By Adam Johnson
D3sports.com
McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- With a slight rearranging of letters, there are two words that account for eight of the 10 letters in Willamette -- "will" and "team."
Both of these were on display Saturday as the Willamette Bearcats claimed a resounding victory on the road over conference rival Linfield, 52-28.
Let's start with "will."
Willamette entered the game with a five-game road losing streak against Linfield dating to 1998. On paper they were the favorite, but rivalries tend not to follow paper predictions.
The Bearcats could not have gotten off to a better start on the road thanks in part to the variable in football built purely on will -- special teams.
Less than three minutes into the first quarter, freshman Harmon Bruno blasted through Linfield's swinging gate punt formation and smothered the kick by Linfield's Dan Egan. Teammate Grant Piros scooped it up and returned it 23 yards for the score. The Linfield crowd, stunned, fell silent.
"That just gave our guys a huge boost of confidence," said Willamette coach Mark Speckman.
The Bearcats special teams were not done. Leading 21-7 with just over a minute to play, Linfield's Egan fumbled the punt snap deep in his own territory and Piros was all over it recovering the ball on the Linfield 11-yard line. One play later the Bearcats led 28-7 and looked well on their way to a lopsided victory -- the type Linfield was so accustomed to winning in 2004 (48-14) and 2005 (63-21).
Two special teams' plays, two turnovers and 14 points based on the pure will to get it done.
That determination is inherently learned from head coach Mark Speckman. Born without hands, Speckman himself is a testament to will, determination and strength of character.
"I don't go out of my way to make my situation a focus," said Speckman. "It's kinda just what football is about."
Secondly, the Bearcats operated on all cylinders Saturday, moving on both sides of the ball like a well-oiled machine. This team concept is evidenced by a smattering of contributors from freshmen to seniors and they ability to replace key starters lost to injury in the first half of the season.
Saturday's team effort represented all classes and highlighted the depth the Bearcats have been able to achieve.
"We do have a good sprinkling of talent in all classes," Speckman admitted.
Senior Bryan Bettencourt was a standout on defense recording seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup to complement fellow senior Piros' performance.
Junior Deon Horne was the difference on offense scorching the Linfield defense for 122 yards and three touchdowns including a 50 yard scamper in the fourth quarter that sealed the game for Willamette.
Sophomore Scott Schoettgen kept the Linfield secondary honest as he hauled in four passes for 96 yards including a 36-yarder in the third quarter that led to a field goal and a 10 point lead.
Freshman kicker/punter Mitchell Rowan was a perfect 7-for-7 on extra point attempts, kicked a clutch 23-yard field goal and averaged 65.7 yards per kick on kickoffs.
All classes contributed to this impressive win including several players who have stepped up to fill in for players lost for the season due to injury.
"We could make it real syrupy if we wanted," said Speckman. "But we just go about our business."
Senior quarterback Grant Leslie has taken over the reigns after Ryan Whitcomb was lost early in the year to a knee injury. He was consistent against Linfield throwing for 160 yards and a touchdown without turning the ball over.
When running back Kyle Johnson went down earlier in the season, it gave an opportunity for Horne and Jose Green to show they could contribute. Green contributed 93 all purpose yards as a punt and kickoff return specialist.
"It tests not only your backups but your backups, backups as well," said Speckman.
The Bearcats are undefeated, heading into a bye week and looking at two home games to end the season.
If they can continue to exemplify "will" and "team" as they have all season, 10 wins and a deep trip into the playoffs is a realistic expectation.
"It's a great time to be a Bearcat," said Speckman.
Making a point
UW-Stevens Point knocked defending national champion UW-Whitewater from the undefeated ranks on Saturday by skipping the opportunity to go for the tie and punching in a game winning two point conversion with 15 seconds to play.
The Pointers' win ended the Warhawks Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record-tying win streak at 25 games, and their WIAC record home field win streak at 27 games.
The Pointers catapulted into the Top 25 to No. 17 with the upset road victory.
Finally a first
St. Scholastica picked up its first win in program history Saturday dropping Trinity Bible 47-8. The Saints had lost their previous five games including two games by just a touchdown apiece. St. Scholastica racked up some impressive stats on the day with 613 yards of total offense. They ran the ball 51 times for 255 yards and threw for 358 yards averaging 7.6 yards per play.
Ray of hope
Gustavus rushed for 354 in their 34-31 victory over Augsburg on Saturday and running back Ray Wilson accounted for all but 96 of them. The senior set a single-game record with 258 rushing yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns, including the eventual game-winning touchdown on an 81-yard dash with just under seven minutes to play in the game.
Wilson's 258 rushing yards broke the previous mark of 252 yards set by Andy Traetow against Hamline in 2002.
So close, yet so far away
Cornell was staring its first IIAC win since 2005 square in the eyes Saturday leading perennial power Central 22-6 in the second half. But then it all fell apart. Central scored the last three touchdowns of the game including a 25 yard touchdown to Matt VerMeer in overtime to seal the win. The Rams outgained Central 393-241 but were unable to score after eight minutes to play in the third quarter.
Heartbreak again
A week after having two PATs blocked in the final seconds of regulation and overtime for their first loss of the season, the Carleton Knights found heartbreak again this week against St. Thomas.
The Tommies mounted a final drive that brought them to the Knights' 1-yard line with 10 seconds to play. A penalty moved it back but it didn't deter St. Thomas as quarterback David Sauer found tight end Jake Friederichs for the game-winning touchdown as time expired, 33-31. The loss was the 16th straight for the Knights to the Tommies.
A special thanks to the West region SIDs and their respective school's athletic departments for their hard work in promoting their school's football teams.
