Baldwin picks up EWU defense after tough practice

At the end of practice Wednesday morning, the Eastern Washington defense needed a little pick-me-up.

The Eagle defenders had just given up four straight touchdown passes during red-zone drills late in the first fall practice at Roos Field.

Operating from the 9-yard line, three different quarterbacks threw touchdown strikes.

“That felt pretty good,” said receiver Terence Grady, the recipient of all four TD passes – and the congratulatory hugs that went with them.

On the other side of the field, the defense saw red, but coach Beau Baldwin talked them off the ledge. He cited all the other practices – some of them last week – when the defense had the better of it. He also praised the defense’s effort and refusal to get pushed around.

Baldwin reiterated after practice. “We (the defenders) were in good position, but usually we were in good position, but the offense made a great play.”

At the same time, Baldwin expected that the deficiencies will get cleaned up. “We’ll get that stopped,” he said of the four straight TD passes.

The defense will get a chance to atone during two-a-days on Thursday, a single session on Friday and a scrimmage Saturday morning at Roos Field.

“Eighty plays, not just four,” Baldwin described what players and fans can look forward to on Saturday at 9:45 a.m.

Baldwin said the scrimmage will be “situational,” with the offense needing 80 yards on one series and 8 the next. A full set of officials will be on hand.