FB: Northwest Conference

[(509)Rat]

I got a question for any of the Logger posters...though they probably don't have any more info than I do.  Anyways, is the UPS QB actually reading the d-line on their zone-read play or is determined when the call comes from the sideline?

From what I've seen (on tape against other teams and in person against Whitworth) Williams doesn't read the zone-read play out of the shotgun spread, or the dive-option (triple option play) out of their single and double wing sets.  It looks like the coach is calling the ball-carriers number pre-snap. Part of it has to do with the way he hands the ball off and where his eyes appear to be, and the other part is how many times the play goes right into the defenders.  I couldn't imagine his reads are that bad (if he really is running a true zone-read/triple option) which leads me to believe he isn't.  But then again having the play pre-determined defeats the purpose of running most of that offense.  Which is it Logger fans?

[Kelly Boggs]

UMHB will limp into Ashland to take on SOU. At the beginning of the season this game looked to be a blow out. However, the CRU has suffered loses all over the field, but they have been hit especially hard at running back and the secondary. When they came to play Louisiana College a couple of weeks ago, the die-hard fans told me that they did not even know who the tailbacks were that were playing. The injuries started just prior to the HSU game and have continued. Here is a recent story discussing the injury bug: http://www.tdtnews.com/story/2008/10/14/52979.

The Crusaders have been winning ugly as of late, but they are winning. I know the Purple CRUsh is going to come to Oregon ready to play and be very physical, but this game concerns me because of the injury situation. No excuses... no matter the outcome. Just thought I would add a little context to the situation since nothing is really meaningful without a context.


I only hope the CRU is able to get healthy by the end of the season, because I don't think the Crusaders, as they stand or limp right now, will last too long in the playoffs.

I will be keeping an eye on the Cats as they tangle with Willamette.

[criswyly]

Interesting info on the CRU...thanx

Saturday can't get here soon enough............should be a barnburner.....

[wildcat11]

UMHBalum,

SOU's offense has been struggling all year long for the most part.  Their defense isn't too bad but I wouldn't be too worried....even with the long trip.

Rat,

You're asking that question to a program that puts in a field turf field on the practice field but not their game field?  Good luck in getting that answer.

[Bearcat Press]

Some high praise for Maxwell Field in today's interviews with Coach Speckman and Bearcat quarterback Grant Leslie.  I'm looking forward to my first trip.

Speckman:
"It's a really tough place to play.  Linfield has as good a home field advantage as anywhere in the country.  That's just part of the 'Linfield mystique,' and they have every right to play it up as much as they do."

Leslie:
"The atmosphere there is what D3 football is all about.  You love to be at home, but there's really no better place to play a game."

[wildcat11]

Some high praise for Maxwell Field in today's interviews with Coach Speckman and Bearcat quarterback Grant Leslie.  I'm looking forward to my first trip.

Speckman:
"It's a really tough place to play.  Linfield has as good a home field advantage as anywhere in the country.  That's just part of the 'Linfield mystique,' and they have every right to play it up as much as they do."

Leslie:
"The atmosphere there is what D3 football is all about.  You love to be at home, but there's really no better place to play a game."

Yes I have an obvious bias but the Catdome game day atmosphere is the best in the conference and in the PacNW (DII, NAIA, DIII) hands down and one of the better ones in the West Region.  Whitworth is also very nice.

Weather is still looking good for Saturday and with so much on the line I'm sure the Catdome will be packed to the gills.

[GrizzTheLogger]

I got a question for any of the Logger posters...though they probably don't have any more info than I do.  Anyways, is the UPS QB actually reading the d-line on their zone-read play or is determined when the call comes from the sideline?

Not having any inside sources, it seems like you are right in your thinking that the ball carriers number is determined pre-snap.  Williams is a very smart quarterback, maybe sometimes too smart for his own good, in that he might overthink things and then BOOM!! there is a defender right there.  He seems to do best on the pass play when he is able to step back, read the DB coverage and find an open receiver (hopefully).

Part of the issue teams tend to have when they are running the option offense like UPS tends to do is that the offensive line, especially a young and/or inexperienced line, doesn't know where to block, which allows an experienced defensive line and/or linebacker corps to find the gaps and get in the backfield.

Regardless, the Loggers are hopefully turning their attention to PLU this week.  For any team, if you can go out and beat your rival, the season is a success and the Loggers really need to taste some success.  Should be a fun game at Baker Stadium and while it's not the best game in the NWC on Saturday, it should be entertaining.

[swede]

Hey guys....just wanna say hi to everyone.

PPJ
Glad you and the wife made it home safely and we'll see ya Saturday.

Cris
Hi to you and the family. Stay warm this winter

Coco
You been making the tailgaters?

#11
I gotta get Topcat (after he becomes our new mayor) to fix my computer. I can't stand not checking out catdomealumi more often. If topcat loses I won't get my computer fixed.

How much $$ did the Pios lose by leaving that gate open before the game?

[Proud Papa Joe]

Hello Swede. Nice to see you at the game. Keep Simon in check for me. Slap him up along side the head once in a while and say thats from PPJ.

This weekend can't come any quicker. The Cats are going to rock. Love it. Have they ever stopped selling General admission tickets do to over population of Field side fence area? The place will be packed.

See everybody at the tail gate party.

Go Cats

Pound the Rock

PPJ

[MonroviaCat]

Nice mention of the Wildcat Kicker on the front page:  "Scott Birkhofer continues his stellar season at kicker for Linfield, adding two more field goals from 50-plus yards in a 55-7 win at Lewis and Clark, including one from 56 yards. He now has three field goals from 50 yards or longer this season, more than the rest of Division III's kickers combined" 

[D O.C.]

Hey WILDCAT NATION, take a moment in your prep for "What is a Bearcat Week" to check out on Wildcatville Blog what we won't see at home ever again. The mud, Dipstick, not the championships!

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QA8-u-DW-ls/SPVMI6anjJI/AAAAAAAAAb0/nW4QYAFFJ7I/s1600-h/LinfieldpostcardEDITED.jpg

[bluenote]

Wowie.

Well! .....Wowie Dowyee to you too Pat! 

....you and Keith should take a field trip over here to the islands to scout some games. There are quite a few Hawaii football players all up and down the West Coast! Linfield gets the best ones though! 

Aloha!

[bluenote]

Hey BearcatPress....could you give us a Willamette injury report for this weeks game.....thanks!

[Bearcat Press]

Sure, that's easy.  Other than the season-ending knee injuries to Kyle Johnson and Ryan Whitcomb, everybody should be ready to go this week (knock on wood), although now that I think about it, starting defensive tackle Juan Alvarado (6'2, 375) didn't play against PLU.  Fortunately, we're deep enough at DT that I didn't really notice a drop off.  Of course, that could also be because the Lutes are terrible at running the ball.

How about a Linfield injury report?  I see Reggie Ford's back.  Other than that, anything new?

[downtown48]

+1 for #2,000!!