Linfield recruit Evan O'Kelly a 3 sport all star at Grant High School will smash all previous kicking records during his upcoming 4 years in McMinnville.  Birkhofer's records will last maybe 2 years at best. 

Does anyone have good information about the UNG League that is just starting up? I noticed that a couple of Linfield (Summers) and a player from Willamette have been "drafted" but don't know anything about them.

So here is how I see the Western Oregon - Linfield game.  Linfield's head is down, effort lacking,  senior leadership invisible, coaches  frustrated.  Key injuries and semi benchings (i.e. #3 played on about 1/3 of UPS game-others don't want to play with him), punter doesn't show for trip to UPS-says he was sick)  play calling a mess. Defense confused at best.  Offense unsure.  Western is NOT going to let a lower level D3 team spoil their season.  35-10.

So Mike Batlan (the referee)  is a Willamette grad.  Bigger importance is Linfield's approach to "The Fly".  Almost every team that play against it plays zone - Linfield went man-to-man.  Makes no sense when WU is quicker and faster - so after beating his match up the WU player was free to run.  2nd play calling.  Linfield's 2008 offensive personnel are not suited to make up a large deficit with the play calling from the press box.  As I said 10 days ago the game would be decided on what went on upstairs - in the press box.  Smith shouldn't go but Nagel needs to be replaced - playcalling terrible, terrible, terrible.  Does Linfield have enough inside to go to Puget Sound and redeem themselves or will they toss it in. 

Willamettes explosive passing  offense "The Fly" against Linfield run stopping defense.  Linfield's run oriented offense vs Willamettes bend but don't break defense.  Kicking games are equal.  Edge to Linfield on kickoffs/pk - edge to Willamette on punts.  Willamette can score quickly from anywhere on the field - Linfield can score given enough time -  maybe.  Linfield still smarting from 2007 defeat in the last minute.  Willamette is the new kid on the block.  It will come down to what is upstairs - not in the head but in the play calling from the press box.  Edge Willamette.

Went to the Menlo game on Saturday - I still can't understand Linfield's play calling. Why try to throw the long ball when the qb is only effective at between 8-15 yards?  What was the rational going for it, once again or twice again, on 4th down instead of kicking another field goal?  What happened at the end of the game - instead of taking a knee they called  a time out with under 30 seconds to go on 3rd down and then running a  sweep when you are up by 9 points.  Take the knee, end of game, go home.  Hopefully getting their regular qb back and perhaps their injured rb  will take the load off of special teams and the defense who won this game.  The winners on Saturday was the defensive effort and the kicking game (kickoff coverage was excellent).  Linfield is better than they have shown but they will need to bring a better offensive game plan to beat Whitworth and Willamette.  If Menlo can hold them to 9 points (and scoreless  after the 1st qtr) what can the other do? 

After watching Linfield in Abilene I am interested to see if the coaches have found the right solution to the porous defense and fumbling/turnover prone offense.  The injuries to the QB and to Ford are also an issue.  I saw the WU - SOU game last Saturday and Linfield needs to come out focused and not let Southern think they have a chance.  It may come down to Linfield's ability to stop the mid range passing game of SOU.  I was less than impressed with the kicking game, especially the punter. 

So did anyone go to the Linfield Scrimmage last Saturday and if so what is the concensus?  Did the transfer Ford play?  Did the defense step up or will that be the problem this year?  Have they found a replacement for Stan Fisher?  I will be on business in Dallas beginning Thursday and plan on driving to Abilene Saturday to watch the game.  You would think that HSU will be ready for Linfield after getting beat last year.  Plus they have played a game already and won.  This could really get their season going full steam. 

I apologize for upsetting some forum members with previous comments.  But.....what was  posted is how I saw things at that time.  I believe Linfield recent teams have  been struggling the past couple of years to find their  own identity - and not that of their predecessors.  It's been difficult with a new head coach, no truly outstanding IMPACT player(s) and a lot of living in the past.  Although some suggest that win or lose the Hardin-Simmons game doesn't mean much (and you know they will be up for Linfield after last year's loss) because of the NWC's authomatic playoff spot I believe a win or a close loss will let them really believe in themselves - that they have arrived.  That said a hard loss would be difficult to overcome and leave doubts in a lot of minds.  So best wishes to Linfield - I will be in Texas on personal matters but  will drive to Abilene to see the game on the 13th of Sept.  I apologize once again for upsetting some of you.   Bballdave

Defense will be the answer for Linfield the coming season - lots of holes to fill.  O line and receivers will do just fine.  Kicking game iffy with only 1 inexperienced punter on the roster.  A couple of players could make a huge difference - the new QB, the transfer running back and the place kicker.  If they come thru it could be a great season.