Cal Poly

[EagSpectator]

This matchup swung multiple times throughout the season in my opinion. Cal Poly looked like the favorite through Week 9, then momentum shifted toward EWU, and now it feels like a true toss-up. Cal Poly has been inconsistent and unpredictable, while EWU is preparing its fourth-string true freshman QB, Kaden Rolfsness, to start. Based on last night’s local news and this morning’s article, Schakel is day-to-day and will travel, but it sounds like Rolfsness is getting most of the reps. Is this just Best being Best with the injury smokescreen, or will Schakel actually suit up? Hard to say.

30,000-foot comparison
Offense

• Points per game: CP 26.1 vs EWU 22.5
• Total offense: CP 370.9 vs EWU 341.7
• Rushing yards: Nearly even, though EWU’s numbers came with a more mobile QB
• Passing yards: CP 245.1 vs EWU 216.1 (again, hard to compare with the QB uncertainty)
• INTs: CP 18 vs EWU 9
• Sacks allowed: CP 20 vs EWU 25
• 3rd down conversion: CP 33.1% vs EWU 32.3%
• 4th down conversion: CP 62.5% vs EWU 52%
• Red Zone TDs: CP 62.16% vs EWU 55%
• Time of possession: Virtually even

Offensive takeaway: Slight edge to Cal Poly

Defense

• Points allowed: CP 31.3 vs EWU 29
• Total defense: CP 435.5 vs EWU 432.1
• Rush defense: CP 187.3 vs EWU 193.5
• Pass defense: CP 248.3 vs EWU 238.6
• INTs: CP 9 vs EWU 13
• Forced fumbles: CP 3 vs EWU 8
• Recovered fumbles: CP 3 vs EWU 5
• Sacks: CP 19 vs EWU 13
• 3rd down allowed: Virtually identical
• 4th down allowed: CP 50% vs EWU 39.1%
• Red Zone TDs allowed: CP 65.85% vs EWU 61.11%
• Penalties per game: CP slightly higher

Defensive takeaway: Very similar, slight turnovers edge to EWU.

Home/Road

• CP is 1–3 at home
• EWU is 1–5 on the road
• CP has lost 6 straight, but they’ve stayed competitive in all of them

QB Situation -Kaden Rolfsness is a 6'3", 205-lb true freshman from Puyallup. In 22 high school games, he posted:

• 1,147 passing yards, 13 TDs
• 449 rushing yards, 6 TDs on 86 carries
  He was more of a dual-threat athlete than a traditional passer.

If Rolfsness starts, EWU probably leans heavily on the ground game and simplifies the passing scheme - quick reads, easy throws, maybe some rollout or RPO looks to play into his strengths. It might resemble more of the Taylor offense more than Bell's or Schakel’s version. I know it doesn't make sense to run your only healthy QB (unless Anthony Quinones travels), but I just don't see Kaden tossing the ball 35+ times in this game a good thing.

EWU leans on the run game to control the clock, while the defense continues its recent strong play by forcing a couple turnovers against the turnover-prone Mustangs. That combination keeps things tight and relatively low-scoring.

EWU 24–21.

 

[EWURanger]

Probably going to be a hard game to win without Schakel.

 

[Eagle Eyes]

With Schakel-38-21 Eags, without Schakel-21-13 Mustangs. I doubt Schakel is back, seems like you need more than a Dr.'s note to come back from an injury with EWU.

 

[Obzerver]

Can someone fill me in on exactly why we are on out 4th string qb? I hope Schakel doesn't have to have shoulder surgery. Hope if it's not a surgery issue it's ok...is it his throwing shoulder? But what is Taylor exact injury? Assume it was a head injury and bad enough to keep him out a couple of weeks and even if they ok him...I hope he doesn't come back on being this is his last year. That shit ain't worth it. But Bell it's his ankle right? Wonder if it's a surgery fix and he still has a couple of years left. Even if its a high ankle sprain those take a while to heal and since he is a runner guess he is out. Pretty sure this has never happened before that we are on the #4 qb due to injury. Rolfsness could give us just enough to get the win.

 

[Eagle Eyes]

Can someone fill me in on exactly why we are on out 4th string qb? I hope Schakel doesn't have to have shoulder surgery. Hope if it's not a surgery issue it's ok...is it his throwing shoulder? But what is Taylor exact injury? Assume it was a head injury and bad enough to keep him out a couple of weeks and even if they ok him...I hope he doesn't come back on being this is his last year. That shit ain't worth it. But Bell it's his ankle right? Wonder if it's a surgery fix and he still has a couple of years left. Even if its a high ankle sprain those take a while to heal and since he is a runner guess he is out. Pretty sure this has never happened before that we are on the #4 qb due to injury. Rolfsness could give us just enough to get the win.

Obzerver: Taylor stepped away from football but still with the team. Not sure about the status of Bell or Schakel, if someone knows, that would be interesting to hear.