EWU @ Nevada

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Let's go ahead and get this thread kicked off. Little more than a month to go, the season is just around the corner.

Audio (EWU): http://www.espnnorthwest.com/
Video ($4.95): http://www.nevadawolfpack.com/liveE...SID=45380&SPID=4082&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10000
Video (free): Q-Bar at Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights, WA
Nevada's forum (free signup): http://www.silverandbluesports.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=3

Saw this today from the Bleacher Report: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/425707-fcs-vs-fbs-10-games-that-could-go-the-little-guys-way

September 2nd—Eastern Washington at Nevada

On paper, Nevada appears to be better than the boys from Cheney, but you always have to keep your eyes out for that jaw dropper on the Thursday night opener. This will be a game that the Eagles should stay close in as long as they don't get rattled by the Reno crowd, or dual threat QB Colin Kaepernick.

The Eagles win if

They get a strong defensive outing from their front seven, led by All conference standout J.C. Sherritt. They will also need for whoever QBs the game (either Bo Levi Mitchell, an SMU transfer, or Greg Panelli a JUCO transfer) to not make that big mistake that costs them the game.

Granted he's right we have a shot (albeit a small one), his credibility goes down a couple notches with the mention of Panelli... how much can he know if he doesn't know that BLM was already named the starter?

 

[wineguy]

I don't see that Nevada is that much better than us on paper. I do feel it will be a close game and the turnover margin will determine the outcome. EWU has a chance to win this game and if they do, watch out. Montana will not have a chance. Sac. State still scares me though.

 

[flyingnail]

Nevada will be tough, I think we make a game of it ! If we are still in the game by the 4th quarter WATCH OUT ! They can be had, however the season wont be made on that night ! How The TEAM responds on Sept 11th will determine they're fate ! WE will be in RENO staying on the Truckee River waiting and hoping ! GO EAGS !!! Put it all on RED !!! haha

 

[LDopaPDX]

As much as I'd LOVE to pull the upset... I'm hoping just to play competitive ball, keep injuries to a minimum, and make some defensive stops.

Nevada is a team that can ring up the points against defenses, and I'd hate to come into Central beaten up and demoralized and doubting ourselves. That early portion of our schedule is SO important, we just can't afford to have any hiccups in the first 5 games.

If we open 3-2 or better, we probably make the playoffs. If we come come out worse, we're practically finished before the bulk of the season even starts. 4-1 would be astounding...

 

[EdubAlum]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5434419&campaign=rss&source=NCFHeadlines

Nevada kicker Ricky Drake has been suspended for the first two games of the season and had part of his scholarship taken away following a DUI arrest, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.

Drake was arrested Friday on suspicion of DUI and careless driving after police spotted him behind the wheel of a car while appearing intoxicated, according to the newspaper.

Coach Chris Ault suspended him for the games against Eastern Washington and Colorado State, took 50 percent of his scholarship and put him on probation for the rest of the season.

In 2009, Drake made 6-of-9 field goals and 60-of-64 extra points. The Wolf Pack have kickers Nick Rhodes and Anthony Martinez on the roster, but neither has attempted a kick for the team.

Andrea Adelson covers college football for ESPN.com.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5434419&campaign=rss&source=NCFHeadlines

Nevada kicker Ricky Drake has been suspended for the first two games of the season and had part of his scholarship taken away following a DUI arrest, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.

Drake was arrested Friday on suspicion of DUI and careless driving after police spotted him behind the wheel of a car while appearing intoxicated, according to the newspaper.

Coach Chris Ault suspended him for the games against Eastern Washington and Colorado State, took 50 percent of his scholarship and put him on probation for the rest of the season.

In 2009, Drake made 6-of-9 field goals and 60-of-64 extra points. The Wolf Pack have kickers Nick Rhodes and Anthony Martinez on the roster, but neither has attempted a kick for the team.

Andrea Adelson covers college football for ESPN.com.

:lol: :lol: That's awesome. I'll take any increased advantages we can get!

 

[EdubAlum]

http://www.rgj.com/section/blogs16?...0-45e7-9daa-6024d283aa0f&sid=sitelife.rgj.com

Nevada safety Duke Williams has been suspended for the Wolf Pack's season opener against Eastern Washington for his role in an altercation with teammate Marlon Johnson in April, coach Chris Ault said after the team's scrimmage Tuesday. Williams also lost his financial aid over the summer as an additional penalty.

"Duke's paying a dear price for it," Ault said. "He’s suspended one game and lost his financial aid for the summer. It’s a big penalty."

This will be the third game Williams has missed in his brief time at Nevada. He was suspended for two games during his true freshman season.

The Hug High product was suspended one game after being cited for being a minor in possession of alcohol in November. He also was with Pack linebacker Andre Davis when Davis was arrested for felony shoplifting in Honolulu during the week of the Hawaii Bowl in late December. Davis was kicked off the team and Williams was suspended for the bowl game.

The suspension leaves the Wolf Pack with four safeties for the season opener: Corbin Louks, a transfer from Utah who is eligible to play for the Pack after redshirting last year; junior-college transfers Dean Faddis and Bubba Boudreaux; and Johnson.

 

[EWURanger]

Now if they can just get their starting QB and first, second, and third string RB's suspended, we might be talking! As it is, I think our defense is going to be in for a long day.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Now if they can just get their starting QB and first, second, and third string RB's suspended, we might be talking! As it is, I think our defense is going to be in for a long day.

I fear that your are right. I think the two big questions with our team this year are:

1. How will our OL play?

We know we've got playmakers all over the field on offense, but the big boys up front need to play well to keep the chains moving.

2. Will our defense be able to play as a complete unit?

Again, we know we've got individual talent, but we were SO awful on defense at the end of last season, we need to be about 4 TDs better to be a top 10 team. Also, we can't rely on teams fumbling games away to us...

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Now if they can just get their starting QB and first, second, and third string RB's suspended, we might be talking! As it is, I think our defense is going to be in for a long day.

I fear that your are right. I think the two big questions with our team this year are:

1. How will our OL play?

We know we've got playmakers all over the field on offense, but the big boys up front need to play well to keep the chains moving.

2. Will our defense be able to play as a complete unit?

Again, we know we've got individual talent, but we were SO awful on defense at the end of last season, we need to be about 4 TDs better to be a top 10 team. Also, we can't rely on teams fumbling games away to us...

We weren't relying on that, we were creating that. It wasn't a fluke that we were top 5 last year (in all FCS) in turnover margin. Beau has made a point for our D to create turnovers, constantly taking shots at the ball. I hope we can continue that this year.

 

[flyingnail]

Now if they can just get their starting QB and first, second, and third string RB's suspended, we might be talking! As it is, I think our defense is going to be in for a long day.

I fear that your are right. I think the two big questions with our team this year are:

1. How will our OL play?

We know we've got playmakers all over the field on offense, but the big boys up front need to play well to keep the chains moving.

2. Will our defense be able to play as a complete unit?

Again, we know we've got individual talent, but we were SO awful on defense at the end of last season, we need to be about 4 TDs better to be a top 10 team. Also, we can't rely on teams fumbling games away to us...

Gotta hold em to win this year !! Seems to be no depth in the secondary !! Yikes... GO EAGS

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Now if they can just get their starting QB and first, second, and third string RB's suspended, we might be talking! As it is, I think our defense is going to be in for a long day.

I fear that your are right. I think the two big questions with our team this year are:

1. How will our OL play?

We know we've got playmakers all over the field on offense, but the big boys up front need to play well to keep the chains moving.

2. Will our defense be able to play as a complete unit?

Again, we know we've got individual talent, but we were SO awful on defense at the end of last season, we need to be about 4 TDs better to be a top 10 team. Also, we can't rely on teams fumbling games away to us...

Gotta hold em to win this year !! Seems to be no depth in the secondary !! Yikes... GO EAGS

But luckily we have a lot of depth on the D-line, so hopefully we can generate a lot of QB pressure to take away pressure from our CBs and force passing plays into one of our strengths... LB. Renard Williams is going absolutely dominate this year. I'd say at least 11 sacks.

 

[flyingnail]

Now if they can just get their starting QB and first, second, and third string RB's suspended, we might be talking! As it is, I think our defense is going to be in for a long day.

I fear that your are right. I think the two big questions with our team this year are:

1. How will our OL play?

We know we've got playmakers all over the field on offense, but the big boys up front need to play well to keep the chains moving.

2. Will our defense be able to play as a complete unit?

Again, we know we've got individual talent, but we were SO awful on defense at the end of last season, we need to be about 4 TDs better to be a top 10 team. Also, we can't rely on teams fumbling games away to us...

Gotta hold em to win this year !! Seems to be no depth in the secondary !! Yikes... GO EAGS

But luckily we have a lot of depth on the D-line, so hopefully we can generate a lot of QB pressure to take away pressure from our CBs and force passing plays into one of our strengths... LB. Renard Williams is going absolutely dominate this year. I'd say at least 11 sacks.

Thats a fact and it seems like we might be a little deeper at LB, thats the killer from last year !

 

[Anonymous]

Although it's always fun to see the Eagles play an FBS level team, I could honestly care less about this game and I'm just hoping that we can come away without any serious injuries. At least it's only one FBS game this year.

 

[eagle11]

We will move the ball and score points on Nevada. The big question is if we will be able to slow their offense down and limit thier scoring. Go Eagles!!!

 

[EWURanger]

We will move the ball and score points on Nevada. The big question is if we will be able to slow their offense down and limit thier scoring. Go Eagles!!!

Their offense is unreal. Even though they are primarily a running team, I expect them to pass quite a bit as well as we will undoubtedly load up to stop the run. Bit of a catch-22 for Eastern, really, since our pass defense was wretched last year, but if we don't load up they will run it on us all day out of that pistol formation. :?

 

[flyingnail]

We will move the ball and score points on Nevada. The big question is if we will be able to slow their offense down and limit thier scoring. Go Eagles!!!

Their offense is unreal. Even though they are primarily a running team, I expect them to pass quite a bit as well as we will undoubtedly load up to stop the run. Bit of a catch-22 for Eastern, really, since our pass defense was wretched last year, but if we don't load up they will run it on us all day out of that pistol formation. :?

The boys are going down there for the win, thats why they play the game ! Ask each man and they will tell ya they BELIEVE ! certainly better odds than the Cal game last year GOEAGS !!!!

 

[wineguy]

Both offenses will score points...The defense that has the most stops, wins the game. Turnover margin will also be a big key. Hopefully our younger players won't be 'stupid nervous' and give the ball up. We definetly have achance to win this game, but it may come down to a little luck going our way. It's going to be close.

 

[Obzerver]

I concur we have to be turnover free(by the younger/older and inbetween players as far as stupid nervous or just plain stupid). And on the flip side create some turnovers. We have proven in the past we can hang with most anyone going into the 4th qtr. and with what looks like some depth this year perhaps finish out the game. Gotta hold their high powered offense down and that may mean keeping them off the field with some sustained drives. We can do this!!

 

[LDopaPDX]

The key for us this year... aside from making sure the OL gets off and hits well... will be easy to see:

If we make tackles on initial defensive contact, we'll win a lot of games. On the flip, if you see our first defensive player miss the tackle, we'll be mediocre. We need to be able to make stops on first contact, not rely on gang-tackling.

If you watch the games we lost last year, or even late against Southenr Utah and NAU. our defense simply didn't make tackles against their playmakers. Good defenses win in one-on-one situations; bad defenses don't make the plays and require everyone to be involved in the tackle.

Nevada will force us to make one-on-one tackles, the pistol really forces that. If we make them, we've got a shot. If we don't, it'll be a long night. Based on the way the defense closed out last season, I'm still skeptical.