FB: Northwest Conference

[criswyly]

+5K for Wildcat11

[Las Vegas Wildcards]

When it comes to the NCAA D-III playoffs, Mark Speckman tells it like it really is:

No.22 Willamette, runner-up to Linfield in the Northwest Conference, was left out of the 32-team playoffs despite an 8-2 record and a 20-17 victory over Cal Lutheran on Sept. 12.
...

Willamette coach Mark Speckman was disappointed, but resigned, to the Bearcats not making the playoffs. Teams with two losses rarely get one of the nine at-large berths.

"That's our lot in life in the wilderness," said Speckman, whose team lost its opener at Concordia of Minnesota on Sept. 5, then beat every opponent except Linfield. "If we beat Linfield, we'd be going. After we lost the Linfield game, I told our team not to even talk about the playoffs.

"The best we could have expected was a bus ride to McMinnville to play Linfield again, but that wouldn't have been fair to Linfield after the season they had."
...

OxyBob

In regards to the NCAA selection process the best method for teams is to leave no doubt.

No doubt that is true. Speckman's remarks show a ton of class - WU had a chance to win their way in, and could not get it done. I, for one, hope that Speckman stays at Willamette. And of course the fly offense would work at PSU. Especially with a coach who pays attention to detail, and runs it to perfection.

Speaking of offensive schemes, I understand UPS has been more of a run-based offense in recent years, but does anyone on the west coast run the Georgia Tech Run Option offense? Paul Johnson has used this attack successfully for decades,  Navy, and Georgia Tech have won with this offense. I realize high schools are becoming more pass-oriented in recent years, but Tech seems to be recruiting well.
If you're a struggling program in the NWC and elsewhere, and continue to lose while running a similar offense to everyone else, why not take a chance? Just food for thought.   

[Kingsmen4]

Kingsman4:

I really appreciate the picture of the Linfield player scoring a td attached to your postings. That shows a lot of respect from you. 

You made me second guess for a second ... Then I realized a couple things: There is way too much sun in that exposure to possibly be a Linfield player at home, and also - no Linfield receiver could do it like that!!! 

I have heard and seen some very respectful things on the Linfield receivers, look forward to seeing what they are made of in person against a tough defensive backfield that can run. I remember seeing some highlights of the golden years with some pretty rediculous plays out of Linfield recievers ... I think a guy that went both ways!? any guys like that on the squad this year?

I'm not used to paying for tickets (the Lu has no gates or fences) but just heard there will be limited seating/tickets on Sat ... is that an NCAA or Linfield set-up for the game sat? I don't want to be watching in the rain, I haven't felt that stuff in years 

GO LU!

[wildcat11]

Kingsman4:

I really appreciate the picture of the Linfield player scoring a td attached to your postings. That shows a lot of respect from you. 

You made me second guess for a second ... Then I realized a couple things: There is way too much sun in that exposure to possibly be a Linfield player at home, and also - no Linfield receiver could do it like that!!! 

I have heard and seen some very respectful things on the Linfield receivers, look forward to seeing what they are made of in person against a tough defensive backfield that can run. I remember seeing some highlights of the golden years with some pretty rediculous plays out of Linfield recievers ... I think a guy that went both ways!? any guys like that on the squad this year?

I'm not used to paying for tickets (the Lu has no gates or fences) but just heard there will be limited seating/tickets on Sat ... is that an NCAA or Linfield set-up for the game sat? I don't want to be watching in the rain, I haven't felt that stuff in years 

GO LU!

Typical receiver...doesn't want to get wet or cold.   

There are a limited number of covered seats that will be available...check out Linfield's site for more info.  There is uncovered seating that will be sold too and they have bleachers in all four corners of the field, behind CalLu's bench, or you can just do what many of the folks on this board like and just pick up a general admission ticket and roam around the field.  There are barriers but you can get pretty dang close to the action in just about any part of the field.

Check the weather report on Thrusday afternoon on accuweather.com for area code "97128" and you should be able to get a good idea of what the conditions will be. 

[D O.C.]

Good rubberized shoes I told him.   8)

Thursday 11/19    68 degrees

SURF: 3-4 ft. - waist to chest high and fair to good conditions.

[Bearcat Press]

Kingsman4:

I really appreciate the picture of the Linfield player scoring a td attached to your postings. That shows a lot of respect from you.  

You made me second guess for a second ... Then I realized a couple things: There is way too much sun in that exposure to possibly be a Linfield player at home, and also - no Linfield receiver could do it like that!!!  

I have heard and seen some very respectful things on the Linfield receivers, look forward to seeing what they are made of in person against a tough defensive backfield that can run. I remember seeing some highlights of the golden years with some pretty rediculous plays out of Linfield recievers ... I think a guy that went both ways!? any guys like that on the squad this year?

I'm not used to paying for tickets (the Lu has no gates or fences) but just heard there will be limited seating/tickets on Sat ... is that an NCAA or Linfield set-up for the game sat? I don't want to be watching in the rain, I haven't felt that stuff in years  

GO LU!

Typical receiver...doesn't want to get wet or cold.  

There are a limited number of covered seats that will be available...check out Linfield's site for more info.  There is uncovered seating that will be sold too and they have bleachers in all four corners of the field, behind CalLu's bench, or you can just do what many of the folks on this board like and just pick up a general admission ticket and roam around the field.  There are barriers but you can get pretty dang close to the action in just about any part of the field.

Check the weather report on Thrusday afternoon on accuweather.com for area code "97128" and you should be able to get a good idea of what the conditions will be.  

Of course, when WE play at Linfield, they don't let us sit in the covered seating.

In all seriousness, Kingsmen4, you're going to have a great time.  Rivalries aside, Linfield has, IMO, the best small college game day atmosphere on the West Coast.  Football means a lot to the folks up in McMinnville, and it shows.

[D O.C.]

Just for that I will get you up in the press box where every 7th play is blocked by a pole. 

[bluenote]

I remember seeing some highlights of the golden years with some pretty rediculous plays out of Linfield recievers ... I think a guy that went both ways!? any guys like that on the squad this year?

....yes...we have about 5 in that category.....

[wildcat11]

I think a guy that went both ways!? any guys like that on the squad this year?

Well we do have a #4 on offense and a #4 on defense that are both pretty good. 

[OxyBob]

Just for that I will get you up in the press box where every 7th play is blocked by a pole. 

The only Pole I see on the Linfield roster is #23 Chris Slezak.

OxyBobski

[Kingsmen4]

I think a guy that went both ways!? any guys like that on the squad this year?

Well we do have a #4 on offense and a #4 on defense that are both pretty good.  

Ahh duplicate #'s ... The Lu has no need for those this year, travel roster baby!

I think it was number 3 that I saw back in the day making plays on both sides of the ball...Might have to scan through your old highlight reels to confirm.

[RedandPurple]

Kingsman4:

I really appreciate the picture of the Linfield player scoring a td attached to your postings. That shows a lot of respect from you.  

You made me second guess for a second ... Then I realized a couple things: There is way too much sun in that exposure to possibly be a Linfield player at home, and also - no Linfield receiver could do it like that!!!  

I have heard and seen some very respectful things on the Linfield receivers, look forward to seeing what they are made of in person against a tough defensive backfield that can run. I remember seeing some highlights of the golden years with some pretty rediculous plays out of Linfield recievers ... I think a guy that went both ways!? any guys like that on the squad this year?

I'm not used to paying for tickets (the Lu has no gates or fences) but just heard there will be limited seating/tickets on Sat ... is that an NCAA or Linfield set-up for the game sat? I don't want to be watching in the rain, I haven't felt that stuff in years  

GO LU!

Typical receiver...doesn't want to get wet or cold.  

There are a limited number of covered seats that will be available...check out Linfield's site for more info.  There is uncovered seating that will be sold too and they have bleachers in all four corners of the field, behind CalLu's bench, or you can just do what many of the folks on this board like and just pick up a general admission ticket and roam around the field.  There are barriers but you can get pretty dang close to the action in just about any part of the field.

Check the weather report on Thrusday afternoon on accuweather.com for area code "97128" and you should be able to get a good idea of what the conditions will be.  

Of course, when WE play at Linfield, they don't let us sit in the covered seating.

In all seriousness, Kingsmen4, you're going to have a great time.  Rivalries aside, Linfield has, IMO, the best small college game day atmosphere on the West Coast.  Football means a lot to the folks up in McMinnville, and it shows.

K4 and BCP:
I'm giving you both +karma for your responses.
K4, I agree with BCP, Linfield has an outstanding facility. Get there early and walk the campus, watch the teams warm-up, and by all means ENJOY yourself. Oh yeah, don't forget to drop by the tailgaters, even the Linfield ones, they'll treat you right.

[wildcat11]

I think a guy that went both ways!? any guys like that on the squad this year?

Well we do have a #4 on offense and a #4 on defense that are both pretty good. 

Ahh duplicate #'s ... The Lu has no need for those this year, travel roster baby!

I think it was number 3 that I saw back in the day making plays on both sides of the ball...Might have to scan through your old highlight reels to confirm.

Yeah that would be Brandon Hazenberg who was a beast.  In fact, a highlight clip of Brandon was one of the very first clips I've ever put together in 2006 and it was pretty bad work on my part but you get the idea.  http://www.catdomealumni.com/embedvids/hazenberg.html

[RedandPurple]

I think a guy that went both ways!? any guys like that on the squad this year?

Well we do have a #4 on offense and a #4 on defense that are both pretty good.  

Ahh duplicate #'s ... The Lu has no need for those this year, travel roster baby!

I think it was number 3 that I saw back in the day making plays on both sides of the ball...Might have to scan through your old highlight reels to confirm.

Yeah that would be Brandon Hazenberg who was a beast.  In fact, a highlight clip of Brandon was one of the very first clips I've ever put together in 2006 and it was pretty bad work on my part but you get the idea.  http://www.catdomealumni.com/embedvids/hazenberg.html

wildcat11:
Just read your last post and went back and watched the highlight clips of Haze. About the third clip in, or there about, I caught a glimpse of my son on the o-line blocking for Elliott as he connected on a long TD pass to Brandon. It was brief, but I could clearly see him. THANK YOU!

john
(aka)redandpurple

[George Thompson]

If you haven't seen it, here is the "seeding" info., or lack thereof.   Weird stuff going on at the NCAA.

http://www.d3football.com/dailydose/2009/11/16/there-are-no-seedings/


George