Jim: OK, let’s talk Eastern football!
Jim: Warmup question: Who’s going to Missoula?
KHB_GoEags: I am!
Jim: That’s no surprise -KHB was in Lubbock too!
Guest8642 (Guest): Me plus 4
Guest9782 (Guest): Watching from warm sunny Phoenix
Jim: I hear the game is a sellout - no surprise there. Anyone have trouble getting tickets?
Guest8642 (Guest): Tickets are still available from EWU fans. Have seen a few on social media.
Jim: I noticed that … are some folks changing their minds about going?
Jim: This should be a good game. Two evenly matched teams, I think.
Guest8642 (Guest): Better not, team needs us to be there
KHB_GoEags: Not sure. Hope not. I would love to have a good showing.
Jim: The weird thing is that neither team has played in a close game yet. Hard to gauge these teams so far.
Guest9782 (Guest): So, are all of our TE’s practicing as Tackles? We’re running out of lineman….
Steven Christopher: I’m hoping Fordham is a little better than Valparaiso and Savanna State. Is jt?
Jim: Yes, the OL has a lot of “moving parts.” If your cup is half-full,that means lotsa guys can play at multiple positions. They did well last week, however.
Jim: I think they’re comparable. None of those teams comes from a strong conference and would finish very low in the Big Sky.
Guest9782 (Guest): They seem pretty equal, but with our injuries you have to give Montana the edge…
Jim: True… Montana has to break in a new quarterback, but from what I’ve heard, he almost won the job in spring camp before Stitt went with the more experienced player.
Guest9782 (Guest): I think we have the better athletes but they probably have an edge with the big guys…
Jim: That always seems to be the case in this game, doesn’t it?
Jim: Speed vs. brawn …however, UM has some quality receivers. Once again, the pass rush is the key, especially against a new QB.
Steven Christopher: Is J T Tulip still out?
Jim: Jay-Tee Tiuli didn’t practice on Tuesday and he is listed as out for Montana.
Guest8642 (Guest): Was the game always @ 5?
Jim: As far as I know, yes. Hate those later starts (deadlines, you know - it’s always about me). Plus it will be cold. Bring some heavy coats!
KHB_GoEags: I think we have better athletes and coaching. I don’t see how we compare. They have been down for the last few years, not sure how this year is any different.
Jim: That shows up on the field. In the last 5 years, EWU is 35-5 in Big Sky games while Montana is only 24-16. That’s a big difference, considering UM’s advantage in $$$and facilities.
KHB_GoEags: Mariners play a day game, and it’s on ROOT. So, it would have had to be a late game. I don’t remember the last late game we had, let alone at Montana? Anyone?
Jim: At Portland State last year. That game started at 7 p.m. You were there, KHB!
KHB_GoEags: Ha ha ha, oh yeah. How quickly I forget. I was too busy in a panic of how close that game was….ha ha ha
Jim: This year, EWU is at UC Davis for a 6 p.m. kickoff. That’s the only other late start for the Eags.
Steven Christopher: I would have questing your praise of the coaching, on the offensive side at least, until last week’s game.
Guest9782 (Guest): We seem pretty small on defense but man we have some fast players
Jim: Good speed in the secondary for the Eagles, also on the D-line. Ten sacks last week, which was a school record.
PSW (Guest): I’d say just small in the interior. The edge guys are great size for FCS.
Guest9782 (Guest): Curious if you know what Tiuli’s injury is?
Jim: Shoulder injury, suffered against NDSU.
Guest9782 (Guest): Bummer, that can take awhile to heal….
Guest8642 (Guest): I hope all the players remember or have been told of the last time we played in wagriz. They came out and manhandled us. In our 1st series they took out our QB out with cheap shot ( in my opinion).We have to start fast with Nastiness
PSW (Guest): Ooof, that game was rough.
KHB_GoEags: Who did start there in 2015? We have Jordan, Gage and Reilly.
Jim: I remember it well… 57-16, the worst loss of the Baldwin era. The wheels had come off by then, but I still recall that as the only game (in my years of covering the team) where the Eagles just folded.
Jim: By the way, EWU has won six of the last eight against Montana, but only one of them came in Missoula (VA and Co. won 42-37 in 2013).
Guest8642 (Guest): I consider this the revenge game not the 1 last year @home. That one still hurts.
KHB_GoEags: I soooo love that they have won ZERO games on the red.
Jim: I recall that as West was struggling (and fell apart vs. NAU the week before), Baldwin used all three QBs at Montana. It didn’t work out too well, obviously.
Jim: Last year, Eastern had one of its best defensive games of the year against UM, winning 35-16. Stitt talked about that at yesterday’s teleconference.
KHB_GoEags: It was either Gage or Reilly that got the start though, I don’t think Jordan started.
Jim: All three played a lot. I recall them changing almost every other play.
PSW (Guest): Reilley got the start, but all three played
Guest8642 (Guest): Gage played quite a bit in the game after it was determined, so he has had some experience there. My Blood pressure is raising just talking about this
KHB_GoEags: Ha ha ha 8642. Love it!
Jim: That was GG’s first real QB experience. Obviously he’s grown since then.
Jim: Do anyone think the crowd will affect the Eagles?
Jim: That was Shaq Hill
Guest8642 (Guest): On the bright side in 2013 we went in a just beat the hell out of them. That was the game that VA threw a TD to ? and then went down a de-cleated their LB
PSW (Guest): I have to hand it to the Griz fans, they make some noise in that house, but most of the guys have played in Fargo, Pullman and Lubbock.
Jim: Great offensive performance for EWU in 2013,though Montana rallied and Kupp had to recover the onside kick. It’s never easy in Missoula.
KHB_GoEags: I don’t think so. It’s loud, but this is always such a big game, a lot on the line. And, honeslty,having just been to Lubbock, Oregon,etc. Wa-Griz isn’t as loud.
Jim: You went to Oregon too? You are dedicated!
KHB_GoEags: Guilty!
Guest8642 (Guest): This is where all the complaints about tough schedule pays off. The guys have been in big environments and should be able to handle
Jim: Definitely.
Steven Christopher: I went to Oregon too! and definitely very loud, But our guys, especially Riley Hennessey, didn’t seem fazed by it.
KHB_GoEags: Exactly, 8642. Just not environment, but also the level of play!!
Jim: Schedule-wise, the worst is over. The conference looks pretty mediocre this year, with top teams struggling and teams picked at the bottom (ISU, Davis, Sac) doing better than expected.
Steven Christopher: Incidentally, I was very pleasantly surprised by how hospitable and friendly the duck fans were. I’m not sure we can say exactly the same thing about the Grizz fans in Missoula.
Jim: Duck fans are awesome! Unless you’re a Husky or Beaver.
PSW (Guest): Totally agree on the Eugene crowd, but that’s a good point. They weren’t really worried about us.
Guest8642 (Guest): I only like one Duck fan, and as long as he keeps covering the Eagles so well and continues our Thursday chat that will not change.
Jim: Aw, shucks!
Guest9782 (Guest): Jim, who do you think are the top 3 teams in the Sky?
Jim: Great question. Right now: 1) Weber 2) EWU 3) North Dakota
Jim: That’s only a snapshot and could change in a heartbeat.
Guest8642 (Guest): Jim, have you spoken with Bodie in why Gage seems off this year? Is system that different, Receivers not in right place etc.
Jim: I haven’t spoken with Reeder, but both Best and GG have talked about timing being off.
Jim: Let’s face it: Kupp, Bourne and Hill made everyone else look better, including Gubrud. New guys have to step up.
Guest8642 (Guest): I think the “time” for the “timing” being off is this week
Jim: Winning last week helps a lot. But that stadium is going make it tough on the snap count.
KHB_GoEags: Weren’t they practicing with the noise this week? It sounded like it. I live 1.1 mile from stadium and it sounded like the crowd noise was on.
Jim: It was on Tuesday - very loud!
Guest9782 (Guest): Did morale seem improved this week? I think you mentioned it was a bit low the past couple of weeks…
Jim: Winning solves a lot of problems.
PSW (Guest): I could only listen on the radio, but it sounded like the dropsies weren’t a problem.
Jim: Everything is so related: QB gets a fraction more time, delivers a more accurate ball, WR gets a tiny bit more separation. The quality of opponent has a lot to do with that.
Jim: I hear a lot about Montana’s weakness in the secondary. Even Savannah State got some separation.
Guest8642 (Guest): Aw that’s too bad.re: griz secondary. Give Gage time
PSW (Guest): Watched the Husky game, but I wasn’t able to watch any of the other two MT. games. Seemed like both teams were able to move the ball on them.
PSW (Guest): How about ISU’s big win vs. Nevada. You think they are questioning their coaching hire?
KHB_GoEags: That was awesome!
Jim: What a shocker. Last December, I thought Baldwin would get the Nevada job, but it went to Jay Norvell, a longtime FBS assistant. Rumor is Chris Ault made that hire happen. That’s OK, I think Baldwin’s doing just fine (3-0 with two upset wins!) at Cal.
casey (Guest): Good conversation going here.
casey (Guest): My feeling is that this weekend will tell us all we need to know about the rest of our season We have been outcoached and out executed twice by good teams, and then we boatraced a team that is falling apart. If we struggle in Missoula….
Jim: Low expectations this year at Montana, which was picked to finish sixth in the Sky. I can’t recall them ever being picked that low.
Jim: Stitt is on the hot seat. He’s 15-10 in two-plus years - that won’t cut it at Montana. He will get the Griz motivated.
casey (Guest): Gage has struggled but our entire offense didn’t look good in the first two games and our WR’s don’t help with dropping critical passes. Why don’t we run the ball like a team that actually wants to? All these “zone read” looking things don’t seem to work.
Steven Christopher: I watched both of those games in Missoula. In both, the visitors had receivers open a fair amount of the time. Montana was able to thwart them by timely interceptions or fumble recoveries though.
Jim: Valpo and SSU were able to nickel and dime them downfield, but then turned it over. Griz aren’t giving up the big play.
PSW (Guest): Valpo was able to throw for 327 on them. SSU threw for about 160. I think we are obviously light years ahead of those two teams. I think we move the ball. Third down stops, and third down conversions!
Guest9782 (Guest): I’ve watched most of the Big Sky teams and from what I can see UC Davis could beat any of the top tier teams and now maybe ISU could do the same. Hard to figure out the sky this year…
Jim: Definitely. Hawkins might just be worth the money, because Davis is playing very well right now. Huge game for them at Weber this week.
casey (Guest): It’s concerning how many designed runs there are for Gage. I know he ran the ball well last year but teams had to respect the pass and that opened lanes. Now he seems to be taking some unnecessary licks on designed runs.
Jim: GG told me before the season that he’s going to run it when he sees the need. That led to a lot of success late year.
Jim: Was it just me, or did it seem that GG was held back from running against TT and NDSU?
casey (Guest): Completely agree about him taking off when needed, but some of these are by design. Maybe on to something there Jim from the hesitancy when he dropped back to pass but there were a handful of plays in each game that was a designed QB run. I would love to see us line up and pound the ball off tackle. I know our line is beat up but our running plays consist of a sweep from shotgun or a dive into a mountain of people.
Steven Christopher: Hey Casey, That isn’t Eagle football and we can’t get to the playoffs trying that.
casey (Guest): Great point Steven. We seem to have been somewhat careless with the ball and a big turnover can swing momentum there real quick and get the crowd going.
Guest9782 (Guest): GG running the ball against Fordham seem to ignite the offense against Fordham….
Jim: I don’t think this is a very good run-blocking team at the moment
Guest8642 (Guest): Agree with Casey! This is an important game as far as rest of season. I was hoping for 2-2 at this point. Middle of schedule is soft. End gets tough hopefully setting up a good playoff run. But must beat the Griz
Jim: Definitely agree with the schedule. However, that “soft” middle (Sac, @Davis, MSU, @SUU) suddenly looks a bit harder.
clawman: I think we miss Troy Taylor more than we realize. Regardless how good a receiver is in practice if he is shy of being hit he is no good in any game.
Jim: Do you think the WRs are contact-shy, clawman?
.PSW (Guest): Utah also unbeaten
casey (Guest): Regarding the shy receivers…that is a solid point. Sblendorio seems like he is pressing or overwhelmed but he isn’t making tough catches in traffic. Maybe they move him out into Terence’s spot and let the younger guys find space in the middle.
clawman: Not necessarily all of them but “peeking” is an indication of that. I’d like to see a little wildcat to throw a little trickery into the mix.
Guest8642 (Guest): Agree with Clawman. In a sense we lost the entire Offensive staff last year so slow start combined with big schedule may be part of issue
Jim: Absolutely, 8642 - plus the turnover at WR and the injuries, departures on the O-line.
casey (Guest): You may have a point Steven but there was a lot of talk in the off season about being balanced and more committed to the run. Handing off on useless plays, regardless of the line play, and getting nothing so you can point to the stat sheet at the end of the day and say we were 50/50 isn’t a recipe for success.
KHB_GoEags: I agree, Casey. And I think it takes the winds out of the kids’ sails.
Guest9782 (Guest): Does anyone know why Matt Meyer is out this week?
Jim: I don’t, sorry. EWU isn’t disclosing that.
casey (Guest): Really good point, Clawman, except we didn’t lose the entire offensive staff. The head coach was a coordinator, wasn’t he? Maybe he wasn’t calling plays but he was in the meetings.
Jim: Best was the “running game coordinator” under Baldwin, but BB and Taylor called the plays. Best isn’t a play-caller.
casey (Guest): On the plus side, it’s been great to see the defense get a little more aggressive and put some pressure on the other team. That speed discussed earlier is on display during those times.
clawman: Hey Jim, Thank you for all of the great articles you have been writing about the Eagles, I appreciate you keeping us in the loop!
Jim: It’s a tough job, but I’ll suck it up!
Jim: Good participation today - thanks, folks.
casey (Guest): It somewhat goes to what you are saying, Steven….let’s stop trying to be a “50/50 team” and sling the ball around. Get creative and have fun. That helps the kids get behind it and get after it.
Jim: Good point, Casey. A 50/50 run-pass balance might help in December, but you have to GET to December.
KHB_GoEags: Yep, agreed (again), Casey. Too much pressure with the 50/50 thing.
casey (Guest): It should be fun in Missoula Saturday. Can’t possibly be worse than our last trip there, as was discussed earlier. You ready for some predictions, Jim?
Jim: Bring ‘em on!
Jim: I have Eastern winning 35-27.
casey (Guest): I think we get a score from the defense or special teams and win 34-20.
PSW (Guest): Huge edge in QB. Eags win 35-31
Guest8642 (Guest): Last thing from me (maybe) Always remember with playing @ wagriz at least 2 calls will be unbelievable and to quote the great Coach Zornes “Every time I come to Missoula I feel like a prostitute on a Saturday night.” Here is the article http://www.bigskyfans.com/eagles/viewtopic.php?t=708
**** Zornes, 1986
Favorite Quote - Eastern Washington Eagles
Jim: However, there is an EWU alumni function. I’ll try to show up and say hi!
Guest8642 (Guest): Eags 35- 10 #FTG
Jim: That’s optimistic - 10 points!
KHB_GoEags: 42-35 Eags with the WIN at Wa-Griz!!!!!!
Steven Christopher: Yea Jim! If I’d known that would be your prediction would have planned Missoula trip!
Jim: I also think the defense dials it up against this new Griz QB.
clawman: I agree with your call Jim, as long as we do not beat ourselves with turnovers and penalties, See you in Missoula
Jim: Turnovers - no fumbles by the WRs.
KHB_GoEags: See you in Missoula,Jim. GO EAGS!!!!!!!
Jim: Thanks. KHB - I’ll look for you!
Steven Christopher: Hey everyone, Remember that tonight’s Rams-49ers game will feature two and possibly three former Eagles.
Jim: That’s right, who do you root for?
PSW (Guest): Good call Steven, and thanks Jim!
Jim: Thanks, everyone - let’s do it again next week!
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