FB: Northwest Conference

[downtown48]

WC 11-We could always spin Oxy's "wheel of non-conference opponents" and surely find some sacrificial lamb to get us one more win.     just kidding oxy guy's...kinda.

[Foss]

DT48,

We (along with some other DIII teams elsewhere in the same boat), are definately hurt by not being able to schedule more in-region DIII games. The problem is, like WC11 said, it's not like we aren't trying to find more, it's that we're having a hard time getting teams near us to play.

For the 'Cats to have any shot at the playoffs (and it is slim to none), we need to hope Washington & Jefferson loses. They are the one likely Pool B team that has a loss right now. If they lose again, both W&J and Linfield will have two in-region losses. But, they will still have a higher in-region winning percentage than us because they were able to get 9 games (ending up 7-2, 8-2 overall). Heck, we can't even say we have 6 in-region wins because one was against SOU. Therefore, we would be 5-2 vs. their 7-2.

Another disadvantage of not getting these needed in-regioin DIII games is having to play scholarship schools. We paid for it this year losing to Western Oregon, giving us a third overall loss. And although not part of the primary criteria, overall win-loss percentage is part of the secondary criteria, which with 3 losses, is obviously not a good thing for the 'Cats when it comes to evaluating teams for the playoffs this season.

I'm not really upset about it this year because we held our fate in our own hands at the end of the season on our homefield and couldn't get it done. But it does concern me about future seasons. We are not going to go 9-0 every year like in '02-'05, thereby eliminating any worries about getting in. There are going to be plenty of seasons where there is a blemish or two. And if we go 8-1 without winning the conference and get snubbed because another team(s) had more in-region DIII wins, or 7-2 where our only losses are to say a top 10 DIII school, and the other to a scholarship school we were forced to play (again) due to not being able to find more DIII opponents out here, that is really going to suck. I do hope the scheduling issues improve.

[Foss]

One other thing, real quick. I know you're just giving Oxy a hard time by saying they get blasted in the playoffs. But I must say they did earn some respect from me with their two playoff wins in '04 when they beat Willamette by 2 TDs and then went on the road and put it to a tough Concordia-Moorhead team. Now, after that we know things didn't go so well for them.......

[Rock]

Steve Flegel, RFB, OB

I agree with all of you, thats not cause to find a shelter I hope.
I'm sure somebody has a perfectly good explanation why we don't
do this.
As a fan I would love to see it happen.

rock

[D O.C.]

Thanks again, OAS.

by the way

the Pirate defense forced seven turnovers including five fumbles in the torrential downpour.

IT'S STILL RAINING!
The year you got to come way out west it might have rained during the week but it did not rain on gameday. Sort of amazing.

Willamette forced seven turnovers in their 61-14 victory over Lewis & Clark.

Misery loves company...it's only fair we fly you out this weekend.

[bluenote]

I'd like to play Wesley, Rowan, Central or SJU during the year! I can't wait to play HS next year. Does anybody know if they have any 6th year seniors playing qb again next year?

[Olinemom]

I'd like to play Wesley, Rowan, Central or SJU during the year! I can't wait to play HS next year. Does anybody know if they have any 6th year seniors playing qb again next year?

If you could take care of Rowan again, that would be great.  As much as I loved the picture last week in downtown48's posting, the regular tag is much more to my liking.  Wesley would be good, too.  But Rowan first in line.  My 2 brownies worth.

[Bucs06]

OXY BOB,

Off subject, but Whittier with a huge upset this weekend over Oxy. Played you real tough last season and are coming off a big home victory vs. Redlands.

[MonroviaCat]

O.K. Here we go with predictions for this week---the X-factor is that with this being the last game for most teams in the NWC scores/stats could be affected by teams leaving starters in or playing Seniors....etc.:

UPS at Whitworth:  As I said yesterday, I think this one will be close.  UPS has a strong running game and Whitworth can be run on (at least more than they can be passed on).  UPS also plays pretty good run defense which means J. Clark will probably have to put the ball in the air more than he has in recent weeks.  Look for the score to be pretty low but for the Rats to ultimately win this one due to their better passing game and better overall defense.  Rats 21 Loggers 14

Linfield at Lewis and Clark:  The Cats should and better win this one handily.  They need to prove that they can hold onto the ball and finish their drives because  those have been their biggest problems this year.  The Cat D has a good shot at pitching a shut-out but the Pios like to throw the ball so they could come up with a big play as the Cats are prone to giving those up at times.  But I'm feeling Salty this week    Cats 48 Pios 0.

Willamette at PLU:  Willamette has improved quiet a bit from the beginning of the year but are still not a great team this year.  PLU has been better able to put things together and has a more solid Defense than the Bearcats.  Assuming the Lutes don't give the ball away too much they should win this one though it could be a shootout.  Lutes 35 BearCats 21

Menlo at Macalaster:  Well this one is harder to predict.  It looks like Menlo has played better teams and hung in the games better than Macalaster.  Macalaster has two wins against very poor opponents but Menlo's offense has been anemic this year (especially in recent weeks).  I think the Oaks can win this one but their offense is going to have to step it up some especially on the road.  I'm totally throwing this one out there...... Menlo 21 Macalaster 17.

[desertcat1]

OXY BOB,

Off subject, but Whittier with a huge upset this weekend over Oxy. Played you real tough last season and are coming off a big home victory vs. Redlands.

Rat o6,

you better take care of the loggers first or you will be going to So Cal and have to play in  all that sunny shine (90*) .

GHC  : The twins just got here and we are going to spend some time  on the river  wished you were here..    They want to pick up a few beads at the sand bar
before heading down to Nascar this weekend.  Get your cigar ready .. "Phone it in "

G Cats

[Bucs06]

Oxy,

Score by Quarters     1  2  3  4   Score
-----------------             -- -- -- --   -----
Occidental..........       7 14  0  7    28
Whittier............         0  7 13  0    20

Slim, fat, and none eh?

[Tuxguy]

Rory Lee has chance to break career and single season school rushing record held by Gary McCurty and Daryl Wright, respectively.

He was also about 6 yards short of breaking the single season mark last year as well.

I believe more like 86 yards short, but whats 80 or so yards.

[pennstlbu]

I believe more like 86 yards short, but whats 80 or so yards.

Rory was 3 yards short last year of breaking the single season rushing record of 1232 yards by Daryl Wright (Rory had 1229).

I believe he is 86 yards short of Gary McCurty's career rushing record and 55 yards short of Wright's single season record this year.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Oxy,

Score by Quarters     1  2  3  4   Score
-----------------             -- -- -- --   -----
Occidental..........       7 14  0  7    28
Whittier............         0  7 13  0    20

Slim, fat, and none eh?

First of all Buc . . . if you want to chirp at Oxy, you really ought to do it on the SCIAC board.

Second, the Tigers have the Poets at Oxy this year.  Whittier has a new coach.  The Tigers know that the ONLY chance that they have to host a playoff is to keep their record perfect and if Whitworth slips up.

The coaching staff understands this and the kids will be ready.  There will be no letdown.  So the Poets chances are, slim, fat and NEARLY none (given that there are no absolutes in the world) . . . indeed the Loggers have a much better chance at knocking off the 'Rats than the Poets have of taming the Tigers.

tooth

[hatchetman75]

Rory Lee has chance to break career and single season school rushing record held by Gary McCurty and Daryl Wright, respectively.

He was also about 6 yards short of breaking the single season mark last year as well.

I believe more like 86 yards short, but whats 80 or so yards.

Yeah, I think you were misconstruing what I was trying to say Tux...he was only a few yards away last year. I remember watching the WOU game wishing Rory would quit running backwards.