Ewu To Take Shot At Big Weapon Task Is To Stop Weber State In Big Sky Conference Opener

Jerry Graybeal has seen the videotape. He has seen the statistics. He has seen the difference a year has made.

By Friday, Eastern Washington’s longtime defensive coordinator had simply seen enough.

Enough of quarterback Bryan Martin. Enough of the statistically stellar Weber State offense. Enough of the progress Martin has made since EWU trampled the Wildcats 24-6 last season.

Still, Graybeal and the Eagles will be forced to see even more of Martin and his offensive weapons tonight, when EWU visits Ogden, Utah, for a Big Sky Conference football opener.

“Martin is just tremendously hot right now,” observed Graybeal.

Most recently, Martin scorched Cal Poly-SLO for 29 completions in 46 attempts, amassing 522 passing yards and four touchdown throws with just one interception. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior also ran for 92 yards and a score, leading a Weber offense that gained 708 yards.

And while the improving Cal Poly Mustangs are still known more for losing by double-digit margins than for playing stifling defense, Martin’s performance cannot be dismissed. At least not in the presence of Graybeal and EWU coach Mike Kramer.

“Seven hundred yards?” Kramer said. “Man, that’s obscene. Last year when we played them, Martin was just getting going and we were able to befuddle him. Now, he’s certainly not the quarterback we faced.”

Martin leads Division I-AA players in total offense, averaging 388.5 yards per game. Teammate Joel PelagioWilliams set a single-game school record for receiving yards last Saturday, catching nine passes for 261 yards and one touchdown.

“Obviously, (Weber coach Dave) Arslanian has that offense oiled up,” said Graybeal, who was generally pleased with his team’s defensive effort in last week’s 14-6 home loss to Portland State. “We’ll do our best to give them multiple looks, try to cause some confusion. The problem is, when Martin doesn’t have a pass, he’s taking off with it.”

Notes

The football career of EWU linebacker Terry Cloer is over after doctors advised the senior starter that a vertebrae condition could pose longterm risks, Kramer said. “It’s one of those deals where (doctors) don’t know if it’s degenerative or what,” Kramer said.

Graybeal and Kramer said they expect Cloer to join the coaching staff next week. In Cloer’s absence, Liberty High graduate Jerrad Jeske has seen more playing time.

EWU receiver Jeff Ogden injured his lower back in practice and is out indefinitely. He will be replaced in the lineup by Antwan Miller, a junior transfer from Walla Walla Community College. Sophomore Rex Prescott, who started several games at running back last season, will provide depth at wide receiver. “He’ll play enough downs Saturday night to see how he likes it,” Kramer said.

Sophomore free safety Doug Dorton has bronchitis, making senior Jay Day the starter.

Senior running back Joe Sewell makes his first start as an Eagle tonight, having edged junior David Lewis on the depth chart.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Eagles at Weber State