Sluggish Ewu Offense Can’t Connect In 14-6 Defeat

Eastern Washington’s punishment, a 14-6 home loss to Portland State on Saturday, fit the crimes perpetrated by the Eagles’ offense for most of the football game’s previous 59-plus minutes.

EWU wasted a solid defensive effort with one of its worst offensive displays, a display that included no gains longer than 18 yards and ended with a fumbled snap on second-and-goal from the Portland State 4-yard-line with 26 seconds remaining.

Sophomore quarterback Brian Sherick suffered through his first bad outing in three starts, completing just 10 of his first 25 passes, and received little help from his offensive teammates until EWU defensive tackle Chris Scott provided a spark by making the defensive play of the game.

With 10:50 left in the fourth quarter, PSU running back Steve Papin was on his way to the EWU secondary when Scott reached back, made the tackle and somehow came away with the football.

Scott’s amazing play gave EWU (2-1) life and, just as important, first down on the Vikings’ 25-yard line. Sherick followed by completing a 13-yard pass to Rex Prescott on fourth-and-3, setting up a 2-yard scoring run by David Lewis that pulled EWU within 14-6 with 8:36 to play. Tom Zurfluh’s extra-point try missed, however.

The EWU defense forced a punt on the ensuing PSU possession, and the Eagles marched 66 yards in 16 plays before Sherick and center Kevin Peterson combined on the critical fumbled snap.

“Either execute or get executed,” EWU coach Mike Kramer said. “I’m very proud of our defense. I don’t know how many times our defense went out there after a three-and-out by the offense.”

That happened six times, and two drives in the final 1:28 of the first half ended after just one play - Sherick throwing interceptions on both occasions. The wild second-quarter finish was comical.

Sherick’s first interception, fielded by cornerback Andrew Hosley, gave PSU possession at its own 37. Already leading 7-0 after Josh Racanelli’s 37-yard scoring pass to James Hundon, the Vikings appeared ready to stretch their lead when Kyle Holley wrestled Racanelli’s errant pass from EWU cornerback Jay Day for a 43-yard gain to the EWU 7. EWU would be spared for the moment, however, as PSU running back Brian Warner gave the Eagles possession by fumbling on the next play.

Thirty-six seconds remained in the half, and EWU had possession at its own 21. Instead of running out the clock, the Eagles gambled, deciding to throw downfield. But Sherick’s pass on first down found cornerback Paul Bradford, who returned the interception 16 yards - back to the Eagles 21. EWU was shown mercy once again, however, as Racanelli overthrew Holley twice, and a holding penalty knocked the Vikings out of field-goal range.

“With this team, this year, anything can happen,” said Racanelli, forced into the lineup one day after struggling starter Kyle Allen’s arrest on an assault charge. “It’s kind of like Forrest Gump, and you don’t know what you’re going to get. I mean, its been crazy.”

Racanelli’s analogy captured the essence of the first half, when stupid was as stupid did.

Among the first-half miscues, not including the final 1:28:

On third-and-4 from the EWU 22, Sherick missed an open Jerrold Jackson by 5 yards on what should have been a 10-yard pickup.

After the EWU defense held, PSU’s punt bounced inside the 15. Jackson watched the ball bounce several times, scooping the ball up only after it had entered the end zone. He was forced out of bounds after a 6-yard return.

Tobin Phelps dropped Sherick’s pass on third-and-5 from the EWU 11 with 5:55 left in the first quarter, forcing another punt.

On second-and-5 from near midfield, Racanelli fumbled the snap from center - one of six PSU fumbles - leading to a punt. (The crowd of 4,463 offered a mock roar when Jackson wisely let the punt bounce through the end zone.)

Early in the second quarter, Sherick matched Racanelli by fumbling the snap on second-and-5, and the series would end when the Eagles came up short on fourth-and-1.

The half was in sharp contrast to the opening sequence of the third quarter, when Portland State methodically marched 91 yards in 15 plays, taking control 14-0 on Warner’s 1-yard scoring run. The drive consumed 7:12 and provided the cushion PSU needed to even its record at 2-2.

“For 51 minutes, we really dominated the football game,” PSU coach Tim Walsh said. “The last 9 or 10 minutes of the fourth quarter, we lost some steam and they started to get some confidence. And we turned it over and all of a sudden it’s a do-or-die situation. The last couple of weeks, the ball has never bounced our way, and finally, on that last play, we got a huge break.”

And the 1995 Eagles had suffered their first loss.

Portland St. 14, EWU 7

Portland St. 7 0 7 0 - 14

E. Washington 0 0 0 6 - 6

PSUHundon 37 pass from Racanelli (Bilic kick) PSUWarner 1 run (Bilic kick) EWULewis 2 run (kick failed

A-4,463

PSU EWU First downs 19 14 Rushes-yards 47-169 36-101 Passing 171 108 Return Yards 44 38 Comp-Att-Int 13-31-0 17-39-2 Punts 8-43 9-42 Fumbles-Lost 6-2 2-1 Penalties-Yards 7-63 2-15 Time of Possession 31:28 28:32

INDIVIDUAL STATS RUSHINGPortland St., Papin 18-102, Edwards 8-63, Warner 9-10, Redd 1-2, Tavake 1-0, Racanelli 10-(minus 8). Eastern Washington, Sewell 22-64, Prescott 3-21, Lewis 9-18, Sherick 2-(minus 2).

PASSINGPortland St., Racanelli 13-31-0-171. Eastern Washington, Sherick 17-39-2-108.

RECEIVINGPortland St., Holley 4-66, Hundon 3-54, Papin 2-21, Warner 2-11, Grossman 1-10, Edwards 1-9. Eastern Washington, Hardt 7-42, Jackson 3-28, Phelps 2-9, Ogden 1-16, Prescott 1-12, Hunsaker 1-4, Lewis 1-3, Sewell 1-(minus 6).

, DataTimes