FB: Northwest Conference

[bluenote]

We need to fix that problem or we may not win NEXT week (o.k. maybe a bit overdramatized).

I say we play the JV team the whole 2nd half vs Lewis & Clark...seriously! And get people healthy for Willamette.

[warthog]

Linfield Fans:  Don't those damn turnovers just frost you?  Wartburg should have put Coe away early in the 4th quarter today, but the Knights insisted in coughing up the ball in the red zone.  It almost had a heart attack right there in the bleachers.

[MonroviaCat]

We need to fix that problem or we may not win NEXT week (o.k. maybe a bit overdramatized).

I say we play the JV team the whole 2nd half vs Lewis & Clark...seriously! And get people healthy for Willamette.

Normally I would agree but we might want to make sure our starters are well versed in real-game experience going into Willamette.  I mean, our starting QB has only played 2 complete games now and our starting RB has one....  and of course if we drop the ball 4 times we may need to keep our starters in longer.....

[Foss]

I'm glad the 'Cats basically have two weeks to prepare for the Bearcats. They are the real deal this year.

[MonroviaCat]

By the way, Willamette scored 76 pts despite losing 4 fumbles in the game.  They also had 18 different guys run the ball in the game... 

[(509)Rat]

509:
Looks like our "very pedestrian offense" walked all over your team.
Congratulations to the Wildcats for a big win over the 'rats.

Linfield 2006 = 329 total offense
Linfield 2007= 323 total offense
Linfield 2008 = 294 total offense

Linfield benefited this year from some short fields and a Whitworth team that turned the ball over more than usual.  But to come on here and say your offense walked all over Whitworth simply because this is the highest point total against the Rats and your first W in three years is stretching it.  Especially since this is the weakest D Whitworth has had in the last 3 matchups (running all over would have been 400+).  I'm glad to see the Whitworth Defense finally forcing some turnovers and it looks like the secondary played a much better game than previously.  The Linfield D wasn't quite as good as advertised but the best in the conference from what I've seen.  Linfield continues to have turnover issues (the fumbles without contact are ridiculous) and Whitworth continues to be predictable.  Wish my team was on the winning end, this post would be more enjoyable...but there were a lot of positives IMO from a young Whitworth team.  The O-line showed flashes of dominance against a tough Linfield d-line and I like that the young recievers made some plays.  Tough game but i didn't really expect much else coming in. 

AS for Linfield v. Willamette: I think right now that Willamette is the better team only because i don't see them shooting themselves in the foot with turnovers when them and the Cats meet.  However, I think Linfield (as well as Whitworth) has a more talented squad and if they are able to beat Willamette, they could make a run in the playoffs.  Actually, I think that either team will beat the SCIAC representative (sorry Redlands but your hopes of going deep went away with Selway's broken foot).

[MonroviaCat]

Linfield was not the only team that benefited from some short fields in this game.  And I'd say Whitworth probably only forced one turnover.  Two fumbles were non-contact and I think the INT that was returned for a TD was a bad throw without pressure but....you can have that one too.  I think Linfield's D was nearly as good as advertized (except on the first Whitworth possession) but because the O kept giving up the ball and sending the D back out there they probably got worn down a bit....  Needless to say, turnovers will be very big in two weeks.  Willamette has been forcing turnovers all year but has also had their share of turnovers (I think there were 4 today---though mostly after they were up by a few dozen points)......

[D O.C.]

a lot of positives IMO from a young Whitworth team

Let's start a urinating contest about which team on the field was younger.

IMO Anderson was wasted running inside.  I believe his only flash came on the outside in the north zone.  I could tell by looking at him closely at the 6 minute mark he wished he would have run outside 50% more.
What happened to the Nelson guy I was advertising? He was in there several times and the LINFIELD PA kept calling him Anderson.

Do not like the way the triage team carried off the left arm of our starting tight end. I suppose it will be a close to the vest injury report.

[wildcat11]

Let's start a urinating contest about which team on the field was younger.

Great quote because Linfield is also playing a lot of young bucks and they've been performing well. 

Actually in looking over today's participation report for Linfield it breaks down like this:
Seniors - 10, Juniors - 14, Sophomore - 11, Freshman - 10.

Bottom line is scoreboard and that's what Linfield has this year over the Rats and it should be a great atmosphere in two weeks at the 'Catdome.

BTW...the fumble on the punt return might be one of the worst calls I've seen this season.  PJ was clearly down and then the tackler ripped the ball out.  Brutal....

[Bearcat Press]

Howdy everyone.  Just got back from an evening out, and I have no idea what I should write my article about.  There just isn't too much that you can take away from a glorified scrimmage.  WU's starters played a quarter and a half, leaving when the score was 34-3.  Turnovers and penalties were a problem, but none of the TOs came while the starting unit was in the game.  What's worst is that even with the starters out, we could have had 80+ easily.  The Bearcats had 1st and 10 on the Pio 14 after a pick in the fourth quarter, but Speckman just chose to run up the gut for four plays.

We put up 77 against L&C last year, then proceeded to put up 10 against PLU the following week, next week will be another test for this team.  I'll be heading up to the greater Tacoma metro area to witness that one first hand.  Granted, we look really good right now, but given the last two years, I'm not even thinking about the 25th.

That's a blatant lie.

[speedybigboy]

Howdy everyone.  Just got back from an evening out, and I have no idea what I should write my article about.  There just isn't too much that you can take away from a glorified scrimmage.  WU's starters played a quarter and a half, leaving when the score was 34-3.  Turnovers and penalties were a problem, but none of the TOs came while the starting unit was in the game.  What's worst is that even with the starters out, we could have had 80+ easily.  The Bearcats had 1st and 10 on the Pio 14 after a pick in the fourth quarter, but Speckman just chose to run up the gut for four plays.

We put up 77 against L&C last year, then proceeded to put up 10 against PLU the following week, next week will be another test for this team.  I'll be heading up to the greater Tacoma metro area to witness that one first hand.  Granted, we look really good right now, but given the last two years, I'm not even thinking about the 25th.

That's a blatant lie.

Well you could revile us with stories of campus life at the clothing optional campus 


Here's to hoping this coming week is a rerun of last years game.

[bluenote]

....I was just wondering what people think of our punting formation?...it scares the heck out of me! It seems like there are 3-4 defenders who don't even get touched at the line right in the middle and are within inches of blocking the punt every time....what in the heck! I don't understand the concept of this formation. Can somebody please explain the logic behind it 

[buckj64]

I hate the spread punt... it's hard to block everyone; what happened to the good ole days where you just lined up and kicked it.

[MonroviaCat]

....I was just wondering what people think of our punting formation?...it scares the heck out of me! It seems like there are 3-4 defenders who don't even get touched at the line right in the middle and are within inches of blocking the punt every time....what in the heck! I don't understand the concept of this formation. Can somebody please explain the logic behind it 

I actually kind of like it.  It is very strong up the middle which is where most punt blocks come from.  It forces the defenders to come off/around the ends which lengthens the distance they need to cover and allows the punter to step up into a pocket kind of like a QB on a drop back pass.....The only issue is if the snap is bad or dropped and the punter has to take more time or step much to either side then he is more likely to have trouble I would guess.  I would imagine this formation allows for some interesting fake punts as well.....

[wildcat11]

....I was just wondering what people think of our punting formation?...it scares the heck out of me! It seems like there are 3-4 defenders who don't even get touched at the line right in the middle and are within inches of blocking the punt every time....what in the heck! I don't understand the concept of this formation. Can somebody please explain the logic behind it 

Blue,

In 17 punts for the 'Cats this season we've given up a total of 2 return yards.  While it does look scary (and it does) we get 5 untouched bullets to cover the return man and that's why we've had so many fair catches this season.