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

EWU football: Eagles can’t wait to go up against Vernon Adams’ Oregon Ducks

Vernon Adams Jr. doesn’t live here anymore; it merely seemed that way Tuesday afternoon at Roos Field. For many Eastern Washington football players, warmups began with an energetic question-and-answer session about their former teammate – and future opponent. Now, with the future just three days away, a national story came home to roost where it began eight months ago. With the same questions and answers: Yes, the Eastern players and coaches wish only the best for Adams. No, the Eagles aren’t dwelling on the might-have-beens. And yes, they can’t wait to face Adams and the Ducks on Saturday at Autzen Stadium. “He’s still my buddy,” said EWU wide receiver Kendrick Bourne even after reading a newspaper story that Adams was giving the Oregon defensive backs tips on how to cover the Eagle receivers. “That’s funny,” said Bourne, who said he regularly texts and talks with Adams, a two-time FCS All-American at Eastern before he announced in February that he would play for Oregon as a graduate student. It was the same for fellow wideout Shaq Hill, who learned last year that he and Adams are distant cousins. “Me personally, I was just happy for him. He was making the best decision at the time,” Hill said. “We keep in touch every other day,” Hill said. “The only crazy thing will be seeing him in green and yellow.” The other crazy thing: defending him. That task will fall to a revamped EWU defense, one that’s quicker than previous versions and accustomed to Adams, if not the rest of the Ducks. Said coach Beau Baldwin, “It will probably be different, playing football against one of the best quarterbacks in the country. It’ll be a challenge for every team that has to face him.” Baldwin acknowledged that it will be “awkward” when the Eagles and Adams share the same field during warmups, but the game will go on. Once the game begins, Baldwin doubts that either team will benefit from Adams’ change of scenery. On one hand, Baldwin reasoned, the Eagles know Adams’ tendencies better than most; on the other, Adams has practiced for three years against the Eagle defense. “That stuff evens out,” Baldwin said.
Notes
There may be more redshirts burned later, but for now, five true freshmen will be playing for the Eagles this fall. They include running backs Sam McPherson and Malcolm Williams Jr., linebacker Ketner Kupp and defensive linemen Keenan Williams and Jim Townsend. Of the five, Williams is the only true freshman listed as a starter in the depth chart released on Monday. … Several Eagles with Oregon roots were still scrambling to get extra tickets. “It’s a work in progress,” said defensive tackle Matthew Sommer of Salem. Bourne, from the Portland suburb of Milwaukie, said he’s expecting upwards of 70 people to watch him play at Autzen Stadium. … The Eagles will practice today and Thursday before boarding a charter flight to Eugene on Friday morning. They will practice that afternoon at a local high school, then hold their walkthrough at Autzen Stadium on Friday afternoon.