SPOKANE, Wash. -- Adam Anderson ran for two touchdowns and Whitworth University returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns to give the host Pirates a 49-0 win over visiting Menlo College in the Northwest Conference football opener for both schools in the Whitworth Pine Bowl.

Ryan Marshall (left) and Marc Grow each returned an interception for a touchdown

The Pirates improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the NWC, while the Oaks fell to 0-5, 0-1.

Anderson (So., RB, Elk, Wash.) finished with 90 yards on nine carries, including an 18 yard touchdown run to cap Whitworth's first drive and a 51 yard burst for a score that gave the Bucs a 35-0 lead in the third quarter. In between Ryan Marshall (Sr., DB, Salem, Ore.) returned an interception 26 yards for a touchdown and Marc Grow (Sr., LB, Warden, Wash.) ran back another interception 35 yards for another score, both in the second quarter.

Whitworth outgained the Oaks 392-157, including a 240-53 edge in rushing yards, and had a decided advantage in time of possession (35:12 - 24:48).

After Anderson completed Whitworth's opening drive with a touchdown run, Chris Ahsing (Sr., RB, Ewa Beach, Hawaii) ran in from five yards to cap a 55 yard possession and gave the Pirates a 14-0 lead.

Menlo's best chance to score came after a short punt gave the Oaks first down on Whitworth's 42 yard line late in the first quarter. Menlo stalled at the Whitworth six yard line and a field goal attempt from 24 yards was wide left.

Anderson carried for 90 yards and two scores

The two interception returns for a touchdown followed, giving the Pirates a 28-0 halftime lead. Anderson scored his second touchdown midway through the third quarter. He carried off left tackle, broke a tackle and accelerated through the Oak secondary to the endzone.

Marshall returned a punt 13 yards into Menlo territory late in the third quarter to set up the next score. Milton Nelson (So., RB, Spokane, Wash.) ran in from five yards to complete the 42 yard drive. Then after another interception at the Oaks' 32 yard line, back up quarterback Jon Luke (Jr., Enumclaw, Wash.) passed 22 yards to back up tight end Justin Wimberly (Fr., Tumwater, Wash.) for the final score of the game.

Six different runners carried for positive yardage for the Pirates. In addition to Anderson's 90 yards, Nelson ran for 58 and Ahsing finished with 31. Quarterback Kory Kemp (Jr., Redmond, Wash.) completed 11 of 17 passes for 86 yards, while Luke was 5 of 7 for 58 yards. Neither threw an interception. Steve Silva (Sr., WR, Goleta, Calif.) caught six passes for 43 yards.

Shawn Souza led Menlo with 54 yards rushing on 14 carries. Tony Rehn started at quarterback for Menlo and was 10 of 22 for 82 yards with three interceptions. Back up Angel Molina was 5 of 10 for 22 yards with one interception. Erik Rasmussen caught five passes for 37 yards.

Marshall's interception was his third of the season and 17th of his career, while Grow's pick off was his second of the year. Grow, who was not expected to play after suffering an injured groin last week, finished with six tackles (including two for loss), forced a fumble and had a pair of QB hurries. Layton Brown (Fr., LB, Kennewick, Wash.) had eight tackles, including three for losses of 11 yards.

Menlo linebacker Asti Merino led all players with 11 tackles, including 1.5 for losses of three yards. Curtis Berry added 10 stops.

Whitworth will conclude a three game homestand next weekend by hosting Pacific Lutheran University in the annual Homecoming/Hall of Fame Game. Menlo will return home to host Lewis & Clark College.