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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eagles travel to Toledo

Eastern Washington University logo (Courtesy)
EWU at Toledo Kickoff: 4 p.m. at the Glass Bowl, Toledo, Ohio Records: EWU 2-0, Toledo 0-2 Web/Radio: ESPN3/700-AM Overview: Toledo is unranked, but may offer a stiffer challenge than Oregon State partly because the Rockets know what’s coming. “They have great athletic ability and a great amount of confidence,” Toledo head coach Matt Campbell said of the Eagles. That’s especially true of Eagles QB Vernon Adams has completed 41 of 52 pass attempts (78.8 percent) for 709 yards and nine TDs in two games. He’s also run for 152 yards and two more scores, helping EWU rank second in FCS in total offense with 611 yards per game. The Eagles defense, ranked 50th overall, after holding Western Oregon to 217 total yards, but this week faces a diverse offense that includes running back David Fluellen (1,498 yards last year) and wide receiver Bernard Reedy (88 catches, 1,113 yards in 2012). Campbell calls Fluellen “one of the premier running backs in the country.” Senior QB Terrance Owens struggled against Florida and Missouri, going 43 of 79 (54.4 percent) with one TD and four interceptions. Most glaring, the Rockets were just 1 for 13 on third down at Florida. That put the Rockets’ young defense, with eight new starters, in a hole all game, which Toledo lost 24-6. Adams sees a Toledo defense “that’s really big up front … and they’re 0-2 so they’re going to try to take our heads off.” The Eagles are making their first trip east of the Mississippi since an FCS playoff game at Appalachian State in 2007.