FB: Northwest Conference

[D O.C.]

They are a small in the backfield

Bet Willamette is smaller.
And, Bobo, the champs are going to see some offensive lineman they are used to seeing. Big and mobile enough.

Have a question....is WU's downfield blocking exceptional? Must be to break and bake so often.

[speedybigboy]

Now,now,

perhaps the best team Willamette has played all year, besides LINFIELD

we are a Kinder, Gentler WILDCAT Nation, not a more apologetic one. There was truth in that statement. Just because we let them do to us what they did to the SCIAC undefeated Champion.....

Besides, we probably have to root for them because now a) they will be an underdog to the defending National Champion  b) the hawks that stole your dream are, once again, coming near the den

I don't know that the Bearcats will be underdogs. Today, UWW is #4, WU is #6. If there's much of a point spread at all, it'll probably be less than a touchdown, especially with the game being in Salem. If I were making book on this game, I'd probably have the Bearcats at -2.5 to open and see where the money falls.

Go Bearcats!

Point - Counter Point...

9/27  UWW 60 @ Puget Sound 7   

11/8  Puget Sound 27 @ Willamette 48

Rankings are meanngless, in my mind.  UWW has arguably improved since that early season trip to Puget Sound, half way across the country for the young Warhawks. They did play a stinker against Stevens Point and I think they learned a lot from that game.  I'm not too sure about Puget Sound, but Willamette was on a roll all year.  IMO, most observers outside the NW would probably favor UWW in this game (being playoff tested and defending national champs) or at worse, call it a pick'em game, when considering it's being played at Willamette. However, something to think about, the Warhawks top RB, freshman Levell Coppage, left the game in the 3rd quarter with an ankle injury.  He never returned, but his back-up, Antwan Anderson piled up 157 second half rushing yards and 2 TD's against what was a very good Johnnie defense coming into the game. If Coppage can't go next week, Anderson provides a difference in style, but nevertheless, little drop off in talent. The UWW defense is battle tested, well coached, physical and fast. They are a small in the backfield, but make up for it in skill.  Line play will be crucial. Warhawks overpowered the Johnnies on both sides of the ball and simply wore them down. The mis-direction and deception of the fly is something UWW doesn't see, but they are good enough to make the adjustments necessary to be effective, IMO.  Should be one of the best second round match-ups.

Bobo, good post.  I'm another NWC fan riding the Willamette bandwagon but your post gives me pause.  Looking for a Willamette win next weekend but I believe it will be a great game.  I don't know about the UWW Oline vs WU dline but I don't think you'll overpower the Bearcats when they are on offense, their line is reported to be HUGE.  Your team speed could be crucial because Willamette really lives by the big play.  Can't get to some of the site right now because d3.com is overloaded but I would say this:

-agree rankings are meaningless (mostly), too much affected by where you start the year
-maybe UPS improved alot over the year???
-Stevens Point game today makes me lean toward thinking a "down" year in the WIAC.

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Oxy reminded me of a decent UPS or Whitworth team. Whitewater will be a stiffer challenge.....Tux and I left at about 2 minutes with the score 48-19...what the heck happened?

Oxy didn't quit.  

Congrats to the Bearcats, you guys executed.  It was a beautiful day in Salem (weather wise) and kudos on the jumbotron/scoreboard . . . very cool.

[BoBo]

They are a small in the backfield

And, Bobo, the champs are going to see some offensive lineman they are used to seeing. Big and mobile enough.

You are absolutely right...the champs are used to seeing big, mobile lineman - afterall, they see a lot of them in the WIAC and they have played Mount the past 3 years - they don't get much better than that!! 

[Sabretooth Tiger]

Recap of today's game on the Oxy website:

http://www.oxyathletics.com/sports/fball/2008-09/news/112208fb_WUpostseason

[Tuxguy]

It was a great day for a playoff game in Oregon, the only problem was the teams had on the wrong jerseys. Plus, don't for a minute you South Cali guys think this is a normal day in the great NW. 

I too would like to say it was nice to meet BearcatPress. Keep up the good work, as Foss said, you could have  future in sports writing.

Foss enjoyed watching the game with you and blue, we had some good laughs.

The game.........I thought Oxy was going to walk all over the Bearcats after a 3 and out for WU and then a 80+ 8 or 9 minute drive for the first score for Oxy. But Speckman made adjustments and with the help of a few turnovers took control of the game. It seemed to me the Tigers went away from what got them the first score. More later.

One last thing, and maybe Pat can help us ......I thought the NCAA had a rule against noise makers, like blow horns cow bells and what was up with the lady and her Pot and mixing spoon? 

[wucatwu]

Have a question....is WU's downfield blocking exceptional? Must be to break and bake so often.

I think WU is pretty solid in stock/down field blocking.  The back side receivers cut block the corners on every play (which takes care of secondary pursuit players).  It's also pretty impressive to see running backs down the field blocking for the player with the ball.

On Deon Horne's 70+ yard td run against OXY, Merben Woo chased the play down and blocked 2 players who had the chance to bring Horne down.  Did anyone else see that?

Here's a quick blurb about Woo and the playoff game from the Statesman Journal: http://statesmanjournal.com/article/20081122/UPDATE/81122006&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

[Tuxguy]

On Deon Horne's 70+ yard td run against OXY, Merben Woo chased the play down and blocked 2 players who had the chance to bring Horne down.  Did anyone else see that?
[/quote]
wucatwu
I did, but I think he ran over 100 yards with the cross  field cuts, is that the play you are talking about? That's the type of effort  it takes to win the big games.

Congrats on the win today!

[river]

Some good photos of the game.
WU/Oxy photo gallery by Timothy J. Gonzalez, Statesman Journal

[wucatwu]

On Deon Horne's 70+ yard td run against OXY, Merben Woo chased the play down and blocked 2 players who had the chance to bring Horne down.  Did anyone else see that?

wucatwu
I did, but I think he ran over 100 yards with the cross  field cuts, is that the play you are talking about? That's the type of effort  it takes to win the big games.

Congrats on the win today!
[/quote]

Yep...that's the one.  I was amazed that he was able to catch up to Horne.  That play displayed his speed and more impressively, his effort.  Woo has been solid from day 1 at WU, but he has reached a whole new level this year.

[George Thompson]

From this Linfield fan: another impressive Willamette performance.     Occidental again could not match the best from our NWC.     But, they never gave up despite falling behind big in that 2nd quarter.   

OXY would have probably finished third in the NWC this year, although they would have been tough for Linfield, especially if the Wildcats made their now-common fundamental errors.

The Bearcats again played a near-perfect game, without a lot of penalties or turnovers.    What a difference that makes!    WU's team speed is VERY impressive.    And their size is huge by NWC standards.     Those two make them a formidable opponent against anyone.

They seemed playoff nervous in the first quarter, but then settled down---and it was all over soon.     Their pass defense looked suspect; but Oxy's passing attack was the best I have seen this year.   

Now for WWW.    Foss is right; they should be a slight favorite.    For three years now, they have proven they are very tough.    And that 60-7 win over UPS is an eye-opener.    Yet, WU has the size to match up and probably more speed.    WWW will be their toughest opponent yet, but they can get it done.     I will be there rooting on WU and the NWC. 

If they can beat WWW, Willamette can go to the Stagg Bowl.

George

[bluenote]

I am so confused.... did somebody take Blue seriously again? 

...........

[D O.C.]

Some good photos of the game.
WU/Oxy photo gallery by Timothy J. Gonzalez, Statesman Journal

Especially Wu Woo running in front of the helpless OXY sidelines. DIII players don't pull a Woody I guess (Ohio State, you perverts).

A comment on the boards about WU big linemen being from California (take that OXY) caused me to unscientifically look at their roster;

seven (7) JC transfers

seven (7) major college transfers (do you consider Whitworth major?)

forty (40) California state players (counting some of the above again)

Is that serious recruiting or does everybody on the team want to go to law school?

[Growler]

Congrats to Willamette on a great win. Closely matched teams where turnovers made the difference. Enjoyed a great afternoon in Salem and am proud of an Oxy team that refused to quit and fought to the very end, hence the wild last two minutes. Tigers, keep your head up, work hard and come back next year and Willamette, finish this in Salem (VA) and show the country who the west is! Good Luck!

(I will rely on OB for the in depth breakdown)

[Foss]

The Bearcats again played a near-perfect game, without a lot of penalties or turnovers.    What a difference that makes! 

On that note:

Wartburg 26              UW-Stevens Point 21

Turnovers: UWSP 3   Wartburg 1
Penalties: UWSP 10  Wartburg 1