Injuries eliminate premier matchup
The much-anticipated cornerback-wide receiver matchup between Montana State’s Cory Nicol and Eastern Washington’s Aaron Boyce had the potential to be something special.
But because of season-ending injuries suffered recently by the two senior standouts, neither will be available for Saturday’s Big Sky Conference game between the Bobcats and Eagles, 1:05 p.m. at Woodward Field.
Nicol, one of best corners in the conference, suffered a knee injury in practice prior to last weekend’s 31-24 overtime win over South Dakota. Boyce, a four-year starter and preseason FCS All-American, went down with a ruptured Achilles tendon near the end of last Saturday’s 41-34 loss at Montana.
How much their absence will affect the upcoming MSU-EWU game has been a topic of considerable conversation around both campuses this week.
“I feel bad for Aaron,” Montana State coach Rob Ash said of Boyce, who has been the favorite target of Eastern’s senior quarterback Matt Nichols for the last four seasons. “He’s an outstanding player.”
EWU coach Beau Baldwin said there might be a few minor offensive changes made because of the absence of Boyce, who had caught 39 passes for 634 yards and six touchdowns prior to suffering his injury.
“It definitely changes things for Matt, because he’s used to feeling that security blanket (Boyce provided) at certain times and in certain situations,” Baldwin said. “But from a standpoint of what we do, or our philosophy or playbook, no.”
Baldwin plans to alternate redshirt freshman Nicholas Edwards and freshman Brandon Kaufman at Boyce’s spot.
“No one is going to go out and replace Aaron,” he said. “It’s more a matter of those who have been playing around him – who have now been thrown into maybe a little bit bigger role – stepping up their game.”
Nicol, after battling through some early season injuries, started at left corner in the three games prior to last Saturday’s non-conference game against USD, and was healthy only briefly before his latest injury. His place in the starting lineup is expected to be filled by senior Kevin Retoriano on Saturday.
Eagles will honor Roos
Former Eastern offensive lineman Michael Roos, who is an All-Pro tackle for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, will be in attendance at Saturday’s homecoming game against Montana State when the Eagles officially retire the No. 71 jersey he wore during his stay in Cheney.
The Titans have a bye this week.
Boyce wants to attend
Boyce underwent surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles in a Seattle-area hospital Tuesday. It’s not certain whether he will be on the sidelines at Saturday’s game.
“I’d love for him to be here for that last game at home,” said Nichols, who can’t remember a game in which he hasn’t completed at least one pass to Boyce. “But, at the same time, we’ve had some great memories together.
“I talked to him earlier in the week and he’s already saying he needs to get back and be around the guys. He said he can’t stand being away from us, knowing we’re out at practice.
“So, I’m sure he’s going to do everything in his power to get back over here for the game and be the best cheerleader we have on Saturday.”
Quick kicks
With 17 tackles in last Saturday’s loss to Montana, Eastern’s junior linebacker J.C. Sherritt became the nation’s leading tackler among FCS schools with an average of 14.4 per game. … Northern Colorado’s 30-7 win over Idaho State in Pocatello marked the first time the Bears have beaten a Big Sky team on the road and snapped a 19-game road losing streak. … Despite his team’s 0-7 record, ISU third-year head coach John Zamberlin was given a two-year contract extension last week and is under contract with the Bengals through 2011.