Eastern, ISU bring fireworks

Eastern Washington-Idaho State is not considered one of the Big Sky Conference football rivalries, but the two teams are developing a history.

The last eight games — the first six EWU wins — have produced wildly entertaining offense. Last year ISU’s 55-52 double-overtime win in Pocatello created the added edge of injuries that upset the Eagles at the time.

But tonight’s matchup at 6 at Woodward Field isn’t about revenge, or even the opponent, for that matter, according to the coaches.

“We need to stay focused on the task at hand,” Eagles coach Paul Wulff said. “This year’s teams are new teams on both sides. There is new senior leadership for both teams. We just need to go play Eastern football. We haven’t beaten them in two years. We’re a good enough program where we don’t want to allow that to happen with anybody in our conference. We need that to stop.”

Larry Lewis sounds similar.

“It’s more about us and about what we have to do,” the ISU coach said. “We have to do what we do better, and do it earlier in the game. … They will be as good a team as we have played. They have real good talent and, other than Central Washington, they’ve had a pretty good schedule themselves. So it should be a real good contest to the bitter end.”

Both teams are coming off their first win in three games and both think they should have a better record.

ISU was thumped by San Diego State in its season opener. In the second game, against Cal Poly (which plays at EWU on Nov. 6), the Bengals lost 35-20 when the Mustangs returned three of six interceptions for touchdowns.

Last week’s 49-42 double-overtime win at Northern Colorado was even wilder.

The Bengals rallied from a 34-14 deficit by scoring on a fumble recovery, a return of a blocked punt and a punt return on consecutive UNC possessions. to get to overtime.

That helped overcome some offensive problems. Bengals quarterback Mark Hetherington threw three of the four ISU interceptions but also had 363 yards and four TDs, the third with 25 seconds left to tie the game at 42.

“They are extremely gifted at the wide receiver position,” Wulff said. “They have five or six guys that could play most places and they have a senior quarterback who throws the ball well. He’s not a good scrambler, but he knows the offense.”

Hetherington has thrown for 951 yards and eight TDs, but he has also thrown 10 interceptions. Four Bengals have at least 10 receptions, led by Akilah Lacey with 22 for 288 yards and three TDs. Sale’ Key has 18 for 250 and four scores.

By falling behind early and allowing eight sacks, however, the running game has struggled with only 163 net yards.

“We can’t get down too early in this ballgame,” Lewis said. “We don’t want to fight back from 21 points. It’s tough to win league games as it is without being that far down.”

The Bengals have also had problems on defense, allowing 446 yards to a UNC team that hadn’t scored a touchdown in its first two games.

“Defensively they have some good skill kids at the cornerback position and their defensive line, especially at the tackle position, is improved,” Wulff said.

That could be a problem for an offensive line that really hasn’t jelled.

“We’re still trying to find a solid front five in our offensive line,” Wulff said. “We have a couple young kids, Rocky Hanni and Matt Alfred, playing guard. Jeff Christiansen is still not playing full tilt because of a knee and some things. So our continuity needs to come together in the offensive line.”

Starting center Randy Meade could see his first action after a preseason knee injury, but senior backup guard Matt Doyle quit football.

The passing game could get a boost from a pair of junior college transfers. Branden Nicholsen has recovered from a preseason hand injury and Eric Rabara has been cleared academically.

“The receiving corps needs to continue to develop,” Wulff said. “Nicholson could be back, if not this week, for sure next week. … Rabara could play this week but we have to decide if he’s a redshirt candidate. Both are big kids.”

Fullback Lars Slind is going to be out another couple of weeks with a knee injury.

EWU quarterback Erik Meyer has thrown for 703 yards and five TDs with three interceptions to lead the conference in passing efficiency. Eric Kimble is the leading receiver with 19 catches for 247 yards. No other receiver is in double figures.

The running game is averaging 146 yards, led by Darius Washington at 80 per game.