FB: Northwest Conference

[Las Vegas Wildcards]

Foss-

   On the subject of past championship Linfield teams, who would win a game between the 1986 NAIA champs and the 2004 NCAA champs? What about either of those clubs against the 1992 squad? 

[cawcdad]

(509)Rat, were down at the Rat - Oaks game this past Saturday?

[Tuxguy]

D.O.C.

I believe he was a 1 post wonder. Post and Poof he was gone. I wonder if a film went along with the post! 

Bring on the Oaks, wood chips are going to fly! 

                                                       BELIEVE
                                             ONE GAME AT A TIME

[Foss]

Steel Curtain - I wasn't around in the 80's so don't really have an opinion on the '82, '84, and '86 teams - that's why I like to hear from some of the guys from that era like lnd and fbgcat to fill us in. What would really be a kick is if some PLU guys from that time period posted, as well - we could listen to the players from back then talk about a number of different championship teams. That was a time (1980-87) when either the 'Cats or Lutes were playing in the national championship every year but one. Pretty cool.

The '92 team had a sick running game (both the RB and QB were huge threats), but very little passing game. The defense was tough. IMO, the '04 team had a much more potent offense (easily one of the, if not the best ever at Linfield), and the '92 team a stingier defense. However, the '04 defense's performance in the Stagg was outstanding. Since the '04 team won it all I would have to give them the edge. I have a buddy who played on the '92 team and also followed the '04 closely who occasionally posts. Maybe he has some thoughts on it.

[coco]

Tuxguy,
Thanks for the phone updates on Saturday about the game. The whole family appreciated them.

OK...now let me get this straight...this is the Linfield vs PLU game and some of you football menza Linfield fans aren't even going to the game? Sunriver?.....Get  a life. All I hear is all this love for the team and you guys can't even make the games? D-Train...you're not even going? Don't you guys know it's all about the game...this game, not some old crap you want to think about and look back on....all some of you morons talk about what you're going to drink and eat before and during the game. I bet you don't see half the game. Give me a break...I don't need ice tea to enjoy the game. Get off your ass and go to the game and support the team, don't just come on here and pose as a fan. If you are within 5 hours of the game you should be there unless you are dead.

And thank you, Mudball, for your kind support of a fellow 'Cat fan. As Tuxguy said, we all have our priorities, and if my family wants to take my wife to Sunriver for an extra long weekend to celebrate her birthday the only time our son can get the time off school, we don't need to ask your permission.

If we want to socialize before the games with friends, we don't need to ask your permission for that either.

I played at Linfield before several of you posters were born, and I don't need to have my loyalty questioned. My butt has been in the same seat for over 30 years, and I'm there at the kickoff, whether I've had a beer before the game or not. My wife has deeper Linfield roots that any poster here and you can phone THAT in.

I'm not a "menza" fan, or even a Mensa member, but I'm not a moron either.  I have always been an avid Linfield supporter, both financially and with my presence at the games.

Again, as Tuxguy said, I have a life, and I enjoy it just fine.

[cawcdad]

This weeks picks:
UPS 28 - Colorado College 17: The Loggers are feeling good after coming back with two consecutive wins after two straight defeats. Colorado College has played well at times, but it will not be enough as the Loggers clinch a winning season for the first time in how long?

PLU 35 - Lewis & Clark 10: The Pios put up a lot of yards in the air, but get way too many picked off. The Lutes also like to air it out, but with a bit fewer thrown picks. Could this game approach last weeks Lute-Cat game for turnovers?

Whitworth 27 - Willamette 17: Could the Rats be looking past the Bearcats to the big matchup with Linfield? Maybe, but it will not be easy. They will still win the game even with the curiously low output by the offense.

Linfield 49 - Menlo 7: The Cat's attitude of each week being a playoff game will keep them flying high. The O line will neutralize the Oaks D front and the purple frisbees will fly. Look for some fire works as the two best kick returners in the D-III nation will be on each side of the field Saturday.

[bluenote]

Light and Darkness....I remember that play...I was at the game and I have it on tape too! 

CoCo....give 'em heck! (as Ad Rutchman would say)

Dutchfan1...great post...glad to see Central is doing so well this year. it's all because of YOU and your little foxy cheerleader outfit that you'll probably be dressing up in this halloween! 

[coco]

Bluenote,

Dutchfan1 has been the uncontested winner of the IIAC Pick 'ems for the past 3 or 4 years now, but she had an off week last week and has to share first place right now with a guy.

[bluenote]

CoCo...she does have a brain too, besides all her other assets! 

She would also easily beat Johnnie Red in a debate....

[coco]

Blue,

Right on both counts. We need to get her out here again for another visit.

[NWCprops]

Pineconefan mentioned that WU has had the Rats number over the past 3 or 4 years....and it's a fact that they have!!!  The only Rat victory in the last four years was a OT win in Spokane in 2002 (note: the Bearcats ran for 399 yards and totaled 484 in the loss).   In 2003 Willamette beat WC 24-7
and packed the ball for 371 yards on the ground.  The 2004 tilt ruined the Pirates trip to the NCAA playoffs as the B-cats rushed for 311 yards and passed for 246 (557 yards of offense) and landed Willamette in the post season field.  Last year Whitworth looked primed to finally make a playoff appearance when the Wu-cats rallied from two TD's down twice in the fourth quarter to win in OT 40-34..(same scenario 280 yards rushing and another 143 in the air=414 yards.  If you look at these stats, I'm not sure Pinconefans assessment that the Rats were more talented is correct.  I'd say that the talent of the two teams was different....while the Rats moved through the air the Bearcats basically were kicking the Rats in the teeth on the ground. Drew Ecklund had a big day in 2002 along with Greg Reed, in 03 Reed and TK Matthews had their way vs. the Rats and in 04 & 05 Quentin Brock pounded for almost 300 yards and 5 TD's to lead the ground assualt.  Now this all sounds like bad news for Whitworth...but in reality it's the very reason why I think they will win the NWC this year (in particular their showdown with Linfield).  If..............they can break the pattern of getting "boatraced" by the Wu-cats, and actually win.....then I believe they will out dual the Wildcats for the title.  The two teams both move the ball well in the air ..........and and Linfield has absolutely no running game to pound the Rats with (ala Willamette).  Plus Whitworth has the most experienced defense in the conference.  This is the right match up for Whitworth to finally de-throne the Wildcats from their amazing run in the conference.  But they have to beat Willamette first....and that has not been an easy task for the past four years. If the Bearcats rise up again and win in the Pine Bowl this week....then Linfield will finish off the Rats again for the NWC title.   
   

[Olinemom]

Tuxguy,
Thanks for the phone updates on Saturday about the game. The whole family appreciated them.

OK...now let me get this straight...this is the Linfield vs PLU game and some of you football menza Linfield fans aren't even going to the game? Sunriver?.....Get  a life. All I hear is all this love for the team and you guys can't even make the games? D-Train...you're not even going? Don't you guys know it's all about the game...this game, not some old crap you want to think about and look back on....all some of you morons talk about what you're going to drink and eat before and during the game. I bet you don't see half the game. Give me a break...I don't need ice tea to enjoy the game. Get off your ass and go to the game and support the team, don't just come on here and pose as a fan. If you are within 5 hours of the game you should be there unless you are dead.

And thank you, Mudball, for your kind support of a fellow 'Cat fan. As Tuxguy said, we all have our priorities, and if my family wants to take my wife to Sunriver for an extra long weekend to celebrate her birthday the only time our son can get the time off school, we don't need to ask your permission.

If we want to socialize before the games with friends, we don't need to ask your permission for that either.

I played at Linfield before several of you posters were born, and I don't need to have my loyalty questioned. My butt has been in the same seat for over 30 years, and I'm there at the kickoff, whether I've had a beer before the game or not. My wife has deeper Linfield roots that any poster here and you can phone THAT in.

I'm not a "menza" fan, or even a Mensa member, but I'm not a moron either.  I have always been an avid Linfield supporter, both financially and with my presence at the games.

Again, as Tuxguy said, I have a life, and I enjoy it just fine.

Well said, Mr Coco.  I've seen the beautiful pictures of the deer and the surrounding countryside of Sunriver that Mrs. Coco sent me.  Gorgeous!   All the pics she has sent of Oregon are pretty!  (Happy Birthday Mrs. Coco.  I am working on something for you but I am not telling yet what it is).  I got text messages from Gig Harbor to keep me informed about the game this past Sat.  which was wonderful since I couldn't be near a computer either. When it was 7-3 PLU I was concerned, but that didn't last long.   I know you all will enjoy the game this weekend against Menlo.  I expect the guys to take care of business and win another game on Saturday.  Go O-LIne.  Let Scharer shine.  Let's take it to the endzone early and often .  I am for our defense doing the same thing.  Force the other team to make mistakes and capitalize on them. 
Cats 44-Menlo 17 Just my 2 brownies worth . . .

[(509)Rat]

(509)Rat, were down at the Rat - Oaks game this past Saturday?

80 degrees and sunshine man...sure beats the 50's with sunshine.

in 04 & 05 Quentin Brock pounded for almost 300 yards and 5 TD's to lead the ground assualt

I agree with almost everything you said, great post.  The thing I disagree with is that along with pinecone fan I too think Whitworth has had the better team the last several years (at least the last two).  It took Brock scoring three touchdowns in the final 17 minutes of the game in 2004 for the kitties to beat the rats 28-17.  And it took willamette coming back from a 14 point deficit twice to win in 05.  I don't think willamette was the better team as much as Whitworth just shut down...but thats why we play the game.  But back to that quote I have from you.  Brock is exactly the reason for whitworth's losses but he's gone now and they don't have than inside running ability off of the fly that they had the last couple of years.  There is no more Brock and Willamette is having a much more difficult time this year moving the ball on the ground.  The only reason I think this game will be close is I still don't know if Whitworth's offense will put up the 30-40 points that were almost a given for the last several years.  Should be a good game, hopefully not too good (I would prefer a blowout in Whitworth's favor).  And nobody on that team is looking past the playoff killers this week.

[cawcdad]

(509)Rat, were down at the Rat - Oaks game this past Saturday?

80 degrees and sunshine man...sure beats the 50's with sunshine.

Wished I'd have known. I always enjoy meeting folks from the board. I was the guy wandering the sideline and endzones taking pictures in a red Linfield cap.

[dutchfan1]

Bluenote,

Dutchfan1 has been the uncontested winner of the IIAC Pick 'ems for the past 3 or 4 years now, but she had an off week last week and has to share first place right now with a guy.

It's the "sharing it with a guy" that is killing me, even if it is my buddy Walston Hoover. I miss you guys out there -- a trip is definitely in order very soon! Will you guys be traveling to the midwest if Linfield comes to Central?

By the way, Blue, you'll have to ask me offline about my costume this year!