This may be a shootout....
NO. 8 EASTERN WASHINGTON (6-2, 5-1 BIG SKY) AT PORTLAND STATE (2-5, 1-3)
Kickoff: 8:05 p.m.
Series record: Portland State leads, 18-13-1
What to know: Portland State has lost three straight games, but appears prime for an upset. Rookie coach Nigel Burton's squad lost to Montana, 23-21, on a game-ending field goal two weeks ago and fell at Weber State, 44-41, last Saturday despite racking up over 600 yards.
All-America linebacker J.C. Sherritt will get his share of tackles, but the Eastern Washington defense might struggle to slow Portland State's pistol offense. In three of the last four games, Cory McCaffrey and quarterback Connor Kavanaugh have each rushed for 100 yards. Kavanaugh also has thrown 88 straight passes without an interception.
Sophomore place-kicker Zach Brown has made 29 career field goals in less than two seasons, with a career long of 53 yards. He attempted a 65-yarder on the final play at Weber State and nearly made it, coming up just a couple of yards short.
Perhaps lost in the exploits of EWU show-stopper Taiwan Jones is that wide receiver Brandon Kaufman has game-breaking skills. He has caught 38 passes for 675 yards and seven touchdowns.
During Eastern Washington's four game winning streak, the Johnson twins, Matt (strong safety) and Zach (outside linebacker), have combined for 79 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups.
Prediction: Eastern Washington, 35-30
NO. 8 EASTERN WASHINGTON (6-2, 5-1 BIG SKY) AT PORTLAND STATE (2-5, 1-3)
Kickoff: 8:05 p.m.
Series record: Portland State leads, 18-13-1
What to know: Portland State has lost three straight games, but appears prime for an upset. Rookie coach Nigel Burton's squad lost to Montana, 23-21, on a game-ending field goal two weeks ago and fell at Weber State, 44-41, last Saturday despite racking up over 600 yards.
All-America linebacker J.C. Sherritt will get his share of tackles, but the Eastern Washington defense might struggle to slow Portland State's pistol offense. In three of the last four games, Cory McCaffrey and quarterback Connor Kavanaugh have each rushed for 100 yards. Kavanaugh also has thrown 88 straight passes without an interception.
Sophomore place-kicker Zach Brown has made 29 career field goals in less than two seasons, with a career long of 53 yards. He attempted a 65-yarder on the final play at Weber State and nearly made it, coming up just a couple of yards short.
Perhaps lost in the exploits of EWU show-stopper Taiwan Jones is that wide receiver Brandon Kaufman has game-breaking skills. He has caught 38 passes for 675 yards and seven touchdowns.
During Eastern Washington's four game winning streak, the Johnson twins, Matt (strong safety) and Zach (outside linebacker), have combined for 79 tackles, three interceptions and seven pass breakups.
Prediction: Eastern Washington, 35-30