FB: Northwest Conference

[spiritof86]

I've spent the last 24 hours pondering where Saturday's game ranks among the best I've ever seen in any sport, at any level. For Linfield games, I like George Thompson's list, posted earlier:

1984 - NAIA National Championship comeback from 22-0 down in 3rd Qtr. to win!

2003 - At Ashland, vs. Southern Oregon, umpteen lead changes and we score a winning TD pass in the last minute to win

2004 - Stagg Bowl win in last part of 4th Qtr.


While I appreciate your memories/work, there is absolutely no way the 2003 game in Ashland ranks above Saturday. That was a great game- but a game w/out the stakes. Mathews played his ass off in 2003- but it meant more at the moment than in hindsight.

2005 - The Game. Unfortunately a loss vs WWW.

2015 - Yesterday's roller coaster ride with MHB.

I'd add a few Wildcat games I either witnessed or listened to:

1985 vs. Willamette - down 33-7 well into in the second half before winning 36-33

1988 vs. Pacific Lutheran, when they'd won a ton of games in a row - down 24-7 early, got close, fell behind by 10 or 14 again in the second half, and finally won 35-33

2001 at Menlo - down 27-9 after 3 quarters and won 30-27

As for Saturday, I've also talked to more than one person who is thanking Bill Johnson's unseen hand for carrying those snaps over the UMHB quarterback's head.

On to St. Paul ...

[spiritof86]

I'd be curious to have a beer with a few of you and talk it over, but I think
when we win the natty in two weeks, it diminishes the significance of 'the game' in 2005.

[desertcat1]

Nice job WC11

[olddog]

Congrats to the Cats, man the kids never stopped playing, love to see that kind of effort. Heart of Champions.
I think this is your year.

good luck

[wildcat11]

Congrats to the Cats, man the kids never stopped playing, love to see that kind of effort. Heart of Champions.
I think this is your year.

good luck

Thanks olddog...our guys just didn't quit.  It was an awesome thing to experience up close.

[jamtod]

What will the traveling contingent look like from Linfield? With the program y'all have, I imagine you get some strong road support?

St John's two weeks ago, the stands were obviously packed. I was impressed with the crowd from Wabash, decent numbers, and even feistier than the Johnnie fans.

[retagent]

What will the traveling contingent look like from Linfield? With the program y'all have, I imagine you get some strong road support?

St John's two weeks ago, the stands were obviously packed. I was impressed with the crowd from Wabash, decent numbers, and even feistier than the Johnnie fans.

Hey Now! Let's not get crazy. There may actually be some Johnnie fans in the crowd at the game Saturday. I wonder who they will be cheering for..

[D O.C.]

@%&*^%$^&^*
Again. Yeah, Salem, Virginia, greatest good for the greatest number. Good hosts. Chances of mild late fall weather.

Anticipating.....I can drive 4 hours to Las Vegas and get a $69 fare on December 16th to Baltimore.
Coming back is the Christmas get-away time and the same return trip is $289 on the 21-23!

I cannot write a fare off for business. 
I am perplexed.

[speedybigboy]

I can't imagine either of the remaining three teams have anywhere near MHB's speed. Speed scares me way more than size and we get the opportunity to see the difference firsthand against the Tommies as I doubt that they have the elite level of team speed showed by the Cru.

A wise coach once said that you cannot coach speed.   

Oh, this one hurts.

You know how it hurts when the team your rooting for is representing the conference, and you don't have much emotional tie-in to the team, but it makes your guys look better.  After all, there are way too few head-to-head comparisions of the teams in this part of the country (and the Pacific Northwest) to "educate" the rest of the country.

(You could have scouted HSU in their game with Willamette for some assessment of the ASC.)

Well, it is agonizing to see another team carrying your colors and then fall short again.

I feel your pain Ralph, every year at this time.  As a PLU alum I jump on the Linfield bandwagon for the playoffs in hopes that they win it all and make our conference look better.

[wildcat11]

ADvantage 'Catdome: 'Cats Win!!! Linfield completes an epic 38-35 comeback win over UMHB to move on.

[catjumper]

Spirit of 86 writes: I'd be curious to have a beer with a few of you and talk it over, but I think when we win the natty in two weeks, it diminishes the significance of 'the game' in 2005.

Count me in - it'd make for a great off-season discussion. We can all meet up at the Blue Moon. 

I won't speak for George Thompson, but I took his selections as being the greatest games not in terms of drama and historical significance, but level of drama on one given afternoon, and I offered my suggestions based on that criteria. If I try to rank them, for No. 1 I'm waffling between Saturday vs. UMHB and the 1984 national title game comeback: in 1984 the big deficit was much later into the game and the 'Cats hadn't done much of anything until hitting the "on" switch, but that one was also settled well before the final play and Saturday had more momentum swings.

Plus, to throw in a a non-shootout nailbiter, I've always been fond of the 2-0 win over Pacific in 1984. The 'Cats needed a win for playoff purposes, both teams punted a dozen or more times, and eventually sometime in the second half Greg Hodgkinson sticks one in the mud on the 1- or 2-yard line and Jimmie Lee sneaks through to make the tackle for a safety. Definitely drama, but moving in reverse - success that afternoon wasn't defined by getting into the other end zone, but staying out of your own.

Finally, most of all 86, congratulations to the addition to your family!

[Westside]

Congrats to Sam Riddle and Alex Hoff; the offensive and defensive players of the year for the West Region.

Congrats to Kyle Belcher, Keanu Yamamoto, Eric Pitassi and Kennedy Johnson on their first team All-West Region selection.

Congrats to Jake Reimer on his second team All-West Region selection.

[D O.C.]

Congrats to D3football.com.

[wildcat11]

Catdomealumni.com's YouTube Page: 2015 Linfield College Football: UMHB Mini Highlight

[MacQuiz]

Catdomealumni.com's YouTube Page: 2015 Linfield College Football: UMHB Mini Highlight

Just right!!!
Like the game...your best "Mini" of the season!
Thank you WC11