Hawks,
You earned the right to represent the West Region. Congratulations. Go for it. Play through the CRU to the Mount. They are definitely beatable... 62-59 ?

Pretty quiet here, CAT fans. Stay proud. We have such a great program with such great
student-athletes. We are... LINFIELD!

Congratulations to the Hawks. You won it; we lost it!

Hey MonroviaCat,
Looks like you and I took the "big hit" on the Bracket Challenge. We were close; you were closer. At least we supported our CATS until the very end.

Do the West Region proud, Warhawks!

Hey WartKnight,

I would rather play in 10 degree weather with no participation and a 7 mph wind (Arden Hills prediction) than in 32 degree temp with a good chance of a blowing rain/ice/snow event. The field in Belton could be an issue whereas in Whitewater and Arden Hills the fields should be hard but more run and pass friendly. As I write this, I am in 18 degree weather with a foot of fresh snow on the ground and I have played in blizzard conditions (rain,ice,snow and wind)... No fun at all.

And yes, GHC it must be always around 80 degrees at the Tides making it a nice "home court advantage" for watching the big games in a great atmoshere. 

As most of us CAT fans know, Saturday's game is going to be a close defensive battle between two outstanding defense-minded teams. And beyond... Saturday's winner is not guaranteed a trip to the Stagg Bowl as, most likely, MHB will be waiting to offer yet another challenge on the road to the Stagg Bowl. Fortunately, the winner of Saturday's chilly game in Wisconsin is not playing in Belton, TX. this coming Saturday where it is predicted to be 32-35 degrees with a 40% chance of ice and/or snow with a 15 mph wind (Perkins Field wind is projected to be about 8 mph to go with a temp around 20 degrees with only a slight chance of precipitation).

This game could go down to a field goal or even going into overtime tied up. I am predicting that the score will something like 20-17 and I like the CATS to out duel the Hawks on the ground and play even with them in the air. Whoever wins will have to minimize mistakes and turnovers for four full quarters. This will be tough game for either team, although the Hawks do have a slight advantage in this latter area. I think the CATS defensive advantage will be in not having to worry about a running QB and, as result, put pressure on the QB and work different coverage packages to their advantage.

Regardless, CAT fans will have to "buckle up" for a tense game with ongoing challenges. In the end, if we CAT fans are still standing and still breathing, the CATS will prevail! Go CATS!

The CATS might have won but the Tigers won our hearts. Congratulations, Tigers, on a well played game. It was a good thing that the CAT defense finally showed up to shut down the very good HSC offense.

Late night, last minute picks (just for the record and for the fun of it) 

Mount Union     41        Wittenberg      28
Wesley              24        Ithaca             17
Bethell               31        Wartburg        21
North Central    21        UWPlatt          17     
UWWhite          42         Franklin          14
Linfield              52         HSC                14
MHB                  35         Rowan            24
Hobart              24         SJF                  21

Every player and coach should be proud regardless of the outcome.     

True, we have been fortunate to host so many great teams at the Catdome. My previously posted list ONLY referred to teams that we've hosted (since 2002) that are in the 2013 playoffs. We have hosted a good number of these current teams. In fact, we have hosted 25% (8) of the 32 total teams, many of whom have great traditions and programs much like the CATS. I purposely did not list all the teams. Thanks to criswyly for that list.

Another important aspect of being in the playoffs is that teams get those extra games to give the players more and more experience. Since 2002, the CATS have played 26 playoff games. This is almost an extra three seasons of experience. Of course, not every player gets those three seasons but the coaches have picked up a ton of extra experience and some of the players have picked up an entire extra season of playing for the CATS. For example, between 2003 and 2005, there were eleven (11) playoff games for those 2002/2003 incoming freshmen players. This same holds true for the 2010 incoming class who have played in at least nine (9) extra games through this Saturday. If I were still a player, this extra season would equate to a whole lot of extra fun playing the game I loved.     

WC11,

You made reference in your nice preview to the fact that Linfield gets to "host another playoff game." This got me to thinking about all the teams that the CATS have played host to in recent years. This is certainly part of the tradition and experience that the CATS bring to the table each post-season. For example, there were 32 teams in the 2013 playoffs. Since 2002, the CATS have hosted eight (8) of these 32 teams. The list of teams that have visited the CatDome since 2002 are: Redlands, Rowan, North Central, Wartburg, UWW, PLU, MHB and on Saturday HSC. Pretty impressive list. Tradition and experience make a difference!

George: I noticed the six (6) interceptions that Nance threw in their two losses.

OldCatProf: I think that was Oxy (the game before Rowan) in 2004 that tried that funky defense that allowed Elliott to throw the 64 yard bomb to Casey Allen (I think) in the first minute of the game.

River: thanks for the link to the HSC book  ; impressive publication HSC

WC11: great preview (as usual); very neutral (sort of), fair and objective (as usual); very conservative prediction (as usual). Love your work!

I think GHC and I are more realistic: CATS by 40 (GHC) or 52-14 (mine).

If this sort of thing interests you, Google Nash Nance and read a few articles. Pretty interesting. His journey to HSC reminds me a little of Brett Elliott's journey to Linfield. Here is just an example:

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/apr/01/nash-chooses-hampden-sydney/

Most all of us have many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am thankful you folks joined all of us NWC posters for an enjoyable week of play and fun. So, to all the D3 supporters, athletes, coaches and schools...Happy Thanksgiving! We look forward to further visits and banter. Go CATS!

Hey Tiger Fan,

We are passionate AND informed...a dangerous combination! Plus, we have history on our side. This allows all of the CAT posters to be friendly, kind, respectful and intense. We love what we do 

Other than the Wisconsin Whitewater classic semi-final game at the CatDome in 2005, my most vivid CAT playoff memory is the 2004 semi-final game played at the CatDome against Rowan.

I had a pre-game ritual of watching from field level all CAT opponents arrive at Maxwell Field, unload their team bus and go out on the field for their pre-game warm-ups. The Rowan players impressed me from the git-go.     

In fact, the 2004 Rowan team was the most impressive (please note: their white, yellow and brown uniforms were not impressive) looking opponent that I had seen at the CatDome. They also had an impressive record (only losing to a couple of D2 schools) and a bunch of highly publicized players. They appeared to be business-like and focused. They were big. They looked fit. They looked like what football players should look like...big, strong, and fit.

The Rowan QB was a sophomore. He, too, was big, like 6'4", 215 to 220 and a D1 transfer who had started since he was a freshman. He looked every bit the part of the reputation that preceded him. He was a great looking athlete and he could really throw the ball well. I think his name was Orihel. He went on to end up his career at Rowan by holding 27 school records that still stand today. His two primary wide receivers were huge as well. They both were around 6'4" or 6'5" and looked fast and intimidating. I think their names were Silva and Wright. All three looked like they could be playing for the Jets right then and there. I thought the CATS were in for a real match-up challenge. In addition, Rowan was one of the first teams to visit the CatDome that ran a "no-huddle" speed-up offense. This was another impressive thing about them that caused further concern. The Linfield mantra that year was "leave no doubt" and I was beginning to seriously doubt that the CATS could match up. Little did I know?

I should have never doubted the CATS. Once the actual game began, it did not take long for the CATS to take charge and to begin a dominating performance that blew me (and every one else) away (including the Rowan players and coaches). It was total domination on both sides of the ball. The game was never in doubt and it turned into a total rout. The final score was the CATS 52 and Rowan, 0. The victorious CATS would move on to Salem, Virginia to play Mary Hardin Baylor for the D3 Football National Championship. The CATs would win that game as well and become the 2004 D3 National Champions.

The game against Rowan was the most impressive display of Linfield offensive AND defensive football that I had ever had the privilege of watching. It was amazing. On that one day, I think the CATS could have played even up with the Ducks or Beavers.

Over the years the CATS have played many of the finest quarterbacks and running backs at the D3 level of competition. It does not seem to matter. Most of the time, the CATS win and just keep on winning. This is why "they expect to win". They will continue this tradition come Saturday against the Hampden-Sydney College Tigers. Go CATS!     

TigerFan,

We are both proud and respectful; never cocky always confident.
A winning tradition is our foundation.
We may get beat but we never lose.
We believe in ourselves, our teammates and our coaches.
We are both courageous and convinced; never doubtful always confident.   

Thanks 11 for providing the facts. We were on the same page with the play-by-play stat from the HSC team page. It is what it is. Leave no doubt, go CATS!

And, oh by the way HSCTF, most of the CAT rushing yards late in the game(s) were generated by our back-up running backs. Of course, by not calling any pass plays and just running the ball helped keep the score down and use up the clock so as not to totally embarrass our opponents while giving our back-ups some good experience.