Excitement filled the air on Oct. 18 with the ‘Cats hosting their second home game this year. This wasn’t just any ordinary game for the ‘Cats, it was Homecoming and a win would assure them another wining season bringing the streak to 59.
“It is an amazing accomplishment to extend that winning streak to 59,” sophomore quarterback Sam Riddle wrote in an email. “The tradition at Linfield is so rich, and to know that you are apart of it is a special feeling. Although we secured it, we still have the whole second half of the season to play. There is no slowing down for this team just because we extended the streak.”
Before the game started Linfield Football Alumni’s gathered on the field and made a tunnel for the walk of honor for when the ‘Cats ran onto the field.
“It always gives me the chills running out of the tunnel and into the Catdome,” Riddle said. “But know that it was homecoming and having all the Alumni there watching makes it a little bit different of a feel. The legacy that those players made is what is the foundation of this program. The respect for those people that have been through what you are going through, all the blood, sweat and tears, is something that not everyone gets to experience. It is much bigger than just the game of football.”
The game started out slow with both teams going four and out twice.
It wasn’t until there was seven minutes left in the first quarter that Whitworth would make the first turnover of the game, throwing an interception and being returned by junior safety Mikey Arkans for 12 yards.
It would only take three plays and 19 yards for Riddle to find senior wide receiver Charlie Poppens in the end zone for the first touchdown of the game.
However, when the extra point was attempted junior kicker Micheal Metter was unable to convert making the score six to zero.
Whitworth would not be able to score in the first quarter, but with 1:34 left on the clock for the first quarter   junior runningback Samuel Robinson would rush for eight yards to the end zone. Making the score after the extra point was made 13-0.
In the second quarter the ‘Cats would find the end zone three different times with three different players, Riddle would find Poppens on a five yard pass, Riddle would rush for four yards in to the end zone and Riddle would find senior wide receiver.
Senior wide receiver Evan Peterson on a five yard pass to bring the Linfield score to 34. Whitworth would find the end zone on a 29-yard pass from senior quarterback Bryan Peterson to senior wide receiver Drew Clausen.
“I felt we had a pretty sound football game on Saturday,” senior tight end Spencer Metzsch wrote in an email. “It is a good feeling knowing that the rest of the team has your back. As an offensive player, it was reassuring to know that no matter what we did or didn’t do, the defense was going to make it difficult for Whitworth to outscore us.”
In the third quarter Linfield would make the first three scores of the quarter. Riddle found sophomore running back Spencer Payne on a 48-yard pass to the end zone. Riddle would then find Poppens again on a 34-yard pass.
Riddle would be pulled from the game and senior quarterback Matt Yarbrough would be put in where he would throw a 17-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Erick Douglas lll. With 2:21 left in the third Whitworth would find the end zone for the last time making the score 65-13.
The Wildcats will be back in action on Oct. 25 against the Lewis & Clark  Pioneers at Portland. Kick off is at 1 p.m.