FB: Northwest Conference

FightBearcats · September 03, 2011, 08:26:54 PM

WU's defense played well today. Two turnovers hurt and a safety cost the Bearcats two points that ended up being part of the difference. The offense struggled to maintain momentum. Got some big plays but couldn't cash in. Give SP credit for playing their own excellent defense. WU led in every statistic except passing yards where it was 36-35 in favor of SP. (WU also led in turnovers 2-0 $:-\$ )

Neither team used their passing game much. Like any other offensive system the fly needs at least a somewhat balanced passing threat. Good defense can mess up the passing game but a team still needs to find a way to make it work.

So, this leaves FightBearcats wondering whether WU's offense will gell. How will they do against Hardin Simmons if their QB picks up anywhere close to where they left off last year? The Bearcats defense wasn't really tested against a good passer so we don't know. We do know WU's run defense is gangbusters.

Losing the first game really hurts for post season consideration. Now there are two options: win league and get the AQ or win all the rest of the games but don't win league and get in because of the strength of your wins. That leaves us 8-2 (you have to lose at least one game in conference) and the odds are really, really long.

MonroviaCat · September 03, 2011, 08:33:02 PM

Quote from: FightBearcats on September 03, 2011, 08:26:54 PM
WU's defense played well today. Two turnovers hurt and a safety cost the Bearcats two points that ended up being part of the difference. The offense struggled to maintain momentum. Got some big plays but couldn't cash in. Give SP credit for playing their own excellent defense. WU led in every statistic except passing yards where it was 36-35 in favor of SP. (WU also led in turnovers 2-0 $:-\$ )

Neither team used their passing game much. Like any other offensive system the fly needs at least a somewhat balanced passing threat. Good defense can mess up the passing game but a team still needs to find a way to make it work.

So, this leaves FightBearcats wondering whether WU's offense will gell. How will they do against Hardin Simmons if their QB picks up anywhere close to where they left off last year? The Bearcats defense wasn't really tested against a good passer so we don't know. We do know WU's run defense is gangbusters.

Losing the first game really hurts for post season consideration. Now there are two options: win league and get the AQ or win all the rest of the games but don't win league and get in because of the strength of your wins. That leaves us 8-2 (you have to lose at least one game in conference) and the odds are really, really long.

I agree with you entire post but since UWSP didn't really try to pass much it made it easy for the Bearcats to key on the running plays. As for post sesason--Wilamette's only shot is to win the conference because westcoast teams arent' gonna get much consideration for a non-autobid with 2 losses (or even 1 loss for that matter). And I suspect after the HSU game Wilamette may have 2 losses already (HSU smoked a very good, experienced Coe team today).

(509)Rat · September 03, 2011, 10:24:05 PM

Come on Bearkitties...guess I shouldn't have just assumed because there name is "Willamette" that they'd be a top NWC team. Could be a crazy year in the NWC.

FightBearcats · September 03, 2011, 11:21:55 PM

Quote from: MonroviaCat on September 03, 2011, 08:33:02 PM
Quote from: FightBearcats on September 03, 2011, 08:26:54 PM
WU's defense played well today. Two turnovers hurt and a safety cost the Bearcats two points that ended up being part of the difference. The offense struggled to maintain momentum. Got some big plays but couldn't cash in. Give SP credit for playing their own excellent defense. WU led in every statistic except passing yards where it was 36-35 in favor of SP. (WU also led in turnovers 2-0 $:-\$ )

Neither team used their passing game much. Like any other offensive system the fly needs at least a somewhat balanced passing threat. Good defense can mess up the passing game but a team still needs to find a way to make it work.

So, this leaves FightBearcats wondering whether WU's offense will gell. How will they do against Hardin Simmons if their QB picks up anywhere close to where they left off last year? The Bearcats defense wasn't really tested against a good passer so we don't know. We do know WU's run defense is gangbusters.

Losing the first game really hurts for post season consideration. Now there are two options: win league and get the AQ or win all the rest of the games but don't win league and get in because of the strength of your wins. That leaves us 8-2 (you have to lose at least one game in conference) and the odds are really, really long.
I agree with you entire post but since UWSP didn't really try to pass much it made it easy for the Bearcats to key on the running plays. As for post sesason--Wilamette's only shot is to win the conference because westcoast teams arent' gonna get much consideration for a non-autobid with 2 losses (or even 1 loss for that matter). And I suspect after the HSU game Wilamette may have 2 losses already (HSU smoked a very good, experienced Coe team today).

No doubt the Bearcats are going to have to step it up. Can they do it? I believe they can.

bbaddict · September 04, 2011, 12:34:37 AM

Quote from: (509)Rat on September 03, 2011, 10:24:05 PM
Come on Bearkitties...guess I shouldn't have just assumed because there name is "Willamette" that they'd be a top NWC team. Could be a crazy year in the NWC.

Yep, it's tough losing by 2 points to a tough team, wouldn't you say, Rat?

cawcdad · September 04, 2011, 12:35:41 AM

Tough day for the NWC. But, all three games came down to plays in the last few seconds. Made for some exciting football.

bbaddict · September 04, 2011, 12:59:35 AM

Quote from: cawcdad on September 04, 2011, 12:35:41 AM
Tough day for the NWC. But, all three games came down to plays in the last few seconds. Made for some exciting football.

It was exciting. The WU/UWSP game could have been more exciting if our offense had performed better. However, that may have had something to do with THEIR defense. That game could've gone either way -- I'm sure that can be said of the Whitworth/Chapman game as well. Did anyone on here watch the Pacific game?

cawcdad · September 04, 2011, 01:00:59 AM

Just listened to the last few minutes after the WU - UWSP game.

PA cat · September 04, 2011, 01:04:58 AM

Since I'm now living in Laramie, WY, I had to go to a Wyoming Cowboys game this evening. (city ordinance?) It seems that I've been very spoiled over the past 25 plus years as a 'Cat fan. Sure, the game-day "experience" was good with thousands of other 'Poke fans- great college band and nice traditions. Execution by the Wyoming team was between OK and horrible on both sides of the ball. I'm just used to a higher standard of play. I may adopt Wyoming as my D1 hometown team, but thank goodness that Mountain West Conference games generally don't conflict with Cat's Eye View webcasts!

bbaddict · September 04, 2011, 01:09:48 AM

cawcdad, who did win the Redlands game? Their website seems stuck with 1:24 minutes to go. Were you listening?

cawcdad · September 04, 2011, 01:12:03 AM

I'm watching bbaddict. UR just scored with 28 seconds left to take a 33 - 28 lead.

cawcdad · September 04, 2011, 01:13:01 AM

Oops, 35 - 29

bbaddict · September 04, 2011, 01:16:42 AM

Quote from: cawcdad on September 04, 2011, 01:13:01 AM
Oops, 35 - 29

Thanks! Didn't know it was still going. I hope Redlands wins, too!

cawcdad · September 04, 2011, 01:17:35 AM

Game is over. Bulldogs win it!

dahlby · September 04, 2011, 01:47:55 AM

Whitworth dropped a close on to Chapman tonight, 16-14 on a field goal with seconds remaining. Two very evenly matched teams. Details at chapmanathletics.com .