FB: Northwest Conference

[CalCat]

Was that not the Pomona-Lewis and Clark game where we followed in PC's shadow to partake of the Claremont-Mudd game 300 yards away - then we all went to Occidental that night?
No one  without credentials could get near an OXY end zone.

Yep...Claremont played Puget Sound with a 12:00 kickoff that day and at halftime we moved over to PP for the 1:30 kickoff there. Oxy kickoff was 7:00 down the 210.

[speedybigboy]

D O.C.
Did you figure out if you will have internet access to the game Saturday?

[tommiegun]

George Fox and PLU are the only two teams that have handed it off to their RB more than 12 times in a game against Linfield this year... I am interested to see how the 'Cats handle a team that will could easily give it to their RB 30 times in this game. This will easily be the biggest test for Linfield's front seven since playing UWW last year (and they ran all over us).

This, to me, is the game in a nutshell.  There's a decent chance they will see more than 12 rushes in the first quarter on Saturday. Can Linfield's front 7 hold up to the UST rushing battering ram, or not?  If they can withstand the physical punishment the line, the FB (the TRUCK) and Roberts dish out long enough to force UST to throw, Cats win.  If UST is averaging 4 yds/carry after 30 minutes, UST wins - as there is no way things will get easier on the front 7 in the second half.

[MonroviaCat]

George Fox and PLU are the only two teams that have handed it off to their RB more than 12 times in a game against Linfield this year... I am interested to see how the 'Cats handle a team that will could easily give it to their RB 30 times in this game. This will easily be the biggest test for Linfield's front seven since playing UWW last year (and they ran all over us).

This, to me, is the game in a nutshell.  There's a decent chance they will see more than 12 rushes in the first quarter on Saturday. Can Linfield's front 7 hold up to the UST rushing battering ram, or not?  If they can withstand the physical punishment the line, the FB (the TRUCK) and Roberts dish out long enough to force UST to throw, Cats win.  If UST is averaging 4 yds/carry after 30 minutes, UST wins - as there is no way things will get easier on the front 7 in the second half.

I would like to point out that the reason none of those guys got the ball more than 12 times is because they were getting stuffed and they just gave up on the running game and/or they were so far behind they couldn't afford to run it any more.  That being said, none of those teams (even MHB last week) are anything like the St. Thomas running game.  It should be an interesting matchup and challenge (much like seeing how the ST. Thomas D matches up against the CATS offense).  Wish we could just fast forward to Saturday already!

[tommiegun]

Totally - the Cats offense will be the best UST has faced this year, overall.  UST's best defense will be its own running game, so it will be very interesting so see who wins that battle. 

I give UST a slight edge as far as "team hasn't seen anything like this" yet this year.  While, obviously, Linfield's passing attack is impressive, UST has seen similar styles from extremely talented QBs already this year (Augsburg and Gustavus) - albeit with inferior OLs and WRs, whereas Linfield really hasn't seen the rushing attack they will face... I guess this is a way of trying to give myself some small comfort? Either way, I think this one will be a tightly contested affair - and it is always interesting to watch such diverging styles match up. 

[MonroviaCat]

Totally - the Cats offense will be the best UST has faced this year, overall.  UST's best defense will be its own running game, so it will be very interesting so see who wins that battle. 

I give UST a slight edge as far as "team hasn't seen anything like this" yet this year.  While, obviously, Linfield's passing attack is impressive, UST has seen similar styles from extremely talented QBs already this year (Augsburg and Gustavus) - albeit with inferior OLs and WRs, whereas Linfield really hasn't seen the rushing attack they will face... I guess this is a way of trying to give myself some small comfort? Either way, I think this one will be a tightly contested affair - and it is always interesting to watch such diverging styles match up.

Yup---I will give the edge to whichever team can adjust the fastest. 

[D O.C.]

speedybigboy....I was politely reminded ESPN3 will be handling the game through d3football.com links.

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Their OL may be big, but they are all the same size around their ankles.  Root em out boys !!  Timberrrrr !!!! 

[RFB]

Congrats to Linfield and Cat fans on a great run so far. Question for you guys. I'm not sure if Riddle is healthy to play this week, but if he is, does he get his job back? Do you go with the hot hand in your backup or role the dice with the proven, but rusty starter coming off an injury. Either way, this game is going to be an all out slugfest.

[d-train]

Oregonian article on Tom Knecht:
http://www.oregonlive.com/collegefootball/index.ssf/2015/12/post_10.html#incart_river_home

I'm kinda surprised by one word in the article. I'm sure Tom doesn't know the true meaning...but that's where a copy editor should come in. Sorry if I'm being too 'PC'...

[FarAwayCat]

Totally - the Cats offense will be the best UST has faced this year, overall.  UST's best defense will be its own running game, so it will be very interesting so see who wins that battle. 

I give UST a slight edge as far as "team hasn't seen anything like this" yet this year.  While, obviously, Linfield's passing attack is impressive, UST has seen similar styles from extremely talented QBs already this year (Augsburg and Gustavus) - albeit with inferior OLs and WRs, whereas Linfield really hasn't seen the rushing attack they will face... I guess this is a way of trying to give myself some small comfort? Either way, I think this one will be a tightly contested affair - and it is always interesting to watch such diverging styles match up.

MHB in my mind was the first team this season that truly challenged the D with their rushing game and I think it was a humbling day for our D.  I have to believe that the D-Line had a reality check and now has a realistic idea of what to expect this week.  It's hard to believe UST will have stronger running game than MHB, but it's the semi-finals, you can't expect anything less.  It's gonna be a battle, and I can't wait to watch it.  The same goes for the O, MHB had an incredible d-line which was humbling to our running game.  I really hope this week they can create some bigger holes so that we have a more potent play-action. 

Either way, I'm excited for this game.  Both teams are top-notch and aiming for the same goal.  I just hope to heck it's our Cats in victory formation at the end of this one.
Go Cats, LEAVE NO DOUBT!!!! 

[D O.C.]

UHMB speed > UST speed

[tommiegun]

Oregonian article on Tom Knecht:
http://www.oregonlive.com/collegefootball/index.ssf/2015/12/post_10.html#incart_river_home

I'm kinda surprised by one word in the article. I'm sure Tom doesn't know the true meaning...but that's where a copy editor should come in. Sorry if I'm being too 'PC'...

I'm sure he doesn't know the meaning and you are being too PC.  It is a quote.  It would be inappropriate to misquote him.

[tommiegun]

UHMB speed > UST speed

That is probably true.  But I would be truly shocked if UST power isn't > MHB power.

[Westside]

Ah, I just wrote a long post but my computer crapped out when I tried to post it...

The gist of it was: MHB was very successful on running to the outside of the Cats defense. It took Linfield a while to adjust, but they did (for the most part). UST will pound it down the middle if they are able to, and it will take a great game from the Cats DL to stop them. Specifically, Zach Grate and Drew Johnson will need to play stiff at the point of attack and allow the backers to make plays. I think Linfield sells out on the run and lets their corners play single coverage until they are forced to do something else.