FB: Northwest Conference

[DChicks]

Taking a quick look through the record book, it seems to be the worst loss since 8 - 52 beating by Texas Lutheran in 1974, and the most points we've given up in school history. Far too many mistakes were made today, but the bulk of the season is still ahead with lots of time to make adjustments and improvements. We're still undefeated against UMHB in the post-season, and they're undefeated against us in the regular season; which would you rather be?

[umhb2001]

Good game by Linfield. The linebackers are quick to the ball and the WRs are legit. Riddle was all the hype. Y'all will be fine in your conference.

[MonroviaCat]

I will say this---those teams were much more evenly matched than the score indicated.  Once our starting center went out things kind of spiraled out of control and we just had too many self inflicted wounds to stay in the game.  That being said MHB played a good game and is a real team--they capitalized on our mistakes and that's what good teams do. 

A few positives:  the online did a great job including keeping tederick smith off of Sam for the most part.  Defense adjusted well at the half and actually looked pretty solid despite all of the points that went up. 

Lots of stuff to fix the exit two weeks---heaven help Lewis and Clark because I think the Cats will come out with something to prove!

[badgerwarhawk]

Taking a quick look through the record book, it seems to be the worst loss since 8 - 52 beating by Texas Lutheran in 1974, and the most points we've given up in school history. Far too many mistakes were made today, but the bulk of the season is still ahead with lots of time to make adjustments and improvements. We're still undefeated against UMHB in the post-season, and they're undefeated against us in the regular season; which would you rather be?

It's probably just me but I would rather have won today considering that all the rest of it is history and irrelevant to what's happening in the present.  Regardless I'd be surprised if Linfield didn't win the NWC and it's automatic bid.  And as you've mentioned there is a lot of season remaining.

[catjumper]

Well, we've ripped UMHB's heart out through its chest four times, so I guess the Crusaders can bury their foot up our fanny once. Here's hoping for a rematch in November or December.

Whatever the score may have been, the 'Cats will get more benefit out of this game than out of a 70-7 thumping of Lewis & Clark or Puget Sound.

[catjumper]

For those interested in such things:

Linfield's school record for both points allowed in a game and margin of defeat is 71, in a 71-0 loss at Whitman in 1929. Saturday's 66 points is the second-highest allowed in school history; the second-highest had been 56 in a 56-0 loss to Pacific College (George Fox) in 1896 and in a 56-23 loss to Pacific Lutheran in 1999. The 39-point margin of defeat doesn't crack the top 10 in Linfield history - the 'Cats would need to lose by 47 to make an entry on that list, and the most recent game in that top 10 was in 1933.

[speedybigboy]

Taking a quick look through the record book, it seems to be the worst loss since 8 - 52 beating by Texas Lutheran in 1974, and the most points we've given up in school history. Far too many mistakes were made today, but the bulk of the season is still ahead with lots of time to make adjustments and improvements. We're still undefeated against UMHB in the post-season, and they're undefeated against us in the regular season; which would you rather be?

It's probably just me but I would rather have won today considering that all the rest of it is history and irrelevant to what's happening in the present.  Regardless I'd be surprised if Linfield didn't win the NWC and it's automatic bid.  And as you've mentioned there is a lot of season remaining.

so you would trade a win over Mt Union in the regular season this year over one of those 6 National Championship wins???

[speedybigboy]

For those interested in such things:

Linfield's school record for both points allowed in a game and margin of defeat is 71, in a 71-0 loss at Whitman in 1929. Saturday's 66 points is the second-highest allowed in school history; the second-highest had been 56 in a 56-0 loss to Pacific College (George Fox) in 1896 and in a 56-23 loss to Pacific Lutheran in 1999. The 39-point margin of defeat doesn't crack the top 10 in Linfield history - the 'Cats would need to lose by 47 to make an entry on that list, and the most recent game in that top 10 was in 1933.

+k for the historical recap

[CalCat]

I will say this---those teams were much more evenly matched than the score indicated.  Once our starting center went out things kind of spiraled out of control and we just had too many self inflicted wounds to stay in the game.  That being said MHB played a good game and is a real team--they capitalized on our mistakes and that's what good teams do. 

A few positives:  the online did a great job including keeping tederick smith off of Sam for the most part.  Defense adjusted well at the half and actually looked pretty solid despite all of the points that went up. 

Lots of stuff to fix the exit two weeks---heaven help Lewis and Clark because I think the Cats will come out with something to prove!

Being at the game have to agree with MC.  Heck going down and Cat ensuing fumble was the forbearing of a lot of costly mistakes resulting in Cru scores. Saw a tweet by 509 Rat " it was the execution not the talent" which l think says it all. I also think the Cru figured out at half that the Cats weren't going to beat them by running and even though they didn't put Sam on the ground they put more pressure on him forcing him out of pocket making it hard to find his receivers. That being said Cat O- line did a good job and kept Smith under control without doubling him especially Dakota Smith when he was matched up. Cats will need to shore up special team play going forward as they gave Cru way to many opportunities that a good team hurts you with. Going forward no bumps in conference
( like Willamette a couple of years ago ) and get back to playoffs. If things work out and Cats came back to Belton l for one think it would be a vey good game if Cats don't self inflict. When these two teams meet it seems one or the other finds a way to help out the others cause. Hats off to Cru they are as advertised....and Miller's BBQ is really good...worth a return trip in November.

[George Thompson]

MHB sure got their revenge!   Key facts:
  Net rushing -           LC  +1,   MHB  +335
  Fumbles -                LC  3,     MHB  0
  2nd Half points -      LC  7,     MHB  42

OK, time to regroup and win 7 conference games.

George

[DChicks]

What really impressed me in the first half (I watched the streaming video) was the inability of Linfield's D to get off the field / UMHB's ability to convert on 3rd and long. Looking at the stats, UMHB went 7 of 10 on 3rd down in the 1st half, including 5 of 7 on 3 and 9 or longer (and only had one 3rd down of 5 or fewer yards). The D did an incredible job in the 3 quarter though.

[Westside]

There is a bit of a reoccurring theme for the Cats when it comes to facing elite competition. These stats are based off of net yards.

Offense:
2016:
vs. Mary Hardin Baylor - 40 carries, 1 yard.

2015:
vs. St. Thomas - 20 carries, 59 yards.
vs. Mary Hardin Baylor - 23 carries, 31 yards.

2014:
vs. UW-Whitewater - 35 carries, 154 yards.
vs. Mary Hardin Baylor - 51 carries, 138 yards.

2013:
vs. UW-Whitewater - 40 carries, 24 yards.

Defense:
2016:
vs. Mary Hardin Baylor - 42 carries, 335 yards.

2015:
vs. St. Thomas - 62 carries, 389 yards.
vs. Mary Hardin Baylor - 42 carries, 182 yards.

2014:
vs. UW-Whitewater - 42 carries, 216 yards.
vs. Mary Hardin Baylor - 39 carries, 205 yards.

2013:
vs. UW-Whitewater - 26 carries, 103 yards.

Long story short, our line has gotten pretty much dominated verse these teams. As good as the QBs have been, it is tough to beat teams like this when the offense is one dimensional.

[wildcat11]

Well that sucked. But if there is a silver lining is that lots of things that were exposed can hopefully be addressed. Have to win the NWC and that are going to be some battles to be had.  The 'Cats can either let this destroy their season or grow and get better from it.

[(509)Rat]

Sat with calcat and monroviacat and it seemed like we were all watching the same game and in agreement regarding Linfield's problems.

Linfield's running game, I think, would benefit from a more down hill runner. Payne seems like a great athlete, but Linfield's zone running scheme requires someone more decisive. One cut and get going north-south. Even in the passing game you can't get that kid to not head towards the sideline or make an unnecessary move. There was one play where he caught the ball, would have had the first down had he just turned up field but instead ran backwards and was tackled. He was lucky the ref gave him a generous spot for the first down because he really didn't get it.

#75 deserves a ton of credit for really making Teidrick Smith a non factor in the first half. UMHB actually moved him to the other side of the field for the second half.

[MonroviaCat]

Sat with calcat and monroviacat and it seemed like we were all watching the same game and in agreement regarding Linfield's problems.

Linfield's running game, I think, would benefit from a more down hill runner. Payne seems like a great athlete, but Linfield's zone running scheme requires someone more decisive. One cut and get going north-south. Even in the passing game you can't get that kid to not head towards the sideline or make an unnecessary move. There was one play where he caught the ball, would have had the first down had he just turned up field but instead ran backwards and was tackled. He was lucky the ref gave him a generous spot for the first down because he really didn't get it.

#75 deserves a ton of credit for really making Teidrick Smith a non factor in the first half. UMHB actually moved him to the other side of the field for the second half.

Totally agree---our running game is not the fault of the O-line more a mismatch between our personel and our scheme.....or so it seems to me.