1946 Northwest Conference football season

The 1946 Northwest Conference football season was the season of college football played by the seven member schools of the Northwest Conference (NWC) as part of the 1946 college football season.

Northwest Conference
Sport	Football
Number of teams	7
Champion	Willamette
Football seasons
← 1945 1947 →

1946 Northwest Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
Willamette $	6	–	0	–	0			6	–	2	–	1
College of Idaho	4	–	2	–	0			6	–	4	–	0
Linfield	3	–	2	–	1			4	–	4	–	0
Puget Sound	3	–	2	–	1			3	–	4	–	1
Pacific (OR)	3	–	3	–	0			4	–	3	–	1
Whitman	1	–	5	–	0			2	–	5	–	0
British Columbia	0	–	6	–	0			0	–	7	–	0
Lewis & Clark			–					3	–	4	–	1
$ – Conference champion

The Willamette Bearcats won the NWC championship with a 6–2–1 record (6–0 against conference opponents) and outscored all opponents by a total of 129 to 94. The College of Idaho Coyotes finished in second place, compiled a 6–4 record, and led the conference in scoring offense with an average of 15.7 points per game. The Puget Sound Loggers tied for third place with a 3–4–1 overall record, but led the conference in scoring defense, giving up an average of only 6.5 points per game.

Conference overview

Conf. rank	Team	Head coach	Conf. record	Overall record	Points scored	Points against
1	Willamette	Walt Erickson	6–0	6–2–1	129	94
2	College of Idaho	Clem Parberry	5–2	6–4	157	125
3 (tie)	Linfield	Wayne Harn	3–2–1	4–3–1	102	72
3 (tie)	Puget Sound	Frank W. Patrick	3–2–1	3–4–1	106	52
5	Pacific (OR)	Oswald D. Gates	3–3	4–3–1	58	60
6	Whitman	Vincent Borleske	1–5	2–5	34	79
7	British Columbia	Greg Kabat	0–6	0–7	39	169
8	Lewis & Clark	Robert L. Mathews	–	3–4–1

^[1][2][3]

Teams

Willamette

1946 Willamette Bearcats football
NWC champion
Conference	Northwest Conference
Record	6–2–1 (6–0 NWC)
Head coach	Walt Erickson (1st season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Willamette Bearcats football team epresented the Willamette University of Salem, Oregon. In their first and only season under head coach Walt Erickson, the team compiled a 6–2–1 record (6–0 against NWC opponents) and outscored opponent by a total of 129 to 94.^[4]

Three Willamette players were unanimous selections to the 1946 All-Northwest Conference football team: Marv Goodman at end; Garrell Deiner at tackle, and Larry McKeel at back. End Bill Reder and back Bob Douglas received second-team honors.^[5]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 27	at San Jose State*	Spartan Stadium San Jose, CA	L 6–44	13,000	^[6]
October 5	at UBC	Vancouver, BC	W 26–13		^[7]
October 11	Linfield	Sweetland Field Salem, OR	W 31–6		^[8]
October 18	College of Idaho	Sweetland Field Salem, OR	W 27–7		^[9]^[10]
October 26	Puget Sound	Sweetland Field Salem, OR	W 7–0	3,000	^[11]
November 1	at Portland*	Multnomah Stadium Portland, OR	T 6–6	5,000	^[12]
November 9	at Pacific (OR)	Forest Grove, OR	W 6–0		^[13]
November 16	at Whittier*	Whittier Stadium Whittier, CA	L 13–18	4,000	^[14]
November 28	at Whitman	Borleske Stadium Walla Walla, WA	W 7–0		^[15]
*Non-conference game

College of Idaho

1946 College of Idaho Coyotes football
Conference	Northwest Conference
Record	6–4 (5–2 NWC)
Head coach	Clem Parberry (6th season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 College of Idaho Coyotes football team represented the College of Idaho of Caldwell, Idaho. In their sixth year under head coach Clem Parberry, the team compiled a 6–4 record (5–2 against NWC opponents), finished in second place in the Northwest Conference, and outscored opponents by a total of 157 to 125.^[16]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 28	Eastern Oregon*	Hayman Field Caldwell, ID	W 25–12		^[17]
October 5	at Linfield	McMinnville, OR	L 13–14		^[18]
October 11	Whitman	Hayman Field Caldwell, ID	W 14–6		^[19]
October 18	Willamette	Sweetland Field Salem, OR	L 7–27		^[9]^[10]
October 26	at British Columbia	Vancouver, BC	W 19–7		^[20]
November 2	Pacific (OR)	Hayman Field Caldwell, ID	W 21–6		^[21]
November 9	at Idaho State*	Spud Bowl Pocatello, ID	L 18–26		^[22]
November 16	Puget Sound	Hayman Field Caldwell, ID	W 13–7	2,500	^[23]
November 23	at Boise Junior College*	College Field Boise, ID	L 6–20	2,000	^[24]
November 29	at Lewis & Clark	Portland, OR	W 21–0		^[25]
*Non-conference game Homecoming

Linfield

1946 Linfield Wildcats football
Conference	Northwest Conference
Record	4–3–1 (3–2–1 NWC)
Head coach	Wayne Harn
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Linfield Wildcats football team represented the Linfield University of McMinnville, Oregon. Led by head coach Wayne Harn, the team compiled a 4–3–1 record (3–2–1 against NWC opponents), tied for third place in the Northwest Conference, and outscored opponents by a total of 102 to 72.^[26]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 27	at Humboldt State	Albee Stadium Eureka, CA	L 0–13
October 5	College of Idaho	McMinnville, OR	W 14–13		^[18]
October 11	at Willamette	Sweetland Field Salem, OR	L 6–31		^[8]
October 19	Puget Sound	McMinnvile, OR	T 6–6
October 26	Pacific (OR)	Forest Grove, OR	L 0–9		^[27]
November 2	at Whitman	Walla Walla, WA	W 20–0		^[28]
November 9	at British Columbia	Varsity Stadium Vancouver, BC	W 13–0	1,200	^[29]
November 16	Lewis & Clark		W 43–0

Puget Sound

1946 Puget Sound Loggers football
Conference	Northwest Conference
Record	3–4–1 (3–2–1 NWC)
Head coach	Frank W. Patrick
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Puget Sound Loggers football team represented the University of Puget Sound of Tacoma, Washington. Led by head coach Frank W. Patrick, the team compiled a 3–4–1 record (3–2–1 against NWC opponents), tied for third place in the Northwest Conference, and outscored opponents by a total of 106 to 52.^[30]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
October 5	Western Washington*	Battersby Field Bellingham, WA	L 6–7		^[31]
October 12	Pacific (OR)	Tacoma Stadium Tacoma, WA	W 33–0		^[32]
October 19	at Linfield		T 6–6
October 26	at Willamette	Sweetland Field Salem, OR	L 0–7	3,000	^[11]
November 2	British Columbia	Tacoma Stadium Tacoma, WA	W 34–6		^[33]
November 9	Whitman	Tacoma Stadium Tacoma, WA	W 13–0		^[34]
November 16	at College of Idaho	Hayman Field Caldwell, ID	L 7–13	2,500	^[23]
November 27	Pacific Lutheran*	Tacoma Stadium Tacoma, WA	L 7–13	3,000	^[35]
*Non-conference game

Pacific

1946 Pacific Badgers football
Conference	Northwest Conference
Record	4–3–1 (3–3 NWC)
Head coach	Oswald D. Gates
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Pacific Badgers football team represented the Pacific University of Forest Grove, Oregon. Led by head coach Oswald D. Gates, the team compiled a 4–3–1 record (3–3 against NWC opponents), finished in fifth place in the Northwest Conference, and were outscored by a total of 60 to 58.^[36]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 28	Everett Junior College		W 6–0
October 4	Whitman	Walla Walla, WA	W 6–0		^[37]
October 12	at Puget Sound	Tacoma Stadium Tacoma, WA	L 0–33		^[32]
October 19	Lewis & Clark		T 0–0
October 26	at Linfield	Forest Grove, OR	W 9–0		^[27]
November 2	at College of Idaho	Hayman Field Caldwell, ID	L 6–21		^[21]
November 9	Willamette	Forest Grove, OR	L 0–6		^[13]
November 15	British Columbia	Forest Grove, OR	W 31–0		^[38]

Whitman

1946 Whitman Fighting Missionaries football
Conference	Northwest Conference
Record	2–5 (1–5 NWC)
Head coach	Vincent Borleske (32nd season)
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 Whitman Fighting Missionaries football team represented Whitman College of Walla Walla, Washington. In their 32nd season under head coach Vincent Borleske, the team compiled a 2–5 record (1–5 against NWC opponents), finished in sixth place in the Northwest Conference, and were outscored by a total of 79 to 34.^[39]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 28	Whitworth	Walla Walla, WA	W 7–6		^[40]
	Pacific		L 0–6
	College of Idaho		L 6–14
	British Columbia		W 21–13
	Linfield		L 0–20
	Puget Sound		L 0–13
	Willamette		L 0–7

British Columbia

1946 British Columbia Thunderbirds football
Conference	Northwest Conference
Record	0–7 (0–6 NWC)
Head coach	Greg Kabat
Seasons ← 1945 1947 →

The 1946 British Columbia Thunderbirds football team represented the University of British Columbia of Vancouver, British Columbia. Led by head coach Greg Kabat, the Thunderbirds compiled a 0–7 record (0–6 against NWC opponents), finished in seventh place in the Northwest Conference, and were outscored by a total of 169 to 39.^[41]

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
	Willamette		L 13–26
	Western Washington		L 0–25
	Whitman		L 13–21
	College of Idaho		L 7–19
	Puget Sound		L 6–34
	Linfield		L 0–13
	Pacific (OR)		L 0–31

Lewis & Clark

All-conference team

The 1946 All-Northwest conference football team was selected by coaches and faculty of the conference schools. Players named to the first team were:

• Ends – Arnold Torgenson (or Thorgerson), Pacific; Marvin Goodman, Willamette
• Tackles – Garrell (or Gerald) Deiner, Willamette; Steuben Thomas, College of Idaho
• Guards – Bill Dahlgren, Pacific; William Currier, Linfield
• Center – Maitland Anderson, Pacific
• Backs – Larry McKeel (or McKell), Willamette; Warren Wood, Puget Sound; Jon Seeley, Linfield; Tom Oxman, College of Idaho

^[3][5]

References

1. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 149.
2. "NW Loop In Windup Tilt". The Tacoma News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. Associated Press. November 19, 1946. p. 14. Retrieved January 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com  .
3. "Northwest Conference Football History" (PDF). Northwest Conference. p. 4. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
4. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 233.
5. "3 Willamettes All-Conference: NW Chooses Deiner, Goodman, McKeel". The Statesman. Salem, Oregon. December 1, 1946. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "San Jose Power Smothers Scrappy Willamette Cats". The Capital Journal. September 28, 1946. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Bearcats Open Conference Play With 26-13 Win Over Thunderbirds". The Statesman. Salem, Oregon. October 6, 1946. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Willamette Trounces Linfield, 31-6". The Eugene Guard. October 13, 1946. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Bearcats Seek 3rd Straight In Mix With C of I Tonight: Sweetland Scene of Northwest Conference Big". The Statesman. Salem, Oregon. October 18, 1946. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Zooming Bearcats Top Coyotes, 27-7". The Statesman. Salem, Oregon. October 19, 1946. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
11. Jerry Stone (October 27, 1946). "Bearcats Throttle CPS Threat, 7 to 0". The Statesman. Salem, Oregon. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "WU Opens Story Book On 6-6 Tie With Pilots". The Capital Journal. November 2, 1946. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Cats Topple Pacific, Cop Loop Title: McKeel's Second Quarter Score Sinks Stubborn Badger Foes". The Statesman. Salem, Oregon. November 10, 1946. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Last Minute Aerial Gives Poets 18-13 Win Over Cats". The Statesman. Salem, Oregon. November 17, 1946. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Bearcat Climax Campaign By Whipping Whitman, 7-0". The Statesman. Salem, Oregon. November 29, 1946. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
16. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 14.
17. "College of Idaho Outscores EOC Grid Machine 25 to 12; Fumbles Costly". La Grande Evening Observer. September 30, 1946. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "C. of I. Loses". Times-News. Twin Falls, Idaho. October 7, 1946. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "College of Idaho Wins Whitman N W Game". The Capital Journal. October 12, 1946. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "College of Idaho Beats British Columbia, 13-0". The Spokesman-Review. October 27, 1946. p. Sports 2 – via Newspapers.com.
21. "Coyotes Romp Over Pacific". The Statesman. November 3, 1946. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Bengals Nip Coyotes". Times-News. Twin Falls, Idaho. AP. November 10, 1946. p. 8. Retrieved May 2, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
23. "Idaho College Beats C.P.S." The Spokesman-Review. November 17, 1946. p. Sports 1 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Boise Ekes Out Grid Victory". The Ogden Standard-Examiner. November 24, 1946. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "College of Idaho Beats Lewis and Clark, 21-0". The Capital Journal. November 30, 1946. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
26. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 191.
27. "Badgers Belt Wildcats, 9-0". The Statesman. October 27, 1946. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
28. "Linfield Beats Whitman Team". The News Tribune. November 5, 1946. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
29. "Linfield Blanks British Columbia". The News Tribune. November 10, 1946. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
30. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 212.
31. "Viks Set For Grid Opener Saturday". The Bellingham Herald. October 4, 1946. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
32. Frank Walter (October 13, 1946). "Loggers Wallop Pacific: Puget Sound Gridmen Score 33-0 Victory Over Badgers in NW Conference Game". The Tacoma News Tribune. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
33. Frank Walter (November 3, 1946). "Loggers In 34-6 Victory: College of Puget Sound Gridders Register Easy Triumph Over British Columbia". The Tacoma News-Tribune. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
34. Frank Walter (November 10, 1946). "Loggers Win Over Whitman: Puget Sound Gridders Produce Two Touchdowns in First Quarter for 13-0 Victory". The Tacoma New-Tribune. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
35. Ed Honeywell (November 29, 1946). "Pacific Lutheran Defeats Logger Grid Eleven: Lutes Take City Crown; Glads Punch Out Win, 13-7 Over Puget Sound Team". The Tacoma News Tribune. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
36. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 208.
37. "Pacific Defeats Whitman 6 to 0". Coos Bay Times. October 5, 1946. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
38. "Pacific Scores Victory Over British Columbia". Coos Bay Times. November 16, 1946. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
39. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 208.
40. "Whits Barely Beat Whitworth". The Tacoma News-Tribune. September 29, 1946. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
41. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 165.