FB: Northwest Conference

[bluenote]

Well....I'm not sure how we can be ranked 18? I won't complain but I don't think we've proved that much although we've shown improvement from week 1. I guess I'm in a little bit of shell shock but we've only scored 2 offensive touchdowns in 2 games. And we've given up 49 points. I'm wondering if we are the 1st team in history of the d3football.com that is ranked that high after a 0-2 start? Whitworth (ranked 17) is 2-0 but haven't played the caliber of teams we have. I guess I need some of Gigs Iced Teas to help the pain...! I think we'll be fine but I was expecting us to be 2-0 right now in my little fantasy world over summer .

Right now we need some big time play makers on both O and D to step up. I didn't see any stats....I was curious about the 4 players who were hurt? Is Nick Soo still hurt. Seems like he is struggling with being hurt a lot, hope his injury heals up and he's ready for action soon.

any interceptions......punt returns.....outstanding receptions.....sounds like we may have forced a couple timely fumbles?

PS....several people have mentioned dropped balls....were they catchable?...

[Pat Coleman]

Linfield is indeed the highest-ranked 0-2 team in the four-year history of the D3football.com Top 25.

[Wildcat'64]

Nice to see the respect the Division III pollsters have for the Linfield program.  If losses are respectful they certainly have come from two very fine teams---Western Oregon was 32nd in the nation in Division II last week and now Hardin-Simmons in #6---two excellent opponents.  Now the Cats need to get down to business and prove to the nation that they truly deserve the ranking they have been given.

GO CATS

[MonroviaCat]

Was just looking at the NWC schedule and was impressed with Whitworth's ability to schedule 4 non-conference games including the next two that could be real competition (no disrespect to the SCIAC of course).  UW-Stout who is 2-0 and then APU who is usually pretty tuff (I think UWW would agree that APU was not a total push-over).  If both Whitworth and the Cats can run the table in the NWC, we might have some battle-tested teams for a regular season show-down! 

[NWCprops]

The conference has been very strong for the last four years.  Linfield has been the torch carrier with a stellar group of D3 and (D1) athletes (Haze, BE, Carter, Jenkins, Ford, Meck and Allen)..  The Wildcats ahve destroyred everything in their paths.  Wilamette had 4 straight winning seasons (and 2nd place finishes) that included wins over Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon, Western Oregon, Redlands and good Whitworth and PLU teams.  Only the Bearcats stopped Whitworth from back to back play-off spots....the WU-cats appearred in the 2004 play-off at Occidental.  Puget Sound made a run from terrible to repsectable. It was not that long ago that the Lutes were at the top of the D3 football world. But things may have changed very fast. The Wildcats are sufferring from graduation....and the drop off from lasts years back-ups to this years starters appears to be more than some on here thought.  A few were calling Benzel an "All-American." I previously posted that guiding the Wildcat offense to anything similar to what BE did....was a lose lose situation.  And it has proven to be just that.  In 2004 BE producted 104 point in the first two games of the season and 11 TD passes.  In 2005 he slowed a little to 94 points and 9 TD passes in weeks 1 and 2.  This years edition of Linfield football produced just 20 points (make that 14...one TD was a KO return).  I also mentioned that it was possible that the Wildcats could lose up to 50% of their point production while the Cats QB throws 25 to 30 TD's (a more than respectable total).  Up to this point the offensive point production is off 85% percent over the last two years.  Instead of 7 TD's a game they are only managing 1,  which will lead to many more close games in the league (somethign Cat faithfull have not experience since the arrival of BE in 2004.  The Wilcat defense is playing fairly well.....and is not far off....but the offense is a million miles away from recent editions.  As for Willamette who could go 0-4 before meeting Linfiled in two weeks, they too.....are having trouble replacing key players who led them to 4 straight winning seasons.  The Bearcats returned over 90 players from last years NWC runner-ups....but have struggled to find a QB and RB to replace Cam Walton  and Quentin Brock.  Walton was the perfect match for the B-cat "fly" and Brock was the best inside runner in the confernce over the last two years.   This year the Bearcats have already lost their starting TB to a serious facial trauma injury and ....lost their starting sweeper in the first half down at Cal Lu.  This could be a crazy year.....but I think the Rats are going to win it..........finally!!!  Not only could Willamette and Linfield play winless at 04 and 0-2...but they could also be on 5 and 3 game losing streaks!  Man have things changed fast!!!!!    

[OldCatProf]

Some random thoughts after seeing the game and taking a day to think it over.

1. D-3 national championship-caliber teams don't come along very often. We've been incredibly fortunate and spoiled over the last 2 to 4 years with some amazing players and teams. Players have to graduate and new teams have to jell.

2. Let's get real about who we played yesterday. HSU is a D-3 powerhouse. The quality of their people and program looks very similar to ours. They beat us under a series of circumstances very favorable to them...on their field, a long way from home, and a young team perhaps still shocked from being beaten last week by a surprisingly good WOSC team. There is no shame in losing to HSU early in the season...under these circumstances. Disppointing? Yes. But no shame. Apparently, the pollsters agree.

3. QB is probably not a problem. Last night, each looked world-class at times...weak at others. Overall, the offense gained lots of yards. We didn't often put much air under the ball, but maybe that wasn't in the game plan. Both QB's, though, could throw ropes to the sidelines. Perhaps we should be more concerned with the receiving corps. Too many dropped passes...not many cases of "glue on the fingertips."

4. The HSU running back that gave us fits reminded me of the Whitewater guy last year. He was very skilled at following & using his blockers...and very tough to bring down.

5. Nobody likes being 2 and 0. But, if I remember correctly, one of Ad's teams started 0-4 one year...without playing teams like HSU.

6. Both teams played hard, with class. No cheapshots.

7. I got a kick out of the comment that Coach Smith and assistants are too young. Yeah, they really do look young! Of course, these days, everybody looks young to me.

8. The game we really lost last night was the game of field position. Sure we hurt ourselves on what amounted to an onside kick, but even putting that aside, we seldom got the ball in good field position and HSU often did.

9. Overall, the first half was a draw...as was the fourth quarter. For some reason they had us reeling during most of the 3rd quarter.

10. A good team can lose its confidence after a couple of tough early losses. The strength, character, and Linfield tradition, however, will likely prevent that from happening.

It was a great game to watch...disappointing outcome...but I'm glad I went!

[wildcat11]

0-2 stinks.....

I'll write more later but what is most frustrating is seeing and knowing that this team is *this close* to really start to make things happen.  It's a great group of kids and I know they'll bring the hard hat to work tomorrow and take these next two weeks to keep improving, get healthy, and get ready to make their NWC run.

Go 'Cats!

[Toby Taff]

So I was at the game, on the Linfield side, and was just wondering who each of you was.  Anything about you that would distinguish you, such as the guy toting the flag?  I'd like to associate a face with nickname.

[coco]

I'm the handsome one, but I wasn't there.

OldCatProf,
Are you golfing in a couple weeks?

[criswyly]

OldCatProf
Welcome to the board...Hope you enjoy your time with your family.  I enjoyed reading your comments....sorry I wasn't around....I wasn't anywhere near a computer at game time...Wouldn't you know it...first time I've missed a Linfield game on the d3football board since the year 2000 and OldCatProf shows up.

As for the rest of you guys...I'm really ticked that you all didn't miss me....that's a joke guys

BTW, where's Wildcat In Wisconsin?

[4merprof]

Linfield Fans,

Two tough losses back to back, however it is still early in the season.  If you guys can run the table the rest of the season, I'm sure that you will still make a presence in the playoffs.  Every team has rebuilding years, and with your loss of Elliot and Casey, just to name a few, this year appears to be one of those years for you guys.  I do have to commend you on your support, though, and wish more teams besides the Rowans, and Linfields, had that type of support.  It seems from reading the NW board from time to time, and my respective board, that it is primarily only the top teams have the D3 Post patterns support.

I didn't see the banter between one of the Prof posters and DenLa, however, I would have liked to...  I'm sure it was because Linfield is an easy target this year after winning the title two years ago.  I still hope for a rematch this year, and if you guys run the table, that may mean a game in NJ in the playoffs, but I'm not sure how the playoff system is structured, and if that is even feasible.

I do believe, that posts and tag lines, such as "where Rowan comes to die 100% of the time" insite other posters to come back and lash out, when given the ammunition.  However, since I don't want to be banned from the boards, I will save my toughts on the subject.

Best of luck to all of the D3 teams for a healthy and competitive season!

[RedandPurple]

Hey Josh...

I wasn't at the game but I think the reference may have been about the "do over" on the inadvertant whistle followed by a TD.  My webcast was terrible so I didn't really even hear the explanation?  What were the circumstances?

Yes that call went against HSU.  Our QB completed a short pass as he rolled out and the receiver was picking up some good yardage.  Brought boos from the Cowboys stands.

Zmotion10on2 :
Here's the Play-by-Play Summary of that sequence: (2nd quarter)

      H 1-10 L20   Start of 2nd quarter, clock 15:00.
      H 1-10 L20   Quinton Jones rush to the LIN25, fumble forced by TEAM, fumble by
                   Quinton Jones recovered by HSU Quinton Jones at LIN25.
      H 2-15 L25   Jordan Neal pass incomplete to Will Galusha (Bean, Andrew).
      H 3-15 L25   Jordan Neal pass complete to Matt Fields for 25 yards to the LIN0,
                   1ST DOWN HSU, TOUCHDOWN, clock 13:57.
                   Scott Bryant kick attempt good.

The third down play was an incomplete pass....inadvertant whistle....replay 3rd down...td pass.

The "hometown" calls I'm talking about were actually the "no calls" for holding (I know holding happens on every play), but the one we all saw was a take down of a Linfield player by a hsu defensive player right in front of the ref. Also, the ball placement after a Linfield gain, the "wait five seconds before we start the clock when hsu has the ball" etc.. You know, all the little things (for and against both teams) that take place during a game that drives us fans crazy! 

LOVED THE FAJITAS!

['Cats Fa Natic]

Well, finally gave up waiting for the archiving of the game to listen to the second half so I read the boards comments and the various write-ups. Not having the benefit of being there, I can't comment too much but it sounds like the D is coming together, but the offense needs some more fine-tuning to get things running okay.

Anyone got any old cans of Stickum in the basement you can donate to the WRs?

However, it bothers me to hear the comments from OldCatProf about the lack of emotion. That's what I saw in spades during the first game and more than anything, I think that's what bothered me. The lack of passion. OldCat, or anyone else in attendance, did the offense and/or defense huddle up with the coaches on the sidelines to go over plays after they came off the field? I didn't see any of that the first game and that's the first time ever that I didn't.

Needless to say, this next game will be an interesting one. Willamette may be just the medicine the doctor ordered.

['Cats Fa Natic]

Here's the Play-by-Play Summary (2nd quarter)

      H 1-10 L20   Start of 2nd quarter, clock 15:00.
      H 1-10 L20   Quinton Jones rush to the LIN25, fumble forced by TEAM, fumble by
                   Quinton Jones recovered by HSU Quinton Jones at LIN25.
      H 2-15 L25   Jordan Neal pass incomplete to Will Galusha (Bean, Andrew).
      H 3-15 L25   Jordan Neal pass complete to Matt Fields for 25 yards to the LIN0,
                   1ST DOWN HSU, TOUCHDOWN, clock 13:57.
                   Scott Bryant kick attempt good.

It was an incomplete pass....inadvertant whistle....replay 3rd down...td pass.

Thankfully, the game didn't come down to that one play. 

Can you imagine the uproar then? Wow.

[snider]

Gig Harbor Cat,
I agree that the Linfield experience is worth the money.  My point is that for $100,000+ for each child in college, the number of good football players are severely limited.  It is the same where my daughter went to school, a world class university (Washington University),  that plays DIII football and does not compete very well.  This is something that will make a difference in the quality of players in the coming years.  It is making a difference already in schools like Pacific, Lewis & Clark and many others.  That is why it will be more difficult in the future, for the whole league (not just Linfield) to continue its mastery over teams such as Southern Oregon and WOU.  This down cycle has a reason, for some of these private colleges.  It is about the money.