FB: Northwest Conference

[Foss]

Yes (coco), congrats to Whitworth on another win against a tough out of conference opponent.

The Pirates move up to #14 this week, the 'Cats to #18. Still a lot of tough games to play until the two teams collide in November but I already can't wait. The Catdome will be going crazy if both teams come in on a roll.......

[hatchetman75]

Props to your boys Hatchetman.  It was a great game.  This one should enhance the cross town rivalry a little, don't you think?

Thanks. If there's anything to take from the game, its the fact that UPS had all the opportunity in the world to win it. *sighs*

Next week....gotta think about next week.

[bluenote]

hatchetman75...think hard because UPS is going down. 

[Wildcat'64]

Another great Homecoming Victory for the Cats....the second half clearly looked like a Cat team!
Nice seeing everyone, thanks for the beautiful weather.  Topcat 1 -- sorry I missed you at the Tailgater and I looked for you in the stands but I must have had such a good time that my vision was blurred!
Great game....it certainly appears the Cats are back on track. 

ONE GAME AT A TIME!!!


Camcat....sorry you didn't make it down for the game, you missed a good one!

[criswyly]

Not around a computer again this weekend, presently in Virginia...but awful glad to hear the great news of "Scharer Beauty"...However, I got a little compensation this week as I was able to take my family to a Cardinals game at their new Busch Stadium...But, I will again not be around a computer next weekend....on the road to Florida 8)

['Cats Fa Natic]

First chance back at the computer after the Cats laid one on Willamette. I haven't read the other comments yet, will go back and see how mine line up with them.

My thoughts...

Scharer looked great. He showed excellent touch on the ball, had excellent accuracy (I think he was around 70%), and that long ball for the 90+ yarder shocked pretty much everyone in the stands. It went a good 35+yards in the air and was dead on, perfectly placed. He had another one (was that Bubba Lemon??) that was also perfectly placed. He was also hitting all ranges, short, medium, and long. That was great to see. Granted he did have two turnovers--a pick and a fumble--but all in all I think we've found the QB.

I did think he looked a little more blind to pressure off the left side than he should but at least he had some escapability. He looked a little awkward running and doesn't exactly move like a gazelle but not many QBs do. At least he didn't stand there to get pancaked. Like i said, all in all, very impressive first go.

What was most encouraging to me was therewas some real emotion by the players on the sidelines. They looked downright depressed that first game, this one, I saw some people getting fired up and ticked off at times. That goal line stand where they NEARLY held on fourth, the guy gets up and you could tell he was seething. I think that was a real telling sign and the D came up big after that.

Good to see some sideline chats going on too. They didn't have that at all that first game (and don't know about the 2nd) but this time, they had the kids over, and were hashing things out. Certainly, the team looked like it had more confidence as the game went on.

Oh, that brings up another thing about Scharer was that the whole O looked more inspired. They looked like they believed in him and responded.

Running was improved but could still use some work. According to the stats, we netted 120 yards but Scharer had nearly 30 of those. Take away his yards and we have a fairly mediocre 90 yards rushing. Even so, they weren't simply running into the backs of the O line, like they were in that first game. They broke it outside and managed some postive yardage instead of those dreadful losses. Good work.

And, my GOD. Was that a throw to the TE??  And not just once but twice?? (He actually had him open a third time on another--Smedley'd broken off his man and had a good 5 yards on him right up the middle but Schared didn't see him). Talk about a trick play.

Great to see Bubba Lemon on the O side. Good to see coaches putting their best athletes in and that kid's the real deal. And the coaches borrowed one out of Ditka's playbook with Ketler up the middle. I think everyone in my section just sort of sat there blinking a couple seconds and then asked, wait, who was that now??

D looked very, very solid all across the board. That kid Tawata was everywhere. Tackling was much improved. Stats show less than 300 yards of total offense--to hold Willamette's fly offense to under 100 yards rushing was fantastic. Granted, they aren't what they used to be but even so, this was great. Plus three interceptions and two fumble recoveries... Wow. Very impressive.

One huge knock on the Cats was the penalties. Some were just completely stupid. Like that unnecessary roughness and the substitution penalty. Willamette was even worse, and, frankly, there were some calls that WEREN'T called but should have been. But the Cats got themselves under control in the second and only had two in the last half.

After that stinker of a first game, I'm still a little cautious but overall they showed a lot of improvement. The hard work in the off week really paid off. Great job.

[mudball]

I figured my little "pep talk" would be of positive value! 

"the cat's are back!!!

[d-train]

Hi Fellas,

Thought I would chime in.  I haven't seen a Lute game like that in years.   Come from behind to score 19 or so points in the fourth quater....  It reminds me of Central and Western games of the past.   I have to say this about the Lutes, when playing well, and with a fire, they are pretty impressive.   They can put points up in a hurry.   The first half of the game, was a nightmare though.  UPS has done some amazing things with their program.

A little of that Lute magic made an appearance, huh? That's great. Lately, we've been too busy turning the ball over to pull out this kind of comeback. Doesn't mean we're ready to take down Whitworth or Linfield...but after an 0-3 start, we'll certainly take it.

Sounds like the 'Cats are finding their stride a bit, which isn't good news for the rest of the NWC. The Pirates are taking care of business so far. They haven't had much luck at Sparks over the years - or versus Willamette and Linfield for that matter - but this is clearly a solid group playing well together. Azusa and UW-Stout are tough clubs. As long as they stay health through it, their schedule will be a solid prep. for a late season meeting in McMinnville and possible playoff run.

[spiritof86]

Great job 'cats! When Scharer came in down at hsu, I thought he looked really good. His numbers may have been less than thrilling, but you could clearly see he had poise and threw a great ball. Looks like those things carried over. I think this confidence builder may really get the ball rolling....

[d-train]

'Cat fans, how did Willamette look overall? They've been able to get by Whitworth for second place finishes in the NWC the past two years. Seems like they are down a notch this year?

[MonroviaCat]

The big story for Willamette this year has been turnovers.  In their one win this year they managed to keep the ball but in their losses they have had a bunch of turnovers.  Their offense is more balanced (or less effective running......forcing more passes) this year than in years past.  Their Defense gives up big plays which has killed them this year.  I think they are down this year for sure BUT when they control the turnovers and minimize the big plays on D they can be a competitive team.  That's my 2cents. 

[CamCat]

ONE GAME AT A TIME!!!

Camcat....sorry you didn't make it down for the game, you missed a good one!

I did miss a good one I see.  I just put in a call to you for your post game assessment but you must have been out mushing your dog team.
ONE GAME AT A TIME!!!I think I've heard that before somewhere.  Maybe because as dull as it is it is a time honored mantra that seems to work.   

[coco]

Are any of you guys going to the alumni game tonight? There will be a ton of talent on the field. I heard there's even the possibility of one famous Wildcat going both ways.

[dawg gone it]

coco....please, young adults read this board...keep your personal life just that.
Your buddy in the LA.

[Tuxguy]

I enjoy the alumni game, brings back some of the greatest players to put on a Cats Purple jersey.  The list is like a Who's Who of Linfield Football.   8)

I remember when the alumni played the Varsity. One Year, The Cats went 13-0, won the NAIA National Championship, but had one non-counting blemish on the record, a loss to the alumni! The Alumni did have many players who had a National Championship on their resume, and many all-Americans.  Kind of an interesting piece of Linfield Football History!!! The only team that could beat Linfield was Linfield      

coco's going to play both ways?       Just kidding, I think we could fill the stands!.....................
coco.............Would that be #3?

Should be a fun evening, see some of you at the game.  But, before football,  I've got to film the Y-C Tigers Soccer game as they take on the Seaside Sandcrabs     or something like that .....................Go Tigers....................................GO CATS!