RFC Summer Semester: Northwest Conference (NWC) Preview (NCAA Division III)

Northwest Conference (NWC)--NCAA Division III

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2013 Final Standings 

Looking back: The Linfield College Wildcats continued to make history in 2013, as they clinched their record 58th consecutive winning season: the longest such active streak in all of college football at all levels.  They advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III playoffs, losing to eventual national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater, 28-17.

Looking ahead: While Linfield should be favored to win the Northwest Conference (NWC) crown again in 2014, they'll also face challenges from teams like Pacific Lutheran (8-2 overall in 2013), Pacific (Ore.)--(7-3) and Willamette (7-3), among others.  Also, The George Fox University Bruins out of Newberg, Oregon will take the field for the first time in 2014, giving the NWC eight schools for football.

Predicted order of finish (2013 overall record in parentheses):

1. Linfield (11-1):  Head Coach Joseph Smith must replace 32 seniors if the Wildcats hope to make it 59 straight winning seasons in 2014.  The Wildcats will begin the year with three straight road games, including a contest against defending Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic (SCIAC) champion Redlands on September 20, followed by the NWC opener at Pacific Lutheran the following week. Smith hopes that a solid recruiting class will lead to yet another banner year for the Cardinal and Purple.

2. Pacific Lutheran (8-2):  After having just one winning season from 2005-2009 (7-2 in 2007), the Lutes are moving in the right direction under Scott Westering, who's entering his 11th season as their head coach after replacing his father, the late Frosty Westering.  They finally reached the NCAA Division III playoffs in 2013, only to lose to fellow archrival Linfield in the first round. The Lutes will look to build on last year's success after finishing second in the NWC for four years in a row.

3. Willamette (7-2):  The Bearcats will look to build on last year's third place finish in the NWC after finishing 4-2 in conference play last season. Their last league title--as well as NCAA Division III playoff appearance--both came in 2008. Their lone losses of last season came to PLU and Linfield respectively.

4. Pacific (Ore.)--(7-3):  After just four wins combined over the previous three years, the Boxers finally broke through in 2013, clinching their first winning season since restarting football in 2010.  All three losses came by six points or less. Their continued success in 2014 could depend upon how their nine returning starters fare on the field.

5. Whitworth (4-6):  The Pirates begin a new era in 2014, with Rod Sandberg becoming their new head coach.

6. Lewis & Clark (1-8):  Talk about a tough way to start a season. The Pioneers will begin the 2014 campaign with four straight road games. They'll finally play their first home game on October 11, when they play host to Pacific Lutheran. That contest against the Lutes is one of just three home games on the 2014 season for the Pioneers.

7. Puget Sound (1-8):  The Loggers will go into 2014 in search of their first winning season since 2006, when they finished 7-3 overall.

8. George Fox (n/a):  When the Bruins play their first game of their inaugural season against Arizona Christian on September 6, it will actually be the first game they've played in over 45 years. Go figure.

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