Willamette, Linfield Ready For Battle

A win is crucial for both teams if either wants to make the playoffs this year.

Willamette Cheerleaders Photo by: Kevin Hays

SALEM - The Northwest Conference game of the year for both Willamette and Linfield takes place on Saturday in McMinnville.

The Bearcats (1-3 overall, 1-0 NWC) come into the game with some momentum after coming back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Menlo College on the road, 41-35 Saturday.

The Bearcats need to pounce early on the Wildcats who are coming into the game well rested after a week off.

No. 20 Linfield (0-2 overall, 0-0 NWC) is having what some would call an off year.

They lost their season opener to Western Oregon, 24-14, Linfield’s first loss in the regular-season since 2001.

In week two the Wildcats lost on the road to No.5 Hardin-Simmons, 21-6.

Last year they blew-away Willamette, 63-21 in Salem.

Linfield owns a 43-33-1 advantage in the series, which dates back to 1902. The first 14 games in the series were won by Willamette, but since 1949 Linfield has won or tied 44 of 62 games. The Wildcats have been winners in 29 of the last 35 games, including the previous six. Linfield's biggest margin of victory was 55-0 in 1984, Willamette's greatest win was 48-0 in 1930. The closest game in the series was Linfield's 20-19 win in 1998.

Willamette is led offensively by 5’9, 204 pound senior fullback Kevin Dean who in four games has rushed for 199 yards and 4 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Kevin Whipps is 35-66-462 yards, 2 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Whipps favorite target is 6’ 1 senior receiver Mike Plank who has caught 18 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown.

Junior linebacker Phil Sweet, 6’2, 223 pounds, anchors the Bearcats defense with 28 tackles, and 2 fumble recoveries.

Junior rover Tyler Gill, 5’9, 171 pounds, and junior linebacker Taylor Hermes, 6’1, 241 pounds, have 20 tackles apiece.

Linfield is led offensively by 6’3 senior quarterback Tim Benzel who in two games is 33-64-390 yards. 2 touchdowns and one interception.

Benzel’s favorite target is 5’9 senior receiver Jared Thomas who has caught 12 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown.

The Wildcats defense is led by 5’11, 200 pound junior monsterback Keone Tawata who has 13 tackles, and 5’11, 215 pound senior linebacker Ryan Caffall who has 12 tackles on the year.

Willamette radio announcer Mike Allegre says that if the Bearcats play consistent on both sides of the ball and special teams continue to hamper opponents, this will be the year Willamette beats mid-valley rival Linfield.

The game should be close, full of hard hits, and amazing plays.

The game is homecoming for the Wildcats.

Kick-off at Maxwell Field, is set for 1:30 PM.

You can hear the game locally beginning at 1:15 PM on 1490 KBZY, and on the internet at FullAccessSports.com.

Salem-News.com prediction: Willamette will have a good day running the ball against the Cats’ and the Bearcats defense will make big 3rd-down stops and momentum changing turnovers.

Final score: Willamette 24 Linfield 21.

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