The Linfield Wildcats executed a successful 40-0 victory over local Northwest Conference rival Willamette University on Saturday during a windy day at Maxwell Field.

After narrowly losing to Willamette 31-28 at home during the 2014 season, the Wildcats showed early on that was not going to happen at Saturday’s game.

Quarterback Sam Riddle, ’17, went 12-21 with two interceptions while running for a touchdown himself and passing for another.

While the ‘Cats seemed to have been shut down in passing with only 149 yards and a touchdown, their running game seemed to punch through the defense with no problem, racking up a total of just over 200 yards offensively.

The ‘Cats also ran for four touchdowns total spread over eleven running backs, making sure that there were always fresh legs on the field.

Linfield’s defense was on the ball the whole day, intercepting Willamette three times and never letting the Bearcats in range to score. They kept the Bearcats to less than 200 total yards of offense, and ensured that there would be no chance that the Wildcats could fall behind.

Wide Receiver Erick Douglas III, ’17, had lots of praise for the team, saying, “Our defense played really well today, they got the shutout and kept the offense in great field position the whole game.”

Douglas also said that the ‘Cats offensive line played well and that the team’s running backs, Cayman Conley, ’17, and Kevin McClean, 17, also played well. “Cayman had some really good kicks today and made a long field goal. Kevin punted the ball well and had some long ones too.”

Saturday’s win puts the Wildcats to 3-0 in conference play, tying for first in the NWC with Whitworth University.

Linfield takes on the Whitworth Pirates at 1 p.m. next Saturday in Spokane, Washington.