Boise State Cruises Past Eastern

A week after holding its opponent to 94 yards of total offense, Eastern Washington surrendered 664 to the Boise State Broncos, who trampled the Eagles in the second half on their way to a 63-44 Big Sky Conference football victory.

“Our offense really isn’t used to rolling up and down the field like this,” EWU (1-5 Big Sky, 3-6) coach Mike Kramer said. “We got into a shootout and we’re not a shootout team.”

Lost in the crossfire were two EWU starters. Senior Jesse Hardt, an all-conference tight end, and junior linebacker Justin Guillory suffered season-ending knee injuries. Maurice Perigo, a kick returner and starting defensive back, suffered a broken thumb but continued to play.

“We’ve had too many injuries to keep in perspective,” said Kramer, who had already lost several key players to season-ending injuries, including starting quarterback Brian Sherick. “You can’t just say it’s part of the game. It’s tough to understand.”

BSU (3-2, 6-3) quarterback Tony Hilde threw four touchdown passes and ran for another TD as the Broncos broke a 22-year-old school record for most yards in a game (642, against Portland State). EWU gave up just 94 yards in a 28-10 win at Montana State last week.

On Saturday, Eagles quarterback Harry Leons threw three TD passes and Joe Sewell scored on a 12-yard run as EWU kept pace in the first two quarters, trailing 35-31 at the half.

The momentum may have turned against EWU in the second quarter. Leading 31-28 after Sewell’s TD, Eron Hurley’s 11-yard run put BSU back on top with 4:36 before half.

EWU drove deep into Broncos territory, but was forced to settle for a field-goal attempt that missed.

“What really took the wind out of our sails was the drive at the end of the first half when we got no points,” Kramer said.

BSU pulled away thanks to a 21-0 third quarter capped by Hilde’s 14-yard TD pass to Michael Richmond for a 56-31 cushion.

EWU did not commit a turnover.

E.Wash 10 21 0 13 - 44

Boise St. 14 21 21 7 - 63

EWUHunsaker 4 pass from Leons (Zurfluh kick) EWUFG Zurfluh 20 BSUHurley 7 run (Erickson kick) BSUB.Zimmerman 45 pass from Hilde (Erickson kick) BSUAdams 48 pass from Hilde (Erickson kick)

EWU-Miller 46 pass from Leons (Zurfluh kick) BSUIkebe 90 kickoff return (Erickson kick) ESUPhelps 4 pass from Leons (Zurfluh kick) EWUSewell 12 run (Zurfluh kick) BSUHurley 11 run (Erickson kick) BSUHilde 5 run (Erickson kick) BSUGraven 1 run (Erickson kick) BSURichmond 14 pass from Hilde (Erickson kick) EWUSewell 4 run (Zurfluh kick) BSURichmond 49 pass from Hilde (Erickson kick)

EWU-MacKenzie 1 run (pass failed)

A-18,051.

EWU BSU First downs 26 32 Rushes-yards 40-184 50-309 Passing 303 355 Return Yards 25 18 Comp-Att-Int 20-42-0 19-32-0 Punts 5-38 3-30 Fumbles-Lost 1-0 2-1 Penalties-Yards 2-25 10-87 Time of Possession 29:13 30:47

RUSHINGEWU, Sewell 30-131, Lewis 6-36, Lies 2-16; BSU, Adams 15-101, Hurley 12-97, Graven 12-72.

PASSINGEWU, Leons 17-36-0-253, Lies 3-6-0-50; BSU, Hilde 19-31-0-355; Paljetak 0-1-0-0.

RECEIVINGEWU, Miller 3-72, Hardt 3-55, Hunsaker 6-53; BSU, Adams 3-106, Richmond 5-93, Ikebe 2-76.

, DataTimes