Eastern wraps up spring by learning to wrap up

One of the critical issues the Eastern Washington University football team had to tackle during spring practice was identifying a replacement for All-American quarterback Erik Meyer.

The spring came to an end on a blustery Saturday afternoon with the Red-White Game at Woodward Field without a decision on quarterback, but the Eagles did manage to tackle tackling.

The team that missed 199 tackles last season – that’s 16.5 per game – kept the offense corralled as the Red defeated the White 3-0.

“Offensively, we weren’t very sharp,” Eagles coach Paul Wulff said of the 69-play controlled scrimmage. “Defensively, we played pretty solid. We tackled well and didn’t give up a lot of big plays.”

The defenses didn’t give up many plays at all. The Red defense, mostly starters, allowed the White offense, mostly starters, just three first downs and 73 yards in 25 plays. When the No. 2s squared off, the White defense allowed eight first downs.

The White offense, directed by redshirt freshman Matt Nichols, got the only points on its first possession, picking up 47 yards before Sheldon Weddle hit a 40-yard field goal.

“The defense did a good job stopping the offense, but the wind had something to do with that,” said senior linebacker David Eneberg, who was voted defensive captain by his teammates. “The main thing we wanted to improve on is tackling. We’ve been doing a tackling circuit every practice. It showed it helped. We missed a lot less tackles this spring. I think it will carry over.”

Last fall, opposing teams gained 1,592 yards after contact.

“I thought we made improvement,” said defensive coordinator Jody Sears. “It’s going to be a continual emphasis.”

The offenses gained a combined 222 yards. Unlike in the fall, when the Eagles are likely to be more of a running team with a veteran line and experienced backs, the emphasis was on passing by a 2-1 margin. Because of that, the Eagles rushed for just 23 yards, including a minus-28 on six sacks.

“We intentionally didn’t run the ball a lot today,” Wulff said. “We tried to throw it a lot and give some of our guys the chance to throw some passes. The defense was able to work on some more things against the pass. Our play selection wasn’t really as much game-simulated as we would normally run.”

Nichols, who played for both teams, was 13 of 24 for 139 yards. His series with the White offense produced 32 of the 73 yards. He also directed the No. 2 offense inside the 10 on the final series before a 15-yard penalty ended the threat.

“In my half year here, I’ve learned way more than I ever thought football was,” Nichols said. “It could have been better today. I’m not happy with not scoring.”

Junior Chris Peerboom was 6 of 14 for 32 yards with the No. 1 offense.

“For the most part, it went really well this spring,” said Peerboom, the only quarterback with game experience. “Obviously, as a quarterback, I’m not happy with today. The defense got the best of it. I think we have the potential to be really successful.”

Redshirt freshman Josh Powell was 4 of 5 for 28 yards.

“All three have made progress,” Wulff said of his QBs. “They’re competing and continually improving. We need them to continue to do that in the fall.”

Returning starter Ryan Cole led the running backs with 27 yards on three carries. Sophomore receiver Sam Togar had six catches for 58 yards and redshirt freshman Brynsen Brown three for 44.

The offense was down three starting linemen, including new captain Matt Alfred, and three tight ends.

“We had a lot of kids not participate on both sides of the ball,” Wulff said. “I thought that was kind of a good thing because it gave some of our young guys more opportunities to play.”

Redshirt freshman linebacker Makai Borden led the defense with five tackles and two passes broken up.

The Eagles return to practice in early August.