FB: Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[MonroviaCat]

Cal Lutheran (0-1) will host Pacific Lutheran (1-0) on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. Location for this game will be announced no later than Monday, Sept. 12.

I'm sure the Lutes would be willing to host up North if there isn't a suitable stadium for the Kingsmen to host at

[Gray Fox]

Is there some kind of recruit they are trying to get?  Have it at his school.

[Oxy Fan]

Beautiful fall weekend up in Tacoma for the first game of the season (you folks up in the PNW must by lying about your weather just to keep us Californians out.)  It was fun watching Oxy return to form.  The offense started slow but was firing on all cylinders by the time Collis and the rest of the offense executed a picture perfect 2-minute drill at the end of the first half.  Too bad they had to shut it down towards the end of the 3rd quarter when the offense switched into run the clock mode.

The UPS offense appeared improved from last year and had success at times moving the ball between the 20's.  The Oxy defense, however, always seemed to have the right answers in the red zone and made several timely stops.

All in all, the team looked good for the first game of the season.  Looking forward to them building on this effort and erasing last season's disappointments.

Here are some pics from the game:  http://gallery.me.com/aybates#100327

[D O.C.]

Not nit picking, just wondering if there was any recognition of Andy Collins in his home state connected to that game.

[Oxy Fan]

Not nit picking, just wondering if there was any recognition of Andy Collins in his home state connected to that game.

I think the tribute got drowned out with all the 9/11 pre-game remembrances but the Oxy helmets had "AC #1" stickers.

[D O.C.]

Thanks.

[MonroviaCat]

Here ya go:  http://www.clusports.com/news/7832/

[Gray Fox]

Here ya go:  http://www.clusports.com/news/7832/

To put things in perspective, those of us in Texas would love to have this rain problem.

[MonroviaCat]

Here ya go:  http://www.clusports.com/news/7832/

To put things in perspective, those of us in Texas would love to have this rain problem.

So would those of us in Southern California....

[Kingsmen4]

There you go Redlands. We got some game film for you if you act real nice.

Good game CLU, maybe we'll see you in about 10 weeks!

Unfortunately ... We are faced with having to sweep the SCIAC (which with Redlands and Oxy both having strong openers it will be much harder than it was the last 2 years) with all likelihood that if that happens we will again be flying north to Oregon (of course assuming Linfield continues on the playoff path as well). Not ideal, but that's what happens when you don't win games that are "MUST WIN".

I think everyone would agree that Linfield didn't have the team they did last year coming out of the gates (that is an ode to last year's team, not a knock on this year's), but I think they could be just as dangerous once they get 3-4 games into the season and find their groove. CLU in my opinion (thanks to some key field position and turnovers) should have been up by at least 21 at half, while on the other hand Linfield should have won by more than 10 thanks to their second half domination. CLU forced plenty of 3 and outs and had a stellar first drive but after that could not find a way to score. HOW WE DID NOT GET THE BALL TO ROGERS MORE confused me. We couldn't establish the run game, but no one on that field could counter Rogers and of the 4 catches he had, all were in tight coverage where he went up for the ball and won the catch. The guy makes plays and more downfield risks to him would have loosened up the defense for the running game, and won the overall game for CLU in my opinion. He should get 10+ targets a game minimum.

The Defense wore down quick when Linfield started finding their groove and it seemed like we weren't set for at least half of the plays especially on the D-line. Hill took advantage of that and ran hard all game, and the QB made good decisions down the stretch to march the ball. The CLU defensive backfield was like a rotating door ... injuries and guys getting beat play after play left us exposed and the Linfield QB took full advantage.

Overall the effort from CLU is what really killed me. Another case of the PNW drag (we have lost at least 1 game in the PNW every season for as long as I can remember) got to us and it showed. There was a lack of intensity, competitiveness, swagger, and what seemed to be leadership for CLU and Linfield countered that and took over in the second half.

CLU will need to start flying around and bring some intensity if they want to compete this season, especially with teams like Redlands who will come out and hit them in the mouth. Tough and fast defense has been our savior for the last 5 years or so ... and that needs to be the focus right now. Bounce back against PLU and get a solid win this week.

-Go LU

[MonroviaCat]

There you go Redlands. We got some game film for you if you act real nice.

Good game CLU, maybe we'll see you in about 10 weeks!

Unfortunately ... We are faced with having to sweep the SCIAC (which with Redlands and Oxy both having strong openers it will be much harder than it was the last 2 years) with all likelihood that if that happens we will again be flying north to Oregon (of course assuming Linfield continues on the playoff path as well). Not ideal, but that's what happens when you don't win games that are "MUST WIN".

I think everyone would agree that Linfield didn't have the team they did last year coming out of the gates (that is an ode to last year's team, not a knock on this year's), but I think they could be just as dangerous once they get 3-4 games into the season and find their groove. CLU in my opinion (thanks to some key field position and turnovers) should have been up by at least 21 at half, while on the other hand Linfield should have won by more than 10 thanks to their second half domination. CLU forced plenty of 3 and outs and had a stellar first drive but after that could not find a way to score. HOW WE DID NOT GET THE BALL TO ROGERS MORE confused me. We couldn't establish the run game, but no one on that field could counter Rogers and of the 4 catches he had, all were in tight coverage where he went up for the ball and won the catch. The guy makes plays and more downfield risks to him would have loosened up the defense for the running game, and won the overall game for CLU in my opinion. He should get 10+ targets a game minimum.

The Defense wore down quick when Linfield started finding their groove and it seemed like we weren't set for at least half of the plays especially on the D-line. Hill took advantage of that and ran hard all game, and the QB made good decisions down the stretch to march the ball. The CLU defensive backfield was like a rotating door ... injuries and guys getting beat play after play left us exposed and the Linfield QB took full advantage.

Overall the effort from CLU is what really killed me. Another case of the PNW drag (we have lost at least 1 game in the PNW every season for as long as I can remember) got to us and it showed. There was a lack of intensity, competitiveness, swagger, and what seemed to be leadership for CLU and Linfield countered that and took over in the second half.

CLU will need to start flying around and bring some intensity if they want to compete this season, especially with teams like Redlands who will come out and hit them in the mouth. Tough and fast defense has been our savior for the last 5 years or so ... and that needs to be the focus right now. Bounce back against PLU and get a solid win this week.

-Go LU

A couple of thoughts:

1.  On not getting the ball to Rogers more--the Cat Defense had quite a bit of pressure on the QB most of the day which may have limited his ability to set and throw to Rogers---to his credit, he was able to break free several times to avoid the sack and gain some yards on the ground.

2.  A similarity between this game and week 1 of last year---the visiting team wore down as the game went on which I think can be directly attributed to the warm weather and the limited traveling squad.  Homefield advantage is huge especially early in the season and with less than perfect weather.

3.  As far as Linfield's team--I think they are certainly missing some of the stars from last year (Boehme and Hedin) but were also hampered by a lot of injuries.  I actually think that this team has more depth with the exception of the QB position--I think that will be the key to Linfield season--if Inn's can improve each week then the Cats will win each week--he impressed me with his ability to make good decisions (for the most part) and for standing in there under pressure---his throws certainly need to improve (lots of underthrown balls) but he looked pretty good and improved as the game went on. 

[Bigfan]

Opera Stars a TEAM not make...As the saying goes..."I play my best 11 players NOT my 11 best players".  Chemistry ain't there yet and it starts on the practice field and continues off!!

[D O.C.]

But, hey, solutes....still ranked in the d3 top 20 with an 0 - 1 record. That is R  E  S  P  E   C   T.
Build on it.

[D O.C.]

From the Valley Daily News...

'I am Brooke Collins': Widowed after only 10 days of marriage to Occidental QB Andy Collins, sports reporter picks up the pieces of a life together cut short

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_18880165?source=rss_viewed

[RFB]

DOC - thanks for providing link. I hope Brooke can find some type of comfort moving forward. Losing your spouse and best friend like that I imagine is never easy no matter what age it happens. I'm not surprised the way Andy impacted people, it was evident the way he carried himself on the field as a leader.