Junior quarterback Matt Yarborough led the Wildcats to yet another victory, piling up 132 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns against Puget Sound.
Tyson Takeuchi/Senior sports photographer
Two early fumble recoveries started the ‘Cats off with 14 points on the board before Puget sound had a chance to move the ball at all, and Linfield kept the pace up all game, beating Puget Sound 79-3.
After senior star quarterback Josh Yoder (164 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns) was taken out of the game midway through the second quarter, Yarborough came in and worked his magic. Minutes after running in a six yard touchdown, he broke free for his second touchdown run, taking it 69 yards to the house.
Freshman Spencer Payne also rushed the ball for 67 yards and a touchdown, as well as returning a kick 71 yards for a score. “I just really wanted it” Payne said, “everything lined up perfectly.”
Coach Joseph Smith noted after the game that “special teams was a giant factor in the game.” The special teams squad totaled 256 yards, returning one for a touchdown, and set the Wildcat offense up in great position to start every drive.
Fredrick Douglas III was a big factor on special teams, retuning two punts for an average of 23.5 yards per return.
Tyson Takeuchi/Senior sports photographer
Linfield played over 100 players in the game, making sure everyone got some play time once it was clear that they were going to get the victory. Coach Smith played all five quarterback listed on the roster, and ever though not all of they got to throw a pass, he liked how each of them was able to take control of the offense and move the ball downfield.
The Wildcats are averaging 58.4 points per game this year, and are beating their opponents by and average of 48.75 points per game.
Linfield united 32 of its seniors with their parents before the game to honor their last season playing for the team.
The Wildcats also honored eight Hall Of Fame inductees at halftime.
Linfield plays their last regular season game at 1 p.m on Nov. 16 against Pacific. The game will be played away in Forest Grove, Ore. The team hopes to finish out the season with a perfect record, as a win would make them 9-0.
Drew Mahrt/Senior sports reporter
