Linfield has a LOOONG history of stellar quarterback play. Our current QB, Sam Riddle had a breakout 2014 season where Sam accounted for 47 total touchdowns. The Sophomore's sensational season only trails the legendary Brett Elliott's 2004 and 2005 season. When I posted up Sam's photo I thought it would be fun to dust off Brett's "61" video where you can relive all 61 TD's passes tossed by Brett (Brett also had 3 rush TD's in 2004) to what has to be one of the very best receiver corps in Division III history.
Don't expect the 'Cats offense or QB play to fall off anytime soon.
If Linfield is having their annual team banquet during the month of February, that probably means the team had a heck of a season. That holds true for 2014 as this team meet one final time at the Covenant Church in McMinnville to celebrate an emotional season on and off the field.
After Coach Smith provides his opening remarks on the season that was and what is on the horizon for the Wildcats, the players are provided a great meal organized by the fine folks associated with the Covenant Church. The dinner effort is spearheaded by the 'Cats equipment manager Mack Farag and a number of supporters. After the players settle in we roll out the program's annual highlight video (all 1 hour and 35 minutes of it). From there a number of support people and players are recognized, seniors hand out their mock awards, letters are handed out, NCAA playoff swag, All-Conference plaques, team awards, and then the seniors are recognized by their position coaches.
Remembering and honoring Linfield Linebacker Parker Moore was a integral part of the evening as Parker will have a lasting impact on these players, coaches, and program for the rest of their lives. His legacy will never be forgotten and will only be solidified in the years moving forward.
This is an incredible group of young men and this past season had many great highs and the lowest of lows that we could imagine. Through it all, this team found their salvation between the lines and came up 20 yards shy of playing for a National Championship. There are so many teams that Linfield has produced that I hold dear but the 2014 Linfield Wildcats is a team that I'll never forget as long as I remain on this rock. Beyond football players, this is a special group of young men. Go 'Cats!
2014 Linfield College Football Team Awards
Best Defensive Scout Player: Mat Merrick, Linebacker, Sophomore - Wilsonville, Or.
Best Offensive Scout Player: Derek Van Leeuwen, Wide Receiver, Freshman - Ontario, Ca.
Rookie of the Year: Jacob Reimer, Linebacker, Freshman - Sherwood, Or.
Most Improved: Kyle Belcher, Corner, Junior - El Dorado Hills, Ca.
Best Special Teams Player: Kevin McClean, Punter, Sophomore - Beaverton, Or.
Best Offensive Lineman: Eric Pitassi, Guard, Junior - West Linn, Or.
Best Defensive Lineman: Jeremy Girod, Tackle, Senior - Vancouver, Wa.
Best Offensive Player: Charlie Poppen, Wide Receiver, Senior - Oregon City, Or.
Best Defensive Player: Alex Hoff, Def. End, Junior - Lebanon, Or.
Offensive Captain: Sam Riddle, QB, Sophomore - Hillsboro, Or.
Offensive Captain: Jeremy Patrick, Center, Senior - Portland, Or.
Defensive Captain: Jordan Giza, Safety, Senior - Salem, Or.
They keep coming and Linfield keeps sending 'em back.
On December 31st 2009, we review the first full decade of the
realignment of the Northwest Conference (The NWC regrouped in 1996
as the Northwest Conference of Independent Colleges (NCIC) and then officially
named back to the Northwest Conference in 1998). Each season we take a look at the numbers but one thing has remained the same, Linfield on top.
It’s still staggering how Linfield
has absolutely dominated what is an excellent conference on the division III
level. There is nothing any other team in the NWC that can dispute what
Linfield has continued to accomplish year after year.
142 victories since the 2000 season. The closest team over this period to
Linfield is PLU and for Lutes success they've still taken 30 losses in NWC play
compared to only 6 conference losses by Linfield. That's remarkable.
There are others stats that leap out at you in terms of where Linfield has made
their mark. 21 playoff victories (next closest is PLU with 3), 12 NWC
titles (nearest team is Whitworth with 3), 175 1st team conference honors (that’s
more than the next two teams combined (Willamette/PLU = 157)), and has Linfield's
won 88.6% of their home games (Whitworth is next at 64.8%).
Another area to look at is the D3football.com All-American totals since 2000.Linfield has 19 1st-Team All-Americans since
2000, the rest of the Northwest Conference has 6 combined. Wow.
The data is staggering to me when you considered that the Northwest Conference
is a darn good conference. There's no secret why this has happened. It's
been consistence that's the program reaches on a yearly basis on the back of
hard work. No shortcuts, no gimmicks. Linfield will continue to be
the team to beat year after year because of the commitment of this staff,
players, administration, and support community that do things the right
way....the Linfield way.
Decade Records (2000-14) (I've now included
Pacific’s data from the past 5 seasons into the mix.Their precentages are big enough now to
include and slot them accordingly.)
D3football.com All-American 1st Team Players
Linfield.......19
Whitworth....2
PLU....2
L&C.............1
Willamette..............1
UPS.............0
Pacific……..0
Team Statistics (Averages) (2000-14)
(I excluded the 2005 stats from L&C since they only played 4
non-conference games and canceled their NWC games. Their total numbers
were divided against 14 season (rest of the teams total numbers are divided
against the 14 previous seasons. Also, I've now included Pacific's first
5 seasons (2010-14) into the avg totals. Comparing 15 seasons worth of
data against 5 may not be very fair but they had to join the party at some
point.) We’ll add GFU once they have a larger sample size
Points Per Game
Linfield..........39.4 PPG
Willamette...............30.9 PPG
PLU......30.4 PPG
Whitworth......29.0 PPG
Pacific...........26.1 PPG
UPS...............21.5 PPG
L&C...............20.9 PPG
Points Allowed Per Game
Linfield..........17.0 PPG
PLU...............22.9 PPG
