2008-09 Football News
SALEM, ORE. -- The Bearcat football team completed one of their most successful seasons ever in 2008. Full Access Sports has created a DVD that captures top moments from the record-breaking season. Top plays and interviews were combined in the video to recall the magic of the Bearcatsâ?? run to success.
KENNEWICK, WASH. -- Former Willamette University offensive tackles Brandon Bennett '08 and Jake Forshey '09 were stellar performers for the Bearcat football team. Now they are combining their efforts beyond the college level as members of the Tri-Cities Fever in the Arena Football 2 League.
SALEM, ORE. -- Senior football player Jack Bevins (Park City, UT/Park City HS) of Willamette University has been named to the third annual class of the Hampshire Honor Society, which was formed by the National Football Foundation in the spring of 2007. The honor recognizes college football players from all divisions of play who are seniors and maintain at least a 3.2 cumulative grade point average.
SALEM, ORE. -- Head Coach Mark Speckman and the Willamette University football team have received an award from the United Way of the Mid-Willamette Valley for the team's community service efforts the past five years during the Days of Caring. The football team and the City of Salem were Co-Winners of the Days of Caring Volunteer Team of the Year Award.
SALEM, ORE. -- Glen Fowles, offensive coordinator for the Willamette University football team, has been selected to receive the FootballScoop.com NCAA Division III Coordinator Coach of the Year Award for the 2008 season. Fowles coached the Willamette offense to a record-breaking season.
SALEM, ORE. -- Senior wide receiver Merben Woo (Salinas, CA/North Salinas HS/Hartnell College) and senior offensive tackle Jake Forshey (Santa Ynez, CA/Santa Ynez Valley Union HS) have been chosen Second Team All-America by D3Football.com. Woo and Forshey helped Willamette set school records with 498 points and 69 touchdowns during the season.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University Head Coach Mark Speckman finished third in the fan voting for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award for the 2008 season. Larry Kehres, head coach at Mount Union College in Ohio, won the award for NCAA Division III, after finishing second in the fan voting, and earning additional support in voting by members of the College Football Hall of Fame and the national media.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University Head Coach Mark Speckman has been named NCAA Division III Region 5 Coach of the Year for the 2008 season, as selected by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). A total of 28 coaches from all levels of the NCAA and the NAIA were chosen for Regional Coach of the Year recognition.
SALEM, ORE. -- Five Willamette University football players have been named to the All-West Region Team for the 2008 season, as selected by D3Football.com. First Team selections for the Bearcats were senior Merben Woo at wide receiver, senior Jake Forshey at offensive tackle, and sophomore Jose Green at return specialist. Junior Deon Horne was named to the Second Team at running back, and senior Jack Bevins was selected to the Third Team at linebacker.
SALEM, ORE. -- Head Coach Mark Speckman, who led the Willamette University football team to the NCAA Playoffs and to an overall record of 11-1, is one of five finalists for the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award for NCAA Division III. The winner will be announced on ESPN at halftime of the Music City Bowl on Dec. 31.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University trailed by three touchdowns at halftime, but put on a solid comeback in the second half, before falling to the defending national champions from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 30-27, in the second round of the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs, Saturday, Nov. 29 at McCulloch Stadium. WU trailed 21-0 after two quarters, but offset most of the deficit with a strong second half.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University (11-0) will host the University Wisconsin-Whitewater (10-1) in the second round of the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 29 at McCulloch Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PST). The game is one of eight second round contests, with the winner advancing into the quarterfinals.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University (11-0) will host the University Wisconsin-Whitewater (10-1) in the second round of the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 29 at McCulloch Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. (PST).
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University won an undefeated Northwest Conference title this fall and the successful season has resulted in 10 Bearcat players being selected First Team All-Conference. In addition, Head Coach Mark Speckman was chosen NWC Coach of the Year after leading the Bearcats to a 10-0 regular season record and a 6-0 record in the NWC.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University football offensive coordinator Glen Fowles is one of four finalists for the FootballScoop.com NCAA Division III Coordinator Coach of the Year Award. Fans can vote for Fowles on-line until Friday, Dec. 5. A panel of former coaches and players will ultimately review the finalists, consider the fan voting, then determine the winning coordinator.
SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University assistant football coach Josh Scott, who also teaches mathematics at McNary High School, has been selected as one of 12 winners of the Crystal Apple Award, presented each year to top teachers in the Salem-Keizer School District. Scott also is a Willamette alum, who graduated in 1999 and played football during the 1996-98 seasons.