FB: Northwest Conference

[cawcdad]

dawgcat, I too attened both the Rowan and Whitwater games. Two very memorable games. Those Rowan guys were huge and the Whitewater game was probably the most exciting game I have ever seen, despite the final outcome.

[OldCatProf]

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!   

Was Rowan the 2004 playoff opponent who, after the kickoff, (A) lined up on defense with no safeties, (B) wide receiver Brandon Hazenburg beat the coverage and (C) QB Brett Elliott threw a touchdown pass to him? If it was Rowan, I'm not sure if they lined up without safeties again, but the final score sure looked like they must have.

[criswyly]

There are certainly a few characters here who "pretend" to be cocky...to get laughs...that's for sure 

[criswyly]

I'm bettin that UWW and Mount will both have their hands full this Saturday with opponents that will have a good chance at shocking them both.

[HSCTiger fan]

I'm bettin that UWW and Mount will both have their hands full this Saturday with opponents that will have a good chance at shocking them both.

i think the same thing about Linfield.

[CamCat]

So how do the 2013 Wildcats compare to the National Champion 2004 Wildcats?

2004 Cats averaged 50 points per game and gave up an average 20 points per game on defense.   2013 Cats have averaged 53 points per game and give up an average 12 points per game on defense.  Thus we are winning games by 11more points than the 2004 Cats. With those numbers I like our chances in the playoffs.

[D O.C.]

dawgcat...I wound up going to the baseball stands outside the Dome and viewed most of the fourth quarter of the Rowan game watching the fans watch the game. A good team got turned into the Keystone Kops by a team firing on all 12 cylinders.
The 2009 UMHB game I posted about was as monumental. The Crusaders came out and enforced their running will, got 'CATS down but then gave up 53 points to lose.
I'm cocky, BTW, say the girls at Spearmint Rhino, Las Vegas. I thought one said chalky and maybe that's why they do the cootie dust when I tell them to take a hike.

[wildcat11]

I'm cocky, BTW, say the girls at Spearmint Rhino, Las Vegas. I thought one said chalky and maybe that's why they do the cootie dust when I tell them to take a hike.

...and the Internet has been won today by D O.C. 

[HSCTiger fan]

So how do the 2013 Wildcats compare to the national champion 2004 Wildcats?

2004 Cats averaged 50 points per game and gave up an average 20 points per game on defense.   2013 Cats have averaged 53 points per game and give up an average 12 points per game on defense.  Thus we are winning games by 11more points than the 2004 Cats. With those numbers I like our chances in the playoffs.

The 2004 team did not have to play the 2013 HSC Tigers.

[cawcdad]

So how do the 2013 Wildcats compare to the national champion 2004 Wildcats?

2004 Cats averaged 50 points per game and gave up an average 20 points per game on defense.   2013 Cats have averaged 53 points per game and give up an average 12 points per game on defense.  Thus we are winning games by 11more points than the 2004 Cats. With those numbers I like our chances in the playoffs.

The 2004 team did not have to play the 2013 HSC Tigers.

Yeah, they had to play higher ranked teams! 

[CamCat]

So how do the 2013 Wildcats compare to the National Champion 2004 Wildcats?

2004 Cats averaged 50 points per game and gave up an average 20 points per game on defense.   2013 Cats have averaged 53 points per game and give up an average 12 points per game on defense.  Thus we are winning games by 11 more points than the 2004 Cats. With those numbers I like our chances in the playoffs.

The 2004 team did not have to play the 2013 HSC Tigers.

That's true but we did play Rowan ranked #9 the Beast from the East http://www.catdomealumni.com/topten/rowan.html.  Do you think you are as good as #9 Rowan was then?  What is your ranking rignt now?

[MonroviaCat]

So how do the 2013 Wildcats compare to the national champion 2004 Wildcats?

2004 Cats averaged 50 points per game and gave up an average 20 points per game on defense.   2013 Cats have averaged 53 points per game and give up an average 12 points per game on defense.  Thus we are winning games by 11 more points than the 2004 Cats. With those numbers I like our chances in the playoffs.

The 2004 team did not have to play the 2013 HSC Tigers.

That's true but we did play Rowan ranked #9 the Beast from the East http://www.catdomealumni.com/topten/rowan.html.  Do you think you are as good as #9 Rowan was then?  What is your ranking rignt now?

obviously he does 

[criswyly]

Penalty! Penalty! 15 yards for piling on....

[HSCTiger fan]

I knew that would get you guys fired up.

I've had so much fun this week hanging on your board. Can I come back next year and just always be the guy pulling against you?  That way you'll always have someone to talk smack to. The ODAC board is great but this one is a lot more fun.

[CamCat]

I knew that would get you guys fired up.

That's what makes this message board so much fun particularly when you team is doing well.
Thanks so much for coming over here to play. We greatly appreciate your contributions. +K for you. You are more than welcome any time.