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.
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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
^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.
^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.
^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.
^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.
^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.
^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.
^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.
^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.