Dave Trimmer

BOZEMAN, Mont. – When the Eastern Washington University football team needed him most, linebacker David Eneberg was there. In the Eagles' 19-10 win over the Montana State Bobcats Saturday afternoon, the senior co-captain had a career-high 13 tackles, including a tone-setting sack early. He also broke up a pass.

With plenty of time to cool off, Paul Wulff was hotter Monday morning than he was Saturday night after watching his Eastern Washington football team's inexplicable 21-14 loss to Central Washington. "We underachieved," he said. "Our kids played like we were just going to show up and win. That was about as bad of football as I've ever seen here … just a true embarrassing performance. A lack of maturity and lack of leadership showed up."

The memory drew smiles. A year ago the Eastern Washington University football coaches were afraid their depleted defensive line would be lucky to get more than one season out of junior transfer Keith Grennan. This year, they're expecting an all-conference type of season for the imposing, 6-foot-4, 290-pound tackle.

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Debacle is the first word to come to mind, which isn't surprising when your football team is on the wrong end of a 56-17 score in the season opener. But after a long bus ride, a little sleep and the torture of watching the film, Eastern Washington University coach Paul Wulff isn't looking at Thursday night's loss to Oregon State that way.

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Think worst-case scenario for the Eastern Washington University Eagles. It certainly was Paul Wulff's worst nightmare.

The anticipation that comes with a new football season is a little different at Eastern Washington University this year. Instead of wondering what will be the next amazing play, courtesy of star quarterback Erik Meyer and his receivers, it's who will be making the plays.

Ryan Cole insisted he would be just as excited if the Eastern Washington Eagles were opening their football season against Slippery Rock or, in his words, Joe Schmoe. But they're not.

It was all Julian Peterson could do to stop to talk, especially when the rest of the Seattle Seahawks were all but sprinting off the practice fields Thursday morning. "I'm ready to go," he said. "My mind is already there."

The day after the Seattle Seahawks learned starting tight end Jerramy Stevens would be out about six weeks with a knee injury was the same as the day before for free-agent tight end Will Heller. "I come out here every day with the same mind-set," Heller said after practice Friday morning at Eastern Washington University. "This is a game people get hurt in, obviously. You have to be prepared to step up when you get your chance. That's kind of the name of the game – always be prepared to step up when you're needed. I'm hoping Jerramy is back as soon as possible. He's a good player – he's a big part of this team."