FB: Northwest Conference

[D O.C.]

"Coming around" at the potentially weakest team in the conference is the wrong time. Coming around today at the potentially best team in the conference would have been nice.
Pacific and GeoFo now have great video to look at to see how to attack the offense.
Not in a decade has one game at a time been so significant.

[D O.C.]

Someone better nominate Colton Ramos for the D3football.com Team of the Week.

We may not have any worthy nominations the rest of the season - against worthy teams.

[(509)Rat]

I figured going into the game the Linfield was still more talented that the Pirates. Now I'm not so sure. Whitworth's offense looked really good in the 3rd quarter, but the defense was the difference. Linfields offense is struggling but this is probably the best Whitworth's front 7 has looked against the Linfield OL since 2007. New D coordinator deserves some credit IMO, Shamion called a good game and really has had the Pirates D in good positions through the first 3 games.

I'm sure the Wildcat QB is a real nice kid but he's not gonna cut it. Now would be a great time for the offensive coaches to adapt. And this winter/spring would be a good time to go search for the next DI stud transfer at quarterback.

I think Linfield's feeble performance on offense really helped Whitworth's offense---our D was on the field so much that they were just worn down.  had we been able to sustain some drives and give the D more breathers it could have gone different there in the 4th.  Whitworth'd D played well but I don't think they are as good as the score indicated---I say this, not as a slam on them but as a commentary on how bad our offense was today (and all season).  Playoffs for the RATS might be when we find out the truth here....

Whitworth's best two offensive series came immediately after Linfield's defense got a 20 minute rest during halftime...a total of maybe 13-14 plays?

I know it's a long walk to and from the visitors locker room but it shouldn't have worn them down to the point that they got gashed in the 3rd like they did.

[D O.C.]

Yep
Big win for WW.
Now everybody's gunning at you.
That doesn't mean you can't find a new profile picture of a mouse wearing a sword and an eye-patch.

[D O.C.]

For crying out loud, 2 buses the 400 miles to Spokane, one breaks down along the Columbia and the replacement bus does not get to the hotel until 2 am.

[George Thompson]

Whitworth, congrats on good playing and coaching to beat us.    You should run the table.    I love your campus and the Pine Bowl---very special place.     How scenic.

------------------------------------------------------------
Linfield stats, after 3 games:
•   Scoring 13.7 pts per game.   2009-2015, ranged from 39.9 to 48.8 pts. per game.     Slipped in 2016 to 37.4 pts., then in 2017 plunged to 25.9 pts per game.
•   In three games, QB has thrown 5 interceptions compared to 4 TDs.

Observations about Whitworth and Carroll games:
•   Those lines outplayed our lines.     Both offense and defense.   That does not happen often.
•   Whitworth out-coached us at halftime.    For 3 qtrs we gave up no points.    3rd qtr., 19 points.   Again, that doesn't happen often.
•   Both games we could have won --- if we had a more consistent offense.    And, penalties killed many drives.

The first team offense needs some changes.   Coaches need to try some 2nd team linemen and QB?   Five senior linemen starting, but...   

QB has the lowest efficiency rating, last year and this year, than any QB at Linfield since 2008.    Rushing yards are -3.0 last year and -3.6 this year.     Can not scramble for short gains.

We still have a great defense and punter.   The offense just needs to get it going.

Are our offensive plays obvious and  too well known now?     Other teams defending it better?

Hopefully, the coaches will makes changes and try other players and/or offensive plays.

D O.C., yes, we need to hire a different bus company!   Two bus failures on first two bus trips.


GT

[wildcat11]

The Linfield offense is super concerning right now. Like every game is a toss-up kinda of bad. 

The 'Cats are giving up 13.3 points per game and are 1-2. Brutal.

Holy cow, the penalties.  That's two games in a row where Mackle has big returns off of picks negated because of stupid penalties.  It seemed that we had a penalty on every single return that just put a sputtering offense deeper in the hole.  I hope that Coach Smith runs the crap out them on Monday.

Add our Field Goal team to the list of items that need to be revamped as well.

Congrats to Whitworth on the win.  They outplayed Linfield in the 2nd half and celebrated it hard afterward.  Linfield is going to see that scene more than once if they don't get this moving in the right direction.

[MUC57]

Linfield fans

Hey, an outsider just curious what's going on with the 'Cats? This team has always been good, especially in 2004. I wear my Linfield sweatshirt (when it's cold) and use my Linfield window scrapper in the winter. I have heard you aren't fond of outsiders but, thanks to Mr. And Mrs. Coco, I am a fan, nonetheless. I know the program has been good forever but what happened? Different coaches? Lack of good players? No support from the administration?
Maybe you can sum it up for me. Several of us here at Mount Union were wondering,
Thanks and good luck the rest of the season. Hope you win out. ❓☠🏈

[wildcat11]

I figured going into the game the Linfield was still more talented that the Pirates. Now I'm not so sure. Whitworth's offense looked really good in the 3rd quarter, but the defense was the difference. Linfields offense is struggling but this is probably the best Whitworth's front 7 has looked against the Linfield OL since 2007. New D coordinator deserves some credit IMO, Shamion called a good game and really has had the Pirates D in good positions through the first 3 games.

I'm sure the Wildcat QB is a real nice kid but he's not gonna cut it. Now would be a great time for the offensive coaches to adapt. And this winter/spring would be a good time to go search for the next DI stud transfer at quarterback.

I think Linfield's feeble performance on offense really helped Whitworth's offense---our D was on the field so much that they were just worn down.  had we been able to sustain some drives and give the D more breathers it could have gone different there in the 4th.  Whitworth'd D played well but I don't think they are as good as the score indicated---I say this, not as a slam on them but as a commentary on how bad our offense was today (and all season).  Playoffs for the RATS might be when we find out the truth here....

Whitworth's best two offensive series came immediately after Linfield's defense got a 20 minute rest during halftime...a total of maybe 13-14 plays?

I know it's a long walk to and from the visitors locker room but it shouldn't have worn them down to the point that they got gashed in the 3rd like they did.

The only change Whitworth made in the 3rd quarter was going up-tempo, that got the ball rolling against our defense in that 3 TD run. 

[bluenote]

I need some Alka-Seltzer® and a double shot of EX-LAX MAXIMUM STRENGTH...... 

[D O.C.]

have heard you aren't fond of outsiders

Not true.

We just do not ignore like the MIAC, OAC and WIAC boards who do not care for jive talkin'.
ASC comes here often.
You're welcome here.

[George Thompson]

Linfield fans

Hey, an outsider just curious what's going on with the 'Cats? This team has always been good, especially in 2004. I wear my Linfield sweatshirt (when it's cold) and use my Linfield window scrapper in the winter. I have heard you aren't fond of outsiders but, thanks to Mr. And Mrs. Coco, I am a fan, nonetheless. I know the program has been good forever but what happened? Different coaches? Lack of good players? No support from the administration?
Maybe you can sum it up for me. Several of us here at Mount Union were wondering,
Thanks and good luck the rest of the season. Hope you win out. ❓☠🏈

MUC57,

"I have heard you aren't fond of outsiders but, thanks to Mr. And Mrs. Coco, I am a fan, nonetheless."    Some of us are rather rough on other opponents.    It is best to always be cordial and not demeaning.    After all, the shoe can be on the other foot, as we saw yesterday.    Our opponents should always just be friendly competitors.    I go to almost all away games and I see very friendly interaction between the Linfield fans and other teams' fans.    I suspect this blog represents a small portion of Linfield fans.    Most I know do not read the blog.     Many never heard of D3.com

"I know the program has been good forever but what happened? Different coaches? Lack of good players? No support from the administration?"    I am not an insider, so can't answers those for sure.    But, been a fan for 34 years, so I have seen a lot of different teams.     The 80s were great, but in 1983, we went 6-2-1 between National Champions.    In 1987, the year after a National Championship, we had to win our last 4 games to keep The Streak going.    But, we did!   That was under the great coach, Ad Rutschman!

Then, in 1996, 1997, and 1999, we struggled with 5-4 and 6-3 teams.   Jay Locey was rebuilding in those years.   Then, starting in 2002, the really glory years started.     Aside from struggles in 2006, 2007 and 2008, due in large part to key injuries, we have had a glorious run!    Not Mount Union level, (who at any level is?)  but comparable to almost any other program over a 16 year period.

No, I do not believe we have bad coaches or lack of college support.      Pacific and George Fox both restarted football in the last 8 years; they are 8 and 25 miles away.    Maybe that has affected recruiting.    It is rare that a freshman can start at Linfield. 

Something is wrong.     Just do not know what.     All that said, I have 100% faith in the coaches.    They will turn it around, maybe quickly.

George



     

[MUC57]

George Thompson

Have been a Linfield fan for quite a few years. Have always been cordial on this site. Ask Coco!
Thanks for your response. And if I weren't a fan, I wouldn't care about their season.
Go 'Cats! ☠🏈😀

[George Thompson]

MUC57,

That never applied to you.   Agreed --- you are a good fan and supporter.

Someday, I would love to meet you at a MUU-Linfield game, just not this year.

GT

[George Thompson]

Wildcat 11,

I just sent you a pm.     

George