EWU Eagles will travel across the country in pursuit of first win

Fans are in an uproar ahead of Eastern Washington’s game at Fordham, and who could blame them?

A blowout loss on opening day, lackluster defense, an inconsistent passing game and now some big-time injuries – the season is off to a tough start for … wait for it … the Fordham Rams.

The sound you just heard was a loud Bronx cheer for baby-faced Fordham coach Andrew Breiner, whose team is 1-1 after managing to come from behind for a 38-31 win over lowly Central Connecticut State.

That left Fordham with some momentum going into Saturday’s home game in New York against Eastern Washington. However, they may be without All-American senior running back Chase Edmonds.

Bruised in a 64-6 loss at Army on opening day, Edmonds suffered an ankle injury early in Saturday’s game at Central Connecticut.

Edmonds, who has 5,400 career rushing yards along with 83 touchdowns, is questionable for the game against Eastern.

That’s probably welcome news to the 12th-ranked Eagles (0-2) who also are battling injury issues and are coming off a 40-13 home loss to North Dakota State.

Later, Fordham’s backup running back, Jarred Brevard, had to be carted off the field with his left leg in an air cast.

However, the Rams managed to rally behind third-string freshman back Zach Davis (nine carries for 70 yards) and scored the last 17 points of the game.

The game was decided when Lawrence Menyah returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown with 1 minute, 27 seconds left.

“You had two teams who left it all out on the field today,” said the 33-year-old Breiner, who went 8-3 in his first season after replacing Joe Moorhead.

“We got the pick six at the end, and that was ultimately the difference but a testament to how special the game of football is. I’m incredibly proud of our young men and battling through some adversity, battling from being down and coming back. I’m really impressed by them and proud of them,” Breiner said.

Fan reaction was mixed after the Rams struggled against one of the lesser lights of the FCS. Central Connecticut State, of the lowly Northeast Conference, hasn’t had a winning season in six years.

Also, the 58-point loss at Army was seen as a step back for a program that won 37-35 at West Point two years earlier.

After two games, Fordham quarterback Kevin Anderson, a graduate student, is 43 for 67 for 498 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions.