Connor McNabb is hoping for one more Northwest Conference title in his fifth year, while Whitworth is glad to have a chance to play for the crown. Linfield athletics file photo

By Brian Lester
D3sports.com

It won’t be ‘just another game’ when Linfield and Witworth square off in an NWC showdown Saturday afternoon.

There is a conference championship on the line. In fact, it’s the first time in conference history two unbeaten teams will decide the title in the regular-season finale, the winner punching an automatic ticket to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Fifth-year Whitworth senior safety Atticus Templeton said the team has kept its focus on each week as it comes, but of course, this game against the Wildcats has been on their radar from the start.

“In the back of our minds, we knew we were playing Linfield at the end of the year, but we tried not to focus too much on that,” Templeton said. “It doesn’t feel too different this week, but guys definitely feel a little more dialed in and a little more focused and intense. But I’d say we are treating this week the same as all the other weeks.”

Then again, Templeton is fully aware of the weight of this game. Whitworth and Linfield are both 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the conference.

“I know we are playing for a championship, and knowing how the playoffs work in Division III, if we win, we are in. If we lose, most likely not,” Templeton said. “So it’s a playoff week as well. We know we have to execute and stay focused.”

There are similar feelings over at Linfield, which has dominated the league to the tune of winning 33 consecutive NWC games and four consecutive conference titles.

Fifth-year senior running back Connor McNabb has enjoyed being part of another successful run and is amped up about the chance to be in a familiar position of playing for an NWC crown.

This situation is a little more unique based on the fact that both teams are heading into a winner-take-all kind of deal.

“We are definitely excited and motivated about this opportunity,” McNabb said. “We’re playing a really good opponent and it’s going to be a good game and a good time. I know we are all fired up about it.”

For McNabb, who has rushed for 655 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, leading the team in rushing, this season has been a little extra special. His younger brother, Luke, who is in his second year at the school, started at quarterback for the first time in the Wildcats’ 42-19 win over Pacific Lutheran Saturday. He has played in eight games and thrown for six scores.

“It’s a privilege,” Connor said. “We didn’t really play together in high school because he was a freshman, so playing back there and taking meaningful snaps together is a blessing. “It’s fun for us and fun for our family.”

Linfield has played in only one game this season decided by less than 10 points. The Wildcats’ last six games have all been wins by 25 or more, and in all six, they have scored 41 or more points.

The Wildcats have two receivers with more than 400 yards in Devon Murray (38 catches, 508 yards, 9 touchdowns) and Colton Smith (40 catches, 409 yards, 5 touchdowns) while the defense has been led by Blake Rybar, who has come through with 46 tackles. Blaze Holani has 30 tackles on the season. Eight others have 20 or more tackles.

Linfield is averaging 455.8 yards per game while allowing an average of 251.5.

The Pirates rallied for a 24-13 win over George Fox last week after winning their previous five games by 22-plus.

Atticus Templeton came back for his extra season of football to play for this moment. Whitworth athletics photo

Whitworth is scoring an average of 44.9 points per outing, which is close to the record average of 45.9 set in 2016.

The Pirates are averaging 450.1 yards per game and allowing 330.3. Luis Salgado leads Whitworth in rushing with 580 yards and eight touchdowns. Solo Hines has rushed for 364 yards and five scores.

Austin Ewing has thrown for a little over 1,900 yards (1,919) and 19 touchdowns, with Dillon Kuk (28 catches, 571 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Evan Liggett (34 catches, 550 yards, 6 touchdowns) serving as his top targets.

Zach Brooks leads the team on defense with 53 tackles. Zach Loveless has come through with 45. Templeton (31 tackles) is one of eight other players with at least 26 tackles on the year.

Head coach Rod Sandberg said his team has really come together well this season.

“We knew we had the talent and a large senior class to be a good team,” Sandberg said. “We had some struggles the last two years with all these things that are nothing but excuses, like covid and injuries, and the players said they weren’t going to let that happen this year. We got back to what Whitworth should be about and took it on their shoulders and made it happen.”

Unselfish play has been a big part of that.

“They love football and care about this team. They have put the cause of Whitworth football before themselves,” Sandberg said. “Everyone has their role, but it’s the team's success that matters most. When you have that, it sets the tone for everything.”

Templeton said coming back for his fifth year was all worth it, especially considering what Whitworth will play for this weekend.

“I’ve been playing tackle football since I was 8 and it would have been a shame not to go out there one more time and give it my all,” Templeton said. “The fact that I get to go compete for an NWC championship is really cool. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

There’s also some added motivation mixed in there for Templeton.

“I haven’t beaten Linfield in my entire time here. It’s kind of my last shot,” Templeton said.

McNabb said he came to Linfield for the chance to compete for titles and it’s worked out well.

To have one more shot to do it in his last go-round as a college football player means a ton.

“Everyone came here for the possibility of winning a championship and going to the playoffs,” McNabb said. “To have the opportunity to play in the postseason and test ourselves against the best teams, it’s been a blast. “We’re looking forward to this game and the chance to get back to the playoffs.”

Despite how much pressure is on this game and the high stakes riding on it, Templeton said he’s making sure to enjoy everything leading up to it.

“When I was a freshman we had a senior who was a math major give a senior share and he broke down the percentage of time spent playing football. I think it was like one or two percent of our total time together that we are actually playing football,” Templeton said. “Football is so much more than those 60 minutes on Saturday. I’m trying to enjoy the moment as much as I can.”