Linfield quarterback
Tom Knecht's long wait is worth it
By Nick Daschel for Oregonian 12/10/2015 electronically, 12/11/2015 in print
McMINNVILLE -- In a sense, Tom Knecht's contribution to Linfield's NCAA Division III football playoff run is fulfilling unfinished business.
Knecht was a three-year starting quarterback at Lakeridge High School, but his senior year in 2011 was cut four games short after sustaining a broken arm.
Fast forward four years later to Linfield, where Knecht spent his college career as a backup, usually playing when the games were well in hand. But unlike high school, Knecht is suddenly making a meaningful contribution during his final weeks of college football.
An injury to starter Sam Riddle has thrust Knecht into the starting lineup. Knecht is making the most of the opportunity, throwing for 492 yards and five touchdowns in a 38-35 quarterfinal playoff win last Saturday against Mary Hardin-Baylor.
With Riddle's playing status up in the air, Knecht may again be called upon Saturday when the Wildcats take on St. Thomas in a semifinal playoff game in St. Paul, Minnesota.
"I kind of got gypped out of a playoff run, being my senior year and last go-round with Lakeridge. It's kind of coming full circle here, getting this run at Linfield. It's pretty cool," Knecht said.
Knecht's 492-yard performance was fourth all-time in Linfield history.
A slow start and a fast finish is not how Joseph Smith, Linfield head football coach, or Knecht thought his Wildcats career would play out four years ago.
Smith considered Knecht the top player among Oregonians in Linfield's 2012 signing class, a 6-foot-5 prospect who had the look of someday becoming the next great Wildcat quarterback. Smith considered Knecht "a steal," in part because his shortened senior season kept some college coaches from taking a closer look.
Smith was sold following a frank conversation with then-Lakeridge coach Tom Smythe, who coached and developed many quarterbacks during his long high school and college coaching tenure.
"He said, 'Joe, Tom Knecht is Tom Knecht right now, but three or four years from now, he's going to be Tom Brady,'" Smith said. "I said, 'Alright, I like that.'"
Four years later, he's still Tom Knecht. And Knecht is OK with that.
Twice Knecht made runs at becoming Linfield's starting quarterback. The first time, his sophomore season, Knecht was a bit of a longshot as he had to beat out Josh Yoder, a senior. Yoder won the job, and went on to lead Linfield to 11 consecutive wins before falling in the NCAA quarterfinals.
The 2014 season was Knecht's best chance. If anything, Knecht went into preseason camp as the favorite. Riddle, then a sophomore, was rising, but in the season opener, Knecht was named starter, although Smith planned to give three quarterbacks a shot -- including senior Matt Yarborough -- because he still wasn't sold on a starter.
The audition, for lack of a better term, didn't go well for Knecht. He went 1 of 4 passing during his stint, and at halftime of a tight game against Chapman, Smith went to Riddle. He won the job that day, and hasn't looked back.
"Tommy didn't play well," Smith said. "We talk to our team a lot that sports are really hard. Sometimes you only get one opportunity, maybe one series, and you may never get another opportunity. Sam, we felt at the time played a little better, and next game, he exploded."
Knecht calls the outset of the 2014 season "kind of a rough spot in my football memory. ... I wish I could have had a couple plays back."
Though Knecht says that period of his college career was difficult, he never once thought about transferring to play elsewhere. He was at Linfield for an education, and the relationships he built with players, coaches and professors were invaluable.
With the younger Riddle seemingly entrenched as the starter, Knecht knew his remaining days at quarterback would be that of a backup.
"As weird as that sounds, I accepted my role," Knecht said.
But it's unfair to label Knecht as a bust. Smith says the best two quarterbacks in the Northwest Conference play at Linfield, in Riddle and Knecht.
"He's been wonderful, a team-first guy. I'd take him over any quarterback in our league," Smith said.
Instead of pouting, Knecht has contributed not only in pushing Riddle, but with off-the-field roles, too. The past two years, Knecht has represented the football team on Linfield's student-athlete advisory committee, which among other duties raises money for the local needy. This year, Knecht is managing the football team's mission of helping a disadvantaged child in Africa and Bolivia by raising money.
Knecht is preparing this week as though he'll start against St. Thomas. But if it's Riddle, Knecht will always have the memory of Dec. 5, 2015, when a 21-0 deficit evolved into a stirring 38-35 playoff victory thanks to his right arm.
"Tom came in and saved our season, there's no question about it," Smith said. "If he doesn't have that kind of game, we don't win."
............
By Nick Daschel for Oregonian 12/10/2015 electronically, 12/11/2015 in print
McMINNVILLE -- In a sense, Tom Knecht's contribution to Linfield's NCAA Division III football playoff run is fulfilling unfinished business.
Knecht was a three-year starting quarterback at Lakeridge High School, but his senior year in 2011 was cut four games short after sustaining a broken arm.
Fast forward four years later to Linfield, where Knecht spent his college career as a backup, usually playing when the games were well in hand. But unlike high school, Knecht is suddenly making a meaningful contribution during his final weeks of college football.
An injury to starter Sam Riddle has thrust Knecht into the starting lineup. Knecht is making the most of the opportunity, throwing for 492 yards and five touchdowns in a 38-35 quarterfinal playoff win last Saturday against Mary Hardin-Baylor.
With Riddle's playing status up in the air, Knecht may again be called upon Saturday when the Wildcats take on St. Thomas in a semifinal playoff game in St. Paul, Minnesota.
"I kind of got gypped out of a playoff run, being my senior year and last go-round with Lakeridge. It's kind of coming full circle here, getting this run at Linfield. It's pretty cool," Knecht said.
Knecht's 492-yard performance was fourth all-time in Linfield history.
A slow start and a fast finish is not how Joseph Smith, Linfield head football coach, or Knecht thought his Wildcats career would play out four years ago.
Smith considered Knecht the top player among Oregonians in Linfield's 2012 signing class, a 6-foot-5 prospect who had the look of someday becoming the next great Wildcat quarterback. Smith considered Knecht "a steal," in part because his shortened senior season kept some college coaches from taking a closer look.
Smith was sold following a frank conversation with then-Lakeridge coach Tom Smythe, who coached and developed many quarterbacks during his long high school and college coaching tenure.
"He said, 'Joe, Tom Knecht is Tom Knecht right now, but three or four years from now, he's going to be Tom Brady,'" Smith said. "I said, 'Alright, I like that.'"
Four years later, he's still Tom Knecht. And Knecht is OK with that.
Twice Knecht made runs at becoming Linfield's starting quarterback. The first time, his sophomore season, Knecht was a bit of a longshot as he had to beat out Josh Yoder, a senior. Yoder won the job, and went on to lead Linfield to 11 consecutive wins before falling in the NCAA quarterfinals.
The 2014 season was Knecht's best chance. If anything, Knecht went into preseason camp as the favorite. Riddle, then a sophomore, was rising, but in the season opener, Knecht was named starter, although Smith planned to give three quarterbacks a shot -- including senior Matt Yarborough -- because he still wasn't sold on a starter.
The audition, for lack of a better term, didn't go well for Knecht. He went 1 of 4 passing during his stint, and at halftime of a tight game against Chapman, Smith went to Riddle. He won the job that day, and hasn't looked back.
"Tommy didn't play well," Smith said. "We talk to our team a lot that sports are really hard. Sometimes you only get one opportunity, maybe one series, and you may never get another opportunity. Sam, we felt at the time played a little better, and next game, he exploded."
Knecht calls the outset of the 2014 season "kind of a rough spot in my football memory. ... I wish I could have had a couple plays back."
Though Knecht says that period of his college career was difficult, he never once thought about transferring to play elsewhere. He was at Linfield for an education, and the relationships he built with players, coaches and professors were invaluable.
With the younger Riddle seemingly entrenched as the starter, Knecht knew his remaining days at quarterback would be that of a backup.
"As weird as that sounds, I accepted my role," Knecht said.
But it's unfair to label Knecht as a bust. Smith says the best two quarterbacks in the Northwest Conference play at Linfield, in Riddle and Knecht.
"He's been wonderful, a team-first guy. I'd take him over any quarterback in our league," Smith said.
Instead of pouting, Knecht has contributed not only in pushing Riddle, but with off-the-field roles, too. The past two years, Knecht has represented the football team on Linfield's student-athlete advisory committee, which among other duties raises money for the local needy. This year, Knecht is managing the football team's mission of helping a disadvantaged child in Africa and Bolivia by raising money.
Knecht is preparing this week as though he'll start against St. Thomas. But if it's Riddle, Knecht will always have the memory of Dec. 5, 2015, when a 21-0 deficit evolved into a stirring 38-35 playoff victory thanks to his right arm.
"Tom came in and saved our season, there's no question about it," Smith said. "If he doesn't have that kind of game, we don't win."
............
Quarterback shows character
McMinnville N-R/News-Register letter to the editor 12/11/2015
Linfield
football coach Joseph Smith was right when he said “our program is based on
values and character” after last Saturday’s win over Mary-Hardin Baylor. I have
experienced the character of quarterback Tom Knecht.
I
was at the football field this summer and saw this tall young man with a
football warming up. He was alone. I went over to him and started small talk.
We introduced one another, and we just naturally started throwing.
As
a tight end 50 years ago, I recognized the skill he had throwing the ball. We
threw for about an hour. He miss-threw once, and I dropped two balls. Then a
couple teammates showed up, so I gave way.
In
departing, Tom said it was nice meeting me, and I should come and watch them
practice. How many young men would remember an old guy’s name?
After
Tom’s excellent performance over Mary-Hardin, I hung around watching friends
and family congratulate him. When my chance came, I shook his hand and said
“Great game, Tom.” He looked quizzically at me for a moment and then smiled and
said, “Oh, hey!” In his shining moment, he remembered the old man. I told him I
knew he was the man for the job. He made me feel good.
How
many young men, after perhaps his greatest game ever, would have the mentality
to smile and acknowledge that he remembered someone he had only met for one
hour three months before? He is a natural leader, a skilled athlete and an
excellent role model for anyone.
Albert
Skip Endres
McMinnville
McMinnville
