George Fox now knows better than anybody that when it rains, it pours after their showdown against the Wildcats.

Linfield managed to rack up 24 points in the midst of torrential downpour to shut out George Fox University, 24-0.

There were issues early on with the play clock not starting but once it did the ’Cats wasted no time in scoring.

In the game’s opening five minutes the offense combined a 22-yard pass to wide receiver Eric Douglass III, ’17, with 51 total rushing yards between running backs Tavon Willis, ’16, and Spencer Payne, ’17. It was quarterback Sam Riddle who finished the drive however, with a slick QB-sneak for three yards into the end zone.

The ’Cats were like a freight train early on with defense and offense combining for an unstoppable force. Keanu Yamamoto, ’16, intercepted a pass from George Fox quarterback Gran Schroeder and returned it for 27 yards to the Linfield 36 yard line. From there it took the ’Cats’ offense a mere 1 minute 35 seconds to surge back into the end zone. Wide receiver Brian Balsiger, ’16, had a 33-yard reception to put Linfield on the George Fox 18 yard line.

Payne strung together two rushes for 18 yards into the end zone for Linfield’s second touchdown, taking the score to 14-0.

The rain kept the ball grounded in the red zone but the ’Cats were more than ready to adapt to the weather’s conditions.

“I think the offense moved the ball well even with the rain,” Payne said. “Our coaches always preach ball security so we are ready for situations like that.”

On the other side of the ball, the defense welcomed the rain to their advantage.

“The rain for the defense honestly only helps it,” defensive end Alex Hoff, ’16, said. “It really limits the passing game so it allows you to focus more on stopping the run. As a d-line it’s our job to thrive in the rain and not allow the rest of the team to be soft and fear the rain. We say ‘bring it on’.”

With the second quarter under way the ’Cats maintained their lightning speed amidst the rain and scored on their second possession of the quarter in 0:32. Riddle aired out a 35-yard pass to wide receiver Zach Kuzens, ’17, who was caught up in double coverage but managed to make a leaping grab in the end zone for Linfield’s third touchdown.

With the arrival of the second half the rain evolved from on-and-off Oregon drizzle to full on downpour. Linfield’s offense was quieted to a 47-yard field goal from kicker Michael Metter, ’16, in the second half while the defense matched the rain in intensity, shutting the Bruins out for the remainder of the game.

Hoff continued to shine as a defensive star on the field with three sacks among the team’s seven total. But numbers like that are not quick to surprise anyone on Linfield’s football team.

“We knew we were a better defensive line than their offensive line,” Hoff said. “It would have been disappointing if we didn’t get a number like that.”

Linfield remains in the spotlight of success after coach Joseph Smith was interviewed on ESPN about the remarkable streak of 60 winning seasons. Even with the national eye turned upon them team members still keep their focus on the field and improving themselves as a unit.

“Don’t get me wrong, growing up we all wanted nothing more than to get on ESPN and play on a team garnering national attention, which is fantastic,” Jake Handran, ’18, said. “But what’s important for us right now is to focus on all of those outside benefactors and simply direct all of our energies and attention to what we can do to make ourselves a better football team.”