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| Team, Excellence, Attitude, Class |
Coming back to the ‘Catdome on back-to-back years, due to some anomaly in the conference schedule realignment, is the peak year George Fox Bruins who currently sit at number 19 in D3football.com top 25 polls after bursting through after blowing out Whitworth in the Pine Bowl two weeks ago. It’s been a banner year for the Bruin program in their 5th year since rebooting the program and 4th year of hitting the field. The program features a large majority of their starting lineup as 3 to 4 year starters the in GFU scheme. That experience and their constant improvement are very reminiscent to the 2013 Pacific Boxers, who in their 4th year back (they didn’t have a zero year) came within 6 points of knocking off a highly ranked Linfield and 10 total points of going 10-0 in their 4th year back on the field.
The success so far of the 2017 George Fox Bruins was expected, however, GFU has surpassed what many thought would be their ceiling in coming within 2 points of beating one of the better and highly ranked WIAC teams (Platteville) on the road and then dumping a top 25 Whitworth Pirates on their head to set up this showdown where the Bruins are looking to knock off the ‘Cats. You have to credit the coaching staff of GFU of being aggressive in their scheduling of WIAC competition to help them prepare for the likes of our ‘Cats. The Bruins have benefited from that scheduling far more than they would in lining up the likes of Whittier and La Verne year after year.
In terms of what Linfield will see this Saturday is almost a mirror image statistically. Linfield’s offense averages 387.2 yards per game, GFU’s offense averages 380.3 yards per game. Linfield rushes for 185 yards per game, GFU averages 181.3 rushing yards per game. Passing yards: Linfield 202.2/GFU 199. GFU’s defense gives up 13.7 PPG/Linfield 14.6. Fox with 7 interceptions, Linfield with 7 interceptions, etc, etc, etc. These are teams that are both built with physicality up front and teams that put a high regard on execution and precision.
The Bruin offense is one that will feature a ton of formations out of the shotgun. You’ll see 4 wide, or extra tight ends, a good chunk out of the Pistol, single back, and more. The Bruins do like to attack downhill in the rush game and will put their QB in lots of veer type of options situations behind their big and experienced offensive line. GFU will also attack the outside with bubble screens and try to hit the home run ball as well. If you allow the Bruins to start moving the sticks, it becomes a dangerous offense to stop that will eventually pop the big play.
Defensively, Fox runs a 3-4 or even a 3-3-5 front that features three bigs up on the defensive line and outstanding linebacker play lead by Charles Riga and Daniel Campos. But what has made the Bruin defense complete so far in 2017 is the solid defensive back play that has helped solidify what was already a good run stopping unit.
For Linfield, I will be very interested to see what our ‘Cats bring to the table on Saturday. Our defense has been excellent all season long, but our offense has been uneven at times as well as our special teams. I still haven’t felt like Linfield has played their peak football this season but they’re going to have to do that if the ‘Cats plan on derailing a Bruin team full of confidence and belief.
Wildcat11’s Keys To Victory.
Limit the George Fox Rushing Attack: While the Bruins offense can get it done the air, it’s on the ground where Fox thrives. GFU is average 181.3 rushing yards and 12 total rush TDs per game behind their veteran and big offensive line. While the Bruins use a trio of running backs (Riddell, Garcia, and Swilley), it’s Schroeder who is the key to the Bruin rushing attack. The Bruin QB is currently tied for the conference lead with 6 rushing TD’s and averages 47.8 rush yards per game. Linfield putting the clamps on this aspect of the Bruin offensive attack will be crucial to the outcome of the game.
Special Teams Rise to the Challenge: With the ‘Cats and Bruins being so evenly matched on both sides of the ball, this game could very well come down to who gets it done on special teams in terms of flipping fields or making a huge momentum-swinging play. While Linfield’s kickoff team has been a rollercoaster ride this season the rest of the special teams unit has been very solid during the course of 2017. Linfield is going to have to be stellar in doing the little things. I’m talking about clean snaps, ball handling, staying in lanes, solid blocking/tackling. Doing Football 101 the right way.
Establish a running game: This is much easier to write than actually do in practice. The Bruin rush defense has been up to the task all season long in only allowing 114.7 rush yard per game. Even though GFU has been a brick wall with outstanding defensive line and linebacker play, Linfield has to find their footing in rushing the football and force the Bruins to respect the run so the ‘Cats can open up other aspects of the attack. If Linfield is unable to move the chins on the ground, it’s going to be a long day for the Wildcat offense.
‘Cats offensive line holding up: Linfield’s offense line is a bit banged up and I’m not sure what the lineup is going to look like on Saturday. Regardless, much of the outcome of this game is going to rest on the broad shoulders of the Wildcats offensive line. In George Fox, Linfield will see the 2nd best defensive front and linebackers that the ‘Cats will play against all season. (Call GFU’s front seven “second” best isn’t a slap, as UMHB’s 2017 front seven might be the best collection of defensive talent I’ve seen in my 24 years of following Linfield football). Fox is big, physical, and athletic up front. Linfield’s offensive line has to make meet the challenge and do their best to create lanes for the ‘Cats running backs and keep our quarterbacks upright in the pocket.
Blanket the Fox receivers: There has been lots of talk about the Bruin rushing attack but Fox has a group of playmakers on the outside and in the slot that can break open at a drop of the hat. Seniors Brad Lander and Lane Hadley are each outstanding targets in their own right with 5 touchdowns each and junior Kenny May is a burner who can fly downfield. If the ‘Cats can bottle up the rushing attack, the Bruins are going to see if Linfield’s secondary can stand up to the task. Our defensive backs need to have a huge day.
TAKE CARE OF THE BALL: Weather right now is looking like it’s going to be a soaker and a chance it’s going to be a windy day as well. Ball security would have been a huge story in this game on a dry day but with the potential of a bad weather day, this aspect of the ball game will only be amplified. The ‘Cats not only need to make good decisions with the football but secure that baby up tight at all times.
Maximize every scoring opportunity: The Bruin defense has been excellent all season long but they get even tougher in the red zone in only allowing 6 red zone touchdowns and five field goals in 18 opposition trips on the season. The ‘Cats offense have to make good on every chance to get points up on the board in what I think will be a tight ball game. Bottom line, if Linfield gets opportunities, the ‘Cats have to make good on them.
Overall
‘Cats by 3. Saturday is going to come down to some very basic things. Which team is going to execute their game plan more consistently, who is going to be the more physical team, who tackles better, and who makes more plays. Linfield is going to need an all-hands on deck approach on Saturday to knock off this worthy challenger. I have a feeling the ‘Cats are going to be up for the challenge but it sure won’t be easy.
1 comment:
"Linfield putting the clamps on this aspect of the Bruin offensive attack will be crucial to the outcome of the game."
Then we put some intangible in the game by pummeling him with all the weights we lifted in 2017.
Make him think about something other than what he was taught.
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