Eagles focused on Cats
If history can be reversed, can it be repeated?
Sounds confusing, but that is where the sixth-ranked Eastern Washington University Eagles find themselves heading into today’s Big Sky Conference football game against Weber State.
The Eagles played at Weber State last year after a heartbreaking home loss to Montana, but rebounded to spank the Wildcats 51-7.
Now the Eagles (4-2 overall, 3-1 conference) face the Wildcats (3-4, 2-2) for homecoming at Woodward Field a week after a huge win at then second-ranked Montana. Kickoff is 2:05 p.m.
“Coming off the win against a team like Montana, the tendency is to sigh with relief and go lax into the next week,” EWU junior safety Brandon Keller said. “But we’re focused. We know Weber has a lot of talent, especially at the skill positions. We’re going to be prepared.”
The Wildcats are rejuvenated under new coach Ron McBride after going 1-10 last year, costing former EWU assistant Jerry Graybeal his job. Graybeal is now the athletic director.
“They’re organized, disciplined and they play with a lot more passion,” said EWU fullback Lars Slind. “I think by the time we played them (last year) they were down in the rut. I don’t know what it is, the coaching staff or team captains, but somebody has definitely got that program turned around. We can see it when we watch them (on film). They’re a good football team. They have passion and they have talent.”
The Eagles also know the Wildcats had a chance to win at Montana, losing 24-19, and gave up 17 points in the fourth quarter, including a last-second field goal, to lose to Montana State 27-24.
“They’re one of those teams that returns 17 or 18 starters from a year ago,” said Eastern head coach Paul Wulff. “Anybody that can do that is going to naturally be a lot better. They’ve changed a few things offensively and defensively with the new staff. The kids are playing harder and they’re very physical in their offensive and defensive lines.”
The high-flying Eagles lead the nation in passing (354.5 yards a game) and total offense (511.33) and top the conference in total defense (320).
“I like the way (the Eagles) play, watching them on film,” McBride said. “Their quarterback is the best we’ve seen, or probably will see, this season. They have great receivers and a veteran offensive line. This is a very explosive team. … Defensively, they get to the ball in a hurry, especially their defensive backs. They are a well-coached team and we will need to play our absolute very best if we are to succeed.”
The Wildcats are right behind EWU in conference rankings. They are second in total offense (403.1) because of a conference-leading running attack (186.3), and are third in total defense (321.1) with the No. 2 passing defense (172.4).
Montana held Weber to 110 yards rushing and the Wildcats lost sophomore starter Adrian Conway with an injury. Since then Zach Hall, a 6-foot, 210-pound junior, has gained 330 yards, giving him 632 for the season (90 a game, 5.3 per carry) with nine touchdowns. Backup Sione Havili, a 250-pound senior, had 74 yards last week against Sacramento State.
“They’re explosive on offense,” Wulff said. “They have a great running game, a quarterback with a strong arm and receivers that can run by you.”
End Brady Fosmark headlines the defense, but his teammates have stepped up as rivals have focused on the All-American. In the last three games, WSU has 14 sacks.
Fosmark, who had 89 tackles last year, including 50 solos, only has 16 solos among his 35 tackles in seven games. Yet the defense is much improved.
“Defensively they challenge you a lot more,” Wulff said. “They play a lot more man defense and have three of the best D-linemen in the league and maybe the best in Brady Fosmark.”