Quick-to-the-draw Cowboys host EWU
LAKE CHARLES, La. – Paul Wulff and his Eastern Washington University coaching staff have had only a few days to evaluate its opponent for this evening’s NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoff opener.
But given the rest of the winter, they admit they would probably not be able to uncover many weaknesses on a McNeese State team that won all 11 of its regular-season games and comes into the playoffs ranked No. 3, but seeded No. 2.
“McNeese State is just a good, solid football team that is very, very sound on both sides of the ball,” said Wulff, Eastern’s eighth-year head coach, who has his 14th-ranked Eagles (8-3) playing in the postseason for the third time in four years. “They create turnovers on defense and take care of the football on offense, which makes them tough to beat.”
The Cowboys, after successfully defending their Southland Conference title, earned the right to host a first-round playoff game and will be facing EWU in front of a friendly crowd in the familiar confines of Cowboy Stadium, which seats 17,410.
They are led offensively by sophomore quarterback Derrick Fourroux, who ranks sixth nationally in passing efficiency with a rating of 161.6, which is just two-tenths of a point higher than Eastern’s Matt Nichols (161.4). Fourroux threw for 1,878 yards and 16 touchdowns during the regular season and was picked off only five times. He also rushed for 522 yards and six more touchdowns in a run-first McNeese offense that relies heavily on play-action fakes to open up the pass.
The Cowboy’s defensive leader has been senior All-American end Bryan Smith, who was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year after recording 10½ sacks, 12½ tackles for loss and 20 quarterback hurries during the regular season.
The 6-foot, 230-pounder missed last Saturday’s 41-14 rout of Central Arkansas with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for tonight’s game, according to Cowboys coach Matt Viator, who told reporters Thursday that Smith had not practiced this week.
But even if Smith can’t go, Wulff expects his offense to face a difficult challenge against a McNeese State defense that is loaded with experienced players who run to the football – quickly.
“They’re fairly basic in their defensive schemes,” Wulff said, “but they’ve got excellent athletes and they keep things simple enough to let them just go out and play. The speed on their entire defense is phenomenal.”
Eastern offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy feels the Cowboy defenders are “as athletic – as a group – as we’ve played all year.
“Obviously, they’re 11-0 for a reason. Our skill guys are going to have to make plays, sure, but as with any football game, a lot of what happens is going to be determined by the play of your offensive and defensive lines. And our O-line is going to have a big, big challenge up front.”
Wulff also noted that McNeese State was a plus-18 in turnover margin during the regular season, having forced 34 turnovers while committing a mere 16.
“That’s just outstanding,” Wulff said of the Cowboys’ ability to create extra possessions. “That’s been a big part of their success, just like it’s been a big part of ours.”
Eastern had a turnover margin of plus-14 during the regular season, and one of the biggest contributing factors to that number was the consistent play of Nichols, the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year, who has thrown for 3,125 yards and 30 touchdowns, while being picked off only six times.
And Nichols seems convinced he and his teammates, despite McNeese State’s unbeaten record, lofty ranking and lack of weaknesses, is a team the Eagles can beat.
“We feel we’ve got a team that can beat anybody, and we really don’t care who we play,” Nichols said. “If you want to win the national championship, you’ve got to beat the best, so we want to play against the best.”
Game notes
This is the first meeting between EWU and McNeese State. … The Cowboys placed five players – Smith, DT Vaalyn Jackson, linebackers Allen Nelson and Trey Bennett and cornerback Jonathan Walker – on the first-team All-Southland Conference defensive unit and two players – wideout Carlese Franklin and guard Eman Naghavi – on the first-team all-league offensive unit. … Viator was named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year for the second straight time. … Nichols’ 30 touchdown passes are just one off Eastern’s single-season school record of 31, set by Erik Meyer two years ago. In addition, Nichols has rushed for more yards (313) in a single season than any quarterback in school history.