FB: Northwest Conference

[RedandPurple]

Just an observation:
I know hindsight is 20/20 but, if WU had kicked field goals, they were within range, instead of turning the ball over on downs twice, they would have won by 3 points. Input anyone?

[bleedpurple]

Just an observation:
I know hindsight is 20/20 but, if WU had kicked field goals, they were within range, instead of turning the ball over on downs twice, they would have won by 3 points. Input anyone?

My input is that kicking the fieldgoals may have changed the complexion of the game to a degree, but it is WAY TOO strong to say they would have won the game. UWW did take a knee at the two. Plus, when game situations change play calls change. Therefore, I would say that had the kicked the field goals, it would have been interesting to see what would have happened.I would not make the blanket statement that WU would have won.

Regarding the previous comments posted about the UWW fans being impressed with the Bearcats, count me in. They showed a ton of character and a ton of big play capability in the second half. My guess is there were a number of teams still playing on Saturday that they would have handed it to. They have definitely earned my respect. It is obvious you have a very good rivalry out here with Linfield/Wllamette. Some Linfield fans seem to struggle with the fact that Willamette was the better team this year. They are your conference champions.  Deal with it. Maybe next year will be different, but they deserve your respect this year.

[RedandPurple]

Just an observation:
I know hindsight is 20/20 but, if WU had kicked field goals, they were within range, instead of turning the ball over on downs twice, they would have won by 3 points. Input anyone?

My input is that kicking the fieldgoals may have changed the complexion of the game to a degree, but it is WAY TOO strong to say they would have won the game. UWW did take a knee at the two. Plus, when game situations change play calls change. Therefore, I would say that had the kicked the field goals, it would have been interesting to see what would have happened.I would not make the blanket statement that WU would have won.

Regarding the previous comments posted about the UWW fans being impressed with the Bearcats, count me in. They showed a ton of character and a ton of big play capability in the second half. My guess is there were a number of teams still playing on Saturday that they would have handed it to. They have definitely earned my respect. It is obvious you have a very good rivalry out here with Linfield/Wllamette. Some Linfield fans seem to struggle with the fact that Willamette was the better team this year. They are your conference champions.  Deal with it. Maybe next year will be different, but they deserve your respect this year.

bleedpurple:
Very good. Your reasoning makes sense. Like I said hindsight is 20/20. You never know how a game will turn out. If only...is a statement used way to much and doesn't deal with the reality of what happens. It was a great game, reminded me of the battle at the 'Catdome in 2005 when Linfield lost by 3 to UW-WW. Mmmmm....both teams lose by 3 to the same team. I wonder if the government was involved?

[bluenote]

It was a great game, reminded me of the battle at the 'Catdome in 2005 when Linfield lost by 3 to UW-WW.

RedandPurple....I was just curious if you actually saw BOTH games? Yesterdays game had a much different "feel" to it. In the first half it pretty much looked like a total blow out. WW was pretty much manhandling Willamette on both sides of the ball and Willamette couldn't score even though there were a couple opportunities. Willamette looked pretty much out of rhythm and even looked a little stunned or shocked to me. The score was 21-0 at half. Then in the second half Willamette did move the ball better and came back to make it a pretty good game. I think Whitewater got a little conservative on offense but I do give Willamette credit for fighting back. Willamette never lead in the game. They were always behind and trying to catch up.

In the 2005 Linfield/Whitewater game I recall that there were like 15 lead changes and it was a pretty high scoring affair with both teams making unbelievable plays on both sides of the ball all game. It pretty much came down to who had the ball last. In my opinion it was a totally different type of ballgame. It would have been the best game I'd ever seen if we had won, but it was still a great game.

[OxyBob]

one and done

OXY

two and through 
WU

five and thrive 
MUC

Second beckoned: Linfield

OxyBob

[bbaddict]

No, actually I'm just predicting the outcome of the 09 Linfield/WU match-up based on the previous two years, which we won.  No other predictions at this point.  Stay tuned!

That's something for you to call someone "high & mighty."

you are actually calling 09 games and 08 isn't even in the books !!  I guess the NWC at large should just not even show up in 09 and just check in with the high and mighty bbaddict and have she or he just pick a score and

PHONE IT IN

[RedandPurple]

It was a great game, reminded me of the battle at the 'Catdome in 2005 when Linfield lost by 3 to UW-WW.

RedandPurple....I was just curious if you actually saw BOTH games? Yesterdays game had a much different "feel" to it. In the first half it pretty much looked like a total blow out. WW was pretty much manhandling Willamette on both sides of the ball and Willamette couldn't score even though there were a couple opportunities. Willamette looked pretty much out of rhythm and even looked a little stunned or shocked to me. The score was 21-0 at half. Then in the second half Willamette did move the ball better and came back to make it a pretty good game. I think Whitewater got a little conservative on offense but I do give Willamette credit for fighting back. Willamette never lead in the game. They were always behind and trying to catch up.

In the 2005 Linfield/Whitewater game I recall that there were like 15 lead changes and it was a pretty high scoring affair with both teams making unbelievable plays on both sides of the ball all game. It pretty much came down to who had the ball last. In my opinion it was a totally different type of ballgame. It would have been the best game I'd ever seen if we had won, but it was still a great game.

Bluenote:
I was at the 2005 game. My son was on the Linfield o-line. Only listened to yesterday's game. After reading your post I think I over stretched the comparison. I was looking more at the outcome than the actual flow of the game. The 2005 game was a "track" meet from the start. It , the 2005 match up, was a great game. Except for the final score of course.

[D O.C.]

The thought occured to me today that maybe WW has a destiny thing going where they even the score on MUC, 2-2.

Seems the WU (and 'rats) have a case of the 'What have you done for me lately's?' The "You're only as good as your last picture's."

Our Crimson and Purple myopic vision is based on the total body of work. Win it all and we'll step aside when we meet on the sidewalk. Until then, I thought it was a great win over LaVerne.

[badgerwarhawk]

Just an observation:
I know hindsight is 20/20 but, if WU had kicked field goals, they were within range, instead of turning the ball over on downs twice, they would have won by 3 points. Input anyone?

I don't know about that.  The game ended with us taking a knee on the two yard line.  I know we wouldn't have done that down 3 points.  Also there is the possiblilty you would have missed one or both of the the field goal attempts.  We didn't have much luck with them and have a pretty decent kicker.  But I guess we'll never know for certain because Coach Speckman elected to go for it and we got a pair of stops that were critical in the outcome. 

[RedandPurple]

Just an observation:
I know hindsight is 20/20 but, if WU had kicked field goals, they were within range, instead of turning the ball over on downs twice, they would have won by 3 points. Input anyone?

I don't know about that.  The game ended with us taking a knee on the one yard line.  I know we wouldn't have done that down 3 points.  Also there is the possiblilty you would have missed one or both of the the field goal attempts.  We didn't have much luck with them and have a pretty decent kicker.  But I guess we'll never know for certain because Coach Speckman elected to go for it and we got a pair of stops that were critical in the outcome. 

badgerwarhawk:
Yea, I agree. You have to go with what happens and not the woulda, shoulda, coulda. Going for it twice just seemed to me to be the wrong call(s) at the time.

[Tuxguy]

[/quote]
badgerwarhawk:
Yea, I agree. You have to go with what happens and not the woulda, shoulda, coulda. Going for it twice just seemed to me to be the wrong call(s) at the time.
[/quote]

I thought those 4th down calls were critical. The Bearcats had some momentum and each time they were stopped the momentum shifted back to the Warhawks. As others have said, who knows what might have happened if they either had gotten the first down or gone for the FG.

In 1984 in the NAIA Championship in McMinnville, Linfield was down 22-0 to Northwestern, Iowa mid way into the 3rd Q. On 4th down, Coach Rutschman sent out the FG team, much to the surprise of the crowed. We made the field goal, gave the team some hope and went on to win 33-22.

Sometimes all it takes is a little thing to get your team going.

[bluenote]

....well, I'm glad Willamette had their chance. Now they can say that they were the #1 seed, would have had home field advantage to the final.   I have to say though that Whitewater, for being so young of a team is the real deal. I predict a Whitewater/MUC Final.

[BoBo]

I have to say though that Whitewater, for being so young of a team is the real deal. I predict a Whitewater/MUC Final....

Bluenote....(I know this won't make a lot of people nation-wide happy, but,)...maybe for an addional few years as a result 

...having UWW/MUC in Salem every year does rub a lot of people the wrong way.  UWW has to avoid a letdown against the team that beat the team that beat them. (that's a mouthful!) Wartburg comes in confident of a victory, but being confident and showing it on the field are two different animals, IMO.

[voice]

It was a great game, reminded me of the battle at the 'Catdome in 2005 when Linfield lost by 3 to UW-WW.

RedandPurple....I was just curious if you actually saw BOTH games? Yesterdays game had a much different "feel" to it. In the first half it pretty much looked like a total blow out. WW was pretty much manhandling Willamette on both sides of the ball and Willamette couldn't score even though there were a couple opportunities. Willamette looked pretty much out of rhythm and even looked a little stunned or shocked to me. The score was 21-0 at half. Then in the second half Willamette did move the ball better and came back to make it a pretty good game. I think Whitewater got a little conservative on offense but I do give Willamette credit for fighting back. Willamette never lead in the game. They were always behind and trying to catch up.

In the 2005 Linfield/Whitewater game I recall that there were like 15 lead changes and it was a pretty high scoring affair with both teams making unbelievable plays on both sides of the ball all game. It pretty much came down to who had the ball last. In my opinion it was a totally different type of ballgame. It would have been the best game I'd ever seen if we had won, but it was still a great game.

Bluenote - I was at both games.  Both great games, but the '05 game at Linfield was played like a tennis match as you indicated. Yesterday's game didn't have the same feel.  I believe I said on the radio in the second half that the comparison with '05 was the feeling that either team could score from any place on the field, at any time  As a UWW fan, you just held your breath and hoped that the Warhawks could run off at least one first down on its final possession.

The safety and missed two point conversion (pass interference?) were the two huge plays that cost Willamette a possible win.   I also am a proponent of not passing up field goals unless it is 4th and very short.  Just one of those passed up field goals was REALLY huge.

Willamette was a very good and classy team and WAS good enough to beat any team in the country.  I believe lack of playoff experience cost the Bearcats the first half.   They remind me of when Whitewater went out West and beat #1 Linfield.  The win put Whitewater on the D3 national map on the field, and maybe more importantly in their mind.

[Tuxguy]

voice,

Nice in site, And as I've posted, they had at least 3 chances inside the 30 to come away with something.

The '05 game at Linfield, the Cats had plenty of passing fire power just no ground game which is why they could not run out the clock. Had the lead with just a few minutes to go and had to punt. The Warhawks gave it to  "Leave it to Beaver" and that was that. We had the ball last but came up short.

My leave it to Beaver reference is true, he was amazing, and a soph. at the time.

Question, how do you keep coming up with such young good teams?
Inquiring minds want to know!