Plenty on line when Eagles host Grizzlies
Even before it began, football practice at Eastern Washington on Tuesday had a different feel from the week before.
As the Eagle players crossed the track at the south end of Roos Field, they were confronted by twin portable grandstands that will loom over them all the way to Saturday’s Big Sky Conference game against Montana.
Not that the Eagles needed any more reminders that this game is the biggest of the season – for both teams. Fifth-ranked Eastern is 8-2 overall and 5-1 in the Big Sky, but another loss likely will cost them a home playoff spot or two and a shot at a third straight conference title.
It’s also the last regular-season game for 20 seniors, who may never play on the red field again should they lose on Saturday. “That makes it an even bigger game,” said senior wide receiver Cory Mitchell, whose family will fly in from Texas for the occasion.
Crucial as the game is for Eastern, it may be more momentous for the the 10th-ranked Grizzlies, who along with the Eagles are part of a six-way tie for the conference lead but are only 6-3 overall.
There’s more. All-America quarterback Vernon Adams was back in uniform for the first time since Oct. 4, when he broke two bones in his right foot during a 56-53 win over Idaho State. He’s listed as questionable for Saturday, with Baldwin and the EWU trainers not ready to decide on a starter until later this week.
How badly does Adams want to play?
“I’ve been itching to play since I got hurt,” joked Adams, who had thrown for 2,157 yards, 24 touchdowns and only four interceptions when he went down. “But God has a plan for me, and this is part of it.”
The short-term plan is for Adams to test the foot in the days ahead.
Asked whether Adams would be rusty after a 5-week absence, Baldwin likened the layoff to the beginning of a new season and not having played for seven months.
If Adams can’t go, redshirt sophomore Jordan West will get his fifth straight start. But regardless who’s under center, no one expects anything resembling the Eagles’ 54-3 romp last weekend over North Dakota.
The Grizzlies have a balanced ball-control offense that leads the nation with four turnovers; their defense leads the Big Sky in most statistical categories, including scoring (20.3 points per game) and total offense (357 yards).
Notes
The Eagles may be healthier in the secondary, as safety Jordan Tonani is back from a two-week absence due to a concussion, and cornerback Rashad Wadood is back after missing the North Dakota game with a foot injury. Both are listed as probable.