This is a simple update as the Northwest Conference had a collective bye this past weekend in preparation for their conference schedule.
The next 7 weeks are pretty simple: 4 games a week, all Saturday games, and every game will be streamed via the NWC Network, other than Linfield’s games, which has their own streaming service.
Week 5 Matchups
Puget Sound Loggers (1-1) at Pacific Boxers (0-2) | 1PM PDT
This has not been a good month for the Boxers offense. Chapman shut them out for two quarters and could only accumulate 9 points against George Fox.
Although their yardage totals from their game against Pomona-Pitzer look encouraging as they passed for 200 and ran for 150, they still lost 24-17. They’ll be looking to build on that as they host Puget Sound.
The Loggers were unable to maintain their momentum from coming back against Lewis & Clark. The La Verne Leopards defeated them the following week. This will be their first road trip of the season down the I-5 and QB Mason Binning hopes to keep producing as a volume passer though they’ll also look to establish the run.
Pacific Lutheran Lutes (1-2) at Whitworth Pirates (2-0) | 1PM PDT
Led by QB Darrius Claflin, Pacific Lutheran has shown they are better than their record.
They make the long trek to Spokane to play in the Pine Bowl in what should be beautiful late September weather to face the Pirates.
Whitworth’s out-of-conference schedule does not predict their potential. However, they are still undefeated and one cannot overlook their non-conference victories.
The winner of this matchup firmly places themselves as the second-best team in the conference
Willamette Bearcats (1-2) at Linfield Wildcats (2-0) | 1PM PDT
Although Linfield’s offense has had a slow start, they are still winning.
On paper this should be an easy task for the Wildcats. The Bearcats have only scored a single touchdown in each of their two games since they opened their season with a win against La Verne.
Lewis & Clark Pioneers (1-2) at George Fox Bruins (1-2) | 4PM PDT
The Bruins defense has been the most impressive unit of the team so far this year, Allowing 14 points per game, but even that is somewhat inflated by late touchdowns in their 2 losses. Defensive linemen Jacob Erickson has been credited with 4 sacks in 3 games as he continues to develop.
They will spend their week off trying to figure out who they want to start at QB and how to best utilize their abilities.
Special teams have also been inconsistent as the coaches seek some semblance of reliability from the unit.
On the visitors side, QB Cruz Montana leads the Pioneers spread attack and it'll be a good test for the George Fox secondary.
Their defense does not have much to brag about so far this season but they were strong against Willamette and should be excused for being overmatched against Montana Western.
This game could be another low-scoring battle for George Fox.
Week 5 Northwest Conference Power Ranking
- Linfield Wildcats
- Whitworth Pirates
- Pacific Lutheran Lutes
- George Fox Bruins
- Lewis & Clark Pioneers
- Puget Sound Loggers
- Pacific Boxers
- Willamette Bearcats
