Ragan Lifts Linfield Past Menlo, 21-3

The Wildcats, ranked 16th in the latest D3football.com poll, lost three fumbles and gave up three interceptions, but the Oaks (3-5, 1-4 NWC) couldn’t cash in with the game on the line.

Photo courtesy: Linfield College

McMINNVILLE - Linfield overcame six turnovers to win a less-than-spectacular 21-3 Northwest Conference game over Menlo Saturday at sunny Maxwell Field.

Linfield running back Drew Ragan rushed for a career-high 138 yards and scored one touchdown, and Tyler Kaluza had 101 receiving yards and caught a 59-yard touchdown for the Wildcats (5-2, 4-0 NWC).

The victory solidified a 51st consecutive winning season for Linfield, which won its fifth straight game after losing the opening two contests of 2006. It sets up a showdown next weekend between Linfield, the six-time defending NWC champion, and No. 11 Whitworth at Maxwell Field. Both teams enter the game with identical 4-0 conference records.

Linfield turned the ball over three times in the first quarter, including twice inside the red zone.

On their opening drive, the Wildcats drove to the Oaks 5 but safety Nick D’Antonio intercepted a tipped pass. A muffed punt cost Linfield another possession, then Scharer was picked off at the 5 by linebacker Keoni Tamiano-Black, thwarting another drive.

Linfield’s saving grace, at least early in the game, was its defense, which held the Oaks to 15 total yards in the first quarter and 251 for the game. Rover Andrew Bean finished with 10 tackles, including two for loss, and tackle Michael Greenberg had seven tackles to lead the Wildcats’ defense.

It took until seven minutes remained in the second quarter for the Wildcats to break the ice. Scharer launched a deep ball to Kaluza, who outjumped his defender at the Menlo 30 and raced 59 yards into the end zone. The extra point by Scott Birkhofer made it 7-0 Wildcats with 7:34 left before intermission.

The Oaks countered with a 27-yard field goal by Koa Aiwohi with 2:29 left in the half. A 36-yard attempt by Aiwohi with 34 seconds left was short.

The Wildcats outgained the Oaks 192-106 in the first half as Ragan rushed for 90 yards on 12 carries.

Menlo moved to the Linfield 6 to begin the second half, but Wildcats linebacker Cam Rogers picked off Adam Hazel at the goal line to keep the Oaks out of the end zone.

Linfield got some breathing room with just over five minutes left in the third quarter, scoring on Ragan’s two-yard run up the middle.

The ‘Cats made it 21-3 when Scharer hit Tyson Banker for a 4-yard score with 9:30 left in the game. Scharer finished with 244 yards passing, completing 19 of 29 attempts, but he was intercepted three times and sacked twice.

Hazel completed 13 of 28 pass attempts for 160 yards and also rushed for 76 yards on 10 carries. Eric Rodrigues led the Menlo defense with eight tackles.

The Wildcats face NWC co-leader Whitworth next Saturday at Maxwell Field. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.

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