FB: Northwest Conference

[Ron Boerger]

PLU is donating 25% of Saturday's ticket sales to the Kellyanne Elizabeth Lytal Memorial Foundation.  Kellyanne, the young daughter of Trinity (TX) OC Wade Lytal, was one of 27 who lost their lives in the extreme flooding that took place July 4th in the Texas Hill Country.  Thank you, PLU administration and staff, for your thoughtfulness. 

[catjumper]

Not talking any BS, LF has had UR's number ...but the O line LF put on the field Saturday looked very SCIAC...
One frosh, three sophs, and junior....What is up, where did the upper classmen go ?

Our all-nwc Center transferred to University of Idaho for his senior year (hasn't played through 2 games) and from the sound of it 3-4 other starters on the line were out vs Oshkosh.

Regardless, Linfield didn't look like Linfield.  Super young, not accurate throwing the ball, no push in the running game, gave up too much against the pass, lost a lot of experience off the staff, etc.  Looked bad, IMO.  Not ringing the alarm on the streak yet but this could be a tough year in McMinnville.

The inaccuracy of the passes was the most glaring issue. Trying to make McNabb a pocket passer might not be a great plan.  He seems more comfortable and successful when he's on the move and allowing him to run (it seems like he was told not to run in that game) will open up other aspects of the game.  Hopefully the injured guys can get healthy and the offense can improve in a big way before the Chapman game.  I think our defense played pretty well given how long they were on the field and how little rest the offense gave them.

Agree about the defense - it played well enough to keep the 'Cats in the game for quite a while.

Also agree about McNabb. The past few seasons he's brought a diversity to the offense by running the ball and I also wondered if his lack of rushes was an effort to protect him - when he briefly left the game after being banged up it was an "oh crap" moment  because every other quarterback on the roster is a true freshman. If the 'Cats can manage a few blowout wins to get those new guys some game snaps under their belt maybe they'll turn McNabb loose a bit more.

[wildcat11]

O.K. because I'm weak when it comes to football, I plunked down a $20 for Flosports. Felt dirty doing it.

Regarding the 'Cats. That second half was very good for Linfield. I thought Chapman could have put Linfield behind the 8 ball late in the 1st half but botched it with their game management. There are still about 1,564 things that Linfield needs to get tightened up if they plan on winning more games this year.  For example, if Pfeifer is going to be the #1 running back he needs to value the football and stop holding it like a loaf of bread.  Too many penalties on special teams and I'm over it. Coming out of a timeout with too many players on the field is crazy for a Linfield team, etc, etc.

The Linfield defense was fantastic for all but 2 series and won the game for the 'Cats.  I still have major concerns about the passing game. If you take away those 2 long TD tosses, McNabb was only 12-14 for 97 yards.  He misses too many easy looks that move the chains. HOWEVER, the fact he started to pull the ball down and run with some purpose in the 2nd half was encouraging. That's what makes Luke a weapon and difference maker.

Regardless, big win for a number of reasons for this Linfield team and we saw some really positive growth for this young group. That's Coach Smith and Vaughan busting their asses these past 2 weeks.

Not surprised that Whitworth dropped.  Feel like they're in a similar spot as Linfield this year with being stupid inexperienced. Plus they don't have a QB developed right now to make their offense go.

Today, right now, Lewis and Clark looks like the favorite in the NWC. Never thought I would ever type that sentence but here we are.

[wildcat11]

Back to Flosports. Why am I paying $20 for this? It feels like Linfield broadcasts their game at 480p. It's brutal that George Fox's video production of FOOTBALL is significantly better that what Linfield is doing. The only thing Linfield's broadcast is great at is filling up the breaks with local ads that bleed over so you get to miss game action.

[MonroviaCat]

Back to Flosports. Why am I paying $20 for this? It feels like Linfield broadcasts their game at 480p. It's brutal that George Fox's video production of FOOTBALL is significantly better that what Linfield is doing. The only thing Linfield's broadcast is great at is filling up the breaks with local ads that bleed over so you get to miss game action.

Welcome to support group Ryan.  We've been complaining about Linfield's lack of tech with these broadcasts for years...  and this is actually a much better product than it has been in the past.

Regarding the game/team.  Good to see McNabb tucking and running--I think getting him out in space makes him a better thrower as well.  RB--Pfeifer is running like he's afraid to get hit--hitting holes slow and not looking downfield when he does get an opening.  Spurbeck ran with a lot more power;  maybe not as elusive but definitely running downfield with momentum. 

DBs need to figure things out quickly or the Pios will tear them apart.....

[catjumper]

One thing that could help the Wildcats' offense quite a bit is consistently getting the snap to McNabb's chest instead of his facemask. A lot of plays' timing was thrown off from the start because he was having to get a handle on the football before proceeding with what the play called for - not to mention the one that bounced off his facemask while he was still positioning the running back. Agree that Spurbeck seemed a much more effective runner Saturday.

[wildcat11]

One thing that could help the Wildcats' offense quite a bit is consistently getting the snap to McNabb's chest instead of his facemask. A lot of plays' timing was thrown off from the start because he was having to get a handle on the football before proceeding with what the play called for - not to mention the one that bounced off his facemask while he was still positioning the running back. Agree that Spurbeck seemed a much more effective runner Saturday.

Fully agree but I'm going to cut the center a break on the one when he snapped it when McNabb wasn't ready.  Linfield, like so many teams, go with the clap to indicate when to snap the ball.  If you rewatch the game, McNabb was looking at the sideline slamming his hands together asking the staff about checking to another play.  I'm assuming the sound was close enough to a clap to the center's ear. Just my theory on what happened there.

[hazzben]

Interesting listening to Brett Elliot's interview on the Pod. Seems like he has things cooking at Lewis and Clark. That should only make the top of the conference that much better come playoff time. Fun one to watch develop.

[olddog]

Are you guys worried L and C could dilute some of LF recruiting ?

[wildcat11]

Are you guys worried L and C could dilute some of LF recruiting ?

Sure, they could dilute some but it's up to Linfield to rise to new challenges.

[MonroviaCat]

Feels like NWC recruiting has been diluted for some time now. 

[wildcat11]

Feels like NWC recruiting has been diluted for some time now. 

That's a fair assessment.

[PickSixNick]

Excited for NWC play to start. Here are my predictions for the season.

1) Linfield
2) Lewis & Clark
3) Whitworth
4) Pacific Lutheran
5) Pacific
6) George Fox
7) Puget Sound
8) Willamette

[Gray Fox]

Excited for NWC play to start. Here are my predictions for the season.

1) Linfield
2) Lewis & Clark
3) Whitworth
4) Pacific Lutheran
5) Pacific
6) George Fox
7) Puget Sound
8) Willamette

You need to change your name to PickEightNick.