SPOKANE, Wash. -- Kory Kemp passed one yard to Jay Tully for a game-winning touchdown as time expired, lifting Whitworth University to a 23-21 victory over visiting University of Wisconsin-Stout in an NCAA Division III football game on Saturday afternoon in the Whitworth Pine Bowl.

Kory Kemp (left) completed a touchdown pass to Jay Tully as time expired, lifting the Pirates to a win

The Kemp-to-Tully combination capped a dramatic drive in the final 1:07, that not only lifted the Pirates to victory but proved a painful case of deja vu for the visiting Blue Devils. Last season Tully caught a touchdown with three seconds to play in regulation to force overtime in a game Whitworth eventually won 14-13 at Stout.

Kemp was 6 for 10 passing for 55 yards on the game-winning drive, which covered 56 yards. During the drive he completed a 15 yard pass to Tully at the Stout 12 yard line that converted a third and ten situation. The final play came with four seconds showing on the clock and was a quick slant in to Tully, who made the catch as he was falling down.

After the touchdown, by rule Whitworth had to run an extra point play. Kemp downed the ball, preventing any chance of a defensive return by Stout.

The touchdown completed Whitworth's second comeback against Stout during the game. The Blue Devils took a 14-3 lead into halftime. But Whitworth scored twice in the third quarter to go in front 17-14.

Stout appeared to win the game when the Blue Devils drove 78 yards to go ahead 21-17 on Kyle Provos' 15 yard touchdown pass to Dan Lytle, who made a diving catch in the back corner of the endzone. The 78 yard drive (nine plays) was the Devils' longest of the game and accounted for most of their 98 yards of offense that came after halftime.

Stout opened the game with a 74 yard drive for a touchdown with starting QB Tanner Kattre sneaking in from the one-yard line. The touchdown was set up by a 62 yard completion from Kattre to Shawn Korth down to the Whitworth 8 yard line.

Whitworth only had two first downs in the first quarter, when the Pirates were outgained by Stout 126-29. But the Pirates started to move the ball in the second period and Andy Largent's 23 yard field goal capped an 83 yard drive.

Stout took advantage of a short field late in the second quarter and drove 38 yards for a touchdown. Ron Fricke carried in from two yards out to increase the lead to 14-3.

Whitworth opened the second half with an 77 yard touchdown drive, scoring on a 26 yard pass over the middle from Kemp to Largent. The score was possible because Adam Anderson ran 28 yards on a fake punt (4th and one) from the Whitworth 44 yard line. The point after was blocked and the Blue Devils led 14-9.

Greg Caster led Whitworth with 18 tackles in the game

After Stout went three and out on the next series, Anderson completed an 80 yard drive with a 66 yard run around right end. Kemp completed a two-point pass to tight end Drew Griggs to put Whitworth in front 17-14.

The Blue Devils gained only 20 yards of offense in the second half and didn't threaten the Whitworth endzone until Provos engineered the go-ahead touchdown drive, which began with 3:20 to play. Provos completed a 19 yard pass to Korth on fourth and seven at the Whitworth 36 to set up the score.

Whitworth outgained Stout 378 to 275. Kemp completed 19 of 30 passes for 219 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Anderson finished with 114 yards on 18 carries for the Pirates, but 94 of those yards came on his two key runs. Steve Silva caught eight passes for 119 yards, while Nick Koller had five grabs for 49 yards. Four of his catches came on the game-winning drive.

Fricke ran 28 times for 113 yards to lead the Blue Devils. He had 81 of those yards by halftime. Kattre completed five of 11 passes for 105 yards, while Provos was five of nine for 58 yards. Each threw an interception. Korth finished with four catches for 113 yards.

Whitworth linebacker Greg Caster had 18 tackles (nine solo, nine assists), including 2.5 for losses of seven yards. Defensive end Justin Rundle was also in on 2.5 tackles for losses of five yards. Ryan Marshall and Tully each had an interception for the Pirates, the second of the season for each.

The Stout linebacker combination of Kyle Seiler (ten) and Stephen Schils (nine) accounted for 19 tackles. Schils led all players with three tackles for loss (-3 yards), while Wendell Eskridge had an interception for Stout.

Whitworth will continue a three-game homestand next Saturday, hosting Menlo College in the Northwest Conference opener for both schools. Wisconsin-Stout returns home to host Wisconsin-Platteville in its WIAC opener.