Ha! I wasn't concerned with Kalm's "boo"...I would have said "boo" as well.
A quick thumb-nail sketch of the program - we talked about recruiting, not particular players, because we can't - but about changes in recruiting in just the last six years and how their staff has gotten ahead of the curve. They would prefer moving slower on kids, but everything seems to be focusing on the junior year and the summer prior to the senior season. But Beau said senior years still matter to them.
They have become more aggressive in getting players (and their parents) in for unofficial visits on game weekends because the atmosphere has changed and is a plus for the program. The red turf, obviously - it gives the program an identity, especially for the out-of-state kids - when they go into a school, the athletes know EWU is the school with the red field and it's a positive for them.
You guys have accounted for ten verbals on this site, and I asked Beau if we counted up the total number of commitments before Thanksgiving over his previous nine years at EWU, if it would add up to ten. He said no - they have never had such an early number of commitments, and many years had none at this point. He gave a lot of credit to the staff for a job well done. Now it's just a matter of holding on to these guys, because you know other schools are going to try to take them away.
We talked SDSU - don't sleep on their passing game - NAU was their QB's worst game of the year. He ended the regular season at 59.5% completions and had over 2,600 yards and 18 TD to just 7 int, and was an honorable mention all-MVC player. He's a big, strong guy who can take shots deep off play-action.
Defense was likened to Southern Utah in that they are strong and smart and don't make many mistakes. A lot of experience and key players who are seniors. They try to keep everything in front and hope to force you into a mistake. 22 int's and 32 total turnovers forced. +16 in turnover margin - #4 in the nation. They had a season-best seven sacks vs. NAU last week and have some guys you have to account for up front.
Special teams - they have six blocked kicks and cover well. Punt returner can be explosive.
Alumni tailgate has been moved inside to the North mezzanine at Reese Court, which will also be open if you want to warm up at the half. Still spots open for the tailgate, which is $20 for 12 and older, $5 for 3-11 year olds and free to 2 and under. Baked potato and chili bar with all the fixings, corn bread and dessert. Plus coffee, cocoa, water and Pepsi and Miller/Coors products. Go on-line to http://www.alumni.ewu.edu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to pre-register, and you cannot just walk in and pay on Saturday. You must pre-register to attend and have until Thursday at 5pm to get your names in.
700 ESPN has been turning the seven-second delay off now, so you can bring a radio and keep your ears warm with headphones if you want to hear what we have to say. Occasionally there is some information that is timely. That's something new...they just started doing that either at the PSU or maybe the MSU game. 11:30 for the Tailgate Show.
One other thing that was not discussed on the program, but it's been mentioned to me a couple of times by fans who think the cold will be an advantage for EWU as they under the impression that SDSU is a dome team - SDSU is NOT a dome team. They are the only school in the Dakotas without a dome, so the cold isn't going to be new. They practice outside and it's colder there this week than it is here.
