FB: Northwest Conference

[bluenote]

I would be suprised if UPS scores that much. They won't be able to run that well vs the new team we have now and we know they aren't going to go airhead. It will be a quick game and UPS will try and run the clock but it won't help them. They will be playing catch up the whole game and be out of their game plan.

Linfield 35
UPS 10

Whitworth hasn't done that well at PLU but they are going to limit the big plays and play solid ball on offense to win the game.

Whitworth 27
PLU 14

[ClassicCat]

Agree and disagree. I agree- alumni games are fun, both during and after the game. I enjoyed playing because it gave me an opportunity to "legally"stick to my former high school student athletes while at the same time being "brutually" shown no respect. I asked them to take it easy.

I agree with so many of you that the Cats are evolving. Every week there is improvement and more enthusiasm. It was said in earlier posts they needed to find themselves. They have.

We all know 4 or 5 plays really defines the outcome of a closely played game (and maybe a season). That goal line stand against Willamette really gave the D - as GHC says - the salt.

I agree with you who claim 230+ yards per game is not a significant measurement of a team (unless they play consistently on a short field). The only people who like in-your-face, grind it out, smash-mouth football are linemen. It gave me great pleasure to see and feel defensive linemen "sqeak", become outraged and frustrated, and eventually give it up. However, few points are scored on a 12-15 drive of which 10-12 are rushing plays.

What good is it for a team to have an offense grinding it out 8 minutes for a TD only to have an opponent score an esuing TD in 2 or 3 minutes. Look who is back on the field grinding it out again? No rest.

Linfield has been able to stop UPS on the ground and should continue this weekend, IF THEY WRAP-UP AND FINISH THE TACKLE. If done, our D will provide our offense with plenty of scoring opportunities.

It's been in my experience that whenever a team falls behind and has to rely on the rush for a comeback, they usually fail.

I disagree wiith anyone who believes PLU can beat Whitworth at Sparks. Sorry, but I believe Clark at QB is the real deal. Clark's hair is down to his ass and he plays possessed. Stout and Azusa were not flukes. He calls his number when it needs go get done - on the ground: shotgun, fake to dive left, then runs left with agility, finesse, power and confidence. When passing, he resembles an Elliott type. He's the leader and he and everybody else at the Pine Bowl knows it. Another thing, Allan their TE is every bit as good as WOU's TE, perhaps better. The Rats are playing with a swagger and it's going to take someone stronger than PLU to take it away.

I hope the Rats and the Cats are undefeated in league play when they collide on November 4. Our gate!!!

I agree with you... One Game at a Time. GO CATS![/color]

[Foss]

Clark's hair is down to his ass and he plays possessed.

ClassicCat, you made me think of the tale of that mythical Sampson dude from back in the day who got his strength from his hair.

Anyway, yeah I don't see how this year's version of PLU can defeat a Whitworth team that just outplayed Azusa and UW-Stout. I also see UPS falling to the 'Cats by a healthy margin. Oh, and Lewis and Clark hammers Menlo. Just kidding Oaks, you get the W in this one.

[MonroviaCat]

Not trying to Knock Whitworth or those who have supported them this week or in previous weeks, but I do find it interesting how we (I think I've done it too) use their wins over APU and UW-Stout as proof of how good they are this year.  True, APU has been a tough team in the past but so far this year they are 1-4 (and I know they lost to several UW teams which are often good).  UW-Stout is 2 and 2 and looks decent but I think these Whitworth's wins versus these teams, while good, are no sure indicator that they are gonna stomp PLU.  I still think that if, and it's a big if, PLU can avoid costly turnovers then this game will be a close one.  They are not as bad as their 1 win record indicates or at least they have the potential to not be that bad!  Just a thought

[cawcdad]

Monor detail, APU is 1-4 now.

[spiritof86]

I agree with most of the above. I think plu is probably a very capable offensive team, but to's have been their nemesis for a few years now. The rats will not see their season take such a large hit at sparks. I think they may be on a mission- until they arrive at the dome.

Ups' qb completed 1 pass for 9 yards versus plu? Ughhhh. The logs may may be in more trouble than I originally thought.

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Cats in a romp--Its over at the half

Lutes pull the upset of the year over the Rats  24-21-  It just happens  They are due  Its a long bus ride home for the Rats.

[dawg gone it]

GHC..........thanks for your referral.....Id give you + k if I could. 

Go Cats.

[Tuxguy]

BELIEVE

[wyd]

UPS - Linfield:
Linfield will win big this weekend.  I know there is no doubt of that.   I think UPS and PLU might have the same problem.  They are both a little one sided.  UPS is run heavy, PLU doesn't have a solidfied run game.   Linfield puts 11 guys in the box and bottles up the run game.   If UPS can sustain drives, the score will be kept in check.   They are to good to be kept out of the end zone so I will give them 14 points.   Final score 37-14. 

PLU - Whitworth:
Defensively, PLU is struggling.  I have to say (d-train i would love your feedback here) that the 3-4 was a much better fit for PLU.  Trying to play teams straight up doesn't seem to be working right now.    Four down linemen works if you have some hog maullys in the front really creating some problems for offensive lines.  I personnally hated the 3-4 teams because I spent the entire game chasing down line backers.  I can't tell if PLU has the beef to make that happen....  There is one big question mark that makes this game interesting; The new PLU QB.  He was ok against Chapman (his first start), and really good against UPS.  There still a lot of questions to answer here, but if it is a shoot out with the offense playing well, PLU can win this game.  The stats favor Whitworth, but this will be an interesting weekend.

PLU 35- WU 31   

[RedandPurple]

This will be my fist trip to the Tacoma area. I'll have time to do things on Sunday. Where's a good place to eat? Visit? Things to see and do?

[d-train]

PLU - Whitworth:
Defensively, PLU is struggling.  I have to say (d-train i would love your feedback here) that the 3-4 was a much better fit for PLU.  Trying to play teams straight up doesn't seem to be working right now.    Four down linemen works if you have some hog maullys in the front really creating some problems for offensive lines.  I personnally hated the 3-4 teams because I spent the entire game chasing down line backers.  I can't tell if PLU has the beef to make that happen....    

I'm just a little too far removed to make a fair evaluation. I don't know the new Def. Coor. or their current roster. I was on the team that first switched to the 3-4, and - yes - I think it was an excellent match for who we had at the time. We probably should have run it earlier in the 90's. The whole scheme allowed us to use our team speed as a weapon...and Craig McCord was excellent in his role. Watching it work against a team like Rowan in the Stagg Bowl was just awesome. They had no idea where people were coming from.

But I don't think any given scheme can be given full credit or blame for performance.

[Gig Harbor Cat]

Redland Purple.  The ONLY place to visit is Gig Harbor !!!!!!!!!!!  First Harbor town over the Narrows bridge.  Depending on what you like to eat etc I can help you out.

DGI-  No problem my man-  Its all part of the deal,  Thanks for the virtual K  Over time Im used to being in the red.  +120 is just not the REAL GHC

Go Cats--Let the purple frisbees fly
8 in the box all day--This one gets ugly for UPS

GHC

[D O.C.]

The qb depth chart for the Wildcats....

Not sure who I saw in the Alumni-JV game but only now I notice all 4 freshman qb's are 6'4" or more. Who plays behind Sharer (beauty)?

[fbgcat]

A quote from the UPS coach:

"I wouldn't want to be the team that plays us this week, as tough as Saturday was.  We will come out ready to play and expect a four-quarter ballgame.  Like we've told the team, their the conference champs until someone knocks them off."

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!