FB: Northwest Conference

[coco]

Now there's a big boy!

Southern always scares me, and as you said, their record doesn't reflect their dangerousness. The long bus ride for us doesn't help either.

We have AB (the REAL AB) and his guys to handle them, though, and bring home another win for the Wildcats! And our D is awesome!

No injuries this time.

[river]

This must be the year of the freshman QB in the NWC.  Mike Wilson's blurb in the Oregonian about L&C's loss this past weekend:

"The Pioneers had a mere 225 total yards in an opening loss to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, but Saturday, freshman Keith Welch matched that with 84 rushing yards and 141 passing. He ran for three of Lewis & Clark's four touchdowns against Pomona-Pitzer."

From the WU website writeup about the SOU game by Robert McKinney:
"(Brian) Widing, in his second start, provided a solid performance at quarterback. He showed patience in the backfield, as he led WU to 19 total first downs. He was 12 of 18 passing for 135 yards and one touchdown."

Go Bearcats!

[Bearcat Press]

Since the Collegian's webmaster no longer seems interested in updating the site, I'm just going to start posting my articles here.  Below is my write up of the SOU game.


'TEAM EFFORT' LEADS 'CATS OVER SOU

Tim Walsh
Sports Editor

Falling behind by double-digits is not usually a recipe for success – except when it comes to the Bearcats and Southern Oregon University (SOU). Sparked again by an outstanding defense that held SOU to 69 second half yards, Willamette rallied from a 13-3 halftime deficit to bring home a 22-15 victory. The win propelled the Bearcats (2-1) back into D3football.com's top 25.

"Oh it's a big win, a classic win," quarterback Brian Widing said. "SOU is kind of the bad boys of Oregon football. It was a great team effort."

A strong wind was blowing across the field at kickoff, and standout SOU tailback Brandon Baldwin had 15 carries in the first quarter alone, including the Raiders' first touchdown of the day with 50 seconds left in the first quarter.

Willamette responded. With starting quarterback Ryan Whitcomb out for the season, freshman Widing got the nod and calmly marched the Bearcats downfield. But Widing overthrew a fade pass to Scott Schoettgen, so the 'Cats settled for a Mitchell Rowan field goal. "I thought about going for it," Speckman said. "But we needed points, and with the way we were playing, we'd be back."

Unfortunately, the Raiders came back first, driving deep into Willamette territory. After officials reversed an apparent SOU fumble, Vance Beach hauled in the Raiders' second touchdown with just 24 seconds left in the half, withstanding a solid hit from the Bearcats' Bubba Lemon. The extra point bounced out, but a full-scale meltdown seemed in progress when Jose Green fumbled the ensuing kickoff return. Fortunately, with time so short, SOU was unable to get off another snap.

"No, I wasn't worried," Speckman said. "I was just happy our offense wasn't getting throttled or mauled. Something good was going to happen."

Something good did happen right after halftime: a remarkable 19 play, 76 yard drive, culminating in Mikey Lemon's touchdown sweep. Rowan's extra point was blocked and returned for two, making the score 15-9, but just two plays later Arlin Taylor recovered a Raider fumble and raced 37 yards to knot the score.

"That was just a great hustle play," Speckman said. "Ron Carter forced that fumble, and he's a defensive tackle all the way out on the sidelines. That was great effort."

Rowan's kick gave Willamette its first lead at 16-15, but the Raiders seemingly answered when Baldwin scampered into the end zone from 60 yards away. A penalty brought the touchdown back though, and SOU tried a long field goal attempt – which caught in the wind and drifted wide.

However, Mikey Lemon fumbled on Willamette's very next play, and the Raiders recovered at the Willamette 18. But on third and long, linebacker Ralph Pineda stepped in front of an SOU pass in the end zone, and the 6'2'', 257-pound Pineda rumbled 45 yards the other way before being forced out of bounds.

"Pineda can move," Speckman said. "As he got going, it was like 'Gee, maybe we can get something out of this.'"

The Bearcats did capitalize, driving down to the SOU 26 before stalling. On fourth and three, Speckman called timeout. "We'd been running short patterns – outs and slants – all day," Widing said. "But coach called us into the huddle and said, 'Alright, we're scoring a touchdown on this play.' I loved it."

Schoettgen faked a short slant, then cut sharply to the outside. Widing's ball, thrown perfectly over two SOU players, found the receiver open in the back right corner of the end zone. Just like that, the score was 22-15.

But the Bearcats had scored with over 14 minutes left, and with SOU punts giving Willamette awful field position, it was up to the defense to close the deal. A relentless Willamette front seven and excellent pass coverage did the trick. Defensive end Walter Robinson killed one drive with a crucial sack, while Bubba Lemon forced an incomplete pass to end SOU's next possession. With three minutes remaining, Widing's offense calmly ran out the clock.

For the 21st-ranked Bearcats, such a win is a big step forward as they wrap up their non-conference schedule Saturday against La Verne. "We're close," Speckman said. "We have tough defense and a young, improving offense."

[Bearcat Press]

I've also started writing a new segment called "Game Day" which provides the important information for and a brief preview of the next week's game.

GAME DAY #4
#21 BEARCATS VS. LEOPARDS

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: McCulloch Stadium

RECORDS: #21 Willamette 2-1, La Verne 0-1

ON THE AIR: Webcast at www.willamette.edu/athletics

BRIEFLY: The Bearcats and Leopards will take the field Saturday in McCulloch Stadium's first night game since 2007. "The kids like it, the fans like it, and once the game starts, I like it," Speckman said. "It's just a long time to wait. The waiting drives me nuts." La Verne's travel schedule is the reason for the late start, as the Leopards will only arrive in Salem the day of the game.

At last season's matchup between the teams in La Verne, Willamette trounced the Leopards 44-0. Still, the Leopards trailed just 14-0 at halftime, and Speckman expects another difficult matchup. "There's no such thing as an easy football game. That's an oxymoron," Speckman said. "They're good enough to beat us." There may be some truth to that – the Leapards lost just 21-9 to heavily favored Whitworth in their season opener.

Last week was a rough one for the rest of the NWC as Menlo and Pacific Lutheran were blown out while Puget Sound and Lewis & Clark lost close games of their own. However #13 Linfield helped salvage the conference's day, holding off #24 Occidental in Los Angeles 31-27.

[D O.C.]

                                           

holding off

Hey!!!

[wildcat11]

BPress,

Just get it over with and start your own Willamette blog...[pot calling kettle] that way you don't clutter up this board with your Willamette propaganda. [/pot calling kettle]

[George Thompson]

Southern Oregon did apply for D2 membership a while back, but I don't know what the outcome was. I remember being on the sidelines for the 2003 Linfield-SOU game, and being heckled along with the players and coaches at Ashland. That was the classic 47-42 game, decided by a TD pass from Matthews to Carter.

That was absolutely one of the best games I have ever seen in person---maybe the best.   Back and forth.   Numerous lead changes.    But, the Wildcats were determined.   That 2003 team was far better than many know.   

GO CATS GO!

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Is Bearcat Press related to Oxy Bob ?

[Island Cat]

Any live Webcast of Linfield vs SOU this Sat?

My profile says I'm JV, but feel more like Pop Warner, still trying to figure this out as this is the third time I'm trying to post and still not sure this will get to where it's suppose to. Thanks in advance for any help.

I couldn't get the Oxy game on KadyTV as that silver-somethin-or-other download didn't work for me. But I'm happy to get audio from CatEye if nothing else.

Other than flying over there, are there any other options or live feeds for this Sat. game vs SOU?

Thanks again from someone stuck in the Pacific who just wants to see his son play.

#93's Dad

[Island Cat]

Catdomealumni.com's ADvantage Catdome has just posted up our Linfield @ SOU preview.  Running a little late on the blog entries this week.  Been busy.  Will have my pick 'em post (w/ Mack and Maddy) and a trip around the CatdomeO'sphere up tomorrow.

ADvantage Catdome:  Game 3 Preview:  Linfield @ Southern Oregon

My profile says I'm JV, but feel more like Pop Warner, still trying to figure this out as this is the fourth time I'm trying to post and still not sure this will get to where it's suppose to. How do I post on the NWC board? Thanks in advance for any help.

I couldn't get the Oxy game on KadyTV as that silver-somethin-or-other download didn't work for me. But I'm happy to get audio from CatEye if nothing else.

Other than flying over there, are there any other options or live feeds for this Sat. game vs SOU?

Thanks again from someone stuck in the Pacific who just wants to see his son play.

#93's Dad

[D O.C.]

Welcome Island Cat.

You're on.

Now try to figure out how to open the message I just sent you.

[RedandPurple]

Catdomealumni.com's ADvantage Catdome has just posted up our Linfield @ SOU preview.  Running a little late on the blog entries this week.  Been busy.  Will have my pick 'em post (w/ Mack and Maddy) and a trip around the CatdomeO'sphere up tomorrow.

ADvantage Catdome:  Game 3 Preview:  Linfield @ Southern Oregon

My profile says I'm JV, but feel more like Pop Warner, still trying to figure this out as this is the fourth time I'm trying to post and still not sure this will get to where it's suppose to. How do I post on the NWC board? Thanks in advance for any help.

I couldn't get the Oxy game on KadyTV as that silver-somethin-or-other download didn't work for me. But I'm happy to get audio from CatEye if nothing else.

Other than flying over there, are there any other options or live feeds for this Sat. game vs SOU?

Thanks again from someone stuck in the Pacific who just wants to see his son play.

#93's Dad

Island Cat: You're on the NWC board. Aloha Nui Loa! Welcome to 'Cat land! SOU will be broadcasting the game this weekend over the internet. Log on to their web page and follow the links. Be sure to fly to the Catdome when you can.

GO 'CATS!
54 IN '09

[Las Vegas Wildcards]

Southern Oregon did apply for D2 membership a while back, but I don't know what the outcome was. I remember being on the sidelines for the 2003 Linfield-SOU game, and being heckled along with the players and coaches at Ashland. That was the classic 47-42 game, decided by a TD pass from Matthews to Carter.

That was absolutely one of the best games I have ever seen in person---maybe the best.   Back and forth.   Numerous lead changes.    But, the Wildcats were determined.   That 2003 team was far better than many know.   

GO CATS GO!

Yes, I remember actually feeling drained at the end of the game, after shooting the Linfield post game huddle, I walked over to the SOU sideline bench and just had to sit down and reflect for a couple minutes and appreciate the great game I had witnessed. It was also one of the most emotional games I can recall from both sides, for a regular season game, it had a playoff type atmosphere. I'll never forget that classic game.
The only negative aspect of that contest was the lack of game coverage by the SOU local TV station. Incredibly, they didn't cover the game with multiple cameras like CCTV in Salem does with Willamette. The weird thing about it all was one of the radio announcers was the manager of the SOU TV station, but he couldn't put two and two together like CCTV, which uses radio audio for their games.    

[Catville Commissioner Elect]

Its off to Medford/Ashland first thing in the morning.  Hopefully I will not become a contributor to the Cow Creek Tribe on the way down.  If I am a big winner which is very doubtful of course I will gladly contribute some of that green to the Cats for more improvements in facilities.

Is anyone else out there in Catland going down Friday.  A nice little get together at someplace in Ashland or Medford may be appropriate.  Nothing like starting to Tailgate a bit early.

I will be thinking of WC64 and trying to see how I can raise his taxes this year and then donate it to the cats.  You are really missed down here in the Valley.  

True the SOU boys are big and bad, but I feel good about showing those bad boys some flying purple frizbees until they are running in circles.  Should be a good entertaining game.

Haven't seen GHCs prediction yet.  I understand he hasn't phoned it in yet.  GHC are you coming with WC11 down south and if so do you need some liquid seasoning for your longies.  I once again would be glad to oblidge.  

[CatDad]

We are headed down South and will be there about 5 tomorrow afternoon.

Go 'Cats!!