Read the full transcript of Thursday's chat with the extended post.

Dec 4 2014, 11:59 AM

srchat: Ok, let's talk Eastern Washington sports!

Dec 4 2014, 12:00 PM

Guest8933 (guest): This was posted at 2:12pm, I'm guessing you will be taking questions at 12pm tomorrow?

Dec 4 2014, 12:00 PM

srchat: yep - bring 'em on!

Dec 4 2014, 12:02 PM

Joemon (guest): Considering all of the coaching distractions, does the team look focused? They haven't played in awhile

Dec 4 2014, 12:03 PM

srchat: Definitely focused at practice on Tuesday - very high-energy

Dec 4 2014, 12:03 PM

Guest5984 (guest): Who is injured and will not be playing?

Dec 4 2014, 12:04 PM

srchat: The biggest question is RB Quincy Forte (ankle sprain). He's listed as questionable, but he look good at practice on Tuesday. Also RB Jalen Moore is doubtful. That could leave the RB corps a bit thin.

Dec 4 2014, 12:04 PM

Ryan_31088: Hey Jim, thanks for taking some time. How is the injury report looking for both teams?

Dec 4 2014, 12:07 PM

srchat: I'm seeing no injury updates from Montana, either on the school web site or the Montana media.

Dec 4 2014, 12:07 PM

Guest1925 (guest): How about Jordan Pulu?

Dec 4 2014, 12:07 PM

srchat: Nope - he won't play

Dec 4 2014, 12:07 PM

Joemon (guest): The way Jabari looked against PSU, I don't think we miss a beat in the running game

Dec 4 2014, 12:08 PM

srchat: Wilson had a great game at PSU, but Forte adds an outside dimension, plus he's better in the passing game and has better breakaway speed than the other backs,

Dec 4 2014, 12:08 PM

Ryan_31088: I hope the Oregon State AD slept through the Eastern game last year.

Dec 4 2014, 12:09 PM

srchat: I'm sure a lot of Eastern fans are thinking that right now. However, Baldwin's name is all over the fan forums at OSU - sorry to break the news!

Dec 4 2014, 12:09 PM

srchat: I think a lot of folks are surprised that Nebraska hired Riley.

Dec 4 2014, 12:10 PM

Ryan_31088: It's a pretty logical fit. I think he will fit in nicely in the Pac.

Dec 4 2014, 12:10 PM

srchat: Are you talking Beau?

Dec 4 2014, 12:10 PM

Ryan_31088: Yeah

Dec 4 2014, 12:12 PM

srchat: Lots of "bigger" names already being floated in Corvallis: Pelini, Oregon OC Scott Frost, Mack Brown(!), Harbaugh(!!!), BYU HC Mendenall, UW OC Jonathan Smith, Utah St. HC Matt Wells, and more.

Dec 4 2014, 12:14 PM

Guest1925 (guest): When will pull be back to playing?

Dec 4 2014, 12:14 PM

Guest1925 (guest): PULU*

Dec 4 2014, 12:15 PM

srchat: Pulu (hyperextended elbow) is not expected back this year, as per official releases from the athletic department.

Dec 4 2014, 12:15 PM

Ryan_31088: I don't see Mack Brown or Harbaugh happening, not to Oregon State.

Dec 4 2014, 12:16 PM

srchat: hence the exclamation marks (I WISH this web site would allow emoticons!)

Dec 4 2014, 12:18 PM

Ryan_31088: Is Vernon back to 100%?

Dec 4 2014, 12:18 PM

srchat: For sure. But so is Montana QB Jordan Johnson. I expect a high-scoring game.

Dec 4 2014, 12:24 PM

Guest5022 (guest): Is the game sold out?

Dec 4 2014, 12:25 PM

srchat: I haven't heard for sure - sorry

Dec 4 2014, 12:26 PM

Ryan_31088: Hopefully Coach McElwain's donations to the program double too.

Dec 4 2014, 12:26 PM

Guest4566 (guest): As of right now you cannot buy tickets. I would assume that means they are sold out.

Dec 4 2014, 12:26 PM

srchat: Thanks!

Dec 4 2014, 12:28 PM

Guest4566 (guest): You had to be real quick with the keyboard to get tickets on Tuesday. Great for the program in my opinion.

Dec 4 2014, 12:29 PM

srchat: I think there will be some empty seats, considering the weather.

Dec 4 2014, 12:29 PM

Guest5022 (guest): The weather will be much better than the Apple Cup....game should be much better too

Dec 4 2014, 12:30 PM

srchat: I was in Pullman for the Apple Cup - brutal weather, brutal game.

Dec 4 2014, 12:36 PM

Guest5022 (guest): Yes, I am sure the cougar chat will be exciting this week.

Dec 4 2014, 12:36 PM

Shane Comer: Is the team prepping for a fast start? It seems to start slow after bye weeks at times.

Dec 4 2014, 12:36 PM

Guest4566 (guest): I hope there are not a lot of empty seats. I for one am super excited for this game!

Dec 4 2014, 12:37 PM

srchat: A fast start is the key for both teams.

Dec 4 2014, 12:41 PM

Guest4566 (guest): EWU -7 in case you were wondering. UNI is -1 vs ISU Redbirds.

Dec 4 2014, 12:42 PM

srchat: That sound right; and by the way, I think UNI wins handily at ISU. They are playing very well right now and also beat NDSU by 20.

Dec 4 2014, 12:47 PM

Ryan_31088: So after the Indiana win, I don't think I will be surprised if MBB beats Washington.

Dec 4 2014, 12:48 PM

srchat: Could be, although UW is decent; the team you want to play right now is WSU - they looked awful last night against Idaho

Dec 4 2014, 12:52 PM

Guest4566 (guest): Can our defense play a complete game. The last two Montana games we've let them climb back in and make it too close for comfort.

Dec 4 2014, 12:53 PM

Guest5022 (guest): No disrespect to Idaho, but that was surprising

Dec 4 2014, 12:53 PM

srchat: Don't know about the defense - they've played well lately, but struggle against mobile quarterbacks. UM QB Jordan Johnson is much more mobile now than on Nov. 8

Dec 4 2014, 12:53 PM

Ryan_31088: We'll find out how good UW really is when they play San Diego State this weekend. If they are like typical UW, loaded with talent but lack coaching.

Dec 4 2014, 12:53 PM

Ryan_31088: I'm not a fan of Eastern playing five straight road games against tough opponents though.

Dec 4 2014, 12:54 PM

srchat: This will be a good gauge of how good this team is.

Dec 4 2014, 12:57 PM

Ryan_31088: Yes it will be. I have to get going. Thanks for the time. 49-38 EWU

Dec 4 2014, 12:57 PM

Guest5022 (guest): Johnson looked great against Montana State. Concerned about our defense being able to stop him.

Dec 4 2014, 12:57 PM

Guest4566 (guest): Is the offensive roll of MT more due to the competition (MSU minus Prokop and Johnson with plenty of gifts and San Diego goes without saying)or have they really improved since we played them last?

Dec 4 2014, 12:57 PM

srchat: That's the big question - those were two pretty bad defenses. Still, this will be a tough game.

Dec 4 2014, 12:58 PM

srchat: My prediction: EWU 44, UM 38

Dec 4 2014, 12:59 PM

Guest4566 (guest): Oh that looks about right. That will keep the heart pumping!

Dec 4 2014, 12:59 PM

Guest5022 (guest): I tend to think more in the 50's with something like 56-53 EWU. I think the 7 point spread might be a bit much.

Dec 4 2014, 1:00 PM

srchat: Thanks, everyone - hopefully we'll do it again next week!

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