Kramer Promises Improved Showing Running Game Will Be Revived In Home Opener Vs. Psu

The videotapes of last Saturday’s disappointing 31-14 non-conference college football loss to Idaho held no stunning revelations for Eastern Washington coach Mike Kramer.

They showed that the collapse of the Eagles’ once-proud running game was just as dramatic and complete as it seemed while the game was unfolding in front of a predominantly hostile Kibbie Dome crowd of 10,495.

And they showed that several factors, ranging from the intensity of Idaho’s defenders to the inexperience of Eastern’s quarterback and wide receivers, contributed to that collapse. “They just outplayed us on the perimeter in terms of our zone play and our inability to turn the corner and clear the lane for (running back) Mike MacKenzie,” Kramer said Thursday of Idaho’s defense, which limited the Eagles to 42 yards rushing. “They just shut it all down.

“Then, when we tried to run the counter play, we couldn’t make the back block half the time and they ran us down from behind.

“And if you don’t make the back block on the counter, it doesn’t work.”

Kramer said the running game was also hampered by an inconsistent passing game that failed to earn the respect of Idaho’s eight- and nine-man defensive fronts that were geared to stop the run.

Junior quarterback Griffin Garske threw for 210 yards, but most of those came on two long passes and he completed just 15 of his 34 attempts.

“When they put eight and nine guys on the line of scrimmage, you must be able to throw the ball,” Kramer explained. “And to be blunt, Griffin did not make the