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| Let's get this fired up! |
What a way to open up the 2017 home schedule. The number one team and defending National Champions, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders, are rolling into town for a showdown of top ten teams in the ‘Catdome. This should be exciting for all involved. Both programs are about as familiar with each other at this point as two out of conference teams could possibly be. For those uninitiated with the series (I don’t know why you would be reading this blog, if you weren't) , these two programs have a history dating back to the 2004 DIII National Championship game. It was the first DIII trip for both programs and remarkable for UMHB in only being their 7th year in playing football. Linfield won a tight ball game 28-21, and the title, but it was not the last these two would see each other.
Fast forward to 2009, and UMHB visits Linfield in the playoff quarterfinals. The Cru was rolling early but Linfield flipped the scrip and rode a slew of turnover to a 53-21 hammering. The two would not see each other until 2014 quarterfinals when Linfield was the road dog but found the way in a 31-28 thriller. It was the quarterfinals once again in 2015, when UMHB came back to Mac and saw Linfield storm back in a wild 38-35 Linfield victory.
At that point, the series was 4-0 Linfield and you knew that had to burn in the gut of UMHB head coach Pete Fredenburg. The 2015 game feature some massive meltdowns by UMHB with their ball handling and getting some back-breaking personal fouls and Linfield's brilliant offensive play. However, It seemed that bitter loss was a launching pad in many ways for the Crusaders. A final hard lesson served cold by the ‘Cats that the Cru used to make changes to their approach and helped galvanized an already top flight Division III program.
What the ‘Cats ran into down in Texas during the 2016 regular was tough. Linfield was game and played the Cru tight but the wheels fell off later in third quarter and the game turned into a rare blowout loss for the ‘Cats. Linfield bounced back and won another NWC title and a great 1st round road playoff game at Hardin-Simmons but couldn’t overcome an incredible Crusader defense and offense that could pop big plays when it they needed them most. Years of what seemed to be a mental strangle hold by Linfield against UMHB was over just like that, and Linfield had to sit home and watch the UMHB win it all.
So here we are in 2017, with a cast of many new faces for Linfield seeing the number one team in the country invading the ‘Catdome in a regular season game for the first time in series history. The Crusaders are once again led by the best defensive front in the country and a stack of offensive weapons that could break your back at any time. No lie, this is going to be a huge challenge for Linfield this weekend but a game like this is why our players choose to come to Linfield. To play the very best in the nation and that’s what we have this weekend. An up-and-coming Linfield squad against the established and worthy champs. It’s gonna be hard to sleep the next couple of nights.
Get To Know A Wildcat
#85 Drew Accimus, Receiver, Senior
Hometown: Woodinville, Wa. High School: Woodinville High School
Favorite place to eat in Mac: Grain Station
Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite show to binge: The Simpsons
Favorite Book: Mind Gym
Class I look forward to: American Politics
iPhone or Android: iPhone
Personal Mantra: Good is the enemy of great
Social media of choice: Instagram
A talent most people don't know about: I can make great PB&J sandwiches
What first inspired you to play football: Growing up watching Husky games with my parents
Favorite Coach Smith Saying: Not enough sell to that route, family is going hungry tonight!
Favorite part of playing at Linfield: The relationships you build with your teammates and coaches
Post Linfield aspirations: Hoping to start my career in public accounting and earn my CPA
Wildcat11’s Keys To Victory
All about the little details: When you play a team as talented and experienced as UMHB, it has to be all the little details for Linfield to help carry the day. The ‘Cats can’t afford to blow assignments, jump off sides, line up incorrectly, make sure the right personnel groups are the field, etc, etc. All of the little details, Linfield has to be spot on this Saturday in order to meet the Cru’s talent.
A sustained effort: The ‘Cats need to bring it every play of this game. UMHB is fast, physical, and have players that understand their roles within their structure. Linfield has to meet that excellence head-to-head for every play for a full four quarters. I’m not asking Linfield to come out on the field jumping out of their skin because that emotion only last for so long. My hope is that this Wildcat teams will decide to bring the effort and hustle every play, whistle to whistle. Don’t play tight or nervous but with passion and fire.
Limit turnovers: In 2016, the ‘Cats lost the turnover battle to Mary Hardin-Baylor by a count of 7-1 over two games. Those turnover were a major factor in the wheels coming off in the beat down in the regular season and help the Cru’ seal the playoff win in November. Linfield didn’t get off to a promising start in 2017 with 4 turnovers against Chapman last Saturday and have to be so much better in protecting the football. Turnovers will play a large role in what kind of football game is played this weekend.
Offensive Line performance: This will be the biggest regular season task for the ‘Cats offensive line. The Cru’ return 3 out of the 4 starters from that disgustingly good defensive line that was the heart of their 2016 championship season (along with LB Mullins and QB Jackson) and started the season off looking like they haven’t missed a beat in limiting a much improved Sul Ross State offense to 34 rushing yards and 174 yards total. I know our talented offensive line understands they are facing a big challenge but I feel this Linfield offensive line has a chance to be a standout group by the time it’s all said and done. They’re going to need to rise up and play a great game as a unit if Linfield is going to overcome.
Eliminating the big play: The Cru’s offense will have a new look at QB with left handed T.J. Josey switching from WR to take the helm at QB for UMHB. This offense is loaded with weapons and the ability to break game changing plays at the drop of a hat. The Wildcat defense have to be excellent tacklers at the point of attack and not allow the Cru’s backs to get into the second level of the Linfield defense and the ‘Cats secondary need to meet the one-on-one challenges head on.
Meet the Special Team Challenge: Linfield will be facing a formidable challenge in special teams this week as UMHB has returned multiple TD’s against the ‘Cats in the return game in past years. Field position will be critical this weekend and that means the ‘Cats need to bottle up UMHB’s potent returners. On the flip side, Linfield showed me a little something last weekend in our kick return game. The ‘Cats will need to bring that explosiveness again on Saturday.
Win the Ball: When the football goes in the air, both the Linfield offense and defense has to win the football. Both our defenders and offensive players have to be savages and attack the ball in the air and make the most of every opportunity to make plays on the football. There are going to be a handful of big game moments that come down to whose side is going to go up and make it happen on the football.
Overall.
‘Cats by 1. It’s going to take a great effort to unseat the number one team in Division III. As I’ve stated above, this Linfield team is very much still finding themselves but have potential to be an excellent group. However, they need to accelerate the maturation process if they are going to beat the Cru’. If Linfield half steps and plays a sloppy football game, it won’t be pretty for the ‘Cats. However, I feel something about this group. This team is young Wildcat team, but they’re a tight group, and I feel they’ll respond to the challenge and give UMHB all they can handle. Go ‘Cats!
2 comments:
An overtime game will mean heart stoppage for me. Still, of like to get into that position
I didn't think the Crusaders' win over Sul Ross was that impressive. Their QB, while white fast, didn't have that great of stats throwing the ball --12-20 or less. Yes their team has great talent but I think there are areas where they are just as green as Linfield.
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