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Eastern Washington University Football

Eastern Washington defense highlights Eagles’ second scrimmage

Wide receiver Hayden Franco looks for running room Saturday against defensive back Joe Lang. (Jim Allen/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)

There was a lot to like at Eastern Washington’s second spring scrimmage Saturday.

The weather was perfect and the entertainment value was off the charts – and not only because admission was free.

Big plays were everywhere, with two long touchdowns passes, back-to-back safeties and eight sacks by a feisty Eagles defense, which had the better of it in a 65-play affair in front of about 100 fans at Roos Field.

“It was obvious in certain situations – they made things happen,” coach Aaron Best said. “I think a lot of their starting foundation came from their energy.

“So kudos to them, that’s where a great football teams built, is with the defense.”

Best will preside over his first Red-White Spring game on next Saturday.

Saturday’s scrimmage was the dress rehearsal, complete with officials. The offense began where it left off: with a touchdown pass from Gage Gubrud to Nsimba Webster.

The pair had connected on two scoring passes in last week’s scrimmage, but those went for only 24 and 22 yards. This time they connected for 70 and 63, the latter on a slant pass that saw Webster get open in the middle and go untouched for the score.

“He’s been picking up his reads,” said cornerback Nzuzi Webster, Nsimba’s twin brother. “He’s even caught balls on me this spring.”

The Eagles also got two rushing touchdowns from Sam McPherson and Tamarick Pierce during red-zone situational drills, but the day belonged to the defense.

With former Eastern pass-rushing great Samson Ebukam looking on, the Eagles seemingly took his cue. Eight players registered sacks, seven of them against redshirt freshman quarterback Eric Barriere.

Looking to show off his arm and his mobility, Barriere could do neither against a fierce rush: He finished 7 for 20 for 92 yards and finished with minus-10 yards on 11 carries.

“He wants to do what he needs to do, but he’s just a touch late at doing it,” Best said. “This game, as we all know, is a little bit faster than the high school game.”

Gubrud was 7 for 12 for 202 yards. Besides the TD passes to Webster, he also led a 10-play, 55-yard drive to open the scrimmage, but it ended with a blocked field goal by Andre Lino.

Nose tackle Jay-Tee Tiuli also had a sack, four tackles and a forced fumble – the lone turnover of the day – which was recovered by Darnell Hogan.

Midway through the scrimmage, the defense recorded back-to-back safeties in end-zone situational drills.

“We saw play-making ability,” Best said of his defense. “You don’t see a ton of missed tackles – I think that last week we had a few but today I didn’t see that.

“Obviously, film doesn’t lie and we will take a peek at that, but overall I think we rallied to the football – we ran to the football.”

The offense generated 294 yards through the air while rushing 33 times for 104 yards.

The Red-White Game will be played under a true game format with the teams split equally via a draft. The game, which will begin at 2 p.m., is free and open to the public.