On Saturday we faced another very tough, highly recruited, talented, and big team up north. All of us coaches have fought through games like that, and we feel it makes players stronger and more resilient. This weekend we were missing our starting flanker, #8, flyhalf, outside center, one prop, and a wing. This meant that newer players vying for a starting spot could demonstrate their grit. TWU beat Central Washington University a week ago, who had already taken down University of Victoria and UBC. Although we played a "second team", there were first XV players returning from injury, and all but a couple athletic walk-ons were scholarshipped recruits. The score was 89-0. We nearly dotted one down but the UW lock was tackled out of bounds a few feet short of the try line.

This year I have tested the team against a variety of out-of-conference opponents: WSU, Arizona, Seattle Rhinos, and Trinity Western University. Half winnable, which we won, and half unwinnable, which we didn't. I have high expectations and believe they are as mentally and physically tough as the young men they face, though maybe not as big, as strong, or as skilled. The leadership group will decide whether they play TWU again in a couple of weeks in a home match, and close the gap, or whether we forfeit that non-league fixture.

The players have set a goal of winning their remaining league games against Boise and Oregon State, and in their unwinnable games they have shown desire exceeding my expectations. Both Boise and OSU have had better outcomes than we have in the first part of the season, but we'll see how we go. Boise is strong in the forwards, fast in the backs, and likes to get under their opponent's skin.

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