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Ewu sports chat Oct. 16 (noon)

Read the transcript from Thursday's chat in the extended portion of this post:

 

Oct 16 2014, 11:59 AM

Jim:OK, folks, let's talk Eastern sports!

Oct 16 2014, 11:59 AM Ryan_31088: Hi Jim. Please tell me that somebody, anybody who was injured last week is healthy now.

Oct 16 2014, 12:00 PM

Jim:Hello, Ryan. I wish I could do that.

Oct 16 2014, 12:00 PM

Ryan_31088: Well that's not good.

Oct 16 2014, 12:01 PM

Jim:Let's see, Forte is still on the mend, the same with Raynes and Mitchell. All are getting close, I've been told. Not this week, though.

Oct 16 2014, 12:02 PM

Jim:The key is getting through the next three games - all three of them will definitely be back for Montana.

Oct 16 2014, 12:02 PM

Ryan_31088: Well alright then. How is that Northern Colorado O-line?

Oct 16 2014, 12:03 PM

Jim:Big, not very fast. Two big RBs, but oddly enough, they're one the worst third-down conversion teams in the Big Sky (33.7 percent).

Oct 16 2014, 12:04 PM

Jim:They've also given up 28 sacks, the most in the conference, while EWU is next two worst in getting sacks. Something's got give!

Oct 16 2014, 12:04 PM

Dave98 (guest): With the sellouts this week any news on the Gateway?

Oct 16 2014, 12:06 PM

Jim:Bad subject. I've gotten nowhere in terms of a Gateway story, because no one is commenting. Potential donors are still being courted, and it was pointed out to me that it took UW six years to renovate Husky Stadium.

Oct 16 2014, 12:06 PM

Guest3780 (guest): Sell outs for the remainder of the season

Oct 16 2014, 12:07 PM

Jim:That's right - everything is sold out for the regular season - which begs the questions: why didn't more fans show up for the playoff games last year? Yes, it was cold, but still...

Oct 16 2014, 12:07 PM

Guest4059 (guest): No more gateway talk.Let concentrate on football and other EWU sports.

Oct 16 2014, 12:07 PM

Dave98 (guest): 6 years? and we are what in year 3? We got to act while the iron is hot. Sellouts will only continue with VA and KUPP still here

Oct 16 2014, 12:07 PM

Jim:Maybe

Oct 16 2014, 12:07 PM

Ryan_31088: Is the possible lead donor a corporation or an individual?

Oct 16 2014, 12:08 PM

Jim:These days, they're really one in the same, aren't they?

Oct 16 2014, 12:08 PM

Guest4059 (guest): is Cody well?

Oct 16 2014, 12:08 PM

Ryan_31088: Sometimes

Oct 16 2014, 12:09 PM

Jim:Cody McCarthy is fine. He had some flu-like symptoms last week in Cedar City, but he's fine now.

Oct 16 2014, 12:09 PM

Dave98 (guest): Obviously there was a lot more running than normal with West behind center. Do you feel that would have been the same case if VA would have been back there for last weeks game?

Oct 16 2014, 12:09 PM

Jim:Not if Adams were healthy.

Oct 16 2014, 12:11 PM

Jim:Think about it: Adams has 63 "carries" this year, which includes designated runs, sacks, etc. That's 11 per game, roughly; no way West has that many, so the RBs have to take up the slack - and they sure did last week.

Oct 16 2014, 12:11 PM

Ryan_31088: Any idea what Shaq Hill was suspended for?

Oct 16 2014, 12:12 PM

Jim:There was a party after the Idaho State game, and it got out of hand. DT Pesefea also was involved.

Oct 16 2014, 12:12 PM

Dave98 (guest): Then I almost see it as a blessing that he is out . . not that I wish any injuries on anyone, but it allows for more diversity . . such as what happened in 2010 when Jones went down.

Oct 16 2014, 12:12 PM

Guest3780 (guest): Were there a couple of guys suspended last week? I thought I heard something on this during the radio broadcast, but nothing more.

Oct 16 2014, 12:13 PM

Jim:Certainly it's a blessing when you win the games!

Oct 16 2014, 12:13 PM

Guest4059 (guest): Beau seems very pleased with West. Who is his backup? Connor?

Oct 16 2014, 12:14 PM

Jim:Conner Richardson is the current No. 2 ... lefthander, very mobile, untested.

Oct 16 2014, 12:14 PM

Jim:Richardson is just a redshirt freshman

Oct 16 2014, 12:14 PM

Dave98 (guest): Will Hill be back as well?

Oct 16 2014, 12:14 PM

Guest3780 (guest): Hopefully they learned something from the suspension

Oct 16 2014, 12:15 PM

Jim:Hill will play this week. He, Kupp and Bourne are atop the depth chart at the three WR spots.

Oct 16 2014, 12:16 PM

Dave98 (guest): We seemed more balanced is what I was referring too. Heard Marino was kicked off MSU team. What was his issue?

Oct 16 2014, 12:17 PM

Jim:Yes, he apparently doesn't play well with others. He was involved in yet another fight at Tuesday's practice, and coach Ash decided to pull the plug.

Oct 16 2014, 12:18 PM

Dave98 (guest): Good for Ash!

Oct 16 2014, 12:18 PM

Jim:Changing the subject, the men's and women's basketball teams will hold an outdoor Madness event Thursday night in downtown Cheney. I'll be there - will you?

Oct 16 2014, 12:19 PM

Jim:I also dropped in on men's practice earlier this week. I expect a successful season, certainly a postseason berth.

Oct 16 2014, 12:21 PM

Jim:Time for poll. Three games to go before Montana (No, Colo., @NAU, North Dakota). How many do the Eagles win, and why?

Oct 16 2014, 12:21 PM

Ryan_31088: I hope so. The last few years have been disappointing.

Oct 16 2014, 12:21 PM

Guest3780 (guest): Very nice to hear about the improvement in the basketball program.

Oct 16 2014, 12:23 PM

Jim:I see better athleticism throughout the lineup, plus everyone is a year older. Harvey is a scoring machine, Brandon manages the court very well and Jois is one of the best power forwards in the conference.

Oct 16 2014, 12:23 PM

Guest3780 (guest): I would say for sure 2 wins. Possible loss at NAU.

Oct 16 2014, 12:23 PM

Jim:I agree - can't see how they lose to UNC or ND - both have very pedestrian offenses.

Oct 16 2014, 12:26 PM

Ryan_31088: The only regular season games remaining that I would worry about are Montana and Portland State. The PSU game is always a dogfight.

Oct 16 2014, 12:27 PM

Jim:Yes, it is - and this time it's a Friday night fight. 7:10 kickoff in Portland on 11/21 - that's tough on deadline, and after all, this is all about me!

Oct 16 2014, 12:27 PM

Guest3780 (guest): That PSU game last year is one of the best I have ever seen. They seem to rise to the occasion.

Oct 16 2014, 12:28 PM

Jim:Looking back, the last two games have been amazing, with Kaufman in 2012 and Kupp last year playing heroically to pull those games out of the fire.

Oct 16 2014, 12:30 PM

Guest3780 (guest): The uniforms this week look amazing

Oct 16 2014, 12:30 PM

Jim:Yes, I can't wait to see them in person. I think the military folks will feel, well, appreciated!

Oct 16 2014, 12:30 PM

Ryan_31088: I have to get going. Thanks for the Eag talk.

Oct 16 2014, 12:30 PM

Jim:Thanks, Ryan - till next time!

Oct 16 2014, 12:31 PM

Jim:Ryan's gone down - who's going to step up their game and chat?!

Oct 16 2014, 12:32 PM

Jim:Who else was impressed with RB Jalen Moore's performance last week? Depth at RB has been as strong as I can recall.

Oct 16 2014, 12:32 PM

Guest3780 (guest): Do you think they will let West pass more this week?

Oct 16 2014, 12:33 PM

Jim:Shorter stuff, I think - UNC leads the nation in picks. It all depends on what the D gives you.

Oct 16 2014, 12:33 PM

Guest4059 (guest): O Line has been a real positive this year helping our running game. Coach Best is the Best

Oct 16 2014, 12:33 PM

Dave98 (guest): More than depth at RB how about the OL!

Oct 16 2014, 12:34 PM

Jim:I wrote a feature a few weeks on the OL, and they just keep getting better, in pass protect and run blocking.

Oct 16 2014, 12:34 PM

Jim:Not a single major injury in this group so far, in contrast to 2011.

Oct 16 2014, 12:35 PM

Dave98 (guest): Way to jinx us JIM!

Oct 16 2014, 12:35 PM

Jim:Sorry!

Oct 16 2014, 12:35 PM

Guest3780 (guest): The O line will be key while VA is gone. Nice to have some solid bodies up front

Oct 16 2014, 12:37 PM

Jim:Agreed - the run blocking has been superb of late; and don't forget, they have new starters at center and both guard spots.

Oct 16 2014, 12:39 PM

Jim:One thing I'd like to see: fewer sacks given up. EWU is near the bottom of the league in that category.

Oct 16 2014, 12:39 PM

Guest4059 (guest): The way they use multiple lineman really helps when a man goes down and seems like we are strong in 4th quarter

Oct 16 2014, 12:40 PM

Jim:That's been the philosophy on both lines: keep rotating and wear them down. That's one reason they have six true frosh on the DL: fresh legs.

Oct 16 2014, 12:40 PM

Guest3780 (guest): Does it seem odd that Kupp sometimes returns kicks? I know he is talented, but his value seems best at WR

Oct 16 2014, 12:40 PM

Jim:Not kicks, but punts. Baldwin likes his surehandedness.

Oct 16 2014, 12:41 PM

Jim:I don't think Baldwin would risk Kupp on KR returns.

Oct 16 2014, 12:41 PM

Jim:KO returns, that is!

Oct 16 2014, 12:41 PM

Guest3780 (guest): I guess it is just punts. Still seems risky

Oct 16 2014, 12:42 PM

Jim:Perhaps, but I recall those guys during fall camp, and Kupp stood out; I never saw him muff a chance.

Oct 16 2014, 12:42 PM

EWU_Fan (guest): Any hope of getting our kicker back soon? Impressive that we're essentially 100% in redzone scoring without him...

Oct 16 2014, 12:42 PM

Guest4059 (guest): I agree it seems like that is a risk that others can do. Although when Shaq is back there it is interesting

Oct 16 2014, 12:43 PM

Jim:No - Alcobendas is out for the season, but Tyler McNannay is doing very well so far 18-19 on XPs and 1-1 on FGs.

Oct 16 2014, 12:44 PM

EWU_Fan (guest): Is it possible for Cory to pursue a medical redshirt since he got injured so early in the season?

Oct 16 2014, 12:46 PM

Jim:Not sure. He was hurt in Game 3. Big picture: he's 26 years old with a family, and probably wants to get going on his career.

Oct 16 2014, 12:46 PM

Guest4059 (guest): Jim thanks for doing this every week. Always look forward to. EWU by 17.

Oct 16 2014, 12:46 PM

Jim:Sounds about right.

Oct 16 2014, 12:47 PM

Guest3511 (guest): Any idea if we'll see Shaq Hill or Todd Raynes this weekend?

Oct 16 2014, 12:48 PM

Jim:Hill, yes - Raynes, no.

Oct 16 2014, 12:50 PM

Jim:Ten minutes left, then I'm back to finish my feature story on the only current EWU player who was on the 2010 title team.

Oct 16 2014, 12:50 PM

Guest3511 (guest): Mario Brown?

Oct 16 2014, 12:51 PM

Jim:That's right - look for it tomorrow on your doorstep - you guys all get the paper, right?

Oct 16 2014, 12:51 PM

EWU_Fan (guest): Would if I could, but I live out of state.

Oct 16 2014, 12:52 PM

Jim:Fair enough. I'm a big fan of the written word, in case you didn't know.

Oct 16 2014, 12:52 PM

Guest3511 (guest): Do you think Jalen Moore has worked his way into the mix for more carries once Quincy returns? Unfortunately I was in Seattle last weekend and had to miss the game so I have no idea how he looked

Oct 16 2014, 12:53 PM

Jim:Great question. All of them bring something different to the table. Forte has more speed, and he's the only legit threat in the passing game, but Moore has a good mix of power and speed.

Oct 16 2014, 12:54 PM

Jim:Moore may be the best option on third-and-short, IMO.

Oct 16 2014, 12:54 PM

Guest3511 (guest): I was just about to say perhaps goal-line work as well

Oct 16 2014, 12:55 PM

Jim:We saw that against Idaho State.

Oct 16 2014, 12:56 PM

Jim:OK, prediction time. I say it'll be ...

Oct 16 2014, 12:56 PM

Jim:EWU 45, Northern Colorado 27

Oct 16 2014, 12:59 PM

Jim:Thanks, everyone - we'll do it again next week!



Jim Allen
Jim Allen joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently covers K-12 education and women's basketball.

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