepted Gilpin on third-and-nine and returned it 33 yards for another score to put Cal Lutheran up 20-0 after the extra point. 

Southwestern appeared to be in store for a three-and-out possession on their next drive, but Herbst reeled off a 21-yard run on the punt fake and drew a personal foul on a late hit for another 15 yards. Quarterback Damian Gomez took over under center and promptly got loose for a 16-yard run to the Cal Lutheran one-yard line, setting up a Coleman Kerr touchdown on the quarterback keeper. 

Cal Lutheran's next drive was extended on a late hit to the quarterback on a failed third-and-three pass, leading to a field goal just before the half for the 23-7 lead at the break. 

Southwestern's offense continued to sputter in the second half while Cal Lutheran scored on a four-play, 47-yard drive, and nine-play, 49-yard drive for the 37-7 lead. 

The Pirates gained just 143 yards on 36 rushing attempts with zero net yards passing on 13 attempts with one interception. Cal Lutheran showcased a balanced attack with 254 yards passing and 189 on the ground, led by Taylor's 109 yards. Southwestern running back Jaquon Marion led the team with 51 yards on 16 carries. Herbst's 21-yard run was Southwestern's longest play of the evening. 

Southwestern will return to the road next weekend to face Belhaven on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 7:00 p.m.