Eight guys packed it for 19 yards or more on a single play Saturday – and this against a team that’s supposed to be the runningest thing this side of a toddler’s nose on a 20-degree afternoon.

Eastern Washington defensive back and special teams player Anfernee Gurley was chosen to the Hero Sports All-America freshman first team. He had 37 tackles, three broken-up passes and two forced fumbles.

Three minutes into Saturday’s game, Antoine Custer Jr. was in need of some redemption. Moments earlier, on Eastern Washington’s first possession, quarterback Gage Gubrud was sacked while scrambling. The ball popped loose, almost in front of Custer, who merely stood and watched as Montana State lineman Marcus Ferriter jumped on the loose ball at midfield.

Antoine Custer Jr. ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns and the Eastern Washington Eagles all but split their rushing and passing yards down the middle in a 31-19 victory over Montana State on Saturday at Roos Field in Cheney.

According to Aaron Best’s master plan, an emphasis on physicality will pay off for Eastern Washington come playoff time, in the bitter cold of December.