FB: Northwest Conference

[CalCat]

President Obama's speech:
11...Wildcats...Bearcats...we are all Cats...can't we just all get along...frankly it doesn't matter one bit to me ...either way we should all be happy...everyone should get a chance to win...it's redistribution of the NWC crown.

That should win a prize

[river]

All this talk about swatting the fly seems like whistling in the dark.   

GO BEARCATS !!!!

[Bearcat Press]

BEARCATS EDGE LUTES, SET UP SHOWDOWN WITH LINFIELD

Tim Walsh
Sports Editor

In a season that has become all about overcoming obstacles, one thing Willamette has not had to do much is come from behind.

Time to cross that one off the list.

Despite trailing by as many as two touchdowns and losing star tailback Deon Horne to injury, 17th-ranked Willamette (6-1, 3-0 Northwest Conference) scored 28 unanswered second-half points to rally past upstart Pacific Lutheran at McCulloch Stadium and set up a conference championship showdown against archrival Linfield.

"It's good to get a win like that," Head Coach Mark Speckman said. "I guess that's the silver lining."

It certainly did not look like there would be a silver lining early on, as the unheralded Lutes (1-4, 1-1 NWC) moved the ball with ease, grabbing a 7-0 lead on their opening drive. Two more first quarter PLU possessions looked promising, but Andrew Ross and Arlin Taylor intercepted two poorly thrown Lute passes to end each threat.

"They took us a little bit by surprise," Ross said. "They had a great game plan and were ready to go.  We weren't quite ready."

But if Pacific Lutheran sputtered, Willamette's offense never even got off the ground. A holding penalty negated Brian Widing's long scramble, and two would-be touchdown passes to Scott Schoettgen fell just off the receiver's fingertips. Even after Taylor's interception return set the Bearcats up at the PLU 26, Mitchell Rowan's missed field goal left Willamette empty-handed.

"This was the first week we didn't capitalize on our chances," Speckman said. "We're used to scoring, so it was very frustrating."

The Lutes made the Bearcats pay with a 15 play, 80-yard touchdown drive. A taunting penalty on cornerback Jeff Kahler cost Willamette 15 precious yards, and two fourth-down conversions sealed a 14-0 lead for the visitors.

Backup Kevin Ramay entered for Widing, directing a lightning-quick 63-yard march in just over two minutes. Terrell Malley's second effort from six yards got the ball into the end zone, and the Bearcats entered the locker room somewhat fortunate only to be down 14-7.

"I told the team we had a perfect storm brewing," Speckman said. "You let a team like [PLU] stay in the game, and that's how upsets happen."

Things were a little looser on the defensive side of the ball. "Bubba Lemon came up to me and said, 'This is gonna be fun,'" Ross said. "'Coming back is gonna be fun.'"

Pacific Lutheran's next possession, however, looked a lot like its first. But after gaining a second-and-goal at the Willamette five, the Bearcat defense finally stiffened, holding the Lutes to a short field goal.

Ramay's offense responded. A deft move by the quarterback avoided two sack attempts and resulted in a 20-yard completion to Chad Pollard. Fullback Jamiere Abney eventually bulled across the goal line to cut the deficit to 17-14, and PLU's attempt to answer back was stuffed on fourth down at the Willamette 19. But the Bearcats still trailed entering the fourth quarter.

"I didn't sense any panic," Speckman said. "Frustration maybe, but not panic."

Willamette's badly needed spark finally came from return specialist Jose Green. A short PLU punt took a fortunate bounce right to the junior at midfield, who cut to the left sideline and raced all the way down to the Lutes' 21. Four plays later, Schoettgen caught Ramay's pass in the end zone with a PLU defender draped all over his back, and the Bearcats' had their first lead.

Still, against Pacific Lutheran, the fireworks are never over.

Kahler recovered a PLU fumble on the very next play, but Willamette gave the ball right back after Malley ran into a teammate. Kahler came through again though, intercepting a horribly thrown pass just three plays after that, and Abney later ran untouched for another touchdown to give Willamette a 28-17 edge. The sophomore's third score of the day, after back-to-back sacks ended the Lutes' last threatening possession, slammed the door shut.

"Jamiere's done everything he could to get on the field," Speckman said. "He's getting better every series."

Abney was far from the only player singled out by the coach. Malley, having not only scored a touchdown but also provided several thunderous hits on special teams, drew praise, and Ross had 19 tackles to go with his interception. The linebacker felt that the manner of the win was just as important as the win itself.

"It's very important to win like that, especially with our opponent this week," Ross said. "We faced adversity, we responded, and we played better."

[Bearcat Press]

GAME DAY SPECIAL:
#17 Willamette Bearcats vs. #6 Linfield Wildcats

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: McCulloch Stadium

RECORDS: #17 Willamette 6-1, 3-0 NWC; #6 Linfield 6-0, 3-0 NWC

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

BRIEFLY: Andrew Ross does not need to be told about the importance of the 81st annual Willamette/Linfield game. "This is the biggest game of my life," Ross said. "This is everything you play for, lift for, get up at 6:00 a.m. for."

Both the Bearcats and Wildcats are nationally ranked, and since the teams are 1-2 in 15 NWC statistical categories, the winner will most likely capture the conference title and a playoff bid. "This is the start of our playoffs," senior cornerback Bubba Lemon said. "We can't afford to lose."

Of course, it is also a rivalry. Despite being just 27 miles apart, the football gap between the two schools has traditionally been large. Linfield has 54 consecutive winning seasons, 32 NWC titles and four national championships. "They take football very seriously," Speckman said.

But surging Willamette has won the last two meetings, including the 2007 "McCulloch Miracle" and a 52-28 romp in McMinnville last season, and the memories of past clashes are still vivid for many players. "Everybody has a Linfield story," Ross said.

Bubba and Mikey Lemon, transfers from Linfield who joined the Bearcats this year, both downplayed any personal significance in this game. "My family does have a history in the Linfield community," flanker Mikey Lemon said. "But this weekend ... all Bubba and I can do is help Willamette. I have an awesome coaching staff that I enjoy playing for and teammates that I would run through a wall for."

Given the schools' geographic proximity, Linfield/Willamette crowds usually split down the middle. But this year, the Office of Campus Life is attempting to boost Bearcat numbers. The first 500 Willamette students to arrive will receive a free gold Bearcats t-shirt, and all students who attend the game are encouraged to wear gold. Faculty, staff and alumni are urged to wear cardinal red. Getting a large pro-Willamette turnout would be "huge," according to Speckman.

"We love playing for our fans, and we want to outnumber them," Speckman said. "We want McCulloch rocking."


Editor's Note: GO BEARCATS!  BEAT LINFIELD!

[coco]

Nice articles as usual, Bearcat Press. Thanks for posting them. Why don't you stay a student forever so you can keep writing?

That being said, GO WILDCATS!
Swat the Fly all the way to the state pen!

[Island Cat]

"This looks like the year of Wildcats in Northwest Conference...My gut feeling is that this is Linfield's year. Wildcats win 31-27."

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009910230330

coco: Speaking of nice articles...This pretty much sums it up, but I can think of at least one 265 lb reason why we have "the edge" on defense.

Go D!

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Just a couple of hours until I load up my G5(Ford Truck) and head for the Catdome. 

Lets get ready to rock the Catdome south !!

See you all there

GHC

[wildcat11]

As always...nice job B-Press.  Still think you should start your own blog.  +1

BTW...Willamette Sucks! 

[D O.C.]

Mo'  bettah trutful

This looks like the ANOTHER year of Wildcats in Northwest Conference

Good Zooks River!  I thought for a moment there you got real mean and posted a picture of a drenched WILDCAT. After I blew it up I recognized the movie still.

[d-train]

Nice piece as always, BearcatPress.

[desertcat1]

BTW...Willamette Sucks! 

Yes they do ....  and you can Quote me too...

"Willamette sucks in all ways for always"  DC1

Go CATS

Go Big D

no kneeeeeeeees....    52

[wildcat11]

ADvantage Catdome:  Around The CatdomeO'sphere

[cawcdad]

Don't forget to head over to the pick 'ems board to get your weekly game predictions in.

[Proud Papa Joe]

4am is going to come real quick. Can't wait to load up the Camry and head north. Wish I could bring Jr.(Black Lab) but he doesn't do to well in cars. Think of me Gig. hopefully we will roll in about the same time.

As for the game- Linfield has played the better schools by far. So of course the margin of victory will be close. Lets just look at facts. We are the Linfield Wildcats 6-0 playing for a Championship. You are the Willamette Bearcats 6-1 just happy to be where you are.

Phone that in

Go Wildcats

PPJ

[RedandPurple]

Quote from bcp:
"The first 500 Willamette students to arrive will receive a free gold Bearcats t-shirt, and all students who attend the game are encouraged to wear gold. Faculty, staff and alumni are urged to wear cardinal red."

Glad to see the WU staff supporting Linfield by wearing their color.