2009-10 Football News
-
Willamette Football is #17 in Lindy's Preseason Rankings
July 02, 2010SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team is ranked #17 in the nation in the NCAA Division III Preseason Rankings included in the Lindy's college football guide. The Bearcats enter the 2010 season with a combined record of 19-3 over the past two years, including 11-1 in 2008 and 8-2 in 2009. -
Bearcats Announce 2010 Football Schedule
April 15, 2010SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University football Head Coach Mark Speckman has announced the 2010 schedule for the Bearcats. The schedule features four home games and six games on the road.
-
Pineda Receives Third Team All-America Recognition
January 01, 2010SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University inside linebacker Ralph Pineda (Jr., Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS/San Jose State Univ.) has been chosen Third Team All-America by D3Football.com. Overall, a total of 101 NCAA Division III athletes were selected for All-America recognition, with 26 players on the First Team and 25 players each named to the Second Team, Third Team and Honorable Mention.
-
Pineda Earns First Team All-West Region Recognition
December 14, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University inside linebacker Ralph Pineda (Jr., Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS/San Jose State Univ.) has been chosen First Team All-West Region by D3Football.com. The Bearcats also have three players -- Scott Hirschberger (Sr., C, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS), Joe Penkala (Sr., OT, Niles, Illinois/Loyola Academy) and Ron Carter (So., DT, Atwater, CA/Buhach Colony HS) -- who have been named Third Team All-Region.
-
Hirschberger and Lowe to Play in All-Star Game in Mexico
December 08, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior football players Scott Hirschberger (C, Beaverton, OR/Southridge HS) and Cory Lowe (DE, Beaverton, OR/Beaverton HS) have been selected to play in a new NCAA Division III All-Star game near Mexico City, Mexico, later this month. The Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) will match the United States team, featuring players from Division III colleges and universities, against the Tec Monterrey All-Stars on Saturday, Dec. 19.
-
Bearcat Football Places Eight Players on First Team All-NWC
November 18, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- A total of eight Willamette University football players have been chosen First Team All-Northwest Conference for the 2009 season in voting by the NWC head coaches. Willamette also placed seven players on the Second Team and five players received Honorable Mention. Inside linebacker Ralph Pineda (Jr., Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS/San Jose State Univ.) of Willamette was chosen NWC Defensive Player of the Year.
-
Bearcats are #21 in Final Regular Season D3Football.com Top 25
November 17, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University, which concluded the year with an 8-2 overall record, moved up one spot to #21 in the final regular season D3Football.com Top 25 for 2009. The Bearcats defeated Menlo College, 48-10, to end the season and improve to 5-1 (2nd place) in the Northwest Conference.
-
Willamette Continues at #20 in AFCA Football Poll
November 17, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Following a successful season, the Willamette University football team, 8-2 overall, remained #20 in the final regular season NCAA Division III Coaches Poll released by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). The Bearcats averaged 402.8 total yards per game during the season, while allowing just 279.2 yards per contest.
-
Willamette is Left Out of NCAA Football Playoff Selections
November 15, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team is not among the 32 teams selected for the 2009 NCAA Division III Playoffs. Twenty-three of the teams chosen for the playoffs received automatic bids by winning conference titles. Three bids went to independents or teams from conferences without an automatic berth. Just six of the teams selected received at-large bids.
-
Bearcats Win Big at Menlo, 48-10, Improve to 8-2 on the Season
November 14, 2009ATHERTON, CALIF. -- Willamette University scored 35 points in the first half and shut out Menlo College in the second half, as the Bearcats defeated the Oaks, 48-10, in Northwest Conference action on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Bearcats, ranked #20 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and #22 in the D3Football.com Top 25, finished the regular season at 8-2, including 5-1 in the NWC (2nd place).
-
Schoettgen Chosen NWC Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week
November 10, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University junior wide receiver Scott Schoettgen (Columbia, CA/Sonora HS) has been selected as the Northwest Conference Football Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts against the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Nov. 7. Schoettgen hauled in a career-high nine passes against the Loggers for 135 yards. Willamette defeated Puget Sound, 50-6.
-
Bearcats Return to #22 in D3Football.com Top 25
November 09, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University moved two spots higher to #22 this week in the D3Football.com Top 25 released on Sunday, Nov. 8. The Bearcats returned to the position they held two weeks ago, before dropping two spots after an open date on Oct. 31. Willamette's 50-6 win at the University of Puget Sound on Saturday improved the 'Cats to 7-2 overall, 4-1 in the Northwest Conference.
-
Willamette Advances to #20 in AFCA Coaches Poll for NCAA Division III
November 09, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- The Bearcats of Willamette University have jumped to #20 in this week's NCAA Division III Coaches Poll released by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) on Monday, Nov. 9. Willamette was ranked #22 each of the past two weeks.
-
Schoettgen Scores Four TDs as Bearcats Rout Loggers, 50-6
November 07, 2009TACOMA, WASH. -- Willamette University amassed 552 yards of total offense and wide receiver Scott Schoettgen (Jr., Columbia, CA/Sonora HS) scored four touchdowns, as the Bearcats rolled past the University of Puget Sound, 50-6, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Nov. 7. Willamette, ranked #24 in the D3Football.com Top 25, upped its record to 7-2 overall, 4-1 in the NWC. Puget Sound fell to 0-8 overall, 0-5 in the NWC.
-
Bearcats Remain #22 in AFCA Coaches Poll for NCAA Division III
November 03, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- For the second consecutive week, the Willamette University football team was ranked #22 when the NCAA Division III Coaches Poll was released by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) on Monday, Nov. 2. The Bearcats are 6-2 overall, 3-1 in the Northwest Conference.
-
Willamette is Ranked #24 in D3Football.com Top 25
November 03, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team had its only open date of the season this past week, but the Bearcats dropped two positions in the D3Football.com Top 25 from #22 a week ago to #24 this week. Willamette, 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the Northwest Conference, will return to action at the University of Puget Sound on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. (PST).
-
Pineda is Selected NWC Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week
October 27, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University junior inside linebacker Ralph Pineda (Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS/San Jose State Univ.) has been chosen Northwest Conference Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts against Linfield College on Saturday, Oct. 24. Willamette, ranked #17 a week ago in the D3Football.com Top 25, battled 6th-ranked Linfield before falling to the Wildcats, 30-27.
-
Bearcats Move to #22 in AFCA Coaches Poll
October 26, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University moved to #22 in this week's NCAA Division III Poll sponsored by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and released on Monday, Oct. 26. The Bearcats are 6-2 overall and 3-1 in the Northwest Conference.
-
Willamette is Ranked 22nd in D3Football.com Top 25
October 25, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team battled Northwest Conference rival Linfield College in a match-up of nationally ranked teams on Saturday, Oct. 24. One day later, both teams remain ranked in the new D3Football.com Top 25. Linfield, which edged out the Bearcats, 30-27, moved up one position to #5 in the poll. Willamette dropped five spots to #22 this week.
-
Linfield Holds Off Bearcats for 30-27 Win
October 24, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Linfield College built a 13-0 lead in the first quarter and held off Willamette University in the second half, as the Wildcats defeated the Bearcats, 30-27, in a Northwest Conference game at McCulloch Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24. Linfield, ranked #6 in the D3Football.com Top 25, remained undefeated at 7-0 and improved to 4-0 in the NWC. Willamette, ranked #17, fell to 6-2 overall, 3-1 in the NWC.
-
Bearcats are Ranked #14 in AFCA Coaches Poll
October 21, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team is ranked #14 in this week's NCAA Division III Poll as released by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) on Monday, Oct. 19. Willamette, which defeated Pacific Lutheran University, 35-17, this past weekend, is 6-1 on the season, 3-0 in the Northwest Conference.
-
Hall of Fame Focus: Chuck Pinkerton
October 20, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- The Hall of Fame Focus continues today by highlighting Chuck Pinkerton, who will be inducted into the Willamette University Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 24. The induction Class of 2009 includes six former Willamette University student-athletes, plus two former coaches and two teams. One of the inductees will be featured in the Hall of Fame Focus each day until the event.
-
Ross is Chosen NWC Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week
October 20, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University senior inside linebacker Andrew Ross (Petaluma, CA/Petaluma HS) has been named Northwest Conference Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in the Bearcats' 35-17 win over Pacific Lutheran University on Saturday, Oct. 17. Willamette, ranked #17 in the D3Football.com Top 25, moved to 6-1 overall with the victory. WU also improved to 3-0 in the NWC.
-
Willamette Stays at #17 in D3Football.com Top 25
October 18, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University kept its hold on #17 for the third straight week in the D3Football.com Top 25 released on Sunday, Oct. 18. The Bearcats are 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the Northwest Conference. On Saturday (Oct. 17), WU rallied from a 17-7 deficit in the second half to defeat Pacific Lutheran University, 35-17, at McCulloch Stadium.
-
Bearcats Rally Past Pacific Lutheran, 35-17
October 17, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Sophomore tailback Jamiere Abney (Bremerton, WA/Bremerton HS) carried the ball 10 times for 77 yards and scored three touchdowns in the second half, as Willamette University rallied from a 14-7 halftime deficit to defeat Pacific Lutheran University, 35-17, on Saturday, Oct. 17 at McCulloch Stadium. Willamette, ranked #17 in the D3Football.com Top 25, won its sixth consecutive game to improve to 6-1 overall, 3-0 in the Northwest Conference. PLU fell to 1-4 overall, 1-1 in the NWC.
-
Bearcats Retain Hold on #17 in D3Football.com Top 25
October 13, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- The Willamette University football team remained #17 this week in the D3Football.com Top 25. Willamette, 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Northwest Conference, has won five consecutive games. Mount Union College (Ohio), the defending NCAA Division III national champion, 5-0 on the season, stayed at #1 after a 28-21 victory over Capital University on Saturday (Oct. 10).
-
Rowan Named NWC Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week
October 13, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University sophomore Mitchell Rowan (PK/P, Cotati, CA/Rancho Cotate HS) has been chosen Northwest Conference Football Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in the Bearcats' 69-24 victory at Lewis & Clark College on Oct. 10. Rowan hit 9 of 9 extra points and placed his only punt of the game inside the 20-yard line.
-
Willamette Rolls Past Lewis & Clark, 69-24
October 10, 2009PORTLAND, ORE. -- Willamette University amassed 518 yards of total offense and the defense earned three fumble recoveries, as the Bearcats rolled past Lewis & Clark College, 69-24, in a Northwest Conference game on Saturday, Oct. 10. Willamette, ranked #17 in the D3Football.com Top 25, improved to 5-1 overall, 2-0 in the NWC. Lewis & Clark dropped to 0-4 on the season, 0-2 in the NWC.
-
Green Chosen NWC Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week
October 06, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University junior tailback Jose Green (Downey, CA/Warren HS) has been named Northwest Conference Football Special Teams Student-Athlete of the Week for his efforts in Willamette's 42-13 victory over NWC rival Whitworth University on Oct. 3. Green is the Bearcats' primary kickoff returner.
-
Pineda is Selected NWC Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week
October 06, 2009SALEM, ORE. -- Inside linebacker Ralph Pineda (Jr., Whittier, CA/Cathedral HS/San Jose State Univ.) of Willamette University has been named Northwest Conference Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week, after leading the Bearcats on defense in a 42-13 win over Whitworth University. The Bearcats held the Pirates to just 230 total yards, including only 68 rushing yards on 26 carries (2.6 avg.).
