FB: Northwest Conference

[MonroviaCat]

...and FLO sports is down in the middle of the first play.

it's a service they are providing so we don't have to watch this crap.....what an awful start by the 'Cats

[wildcat11]

That might have been the worst 1st quarter of Linfield football that I can remember but thankfully the 'Cats course corrected.

Linfield's defense continues to shine but the problems are still the problems. No running game (offensive line is not physical) and some questionable decision making in the passing game.  However, thank the football gods that McNabb decided to just do what he does best and that's make plays with his legs. That turned the game around for the offense and it was all 'Cats once he found the lanes.   Also, our Special Teams are either tremendous or they're hot garbage every time out.

Wrapping it up, let's go under center 1st and goal at the 1 yard line moving forward.  Please.

Lewis and Clark continue to impress.  Yeah, it's Puget Sound but that's what good teams do to bad ones.

[wildcat11]

NWC Week 2 Power Rankings

1. Linfield - Not a 'Cats team of the past but still plenty of talent.
2. Lewis & Clark - Rolling along in 2025
3. Whitworth - Bad loss to Redlands but still better than most of the NWC
4. Pacific - Fox's old/Pacific's new DC will keep the Boxers in most games
5. George Fox - At least they have the best quality video broadcast
6. PLU - Willamette having a lead in the 4th quarter is not a good thing
7. Willamette - Better than 2024's team
8. Puget Sound - Giving up over 50 points a game

[wildcat11]

A win is a win and 3-1 is a heck of a lot better than 1-3 so I'll take it.

'Cats defense continues to jell and has been stout vs the run.  Great to see the DB's make a number of huge plays against the pass.  The defense was put in some terrible positions but came through clutch.

All I can say about the offense is 23 points is the lowest total a Linfield team has scored against Pacific since the Boxers brought back football in 2010.  The two high points is that Dalziel is back on track kicking FG's and the freshman RB, O'Bagy.  That kid runs North and South, hits the holes hard and needs to be a guy they feature more.

Whitworth is going to be much stiffer challenge.

[MonroviaCat]

A win is a win and 3-1 is a heck of a lot better than 1-3 so I'll take it.

'Cats defense continues to jell and has been stout vs the run.  Great to see the DB's make a number of huge plays against the pass.  The defense was put in some terrible positions but came through clutch.

All I can say about the offense is 23 points is the lowest total a Linfield team has scored against Pacific since the Boxers brought back football in 2010.  The two high points is that Dalziel is back on track kicking FG's and the freshman RB, O'Bagy.  That kid runs North and South, hits the holes hard and needs to be a guy they feature more.

Whitworth is going to be much stiffer challenge.

O'Bagy was a breath of fresh air--made the O-line look decent because all they had to do is push forward.  RB #1 could learn a bit from watching that.  Passing game continues to suffer from poor blocking and inaccurate throws. There were glimpses of good play followed by absolute mediocrity.  The defense will likely keep us in most games but the offense continues to struggle against less than stellar opponents....the next few weeks are going to be a test for the 'Cats and likely for the fan's patience. 

[wildcat11]

NWC Week 3 Power Rankings

1. Linfield - Could be number 3 next week depending on the offensive output vs the Rats
2. Lewis & Clark - Good looking football team
3. Whitworth - Making some good strides, going to have a shot this weekend at the 'Catdome
4. Pacific - Defense isn't too shabby, but their offense stinks.
5. PLU - Not sure what to think of PLU at this point.
6. George Fox - Has to be the most billboards ever for an 0-5 team.
7. Willamette - Played pretty dang well vs L&C
8. Puget Sound - At least they didn't give up 50

[MacQuiz]

Accurate ranking and comments!
IMO.

[wildcat11]

Congrats to Whitworth.  Played better in all 3 phases of the game today and executed their game plan.

For Linfield, the issues that have been there since day one were again there today and it exposed the 'Cats.  Can't run the ball, terrible special teams play, trouble generating pressure our of the front four, etc, etc.

The 'Cats better have a sense of urgency because there isn't a game left on the schedule I would say Linfield is going to steamroll and then get recruiting their asses off in the off season.

[MonroviaCat]

Congrats to Whitworth.  Played better in all 3 phases of the game today and executed their game plan.

For Linfield, the issues that have been there since day one were again there today and it exposed the 'Cats.  Can't run the ball, terrible special teams play, trouble generating pressure our of the front four, etc, etc.

The 'Cats better have a sense of urgency because there isn't a game left on the schedule I would say Linfield is going to steamroll and then get recruiting their asses off in the off season.

Yup- this might be the weakest 'Cat team in the D3-era.  Pios getting handled by Fox was a bit a surprise.  Not sure Whitworth runs the table... could get messy in the NWC but whoever moves onto the playoffs will get embarrassed in short order.

[catjumper]

Congrats to Whitworth.  Played better in all 3 phases of the game today and executed their game plan.

For Linfield, the issues that have been there since day one were again there today and it exposed the 'Cats.  Can't run the ball, terrible special teams play, trouble generating pressure our of the front four, etc, etc.

The 'Cats better have a sense of urgency because there isn't a game left on the schedule I would say Linfield is going to steamroll and then get recruiting their asses off in the off season.

Urgency - or the lack thereof - strikes me as one of the big issues for the 'Cats and that lack shows up every few years. They play pretty well for a while, whether it's a season or a few games, and get to feeling that they can show up with Linfield across the front of their jerseys and that's enough to win; it then takes getting knocked around a bit to reinstall the recognition that they need to be sharp and focused in what they are doing. I wonder if the three-game win streak after UW-Oshkosh triggered a bit of that, pedestrian as those three wins may have been.

There were times Saturday I was encouraged by the offense, when it did seem to be clicking the way you'd like, but it has to be much more consistent. I was surprised to see the defense get pushed around the way it did - it had seemed to be a solid unit thus far this fall.

Here's hoping the loss to a good Whitworth team restores enough of that urgency that the 'Cats show up with a spark at Sparks on Saturday.

[wildcat11]

NWC Week 4 Power Rankings

1. Whitworth - Out coached and out toughed Linfield in the 'Catdome.
2. PLU - Won 3 in a row, 3-0 in NWC and handled Pacific more convincingly than Linfield.
3. Linfield - Last lost to PLU was in 2001, PLU could break that run this weekend.
4. Lewis & Clark - Giving up 42 to Fox is one way to take your first lost.
5. Fox - Only 1 win but knocking off an undefeated team shows growth.
6. Pacific - Should stay above Willamette and UPS.
8. Puget Sound - Out of the basement.
9. Willamette - Back to the basement.

[(509)Rat]

Yup- this might be the weakest 'Cat team in the D3-era.

This Whitworth team is worse than the previous 3-4 versions (the playoff teams). Your assessment is probably not far off.

[wildcat11]

Yup- this might be the weakest 'Cat team in the D3-era.

This Whitworth team is worse than the previous 3-4 versions (the playoff teams). Your assessment is probably not far off.

The 'Cats made Lacio look like Joel Clark.

[speedybigboy]

NWC Week 4 Power Rankings

1. Whitworth - Out coached and out toughed Linfield in the 'Catdome.
2. PLU - Won 3 in a row, 3-0 in NWC and handled Pacific more convincingly than Linfield.
3. Linfield - Last lost to PLU was in 2001, PLU could break that run this weekend.
4. Lewis & Clark - Giving up 42 to Fox is one way to take your first lost.
5. Fox - Only 1 win but knocking off an undefeated team shows growth.
6. Pacific - Should stay above Willamette and UPS.
8. Puget Sound - Out of the basement.
9. Willamette - Back to the basement.

Not sure my Lutes are deserving of the #2 but I will take it. I haven't watched any games this year but 3-0 against the 3 worst teams in the league may not be special. Plus it appears we give up way too many pts. Hoping to break that losing streak against the Cats, but it looks like we will have to put up 40 to win. GO LUTES!

[wildcat11]

I'll take the win. 

Easily, the best day throwing the ball for McNabb and the offense this year. Luke and the receivers played great. However, for whatever reason, it takes Linfield a half before we start putting things together offensively. I do appreciate the offensive staff making the adjustment and saying we're a throw first team and not try to pound the ball as much.  If we are going to run, Spurbeck has to be the primary guy (I would like to see the Frosh more too).

Besides the one long TD run, the 'Cats starting defense played well.  Our defensive line still can't generate a rush and that concerns me for next week.

Our special teams continue to stink. That group killed us in the 1st half and are flat out bad.

Next week should be entertaining.  L&C can score a tons of points.