2006-07 Football News
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Willamette to Host Inaugural Women's Football Clinic
July 13, 2007SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football coaching staff will host the inaugural Womenâ??s Football Clinic on Saturday, Aug. 4 at Sparks Field and Kaneko Auditorium on the WU campus. The clinic is designed to help women gain a better understanding of the game of football in a hands-on teaching and coaching environment. -
Swancutt, Anderson and Bernard Speak to Football Campers
July 11, 2007SALEM, ORE -- Bill Swancutt of the Detroit Lions, Derek Anderson of the Cleveland Browns and Yvenson Bernard of Oregon State University spoke to youngsters and signed autographs at the Willamette University Youth Football Camp on Wednesday, July 11 at McCulloch Stadium. All three players talked about their football playing experiences and encouraged the young athletes (entering grades 2-8) to focus on academics, to obey their parents and to play other sports as well as football. Swancutt, Anderson and Bernard also answered questions from several of the 200+ youngsters attending the camp.
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Willamette to Host Youth Football Camp July 9-12
July 08, 2007SALEM, ORE. -- The Bearcat football coaching staff will host the 2007 Willamette University Youth Football Camp at McCulloch Stadium inside Bushâ??s Pasture Park from Monday, July 9 through Thursday, July 12. Youngsters who will be in the second grade through the eighth grade during the 2007-08 academic year may attend the camp, which will begin at 8 a.m. (PDT) and end at 12:30 p.m. (PDT) each day.
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Speckman Selected for Induction into Sports Hall of Fame in San Mateo, California
June 07, 2007SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University football Head Coach Mark Speckman will be inducted into the San Mateo County Sports Hall of Fame on June 21. Speckman, who grew up in Belmont, Calif., just south of San Francisco, is one of 10 individuals being inducted into the Hall of Fame. The Class of 2007 will give the Hall of Fame a total of 192 members, including the inaugural class in 1989.
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Women's Football Clinic
June 01, 2007SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University Football team would like to invite the women of the surrounding community to learn more about the game of football in a hands-on teaching and coaching environment. The coaching staff will conduct a day of learning and playing the game of football. ABSOLUTELY NO MEN ALLOWED!
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Dean and Otawa Win Booth Award, May Earns Williams Award, at WU Athletic Awards Night
April 30, 2007SALEM, ORE. -- Senior running back Kevin Dean, senior swimmer Kei Otawa and senior track and field athlete Andrea May received the top awards during Willamette Universityâ??s Athletic Awards Night on Monday, April 30. Dean and Otawa were chosen as co-winners of the J.H. Booth Award, which goes to the senior male athlete who most exemplifies and demonstrates outstanding leadership, scholarship and athleticism. May received the Jean Williams Award, which is presented each year to the senior female athletes who provided exceptional leadership, scholarship and athletic success.
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Dean and Weyerhaeuser Chosen to Inaugural NFF National Honor Society
April 27, 2007SALEM, OR -- Willamette University football players Kevin Dean (Sr., FB, 5â??9, 204 lbs., Weed, CA/ Weed HS) and Ben Weyerhaeuser (Sr., SS, 6â??2, 223 lbs., Eatonville, CA/Charles Wright Academy) have been named to the inaugural National Football Foundation National Honor Society, which is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who each maintained a 3.2 GPA or better. A total of 345 players from 195 schools earned recognition as part of the inaugural class, as announced by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame on Wednesday, April 25.
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Bearcats Open Spring Practice on April 3
April 03, 2007SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team opens spring practice on Tuesday, April 3 at 7:15 p.m. (PDT) at McCulloch Stadium. The Bearcats have 11 practices scheduled over the next month, with their final practice set for Friday, May 4. That practice will be held during the Willamette Football Coaches Clinic, which will give other college and high school coaches a chance to see the Bearcats in action.
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Bennett Named to AP Little All-America Third Team
January 24, 2007(FOOTBALL) SALEM, ORE. -- The postseason awards continue to add up for Willamette University junior offensive lineman Brandon Bennett (6â??2, 300 lbs., San Marcos, CA/La Costa Canyon HS), as he has been named to the 2006 Associated Press Little All-America Third Team in addition to receiving two new honors from other organizations. He has been chosen as a D3football.com Honorable Mention All-America selection and as a North-American Interfraternity Conference All-Fraternity First Team All-America player. He has now been named to four All-America Teams this year.
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Bennett Named AFCA All-America at Offensive Tackle
December 11, 2006(FOOTBALL) SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University junior offensive lineman Brandon Bennett (6â??2, 300 lbs., San Marcos, CA/La Costa Canyon HS) was named to the 2006 AFCA Division III Coachesâ?? All-America Team as announced today by the American Football Coaches Association. Bennett also has been named to the D3football.com Second Team All-West Region Team.
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Bearcat Football Announces Team Award Winners
December 03, 2006(FOOTBALL) SALEM, ORE. -- Nine players were honored on Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Willamette University football team's end-of-the-year banquet. The Bearcats finished the 2006 campaign with a 2-7 record, for their first losing season since 2001 and just the third losing season at Willamette during the past 14 years.
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Three Bearcats Named First Team All-Northwest Conference
November 14, 2006SALEM, ORE. -- Three Willamette University football players have been named First Team All-Northwest Conference in voting by the leagueâ??s head coaches, the NWC announced today. A total of 12 Bearcat players received All-NWC recognition, including three Second Team selections, and six Honorable Mention picks. In all, 87 players from the conferenceâ??s seven teams earned recognition, with 35 of those picks chosen First Team All-NWC on offense or defense.
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Bearcats Provide Lutes with Eight Turnovers in 38-7 Loss to Pacific Lutheran
November 11, 2006Hernandez Rushes for 116 Yards, Scores Touchdown for Willamette
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Dean and Weyerhaeuser Chosen First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII
November 10, 2006SALEM, OR Willamette University football players Kevin Dean (Sr., FB, 5â??9, 204 lbs., Weed, CA/ Weed HS) and Ben Weyerhaeuser (Sr., SS, 6â??2, 223 lbs., Eatonville, CA/Charles Wright Academy) have been named First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII, as selected by member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). A total of 23 student-athletes received Academic All-District VIII honors. Only a First Team was selected. All of the players named to the team are now eligible for the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team, which will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 30.
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Willamette Forces Seven Turnovers, Offense Gains 381 Yards, as Bearcats Rout Pioneers, 61-14
November 04, 2006SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University offense drove 65 yards and 70 yards for touchdowns against Lewis & Clark early in the game, then the WU defense took control, forcing seven turnovers and providing two defensive touchdowns, as the Bearcats routed the Pioneers, 61-14, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Nov. 4. Willamette improved to 2-6 overall, 2-3 in the NWC. Lewis & Clark dropped to 0-8 on the season, 0-5 in the NWC.
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Whitworth Remains Undefeated with 28-14 Victory over Bearcats
October 28, 2006SPOKANE, WASH. -- Whitworth College senior quarterback Joel Clark passed for two touchdowns and ran for one touchdown, leading the 11th-ranked Pirates to a 28-14 victory over Willamette University in a Northwest Conference game at the Pine Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 28. Whitworth, now 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the NWC, also scored on a fake field goal late in the first half for a 21-7 halftime lead. The Bearcats fell to 1-6 overall, 1-3 in the NWC.
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Randall Selected as Northwest Conference Special Teams Player of the Week
October 16, 2006SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior cornerback Wesley Randall (Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral Prep HS) was named the Northwest Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after his play in the Bearcatsâ?? 34-26 loss to the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Oct. 14 at McCulloch Stadium. Randall previously earned honorable mention NWC Special Teams Player of the Week recognition following his efforts against Linfield College on Sept. 30.
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Willamette Rallies in Fourth Quarter, but Bearcats Fall to Puget Sound, 34-26
October 14, 2006SALEM, ORE. -- After trailing 27-6 late in the third quarter, the Willamette University Bearcats rallied to within one touchdown and a two-point conversion before the University of Puget Sound grabbed an onside kick in the final minute to secure the Loggersâ?? a 34-26 victory in a Northwest Conference game, Oct. 14 at McCulloch Stadium. The win gave UPS a 4-2 overall record, including 1-2 in the NWC, while Willamette dropped to 1-5 overall, 1-2 in the conference.
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Bearcates Stay Even with Linfield Until Late in Third Quarter; Wildcats Pull Away for 42-14 Victory
September 30, 2006McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team battled evenly with Linfield College for the better part of three quarters, but the Wildcats struck for 28 points in the final 18:28 to defeat the Bearcats, 42-14, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Sept. 30. Linfield improved to 1-2 overall and started NWC play at 1-0. Willamette dropped to 1-4 overall, 1-1 in the NWC.
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Dean and Hermes Earn NWC Player of the Week Honors
September 26, 2006SALEM, ORE. Two Willamette University football players have earned Northwest Conference Player of the Week awards following the Bearcats' 41-35 victory over Menlo College on Saturday, Sept. 23. Senior fullback Kevin Dean (Weed, CA/Weed HS) earned Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors, and junior linebacker Taylor Hermes (Keizer, OR/Southern Oregon University) was named NWC Defensive Player of the Week.
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Bearcats Rally from 11-Point Deficit in Fourth Quarter to Defeat Menlo, 41-35, for First Win of Season
September 23, 2006ATHERTON, CALIF. -- Willamette University entered the fourth quarter at Menlo College with a 35-24 deficit, but the Bearcats scored the gameâ??s final 17 points to end the contest with a 41-35 victory over the Oaks, in the Northwest Conference opener for both teams. Willamette won for the first time this season to improve to 1-3, 1-0 in the NWC. Menlo, playing its first-ever Northwest Conference game, fell to 2-2, 0-1 in the NWC.
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California Lutheran Rallies from 10-Point Halftime Deficit to Defeat Willamette, 26-16
September 16, 2006THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF California Lutheran University held Willamette University scoreless over the final 30 minutes, as the Kingsmen rallied from a 16-6 halftime deficit to take a 26-16 victory over the Bearcats on Saturday, Sept. 16 at Mt. Clef Stadium. Cal Lutheran, which has won nine consecutive games and 15 of 16 dating to the 2004 season, improved to 2-0 this season. Willamette dropped to 0-3.
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Gustavus Adolphus Gets Early Lead on Way to 35-7 Win over Bearcats
September 09, 2006SALEM, OR - Gustavus Adolphus College recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff and scored two plays later, as the Golden Gusties took an early lead on their way to a 35-7 victory over Willamette University on Saturday, Sept. 9 at McCulloch Stadium. The game was the season opener for Gustavus Adolphus. Willamette dropped to 0-2 on the season.
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Western Oregon Powers Past Willamette, 42-0, in Season Opener for Both Teams
September 02, 2006SALEM, OR -- Western Oregon University, which competes in NCAA Division II, held a size advantage over Willamette University of NCAA Division III when the teams met in front of 2,679 spectators on Saturday, Sept. 2 for their season opener at McCulloch Stadium. The Wolves used their advantage to gradually pull away from the Bearcats for a 42-0 victory. Eliot Vinzant rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries for the Wolves, while Brad Ching added 79 yards and two touchdowns on three pass receptions. Willamette kept the game scoreless for the entire first quarter, plus the first three minutes of the second quarter. The stats at the end of the opening period showed the Bearcats with 75 yards on 15 plays and Western Oregon with just 46 yards on 17 plays. The Wolves, however, scored three touchdowns before halftime on a 36-yard run by Vinzant at the 9:24 mark, a 26-yard pass from Mark Thorson to Ching with 5:06 on the clock and a 43-yard pass from Thorson to Ching on the final play of the half. Bruce Voges converted all three extra points, giving WOU a 21-0 lead at the break. Western tacked on two touchdowns in the third quarter. Thorson completed a nine-play, 48-yard drive by scoring on a 1-yard run with 9:24 left n the period. Vinzant reached the end zone on a 55-yard run just over four minutes later for a 35-0 advantage. The Wolves closed out the scoring on Tyler Wilson's 3-yard run with 12:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Bearcats received poor field position throughout the night. Willamette began 10 of 12 possessions inside its own 30-yard line. The only possessions beginning outside the 30-yard line came in the final quarter, when Willamette took over at its own 34-yard line following a kickoff with 12:01 left and started at its own 38-yard line after receiving a punt with 1:50 to go. WOU's offensive trio of Vinzant, Ching and Thorson combined to lead the Wolves to 423 yards of total offense. Western rushed for 266 yards on 37 carries and completed 13 of 27 passes for 157 yards. Thorson was 13 of 23 before giving way to back-up quarterback, Ryan Thorson, his brother. The Wolves also benefited from the efforts of starting punter Josh Vanlue, who averaged 46.6 yards per punt, while placing three kicks inside the 20-yard line. Willamette gained 216 total yards, with just 104 rushing yards on 33 carries. Ryan Hernandez (Sr., FL, Portland, OR/Portland Christian HS) rushed for 79 yards on 11 carries. Skylar Swinford (Jr., RB, McCall, ID/McCall-Donnelly HS) added 20 yards on 11 carries. Junior quarterback Kevin Whipps (Eagle, ID/Eagle HS), in his first start for the Bearcats, completed 8 of 14 passes for 87 yards, but threw two interceptions. The Bearcats were credited with four turnovers, while Western Oregon did not have a turnover. Willamette also converted just 4 of 14 third downs and was 0 for 2 on fourth down. WOU was successful on 7 of 14 third-down attempts. Phil Sweet (Jr., LB, Albany, OR/West Albany HS) led the Bearcats with eight total tackles, while Ben Fennimore (Jr., FS, Salem, OR/McKay HS) added six total tackles, including a team-high four solo tackles. Western's top defensive players were Zach Christopherson, Jeff Cloud and Matt Buche, each with eight total tackles. Willamette plays at home again next weekend, when the Bearcats host Gustavus Adolphus College on Saturday, Sept. 9. Kickoff at McCulloch Stadium is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. (PDT). The game will match two teams in the West Region of NCAA Division III.
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Willamette Football Team Holds First Practice of 2006
August 13, 2006
