FB: Northwest Conference

[D O.C.]

Wowee! Pacific pulls a quick one on LINFIELD and schedules Occidental IN HAWAII next September.

[wildcat11]

http://www.oregonlive.com/collegefootball/index.ssf/2015/12/linfield_vs_southern_oregon_wh.html#incart_river_home

SOU's AD is saying that Linfield has said "no" so many times that they have quit trying to schedule us in football.... Really?

Depends on who you believe...Linfield put in a call before 2015 and SOU said no.

[D O.C.]

 A very Merry Christmas to our LINFIELD Family D3 All-Americans.

[desertcat1]

A very Merry Christmas to our LINFIELD Family D3 All-Americans.

make that a MELE KALIKIMAKA TO ALL...

[George Thompson]

Stagg Bowl rushing: Mount Union 330 yds, St. Thomas 205 yds.

In the last playoff game of each year (always our toughest game) since 1999, Linfield has averaged 92 yds. rushing.    Our opponents have averaged 207 yds. rushing.    We were outrushed in every one of those season ending games.   We won only one of those 12 games, the 2004 Stagg Bowl.

To really match with the really top 2-3 teams of each year, do we need a better rushing attack?     I know, much easier said than done.

George

[Andy Jamison - Walla Walla Wildcat]

George- yes, we do need a different style run game if we want to be effective on the ground in the deeper rounds of the playoffs. I've been an advocate of running more of a power game similar to STU. One which utilizes our o-line strengths - smartness, quick, athletic - by pulling and trapping and bringing multiple blockers to the point of attack. We are never going to have the horses to compete upfront in one on one blocking which is what the zone scheme seems to dictate.

Our run game works just fine until we face a really good defense (or at least that is what it sure seems like). Also, decisions are going to have to be made regarding using running backs who are a fumbling danger Every Time they touch the ball. We can get away with it until the playoffs when every possession is important but I know that I cringed every time our RB had the ball in his hands as it seems that ball security isn't well understood.

I do think that we have some extremely talented young olineman and that perhaps we can turn towards more of a smashmouth, attacking oline as they develope.

[Andy Jamison - Walla Walla Wildcat]

No more hiding behind a screen name... I would encourage everyone to do the same.

[HScoach]

Where the running game also plays a big part in continued success is it negates the impact of weather.  In about half of the Stagg Bowls that Mount has been to the weather has been an issue.  In Salem it's  typically very windy and occasionally you'll get rain or freezing rain too.  Awfully hard to throw the ball 80% of the time in 30 MPH winds. 

Not saying you need to be a run first team to win a title, just the opposite because the WIAC schools are so freaking big, but it helps emmensly to be balanced and capable of running if the opponent or conditions dictate it.

[OldCatProf]

No more hiding behind a screen name... I would encourage everyone to do the same.

Hiding?

After reading these posts for many years it appears that few things are said on here (out of thousands of posts) that (1) wouldn't also be posted by folks using real names and (2) most/many of us know who all the usual posters are, and (3) screen names are part of the fun. It gives us "oldies" something to think about when a new poster (screen name) appears and we try to figure out who it might be or what his/her connection is to one of the NWC schools. We do this not to attack or censor the newbie...it's just part of the fun and intrigue of screen names. Some of the screen names are clever and fun in themselves.

[d-train]

Only hiding from my employer...

[OldCatProf]

Merry Christmas to all D3 board posters.

Sitting here a few days before Christmas makes me think of the great gift that D3 sports are to all of us. We get to follow our teams no matter the circumstances. We cheer with pride when they win and express our thanks and pride in their effort when they don't.

I taught for many years at D1 schools but seldom saw or met a true scholar-athlete. Frankly, most were there primarily for sports with (at best) only a passing interest in education. Many did not have even a passing interest...therefore they didn't. My first college teaching job was at a (now) D3 school...45 years ago...and I've been a D3 believer ever since.

Best Christmas wishes to all folks out there in D3 land...parents and family, students, friends, fans and faculty; and especially to the crew at D3sports.com who enrich our enjoyment of true amateur sports. Thanks for all you do. D3 sports are a gift that keeps on giving; year after year.

[D O.C.]

I concur about our internet names, OCP.
I posted my picture for 3 days once and I got tons of comments from people from other boards, positive and negative.
During the playoffs I did not want to mention my 10 year anniversary of being suspended from the boards for 10 days.
No, it had nothing to do with my picture.   

[wildcat11]

I concur about our internet names, OCP.

[wildcat11]

Linfield head coach, Joe Smith, has written a Christmas letter to the Linfield football family that reflects on the 2015 season.

ADvantage 'Catdome: 2015 Catdome Family Letter

[gren]

That was a very nice letter coach Smith wrote. Merry Christmas everyone talk to you next season.