FB: Northwest Conference

Olinemom · September 11, 2006, 11:17:33 PM

Thanks to all the tailgaters who have made such nice comments about the brownies I sent out to the first tailgate of the season. I would have liked to have been there to meet everybody, but maybe at another game. Mrs. Coco has sent me the pictures so I have faces to go with names and I find that helpful. I sincerely hope and believe that the team will rebound from their tough Saturday experience and will learn from it. I know that BC did that the last 2 years when we lost our first game both years. I can remember the feeling of numbness, but they regrouped and came out stronger and more dedicated and playing with more attention to detail. You know the blocking and tackling that are the hallmarks of excellent football. For those who are making the trip, have a safe one and cheer for me!! We only have to go to Ferrum, but it'll be far enough. We had better be ready.

Dr. Sparky · September 11, 2006, 11:31:02 PM

Ragan was listed as just a RB in the game program on Saturday. I thought he was great and brought a real spark to the team in the second half.

Give WOU some credit, this is a team whose major players have been together for three years and they looked it. Their O and D lines blew us back.

But, Linfield's D was much improved in the second half and would have pitched a shut out in the third and fourth without the boneheaded 12 man on the field mistake. And the O will improve, and as Benzel gets more snaps, and as Ragan becomes a force, opposing defenses won't be able to rush seven guys and get away with it.

And, hell, we're still 12-2 against WOU over the past 14 seasons.

Wildcat'64 · September 11, 2006, 11:53:28 PM

I sense that the freight train which passes the Catdome on each gameday may be picking up considerable speed as it's moving toward Abilene....I don't think I'd much want to be in the way of that train when it hits town on Saturday....the Cats might just have something they want to to prove!

MonroviaCat · September 12, 2006, 12:16:22 AM

Glad to read people's posts this afternoon. Looks like this train is back on track! And, as Wilcat64 mentioned we're headed South and gathering steam! Less than 5 days till Texas! Go Cats

rockcat · September 12, 2006, 12:57:34 AM

Quote from: swede on September 11, 2006, 09:15:01 PM
Quote from: Orca Jr. on September 11, 2006, 07:39:50 PM
Rock,
Oh man I'm glad I didn't see Ragen run the ball more, cuz everytime he did I got these intense Deja Vu flashbacks of David Russell running the ball. Actually, I wish he got about 15-20 carries. Drew didn't do anything amazing, but his size and speed were on display and I think he can be a D-Russ type runner very, very soon. From what I saw, I would say teach him the offense ASAP and make him the starter.

So somebody did read my posts. +karma to you always. Did you also read my posts that Travis Masters will be one of the leading kick returners in the country?

Oh Swede, nothing personal. I stepped away for a day and had like a dozen hacking pages to read through.

Thanks for the comments Orca. Plus k to both of you.

shane falco · September 12, 2006, 06:53:57 AM

Ragen is a tough hard runner, but let's not compare him to David Russel.

D Russ was possibly the best running back ever at Linfield, top 3 at least.

spiritof86 · September 12, 2006, 09:30:45 AM

Quote from: shane falco on September 12, 2006, 06:53:57 AM
Ragen is a tough hard runner, but let's not compare him to David Russel.

D Russ was possibly the best running back ever at Linfield, top 3 at least.

Premature statements of impending greatness seem to be the currency of choice on this board from time to time.

George Thompson · September 12, 2006, 10:06:40 AM

Hi Wildcat fans,

Let me apologize if my comments ever offend any Linfield fan. My comments are NEVER meant against any other Cat fan.

I never mean to tell any other Linfield fans that "I told you so." I simply try to analyze every game, before and after, as objectively as a Linfield fan can. Yes, my predictions have been wrong, many times, especially in the last four years. Those were truly superior teams. I fully expected WOU to be much tougher this year. I thought we would win, by one or two touchdowns. I sure never expected to be beaten, especially that badly.

But, I do not believe in bragging, taunting or rubbing the opponents nose into the ground. Especially before the game even starts. I am conservative and know any football game can go against Linfield. We have attended almost every home game since 1986. I have seen plenty of games go against us.

Look, I am as enthusiastic Cat booster as anyone. The next day after every game, my voice is gone. I have a loud voice and am extremely vocal at all games. The poor folks who have unfortunately had to sit in front of me will attest to that.

I also try to whip up the crowd around me. When we need a stop on D or an O rally, I wave my arms up and encourage everyone around me to start yelling. Some of you have the excitement of youth. That is good. I am much older than most of you. Just always respect your opponents.

My first college game was in October, 1954. I saw one of the all-time great teams, the 1954 UCLA Bruins, cream Stanford 72-0. (Being an avid USC fan, I hate to admit that.) But, that UCLA team went 9-0, scored an average of 40 points per game, while yielding a measly 4 points per game on defense. And, they used a potent single wing running game to do it! I was lucky at a young age to see four of their home games.

Anyway, WOU totally whipped us Saturday. They were very experienced and had some really good skill players. Last year's Wildcat team would have beaten them, but much closer than in the last two years. I repeat, the 2002-2005 Wildcat teams were exceptional, even by Linfield's standards.

Now, let's move. We are Wildcat fans. No need to fight against each other. Hardin-Simmons in Texas will be very tough. GO CATS, GO!

bluenote · September 12, 2006, 10:25:48 AM

I noticed WOU will be playing at home this weekend at 1:00pm vs Texas A&M-Kingsville. Kingsville used to be one of the top DII teams back in the 90's when I followed Portland State quite a bit. I'm not sure they are any good now as they are not rated from what I can tell? Might be an interesting diversion for those not attending the Linfield game in Texas. Another option is going up to Portland and watching L&C play Pomona...

Gig Harbor Cat · September 12, 2006, 11:01:51 AM

So do we have the advantage of having the boys from Texas falling asleep in the team room watching our film. although I know better I hope that they underestimate the Cats a bit.

GO CATS

Zmotion10 out on 2 · September 12, 2006, 11:43:01 AM

Quote from: Gig Harbor Cat on September 12, 2006, 11:01:51 AM
So do we have the advantage of having the boys from Texas falling asleep in the team room watching our film. although I know better I hope that they underestimate the Cats a bit.

GO CATS

Not one bit. The Cats have been too good for too long for the Cowboys to think this will be a cake walk. From what I hear we know that we will be in for a very competitive game. I don't think anyone expects anything less. I mean we are talking about a program that lost onlu one game to a D-II school that they have owned over the past years. No underestimating or sleeping in the film room in Abilene.

It will be a great game!

Zmotion10 out on 2 · September 12, 2006, 11:49:31 AM

Quote from: bluenote on September 12, 2006, 10:25:48 AM
I noticed WOU will be playing at home this weekend at 1:00pm vs Texas A&M-Kingsville. Kingsville used to be one of the top DII teams back in the 90's when I followed Portland State quite a bit. I'm not sure they are any good now as they are not rated from what I can tell? Might be an interesting diversion for those not attending the Linfield game in Texas. Another option is going up to Portland and watching L&C play Pomona...

Texas A&I (Kingsville) has been very good over the years. They were down last year and had an opening season loss to a very under-rated Southwestern Oklahoma (Which has been terrible as of late). The Hogs may have underestimated them. But A&I would be a very good team to go and watch.

Just my two cents.

RedandPurple · September 12, 2006, 01:32:13 PM

Zmotion10 out on 2 :
Where can I go in Abilene to get some of that great Texas BBQ I've heard so much about?

CamCat · September 12, 2006, 01:38:57 PM

With the Chargers 27 to Zip victory over the Raiders last night it doesn't look like Elliott will be playing anytime soon with the way Philip Rivers must have played if he stays healthy. He apparently didn't do much except hand off the ball and let the running backs and the defense do it's job. His passing game was rather minimal. I did not see the game so no further comment.

His team fared better than Coaches Smith and Locey did last week for sure. Boise State is always tough but did not expect them to blow out OSU, 42 to 14.

Go Wildcats this Saturday in Abilene.

Foss · September 12, 2006, 03:43:46 PM

bluenote, nice catch on WOU's upcoming opponent (and thanks to Zmotion for the additional info). The Texas A&M website states they are the 7-time D2 national champs and 26 time conference champs. Although, like Zmotion says, they were down a little last year (still had a winning record), in 2004 they were as high as #2 in the nation, and made it to the national semifinals in both 2002 and 2003. Maybe WOU will end up getting blown out, but since both Willamette and Linfield have played them, it will be kind of interesting to see how they do against one of the top teams in their division.

Found a website that lists the winningest DIII (including NAIA that joined DIII) programs since 1994. Hardin-Simmons has the 4th highest winning percentage in DIII since that time. They have had a lot of 8-2 and 12-1 type seasons, and play in one of the tougher conferences. Should be a great game down in Texas, and I know those of you going will enjoy yourselves.