What may have not been a highly anticipated Northwest Conference matchup heading into the season has evolved into one with all eyes on it as theLinfield Wildcats (5-0, 3-0 NWC) host the Lutes of Pacific Lutheran University (4-2, 3-0) in McMinnville on Saturday.

With the two teams being the last remaining unbeatens in NWC play and tied for first in the league standings, the game could essentially determine the conference championship at the conclusion of the regular season.

The Wildcats will welcome friends and family to Maxwell Field with this weekend being Fall Family Weekend at Linfield University. A full schedule of the weekend's activities can be found on the university's website.
 
TICKETS
Both reserved grandstand seating and general admission tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the Maxwell Field ticket booth on gameday, starting two hours before kickoff.

All reserved grandstand seating tickets are $25, while general admission tickets are $15 for adults with discounts available for seniors, youth and students. Children six and under as well as Linfield students with their university IDs can enjoy Linfield football games free of admission.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Live video and play-by-play coverage will be provided online on the Linfield Sports Network as well as on KRCW-32, Portland's CW, available to Portland, Vancouver and Salem-area Wildcat fans. Both online livestream and television coverage will be available for Linfield home games all season long.

Linfield alum Joe Stuart provides fans with the play-by-play and Linfield Athletics Hall of Famer Gary McGarvie brings color commentary and analysis on both streaming and television. Coverage starts 30 minutes before kickoff on the LSN with the "Farnham Electric Pregame Show."
 
THE SEASON SO FAR
The Wildcats are nationally ranked No. 6 in the D3football.com Top 25 and No. 5 in the AFCA poll thanks to an unbeaten start through five games under 17^th-year head coach Joseph Smith.

After clinching the program's 66^th consecutive winning season last week at Pacific with a 42-21 victory, Linfield now has three road wins against solid opponents and have maintained pole position in the conference standings. They return home to the Catdome this week for the first time since their conference-opening 72-2 romp against Puget Sound on Oct. 2.

Pacific Lutheran is amidst their best start through six games since 2014 and their first 3-0 start to the NWC schedule since 2010, when one of their wins came against the since-discontinued Menlo College football program. The newfound success has come under fifth-year head coach Brant McAdams.

The Lutes got off to a 1-2 start against non-conference teams this year, including a 41-9 loss at No. 13 Bethel in the season opener and a tough 17-14 loss at home to Cal Lutheran on Sept. 24. But they've rallied to open conference play, hanging on for a surprise 13-12 win at George Fox on Oct. 2 in Newberg, rolling Lewis and Clark 47-21 before handling Whitworth last week, 28-7. Their win against George Fox was their first since 2017; their win against Whitworth the first since 2014.
 
THE LINFIELD OFFENSE
Fresh off a new season-high 479 yards of total offense, the Wildcats continue to pose an attack as balanced as it is dangerous under co-offensive coordinators Brett Elliott and Aaron Boehme.

Totaling a new season high of 185 rushing yards to go with 294 passing yards in their win over Pacific, Linfield leads the NWC in total offense per game with 442 yards, including 307 a game passing and 135 per game rushing. The Wildcats have attempted 178 rushes and 174 passes so far this season. Linfield's 42.2 points per game also lead the conference and sit 20^th in Division III, as does the Wildcats' passing offense per game number. The 'Cats boast the 12^th best third down conversion rate in the country, finding first downs on 36 of 67 attempts this season for 53.7 percent.

Sophomore Blake Eaton quarterbacks the offense with five career starts to his name. He's now set career highs in completions in back-to-back games, completing 28 of 36 passes last week against Pacific after connecting on 26 passes on Oct. 8 at Whitworth. His 77.8 percent completion rate against the Boxers led to 294 yards and two touchdowns, although he did throw his fourth interception of the season. Eaton also ran the ball three times for nine yards and a touchdown. Now over halfway through the regular season, Eaton has completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 1,147 yards and 14 touchdowns, all good enough for second in the league in each statistical category. His 23 completions per game are seventh in the nation and his 287.4 yards per game are 13^th.

Linfield's rushing attack has looked dominant in the last two games, with contributions from both the starters and reserves in a deep running back stable. Senior Connor Morton led the Wildcats against Pacific in his first game back from injury since Sept. 17, recording 18 attempts for 130 yards and three touchdowns, both career highs. The three touchdowns were his first of the season; so far this year in three games, he's totaled 227 yards, second most on the team, for 4.7 yards per carry and has caught eight passes for 56 yards.

Senior Connor McNabb has led the Wildcats in rushing on the season with 251 yards and two touchdowns but left the game against Pacific early after totaling just four carries for 20 yards. If McNabb is cleared to play against Pacific Lutheran, he'll pair nicely with Morton in the backfield. If he is out, graduate transfer Bishop Mitchell, as well as juniors Zach Young, Tyler Larson and Aaron Martinez, have all gotten meaningful snaps this season and will be relied upon to step up against the Lutes.

The Wildcats wide receivers continue to be one of the most talented position groups in the conference and the country. Senior Colton Smith led the group with one of his best games of the year against the Boxers, bringing in nine catches for 104 yards, both season highs. Two of his catches went for touchdowns, his second two-touchdown game of the season. In 27 career games, Smith has now totaled 27 touchdowns, fourth all-time in program history. He is five touchdowns away from passing George Carter for third all-time.

Junior Joel Valadez recorded six catches for 56 yards against Pacific while senior Devon Murray continues to work his way back from an injury sustained Oct. 2 but turned in an encouraging performance last Saturday with three catches for 62 yards, including a 48-yard reception that was the longest of the day for the Wildcats and is tied for the longest of Murray's career. Valadez leads the group on the season with 29 catches and 475 yards while Smith and Murray are tied for the team lead in touchdowns with five apiece.

Both Wildcat tight ends saw significant pass-catching action against Pacific, with senior Isaac Hoidal grabbing four passes for 48 yards and junior Franco Keplinger adding three catches for 20 yards. Hoidal has 13 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown while Keplinger has six catches for 50 yards.

An experienced offensive line has helped lead Linfield to its success in the run game while protecting the sophomore quarterback in Eaton, allowing just nine sacks in five games this year. The line consists of fifth-year seniors, Taylor Adams at right tackle, Julien Sears at right guard and Matt Metcalf at center, sophomore Bailey Lee at left guard and fifth-year senior Tyler Critser at left tackle.
 
THE PACIFIC LUTHERAN OFFENSE
The Lutes have gotten off to a solid start this year on the strength of their defense, but the offense has found consistency in recent games, posting two of its three best scoring totals of the season in the last two weeks. On the season, the Lutes are averaging 25.3 points per game, fifth in the NWC, 331 yards of total offense, sixth in the NWC. They've averaged 224 yards through the air and 107 on the ground.

Senior Erik Bainter is in his second season as the starting quarterback for PLU. He has completed 58.39 percent of his passes for 1,107 yards and 13 touchdowns while throwing three interceptions. He's also run for 78 yards and three of PLU's four rushing touchdowns. Bainter is coming off a three-touchdown day against Whitworth, throwing for 148 yards and rushing for 29 more.

Bainter's top wide receiver has been junior Manuel Felan, who has pulled in an NWC-leading 38 receptions for 491 yards, second in the conference, and five touchdowns, which is tied for fourth with Murray and Smith. Junior John Walker, a 2021 All-NWC Honorable Mention selection, leads the team in touchdowns with six, third in the NWC. He's turned in 19 catches for 356 yards and his 19.9 yards per reception is fourth in the league. Walker posted the second two-touchdown game of his career last week against the Pirates.

Junior running back Raysen Motoyama leads the rushing attack with 299 yards on 77 carries this season. He has also caught four passes for 38 yards. Motoyama is currently third in the conference in total rushing but is yet to find the end zone this season. Motoyama is backed up by sophomore Michael Martinez, who has 155 yards on 36 rushes, averaging a team-high 4.3 yards per carry. Martinez has been present as a pass-catcher out of the backfield this season, with eight grabs for 25 yards and a touchdown.

A young offensive line is led by junior left guard Nico Skinner, an Honorable Mention all-conference selection last season. He's joined on the left side by freshman Aron Daley. The center is junior Thomas Davis while freshman Griffin Montana starts at right guard. The group is filled out by junior Aeryk Hatico at right tackle.

The tight ends are seniors La'akea Ane and Lucas Kellner.
 
THE LINFIELD DEFENSE
The Wildcats looked strong on defense again against Pacific, holding the Boxers to 264 of total yards, holding their opponents under 300 yards of offense for the fourth straight game. The 21 points allowed were the most any offense has been able to muster against Linfield since the season opener at Huntingdon College. The Boxers were leading the NWC with over 160 rushing yards per game heading into the contest. The Wildcats held them to 54 on the ground and just 2.7 per rushing attempt.

Linfield has the top defense in the conference, allowing just 15.4 points per contest and 247.4 yards per game under 16^th-year defensive coordinator Jackson Vaughan. The 'Cats have totaled 21 sacks, with their 4.2 sacks per game sitting at third in the nation. They've impressively allowed the third-fewest first downs in the country, just 62, thanks in part to allowing conversions on 28 percent of third down attempts, a rate good enough for 20^th in Division III.

Linfield's dominant pass rush starts with the defensive line. Graduate student Vinny Niosi leads the group at defensive end with 13 tackles, eight solo, and is third on the team in tackles for loss with four and second on the team in sacks with three, good enough for top 10 in the conference. He's also recorded a pass breakup, a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble.

Junior Nick Severson and senior Chase Lydig are the defensive tackles. Severson has 13 tackles, with three for loss and a sack. Lydig has added 10 tackles with 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup. All-american defensive end Travis Swanson, who leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss, will likely continue to miss time due to injury this week, but junior Caleb Sell filled in admirably against Pacific, recording four tackles and a sack in his first career start.

Junior linebacker Blake Rybar leads the Wildcats with 37 tackles. His 25 solo tackles and seven tackles for loss are both fifth in the NWC. Rybar was second on the team in tackles with six against Pacific, with one tackle for loss. Fellow junior Logan Carr joins Rybar at linebacker and is third on the team with 23 tackles. He also has two tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.

Freshman Blaze Holani came off the bench for another big performance last weekend, leading the team in tackles with seven, including half a tackle for loss, and pulling in his first career interception, returning it for 40 yards. Junior Caiden Biege-Wetherbee is second on the team in tackles with 25 and solo tackles with 17. He's added half a sack, an interception, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery at the rover position.

The defensive backs feature junior Evan Fisette and sophomore Chance Sparks as the starting cornerbacks. Sparks has 12 tackles, 11 solo, and three pass breakups while Fisette has 10 tackles, six solo and two breakups. Senior Ben Baxter is the monsterback while sophomore Colby Kalaukoa starts at safety. Kalaukoa has recorded 19 tackles this season with an interception and a pass breakup. Against Pacific, he posted five tackles, including half a tackle for loss. Baxter has nine tackles and leads the team in interceptions with two, tied for first in the NWC. Seniors Jett Searle, Justin Pfau and Des Phillips, junior Cutter Hillock and sophomore Makai Williams will all likely mix into the rotation of defensive backs.
 
THE PACIFIC LUTHERAN DEFENSE
The Lute defense has been the key to Pacific Lutheran's success this season. Besides their season-opening loss, they've allowed just 21 points or fewer in every game this season, averaging just 16.3 points allowed, second only to Linfield in the NWC.

The Lutes are second to Linfield in total defense per game, allowing 281 yards a contest. Their defensive strength has been similar to Linfield's in the way they stop the run and apply pressure on the quarterback. The Lutes boast three of the top five NWC sack leaders, and four of the top 10 in tackles for loss. They've allowed a NWC-best 46.7 rushing yards per game, making PLU the seventh-best rushing defense in the nation. The Lutes have also only given up an average of 1.67 yards per rush, also leading the conference and ranking seventh in the nation.

The Lutes have surpassed Linfield in total sacks on the season with 25 for an average of 4.17 per game, both marks fifth in Division III. They are also top 20 in the country in tackles for loss per game at 8.5. They've forced an NWC-leading 12 turnovers this season, including seven interceptions.

The defensive line is led by junior defensive end Nico Golla, who is second in the NWC in tackles for loss with 9.5 and is third in sacks with five. He's totaled 22 tackles, a pass breakup, a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery this season. Sophomore defensive tackle Gavin Hawley leads the D-line in total tackles with 23 and has added six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Hawley is joined at tackle by senior Aidan Shroyer, who has five tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, tied for second on the team and fourth in the NWC. Junior Nasier Ford rounds out the group at defensive end with 13 tackles, 2.5 for loss and a sack.

At linebacker, junior Kalen Davis-White, a Second Team All-NWC honoree in 2021, leads the team in tackles and is third in the league with 46. He's third on the team and top 10 in the conference with 6.5 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks. He's added a breakup, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. He led the Lutes last week against Whitworth, racking up nine tackles with half a tackle for loss. Davis-White is joined at linebacker by Ashton Barton, who has 36 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. Barton's highlighted his fifth season at PLU with two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

As impressive as the front may be for the Lutes, the secondary is just as good on the back end. A trio of senior safeties are led in tackles this season by Michael Gurr, who is second on the team with 39. Gurr has recorded two interceptions and leads the team with seven pass breakups, third in the conference. Kord Tuttle, all-league honorable mention in 2021, is second on the team and top five in the conference in tackles for loss from the safety position with seven, including 4.5 sacks. He's totaled 27 tackles and leads the team in quarterback hurries with three to go with a pass breakup and a fumble recovery. The senior safety trio is filled out by Kaysen Higa, who has 15 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a pass breakup and a forced fumble.

There is experience and talent at the corner positions as well with junior Colby Rhinelander and senior Jared Elwin. Rhinelander, who joined Tuttle as an all-conference honorable mention last year, leads the team with 27 solo tackles and has totaled 37, along with two pass breakups. He tied with Davis-White for the team high in tackles last week with nine, eight of them solo. Elwin has 22 tackles, 17 solo and two for loss. He's nearly kept pace with Gurr in passes defended this year, breaking up six passes and also picking off opposing quarterbacks twice.
 
LINFIELD SPECIAL TEAMS
A trio of young specialists have handled kicking responsibilities for the Wildcats this season. Freshman punter Cade Johannsen has impressed on 15 opportunities this season, averaging 40.13 yards per punt (second in the NWC), including two over 50 yards. He's induced five fair catches and put four punts inside the 20-yard line.

Freshman Nolan Ahmann has been the kickoff specialist, averaging 57.4 yards per kick with eight touchbacks. Sophomore Gavin Dalziel has seen limited action as the placekicker for an aggressive Linfield offense, making one field goal attempt on just two chances this season. His single make was a 36-yarder at Whitworth. He has gone 28 for 30 on point after touchdown attempts.

Sophomore Maclain Stoneking and senior Paul Thie have handled kickoff and punt returns this season. Stoneking has returned 15 punts for 245 yards (16.33 yards per return) and two touchdowns, and five kickoffs for 95 yards (19.0 yards per return). Thie has returned seven punts for 103 yards (14.7 yards per return) and a touchdown, and three kicks for 66 yards (22.0 yards per return). All three of their punt return touchdowns came against Puget Sound on Oct. 2.
 
PACIFIC LUTHERAN SPECIAL TEAMS
The Lutes' specialist group is highlighted by senior punter Max Boekenoogan, a Second Team All-NWC selection last season. Boekenoogan is averaging 38.79 yards on 29 punts this season, including five of over 50 yards. He's tied for first in the league in punts inside the 20-yard line with six.

Kickoffs and field goals are handled by junior Andrew Comito. Comito has missed all three field goal attempts this season and is averaging 52.8 yards per kickoff. Comito handled point-after chances for PLU until he missed two against Lewis and Clark, and was replaced by freshman Logan Ready against Whitworth, who made all four of his opportunities after touchdowns.

John Walker has been the lead kick returner on the year, averaging 19.55 yards on 19 returns. Sophomore Cody Ciglar has returned nine punts for an average of 5.78 yards per return.
 
THE SERIES
Linfield leads its all-time series with Pacific Lutheran 47-21-4 and has won the last 21 meetings (19 regular season, 2 playoff), including 2021's 52-7 win at PLU. The first meeting was in 1933 when Linfield won 19-7 at PLU ... PLU's last victory was in 2001 by a 31-20 score at PLU … Linfield is 26-8-1 in McMinnville and 21-13-3 at PLU's various home fields … Seven of the meetings have been in the NCAA or NAIA national playoffs, with Linfield holding a 4-3 edge … from 1974-1980, five of the seven regular season games were decided by one point … Linfield's widest margin of victory was 45 points, 52-7 in 2021 at PLU and 45-0 in 2008 at PLU; PLU's widest margin of victory was 39 points, 45-6 in 1940 in McMinnville. Linfield's widest margin in McMinnville was 38 points, 45-7 in 2011; PLU's widest margin at home was 24 points, 44-20 in 1987 … there have been two overtime games in the series; the first was in 1986, Linfield's 27-21 win at PLU in the NAIA Division II quarterfinals, and the second was in 2017, the Wildcats' 16-10 victory at PLU.
 
THE STREAK
By beating Pacific 42-21 in the fifth game of the season, Linfield extended the longest streak of winning seasons in college football history: 2022 is Linfield's 66th consecutive winning season. The Wildcats' streak, which began in 1956, is the longest ever in college football at any level … During the streak, Linfield is 531-119-10 for a winning percentage of .812. Linfield's record at home during the streak is 288-42-4 (.868), and at Maxwell Field it is 285-42-4 (.867) … Linfield's Northwest Conference record during the streak is 269-33-5 (.884).
 
HEAD COACH JOSEPH SMITH
Joseph Smith is in his 16th season as Linfield's head coach; he has an overall record of 143-27 (.841), which is the highest winning percentage of any head coach in Wildcat football history … Smith's record includes marks of 113-16 (.876) in the regular season, 94-6 (.940) in Northwest Conference games, 79-7 (.919) at home and 19-11 (.633) in the postseason … in Smith's time as
head coach, Linfield has won 11 NWC titles, 10 of those outright … During Smith's tenure, Linfield has put together six unbeaten regular seasons.
 
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Linfield earned the 2021 Northwest Conference championship, the Wildcats' second straight NWC title and 11th in the last 12 years. Linfield won or shared the NWC title in nine straight seasons from 2009-17; that's the longest such streak in NWC football history … Linfield has now won 37 NWC championships, including 30 outright … Linfield also won six division titles, including five outright, while the NWC schools were folded into the Columbia Football Association from 1985-1995.