Unfortunately, due to a combination of software failures on my computer and blog, my earlier computer crash, increased activity in my personal life, and a desire to take on a different style of writing, I am closing up shop on WildcatSpread40 for the season. It's been an honor following the Linfield Wildcats and the northwest conference for the past two and a half seasons, and I thoroughly enjoyed following the high-level football. Good luck in your quest for a national championship!
-Justin Derby
Monday, October 21, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Linfield vs Pacific Lutheran: Instant Analysis...
What was supposed to be a Northwest Conference classic turned into another Linfield massacre. The second-ranked wildcats broke free in the fourth quarter, defeating the #11 Lutes 29-0 on a sunny afternoon at Maxwell field. For much of the game, it seemed like we would have an SEC-style defensive slug fest. Instead, PLU fell apart in the fourth quarter.
It was over when: Dalton Richey threw three interceptions on three straight possessions after Linfield took a 19-0 lead. Whatever chances PLU had of coming back at that point vanished as Richey's ball security issues from the first three games came roaring back in a bad way.
Gameball goes to: Defensive end Jeremy Girod. Girod lead the Linfield pass rush by recording two of Linfield's four quarterback sacks. The constant pressure on Dalton Richey forced PLU's quarterback to make some horrendous throws, which Linfield started converting into interceptions in the second half.
stat of the game: 1.8 ypc for PLU. Coming into the game averaging 195 yards and 5.9 ypc on the ground, the Lutes vaunted rushing attack was held to 40 yards on 22 carries. This forced Dalton Richey to try and beat Linfield through the air, an effort that backfired in the end.
Unsung hero: Linfield quarterback Josh Yoder. While his numbers weren't spectacular, Yoder avoided committing a single turnover against PLU's vaunted defense after throwing four interceptions in his previous two games, something that helped Linfield's offense wear down the PLU defense as the game went on.
What it means: The win improves Linfield to 4-0 on the season (1-0 in NWC play), and keeps them in the #2 spot in the national rankings heading into a bye week. For Pacific Lutheran, the loss drops them to 3-1 on the season (0-1 in NWC play), and they have some serious concerns at quarterback now that Richey has thrown 9 interceptions and put the ball on the ground 7 times in four games.
It was over when: Dalton Richey threw three interceptions on three straight possessions after Linfield took a 19-0 lead. Whatever chances PLU had of coming back at that point vanished as Richey's ball security issues from the first three games came roaring back in a bad way.
Gameball goes to: Defensive end Jeremy Girod. Girod lead the Linfield pass rush by recording two of Linfield's four quarterback sacks. The constant pressure on Dalton Richey forced PLU's quarterback to make some horrendous throws, which Linfield started converting into interceptions in the second half.
stat of the game: 1.8 ypc for PLU. Coming into the game averaging 195 yards and 5.9 ypc on the ground, the Lutes vaunted rushing attack was held to 40 yards on 22 carries. This forced Dalton Richey to try and beat Linfield through the air, an effort that backfired in the end.
Unsung hero: Linfield quarterback Josh Yoder. While his numbers weren't spectacular, Yoder avoided committing a single turnover against PLU's vaunted defense after throwing four interceptions in his previous two games, something that helped Linfield's offense wear down the PLU defense as the game went on.
What it means: The win improves Linfield to 4-0 on the season (1-0 in NWC play), and keeps them in the #2 spot in the national rankings heading into a bye week. For Pacific Lutheran, the loss drops them to 3-1 on the season (0-1 in NWC play), and they have some serious concerns at quarterback now that Richey has thrown 9 interceptions and put the ball on the ground 7 times in four games.
What we learned about Linfield in week 4...
Wildcat Defense up there with best: After holding the Spartans to 76 yards of offense, including -3 in the first half, it became clear on Saturday that the Linfield defense is going to destroy any offense that doesn't have top-ten talent for its personnel. When you look at what the defenses for Mount Unions and UW-Whitewaters of the world in games like this, they put up similar defensive numbers as Linfield did on Saturday. A very good sign for the Wildcat D, to be sure.
Offense still has some kinks to work out: While the Wildcat offense is still averaging 56 points and 578.3 yards per game, which is among the best in the nation, there are still a lot of kinks to work out. Josh Yoder has thrown four interceptions in the past two games, and on Saturday seemed to be indecisive with his footwork and decision-making on the zone-read at times. Linfield's offensive line faced some issues with pass blocking against the Spartans defense, and #11 PLU comes to town with a far superior defense to Case Western's. Yoder and Linfield's offensive line will have to be on their A-game against PLU, as well at the rest of their schedule.
Tough match-ups coming up on schedule: Looking at the Northwest conference this season, Linfield is not going to be able to coast through the rest of the league after their opening match-up with #11 PLU. They'll have to play on the road against Willamette, a team threatening to break into the top-25. They will also end the regular season with a road game against Pacific (OR), a team that is not only 3-0 on the season, but looking very good on both sides of the ball. Granted, this Linfield team is more than talented enough to win all those games and have an undefeated regular season once again, but it would be unwise to sleep on Willamette and Pacific (OR).
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