EWU @ UC Davis Game Day Thread

[luckyintheorder]

Lucky;
Are the issues you mentioned flaws in the design of the play, player errors or play calling errors?
Who calls blocking schemes to go with a particular play initially and at the line of scrimmage? Based on your critique is this issues coaches breaking down our game film have seen and now taking advantage of. We went from hanging 77 points on Idaho one week to only scoring 20 points the next vs Weber.

Just want to say "yes". I don't see the Eags calling line adjustments, so assume (and can be incorrect) the OL blocks the way the play is designed generally. It seemed like MSU and Davis both played for Eastern to run to the weak side on short distance downs to the right. Not saying plays like this can't work, it's that they can't be run in a bubble. Of course, if a single player executes poorly any play can be blown up. It's a part of play calling to "set up" some of these plays when the situation arises. Eastern avoids some of this because there are enough weapons on the field to always make opposing defenses uneasy. As fans we've noticed when these moments go wrong lately and was just trying to better understand if it was an execution or play call issue. It appears it's a play call issue as these are not set up to gain an element of surprise given the situation. This is my opinion. I don't think any team could have made those few specific plays work given the situation.

Eastern is short on coaches. It's not a great situation asking those in roles to coach and recruit to take additional but important responsibilities aka special teams. In the past am sure I'd howl for Best's head but given the circumstances he may be the right fit for "what's to come". Unfortunately, many on the board, myself included, believed this might have been the year. It's not over. What we couldn't see was the obvious improvement as the fog rolled in. Looking forward to seeing it next week. Hope burns eternal.

Despite great experience on the field from a good group of athletes, none of them have that laser focus we've seen in guys like Michael Jordan that can lift the team above the human condition. They are still young men. Overcoming challenges is one of the key's to winning Championships. Just saw the Braves overcome some serious issues to win a World Series.

 

[luckyintheorder]

OK, it could be A LOT worse... we could be Detroit Lions fans..

 

[Obzerver]

Possible kicker placement available...bring him in for playoffs at least by the look could avoid long returns.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1459996366860693505

 

[chicagoeag]

I didn't watch the game but it seems from just looking at the offensive numbers, especially in the 2nd half offense moved the ball much better.

Take care of business in Hillsboro and EWU should get a 5-7 seed which would give them a bye week and at least a home playoff game. Would love to see Mont State get a 3 seed and EWU a 6 seed.

Don't see this team getting past semi's with the current defense, but I believe EWU could beat MSU. At the start of the season I think everyone would take a 9-2 reg season with a a playoff win or two.

 

[ewueagle2010]

I didn't watch the game but it seems from just looking at the offensive numbers, especially in the 2nd half offense moved the ball much better.

Take care of business in Hillsboro and EWU should get a 5-7 seed which would give them a bye week and at least a home playoff game. Would love to see Mont State get a 3 seed and EWU a 6 seed.

Don't see this team getting past semi's with the current defense, but I believe EWU could beat MSU. At the start of the season I think everyone would take a 9-2 reg season with a a playoff win or two.

I guess I'm starting to wonder why everyone continues to be so down on this D? Yes, they have a tendency to give up some big plays but they've really kinda been the reason we have stayed in games the last 3 weeks.

-Gave up 35 to Weber but also spent 35 minutes on the field, leading to a tired unit in the 4th quarter when 14 points were scored (let's also not forget the 3 successful fake punts)
-Gave up 23 to MSU and spent 36 minutes on the field
-Gave up 13 to UC Davis (7 due to a kickoff return for TD) despite spending yet again, 36 minutes of the field

The Weber and UC Davis games especially were awful for special teams. Luckily, the O came alive in the Davis game to pull away and quite honestly, with our O, we should be able to score enough to win all 3 of the above games. The secondary seems to be the weak part of the D, mostly the corners but overall they're better than any D we've had since 2018 and prior to that, probably 2010.

The weak link of this team and what could really cost us, is special teams. Kicking, coverage, and defending FAKE PUNTS!

 

[luckyintheorder]

I didn't watch the game but it seems from just looking at the offensive numbers, especially in the 2nd half offense moved the ball much better.

Take care of business in Hillsboro and EWU should get a 5-7 seed which would give them a bye week and at least a home playoff game. Would love to see Mont State get a 3 seed and EWU a 6 seed.

Don't see this team getting past semi's with the current defense, but I believe EWU could beat MSU. At the start of the season I think everyone would take a 9-2 reg season with a a playoff win or two.

I guess I'm starting to wonder why everyone continues to be so down on this D? Yes, they have a tendency to give up some big plays but they've really kinda been the reason we have stayed in games the last 3 weeks.

-Gave up 35 to Weber but also spent 35 minutes on the field, leading to a tired unit in the 4th quarter when 14 points were scored (let's also not forget the 3 successful fake punts)
-Gave up 23 to MSU and spent 36 minutes on the field
-Gave up 13 to UC Davis (7 due to a kickoff return for TD) despite spending yet again, 36 minutes of the field

The Weber and UC Davis games especially were awful for special teams. Luckily, the O came alive in the Davis game to pull away and quite honestly, with our O, we should be able to score enough to win all 3 of the above games. The secondary seems to be the weak part of the D, mostly the corners but overall they're better than any D we've had since 2018 and prior to that, probably 2010.

The weak link of this team and what could really cost us, is special teams. Kicking, coverage, and defending FAKE PUNTS!

Agree with chitowneag that 9-2 and the playoffs is a GREAT outcome to the season and would add that Weber averaged the 40 yard line starting field position. I think the defense is playing solid and getting more out of the players on the field than in recent memory. When both offense and defense click, Eastern is hard to beat. It will be hard to get past an NDSU style team that has a physical running game, solid passing game and a stud playmaker at WR; but will remain hopeful.

Am high on the defense as long as the starters are healthy. Have seen improvement in several of the players. Cale Lindsay has improved a ton and several of the younger DB's look good. Good point on the amount of time on field, it really impacted the final drives in both losses. Would have loved to see the 4th quarter at Davis but that fog was hard to see through.

 

[clawman1]

I didn't watch the game but it seems from just looking at the offensive numbers, especially in the 2nd half offense moved the ball much better.

Take care of business in Hillsboro and EWU should get a 5-7 seed which would give them a bye week and at least a home playoff game. Would love to see Mont State get a 3 seed and EWU a 6 seed.

Don't see this team getting past semi's with the current defense, but I believe EWU could beat MSU. At the start of the season I think everyone would take a 9-2 reg season with a a playoff win or two.

What do you know about the defense?

 

[Obzerver]

I have been guilty of being tough on our defense in the past. I still believe this is our best shot at least in the near future because this team is loaded. Believe we should be undefeated. Our defense is better than I hoped for going into the season and might add they have been impressive for the most part. With a pre-season All-American at kicker pre season still hoping that gets the mojo back Punter is solid...cover teams in question. I know alot of good teams use starters on coverage teams and wonder if we do. We get a home game and maybe a break if higher seed losses and we get another who knows? This team is worthy!