Eastern Hammers Bobcats

Harry Leons was steady in his second start at quarterback and Joe Sewell powered for 133 rushing yards as Eastern Washington broke a five-game losing streak with a 28-10 win over Montana State on Saturday.

EWU improved to 1-5 in the Big Sky Conference and 3-5 overall, beating the Bobcats (2-3, 5-4) for the fifth straight time despite the absence of injured starting quarterback Brian Sherick.

After throwing five interceptions in his only previous start - a 14-7 home loss to Idaho State three weeks ago - Leons connected on 19 of 31 for 227 yards and a touchdown against MSU.

“He’s got great poise under pressure and knows where to throw the football,” said EWU coach Mike Kramer, a former MSU assistant.

Leons’ counterpart, Rob Compson, was thrust into full-time duty when Jeff Buchanan injured a knee in the second quarter. Buchanan had been subbing for original starter Jeff Tuss, who was injured in the previous week’s loss to Weber State.

Against EWU, Compson was sacked seven times - twice by lineman Chris Scott - and suffered through a horrific outing reflected in the numbers: 5 of 18 passing for 39 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

“We’re developing defensively,” Kramer said.

The Bobcats were held below 100 yards in offense for the second week in a row, after knocking off two nationally ranked teams.

“All of a sudden, we’re going from the penthouse to the outhouse in a big hurry,” said MSU coach Cliff Hysell.

Behind Leons and Sewell, the EWU offense amassed 424 yards, racking up 25 first downs to MSU’s eight.

MSU scored first when Jeff Groschelle kicked a 46-yard field goal late in the first quarter.

Leons answered with a 12-yard TD pass to Antwan Miller midway through the second period.

Sewell added a 16-yard scoring run as EWU took a 14-3 halftime lead.

Sewell scored again on an 11-yard run in the third quarter.

EWU linebacker Justin Guillory picked up a Compson fumble on the MSU 1-yard line and stepped in for the touchdown to put the Eagles up 28-3 early in the fourth quarter.

Compson fumbled when hit by EWU’s Justin Koepke.

Compson’s fumble mirrored what happened to MSU the previous week. The Bobcats lost that game when Buchanan fumbled into his own end zone, where Weber recovered.

Compson found Chip Hobbs for a 5-yard strike in the final minute.

E. Washington 0 14 7 7 - 28

Montana St. 3 0 0 7 - 10

MSUFG Groshelle 46 EWUMiller 12 pass from Leons (Zurfluh kick) EWUSewell 16 run (Zurfluh kick) EWUSewell 11 run (Zurfluh kick) EWUGuillory 1 fumble return (Zurfluh kick) MSUHobbs 5 pass from Compson (Groshelle kick)

A-4,347

EWU MSU First downs 25 8 Rushes-yards 47-192 31-24 Passing yards 232 70 Return yards 41 144 Passes 20-37-1 9-25-2 Punts 6-36 8-42 Fumbles-lost 2-0 1-1 Penalties-yards 10-105 8-64 Time of possession 35:37 24:23

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing - E. Washington, Sewell 23-133, Lewis 17-57, Prescott 2-3. Montana St., Cormaney 2-28, Lewis 4-17, Engelking 9-14.

Passing - E. Washington, Leons 19-31-0-227, Lies 1-5-0-5, Bond 0-1-1-0. Montana St., Compson 5-18-2-39, Buchanan 4-6-0-31, Hopkins 0-1-0-0.

Receiving - E. Washington, Phelps 5-84, Hardt 5-64, A. Miller 5-58. Montana St., Morgan 5-51, Crump 1-5, Hopkins 1-5, Hobbs 1-5.

, DataTimes