FB: Northwest Conference

[MonroviaCat]

Then again, winning the NWC only to lose in the first round to another NWC team (do you get to keep the NWC title after that?) is not that significant at least in the national scheme.  But I suppose it's all a matter of perspective.....right?

I would say that being the only team to beat the national champs that year made them significant.

Good point---imagine how significant it would have been had it occurred in Salem, Virginia instead of Salem, Oregon... 

[D O.C.]

You might say Willamette was relevant in 1999, but that Pacific Lutheran University was significant.

Here's Homecoming and a Whitwash viewing for me...I'm ticketed!

[Bearcat Press]

significant |sigˈnifikənt|
adjective
1. sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy

Given the amount of Linfield folks spending their time posting about Willamette, I'd say we're pretty significant right now.  Come on guys, live in the present!

The link to my recap of the La Verne game is below.  Was it D O.C. who mentioned he might have some pictures?

http://www.willamettecollegian.com/2008/10/01/horne-leads-offense-in-la-verne-blowout/

[criswyly]

Willamette 35
Whitworth 7

With turnovers
Menlo 21
Linfield 32

Without turnovers
Menlo  7
Linfield 39

[Bearcat Press]

I honestly don't see us putting up 35 points on Whitworth.  I think this game is going to be really close.

[D O.C.]

Come on guys, live in the present!

Sure...don't start the season until September 13th - a way daown south in Texas, piddle around with a bye week, play an NAIA school - the present sucks.
We can't think about having Willamette come into the CATDOME and prove it, you're right. We have to focus on keeping our foot on the neck of Menlo before we welcome Whitworth into the Scratchin' Post. Then you get your turn.
I do not see the old discussions of Strength Of Schedule
so I don't figure it comes into play with the ranking of the wazzabarecats?
Taking Concordia back there, who took the johns and Bethel...

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Easy there big fella

[cawcdad]

Hey Cawcdad---how about a preview on the Oaks for us Cat Fans this week---who to look for, strengths/weaknesses, types of O/D etc.....  Whatcha got for us?   

OK, let me take a stab at this. On offense Shaun Souza (Jr.-RB) and Angel Molina (So.-QB) are the work horses. The Oaks play mostly a one back "pistol" formation that allows Molina to throw or pass. He had 80 something yards rushing against Whittier. Souza is a hardnosed running back that would carry the ball every play if you let him. Molina the last two weeks has thrown the ball well. He has 5 receivers that he uses and distributes the ball fairly evenly. Besides Souza out of the backfield, there are two seniors Matt Truscatt and Dino Arancibia (he can bust some big gains) a junior, Bassett (quietly gets the job done) and sophomore Wilkinson. Last year as a freshman Wilkinson caught my eye.

Defensively nothing stands out except they have simply improved from the Chapman game. They do give up the big play. Whittier's first score was a 46 yd td pass on their first play of the game. Their second TD was a 70 yard run. I remember Chapman busted off several 30 - 40+ yd passes and runs.

The Oaks kicking game is weak but their punt and FG defense has blocked one punt and 3 PATs this year, returning one for 2 points.

Menlo is young and improving. menlodaddio13, how did I do? Anything to add?

[MonroviaCat]

Hey Cawcdad---how about a preview on the Oaks for us Cat Fans this week---who to look for, strengths/weaknesses, types of O/D etc.....  Whatcha got for us?   

OK, let me take a stab at this. On offense Shaun Souza (Jr.-RB) and Angel Molina (So.-QB) are the work horses. The Oaks play mostly a one back "pistol" formation that allows Molina to throw or pass. He had 80 something yards rushing against Whittier. Souza is a hardnosed running back that would carry the ball every play if you let him. Molina the last two weeks has thrown the ball well. He has 5 receivers that he uses and distributes the ball fairly evenly. Besides Souza out of the backfield, there are two seniors Matt Truscatt and Dino Arancibia (he can bust some big gains) a junior, Bassett (quietly gets the job done) and sophomore Wilkinson. Last year as a freshman Wilkinson caught my eye.

Defensively nothing stands out except they have simply improved from the Chapman game. They do give up the big play. Whittier's first score was a 46 yd td pass on their first play of the game. Their second TD was a 70 yard run. I remember Chapman busted off several 30 - 40+ yd passes and runs.

The Oaks kicking game is weak but their punt and FG defense has blocked one punt and 3 PATs this year, returning one for 2 points.

Menlo is young and improving. menlodaddio13, how did I do? Anything to add?

One question, how does he decide when to throw and when to pass? 

[Foss]

Willamette probably should have ended up fairly significant in 2004. They had the talent to make it to the West Region Final before getting smoked by the 'Cats again. That team had traveled to Texas and took Mary Hardin-Baylor to two OTs before losing by a field goal. We know what kind of team MHB had that year, playing the 'Cats tough in the Stagg and also being the first team in the 21st century to beat Mt. Union in their own house. But when the Bearcats got their chance in the postseason, they lost by 2 TDs in a game that wasn't even that close.

Speaking of MHB, they play Hardin-Simmons this weekend. Think I'll check out that score when I get back from the 'Cat game. I hope HS can at least keep it close, would make me feel better about the season opener. HS is 4-0 and scoring a lot of points, by the way.

[cawcdad]

Hey Cawcdad---how about a preview on the Oaks for us Cat Fans this week---who to look for, strengths/weaknesses, types of O/D etc.....  Whatcha got for us?   

OK, let me take a stab at this. On offense Shaun Souza (Jr.-RB) and Angel Molina (So.-QB) are the work horses. The Oaks play mostly a one back "pistol" formation that allows Molina to throw or pass. He had 80 something yards rushing against Whittier. Souza is a hardnosed running back that would carry the ball every play if you let him. Molina the last two weeks has thrown the ball well. He has 5 receivers that he uses and distributes the ball fairly evenly. Besides Souza out of the backfield, there are two seniors Matt Truscatt and Dino Arancibia (he can bust some big gains) a junior, Bassett (quietly gets the job done) and sophomore Wilkinson. Last year as a freshman Wilkinson caught my eye.

Defensively nothing stands out except they have simply improved from the Chapman game. They do give up the big play. Whittier's first score was a 46 yd td pass on their first play of the game. Their second TD was a 70 yard run. I remember Chapman busted off several 30 - 40+ yd passes and runs.

The Oaks kicking game is weak but their punt and FG defense has blocked one punt and 3 PATs this year, returning one for 2 points.

Menlo is young and improving. menlodaddio13, how did I do? Anything to add?

One question, how does he decide when to throw and when to pass? 

I'm not really sure. They seem to be decisions he makes based on what he sees in the D. He's not afraid to take off if the receivers are covered. Against Whittier, the Oaks brought in a freshman QB on a few occasions for runs designed for him.

[bluenote]

One question, how does he decide when to throw and when to pass? 

It's a little voice in his head....like an elf.

[MonroviaCat]

Hey Cawcdad---how about a preview on the Oaks for us Cat Fans this week---who to look for, strengths/weaknesses, types of O/D etc.....  Whatcha got for us?   

OK, let me take a stab at this. On offense Shaun Souza (Jr.-RB) and Angel Molina (So.-QB) are the work horses. The Oaks play mostly a one back "pistol" formation that allows Molina to throw or pass. He had 80 something yards rushing against Whittier. Souza is a hardnosed running back that would carry the ball every play if you let him. Molina the last two weeks has thrown the ball well. He has 5 receivers that he uses and distributes the ball fairly evenly. Besides Souza out of the backfield, there are two seniors Matt Truscatt and Dino Arancibia (he can bust some big gains) a junior, Bassett (quietly gets the job done) and sophomore Wilkinson. Last year as a freshman Wilkinson caught my eye.

Defensively nothing stands out except they have simply improved from the Chapman game. They do give up the big play. Whittier's first score was a 46 yd td pass on their first play of the game. Their second TD was a 70 yard run. I remember Chapman busted off several 30 - 40+ yd passes and runs.

The Oaks kicking game is weak but their punt and FG defense has blocked one punt and 3 PATs this year, returning one for 2 points.

Menlo is young and improving. menlodaddio13, how did I do? Anything to add?

One question, how does he decide when to throw and when to pass? 

I'm not really sure. They seem to be decisions he makes based on what he sees in the D. He's not afraid to take off if the receivers are covered. Against Whittier, the Oaks brought in a freshman QB on a few occasions for runs designed for him.

Yeah---I get how he decides to RUN but what I want to know is how he chooses between throwing and passing...   LOL  (is it Saturday yet?)

[criswyly]

Okay BearcatPress...due to your response I'm going to revise my prediction to
Willamette 28
Whitworth 7

I don't see how this game is going to be close...Whitworth has had serious trouble scoring since last year and maybe longer...Sounds to me like Willamette is on a roll....nyet....this game shouldn't be close...from my perspective...Whitworth is close to a rebuilding team....could be wrong, but we'll see.

[cawcdad]

Yeah---I get how he decides to RUN but what I want to know is how he chooses between throwing and passing...   LOL  (is it Saturday yet?)

Doh!!!