FB: Northwest Conference

[CamCat]

Are Linfield fans asleep this year?    This is the quietest blog I have ever seen from the Wildcat faithful.   Where is everyone?    Where is Gig Harbor Cat?

GO CATS! GO!

I'm here too but since I just had Achilles Tendon Rupture Surgery last Friday...I've pretty much been out of the loop. (Can not put any weight on one foot for 6-8 weeks - try it some time you'd love it) Even had to miss the CLU/Linfield game and watch it on the internet....think that's the first home game I've missed in 35 years...so still here but just observing...for now. 

35 years of home game attendance is incredible.  The least I can give you is +K. Hope you recover ASAP.

[CamCat]

What's with Mary Hardin Baylor ranked #3?  They beat McMurry by one point today. McMurry loses it's first game of the year to Stephen F. Austin 82 to 6. You brilliant DIII minds out there, is there any chance they will lose their # 3 ranking after this game? I would not be real upset if somehow Linfield got to move up a notch. Is there any possible chance of that?

Stephen F. Austin is a Top 15-ranked team in Division I FCS. I don't think that's anything at all comparable to anything in Division III, CamCat.

Thanks Pat. It's always good to get the opinion of the ultimate expert. 

[BearcatChatter]

With SOU coming to town tomorrow, I'd like to again thank wildcat11 for digging up THIS gem of a video a couple of years ago.

Press, I have to say I wouldn't doubt those guys being ACTUAL SOU players if they weren't so unathletic. Considering a few of those plays the Raiders made Saturday (especially the unsportsmanlike conduct for celebrating after the sack), its very obvious the scholarships those guys get aren't necessarily academic ones 

I just want to make a few quick notes about the Willamette-SOU game (for anyone who cares a few days after the fact). It may have been a coincidence that we played a team with nowhere near as good of coaching and technique, but we looked a lot better, especially in the passing game. True, SOU put eight or nine in the box to try and slow down Abney (which they did), but Widing got rid of his check-down anxiety and pulled the trigger a few times. It was also nice to finally see Speckman use Jake Knecht and his D1-level speed. Their safety was essentially a result of Knecht not fair-catching a pretty easy punt, but oh well. Our pass blocking can still improve, but each game the guys play better. I'm beginning to see a lot of depth on the O-Line. We're set at pretty much every position next year save center, where I'm hoping to see someone besides Kenny Miller get game experience soon.

Defensively, we had SOU's number all game. The Raiders had a few good drives that were stopped short by created turnovers. Naggi showed a lot more pressure in his schemes. Sophmore Tyson Giza really stood out, especially the HUGE hit he had on SOU's bubble screen. Guy didn't even see him coming. B-Cat Press informed me that SOU's QB wasn't their normal starter, and it showed as our secondary kept SOU under wraps most of the day. Once we went up 31-9 in the fourth, it was good to see a lot of the reserves get their first action this season. They were hungry, and it showed.

In my season preview, I talked about how deep Willamette was at linebacker, but I (as well as everyone) seems to have underestimated the impact of sophomore Jaden Rosselli. He's improved drastically every game, and supplanted typical starter Matt Parr this week. He wound up with 7 tackles, an assisted sack, and his second forced fumble in two weeks. On another note, true freshman Daniel Wakam is establishing himself as a lockdown corner. He's one of the most athletic guys on the team, and will only get better.

Now we have a nice bye-week to get ready for a game against some random team from McMinnville...

Chatter out.

[river]

From the Oregonian/Oregonlive.com coverage of future Bearcat opponent (gulp) Portland State's win over Northern Arizona, 31-29:  "The Lumberjacks had no answers for Portland State's two-headed pistol attack led by [Connor] Kavanaugh and senior running back Cory McCaffrey. McCaffrey scored on the Vikings' second and third possessions, and after the first quarter the Vikings led 14-0 and had outgained the Lumberjacks 100-22. "

Question:  Any teams in the NWC or SCIAC run a pistol offense?

[river]

'chatter,
great summary of the WU-SOU game.  Hope the improvements continue in the next two weeks.

Go Bearcats!

[MonroviaCat]

From the Oregonian/Oregonlive.com coverage of future Bearcat opponent (gulp) Portland State's win over Northern Arizona, 31-29:  "The Lumberjacks had no answers for Portland State's two-headed pistol attack led by [Connor] Kavanaugh and senior running back Cory McCaffrey. McCaffrey scored on the Vikings' second and third possessions, and after the first quarter the Vikings led 14-0 and had outgained the Lumberjacks 100-22. "

Question:  Any teams in the NWC or SCIAC run a pistol offense?

No there is nothing even remotely resembling a pistol offense in the NWC this year.

[RedandPurple]

Are Linfield fans asleep this year?    This is the quietest blog I have ever seen from the Wildcat faithful.   Where is everyone?    Where is Gig Harbor Cat?

GO CATS! GO!

I'm here too but since I just had Achilles Tendon Rupture Surgery last Friday...I've pretty much been out of the loop. (Can not put any weight on one foot for 6-8 weeks - try it some time you'd love it) Even had to miss the CLU/Linfield game and watch it on the internet....think that's the first home game I've missed in 35 years...so still here but just observing...for now. 

35 years of home game attendance is incredible.  The least I can give you is +K. Hope you recover ASAP.

I'm present and accounted for. I read the board every day, but only post when I have something I think will contribute to the conversation. 
Gave you +k for your attendance.
Perhaps we should do a roll call before next weeks game.

[CalCat]

From the Oregonian/Oregonlive.com coverage of future Bearcat opponent (gulp) Portland State's win over Northern Arizona, 31-29:  "The Lumberjacks had no answers for Portland State's two-headed pistol attack led by [Connor] Kavanaugh and senior running back Cory McCaffrey. McCaffrey scored on the Vikings' second and third possessions, and after the first quarter the Vikings led 14-0 and had outgained the Lumberjacks 100-22. "

Question:  Any teams in the NWC or SCIAC run a pistol offense?

River: I understand Linfield has been working on the Pistol since beginning of camp including the bye week but won't use it against La Verne....they will roll it out against Willamette to help the Bearcats prepare for Portland St. in the spirit of helping out a fellow NWC brother

[MonroviaCat]

From the Oregonian/Oregonlive.com coverage of future Bearcat opponent (gulp) Portland State's win over Northern Arizona, 31-29:  "The Lumberjacks had no answers for Portland State's two-headed pistol attack led by [Connor] Kavanaugh and senior running back Cory McCaffrey. McCaffrey scored on the Vikings' second and third possessions, and after the first quarter the Vikings led 14-0 and had outgained the Lumberjacks 100-22. "

Question:  Any teams in the NWC or SCIAC run a pistol offense?

River: I understand Linfield has been working on the Pistol since beginning of camp including the bye week but won't use it against La Verne....they will roll it out against Willamette to help the Bearcats prepare for Portland St. in the spirit of helping out a fellow NWC brother

I believe Linfield has also decided to woop the snot out of Willamette to prepare them for the PSU game....

[George Thompson]

I'm here too but since I just had Achilles Tendon Rupture Surgery last Friday...I've pretty much been out of the loop. (Can not put any weight on one foot for 6-8 weeks - try it some time you'd love it) Even had to miss the CLU/Linfield game and watch it on the internet....think that's the first home game I've missed in 35 years...so still here but just observing...for now. 
[/quote]

Bluenote,

WOW!   I've had a very bad sprained foot for six weeks, but that's nothing compared to yours.   Here's to a speedy and full recovery!   I always enjoy your insight.

George

[Bearcat Press]

From the Oregonian/Oregonlive.com coverage of future Bearcat opponent (gulp) Portland State's win over Northern Arizona, 31-29:  "The Lumberjacks had no answers for Portland State's two-headed pistol attack led by [Connor] Kavanaugh and senior running back Cory McCaffrey. McCaffrey scored on the Vikings' second and third possessions, and after the first quarter the Vikings led 14-0 and had outgained the Lumberjacks 100-22. "

Question:  Any teams in the NWC or SCIAC run a pistol offense?

River: I understand Linfield has been working on the Pistol since beginning of camp including the bye week but won't use it against La Verne....they will roll it out against Willamette to help the Bearcats prepare for Portland St. in the spirit of helping out a fellow NWC brother

I believe Linfield has also decided to woop the snot out of Willamette to prepare them for the PSU game....

You guys always have been so generous to us.

Speaking of snot-woopings, I'm making my first non-Willamette related trip to Maxwell Field this weekend to see the Wildcats take on pummel the living daylights out of La Verne.  Looking forward to seeing at least some of you there.

[river]

Here's something of interest for WC11, who kept us fully informed about Cedric Ho's football thoughts back in 2009.

From the La Verne season preview:
"The tandem of Cedric Ho and Matt Griffin headline the Leopard receiving unit.  Ho was the main receiving target two years ago in his initial season in 2009.  As a junior that season, he led the Leos with 81 receptions, 894 yards and 8 touchdowns on his way to earning SCIAC Newcomer of the Year honors.  After missing the 2010 season, Ho will team with Griffin, who led the Leopards in receptions (57), receiving yards (727) and touchdowns (8) a year ago.  David Kain and Andres Fernandez should also factor this season at wideout."

As the Leopards are visiting the McMinnville area this weekend for an anticipated (by the Wildcats) "snot-wooping," this will be WC11's chance to meet up with WR Ho.   

[river]

Props to Logan Kotzian for being named to the D3Football.com Team of the Week:

Games of Sept. 15-17, 2011
"DT Logan Kotzian, Jr., Lewis and Clark
Kotzian recorded seven tackles, four solo, in a 48-39 win against Pomona-Pitzer. He had a sack, forced a fumble, blocked a kick and intercepted a pass, which he returned for 19 yards."

[MonroviaCat]

Props to Logan Kotzian for being named to the D3Football.com Team of the Week:

Games of Sept. 15-17, 2011
"DT Logan Kotzian, Jr., Lewis and Clark
Kotzian recorded seven tackles, four solo, in a 48-39 win against Pomona-Pitzer. He had a sack, forced a fumble, blocked a kick and intercepted a pass, which he returned for 19 yards."

My first thought was, "How can any L&C defensive player make team of the week after giving up 39 pts to Pomona-Pitizer?"  Then I read what he did and was impressed.  It's not often you see a DT intercepting a pass!!!!

[D O.C.]

Enough about all our fan injuries. (Though I'm in complete solidarity)
Somebody send me a PM about Sparky and Aaron.

I just revel in the optimism of the Wu crew, like a couple of guys  sitting down at a blackjack table having just checked in the hotel.