EWU vs. WAGNER ~ 2nd Round FCS

[EWURanger]

Wasn't our greatest game, but Wagner play great and stuck to their game plan which was to eat up clock and keep our offense off the field. Tackling seemed to be our bigget issue.

 

[FormerEag]

Yeah, the tackling has been a major issue the past few games. Larry interviewed Coach Graham before the game and he brought up the fact that in the first few games we were one of the better tackling teams in the conference. Somehow we've lost that in the second half of the season. I'm sure it will be a big emphasis in practice this week.

 

[HannahO]

I suspect that Sunday will become somewhat less of a critic when his redshirt player is out on the field both making plays and mistakes.

As for the defense, they did their job: when the offense and ST turned the ball over inside the 30 yd line, they still did their job; they held the opposition to 19 points, less than 300 yards total offense, and 5 of 14 third down conversions (0 of 2 4th down). It's somewhat our habit to crank on the defense and this version is handy because they don't have a "star" player as in years past but somehow they GET THE JOB DONE! This truly might be Coach Graham's and his position coaches most impressive effort.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I suspect that Sunday will become somewhat less of a critic when his redshirt player is out on the field both making plays and mistakes.

As for the defense, they did their job: when the offense and ST turned the ball over inside the 30 yd line, they still did their job; they held the opposition to 19 points, less than 300 yards total offense, and 5 of 14 third down conversions (0 of 2 4th down). It's somewhat our habit to crank on the defense and this version is handy because they don't have a "star" player as in years past but somehow they GET THE JOB DONE! This truly might be Coach Graham's and his position coaches most impressive effort.

:+1:

The defense was the epitome of "bend but don't break" football last night. When we needed a big play, they delivered. Tackling will have to be addressed this week though.

Congrats to Wagner, they play tough, disciplined football; they're scrappers.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Congrats on the win and rolled the Birds from ISU. :thumb:

Thanks Slo. It's too bad about CP... looks like it was a hell of a game. I look forward to watching it when I get a chance.

 

[Rjones61]

God that was frustrating. Looks like we've got the kardiac kids on our hands here.

Concerned for the future. Turnovers? Have we had a game like that this year...? What...three or four? That had to be discussed all week; "Keep the ball hgih and tight."

I still don't get why our defense doesn't 'break down' and come up and hit a guy in the mouth. Flat footed, reaching with the arms is jv. I rarely see the 1st guy making a solo tackle on the 1st attempt.

I thought this game would be a great time to play smash mouth football. Set the tone. Don't let up. You're well rested.

I don't see the gang coming next week kicking field goals all day inside the Red Zone. :|

:tothehand: Please just get out. I'm so sick of you badmouthing our team. The Eagles just made it to the top 8, show some fucking joy.

Just making all kinds of friends this evening, aren't we?


Being joyful is not the same as pretending everything is great. We didn't play very well against an overmatched opponent. All the things sunday is mentioning are real problems that kept our opponent in the game and would lead us to lose if we played a better opponent.

Being a fanboy is great... but please don't act like people who see the flaws should somehow be unable to voice their opinion. Most of us come here to discuss football, not stroke each other over how many wins are in the win column.

There is a HUGE difference between constructive criticism for your team and pointing out flaws just to bring a team down.

 

[EWURanger]

I suspect that Sunday will become somewhat less of a critic when his redshirt player is out on the field both making plays and mistakes.

As for the defense, they did their job: when the offense and ST turned the ball over inside the 30 yd line, they still did their job; they held the opposition to 19 points, less than 300 yards total offense, and 5 of 14 third down conversions (0 of 2 4th down). It's somewhat our habit to crank on the defense and this version is handy because they don't have a "star" player as in years past but somehow they GET THE JOB DONE! This truly might be Coach Graham's and his position coaches most impressive effort.

Good points. The times that the defense has looked bad this season have also coincided with a lot of incidents of our Special Teams and offense turning the ball over and giving the opposition a short field. That has happened the past two games.

I thought the defense played just fine against Wagner. It wasn't a dominating effort, but we did hold them to several FG's and got critical stops on 3rd down when we needed it. Yes, there have been tackling issues in the last two games against PSU and Wagner.

It is a head scratcher that our most impressive defensive performances this year were against an FBS school (Idaho) and against a top 15 FCS team (Cal Poly). But what stands out to me is that we really took care of the ball on offense in both of those games. The best way a team can help out its defense is by taking care of the ball on offense and special teams.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

KXLY post-game interviews with Kauf and Padron:
http://video.kxly.com/watch.php?id=32578" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
With Baldwin:
http://video.kxly.com/watch.php?id=32579" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

700ESPN post-game interview with Baldwin:
http://soundcloud.com/700-espn/beau-baldwin-post-game-4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Highlights:
http://soundcloud.com/700-espn/ewu-eagles-football-vs-wagner" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[clawman1]

+1

 

[sunday]

I suspect that Sunday will become somewhat less of a critic when his redshirt player is out on the field both making plays and mistakes.

As for the defense, they did their job: when the offense and ST turned the ball over inside the 30 yd line, they still did their job; they held the opposition to 19 points, less than 300 yards total offense, and 5 of 14 third down conversions (0 of 2 4th down). It's somewhat our habit to crank on the defense and this version is handy because they don't have a "star" player as in years past but somehow they GET THE JOB DONE! This truly might be Coach Graham's and his position coaches most impressive effort.

:+1:

The defense was the epitome of "bend but don't break" football last night. When we needed a big play, they delivered. Tackling will have to be addressed this week though.

Congrats to Wagner, they play tough, disciplined football; they're scrappers.

This is the quote from our website of the game from Coach Hameline:
On EWU: “They’re a darn good football team. I think any time you get past the second round and you’re into a tournament type of scenario, anything can happen. There’s a history here of them winning football games -- they’re a good team and they’re on a roll. I think anything can happen but they’re an excellent football team. Some of the other teams we’ve played have been good, but I’d probably say they’re more talented than most of the teams we played.”

This is the position I am coming from with my post...Eastern is a VERY good team. I would HATE to see the better team (Eastern) get beat in the future because of basic things: TO's and tackling. I would like to see the same intensity we show on Defense in the Red Zone, show up when our opponent has the ball on their own 20. I BELIEVE this team can go all the way.

BTW: I have never read anyone on this message board calling anyone out. That would be off limits. As for any player making or not making a play...it's a team sport...win and lose together. I'll take that same position when my redshirt gets burned, or makes a play in the future.

 

[93bird]

Could we all agree to not let this devolve into EGriz? Anyway, thanks for the links SE. Coach, Kaufman, and Padron all talked about the sluggish start, the turnovers, and staying on track. They know they could have blown Wagner away with a little better execution, but that this team also has the fortitude to win no matter what. Personally, I thought what Brandon said about the offensive game plan speaks volumes about our skill, depth, and versatility. I still think we've got an "extra gear" we haven't had to shift into.

 

[EWURanger]

I think Wagner is gonna run all over the EWU defense. Could be a long day in Cheney. You all know I'm pulling for you guys but Wags is just too good. Go out and give 'er hell though.

Nobody here gives a rip about your opinion, AlphaFalpha. Have fun following your 5-6 team throughout the playoffs. :thumb:

 

[sunday]

Could we all agree to not let this devolve into EGriz? Anyway, thanks for the links SE. Coach, Kaufman, and Padron all talked about the sluggish start, the turnovers, and staying on track. They know they could have blown Wagner away with a little better execution, but that this team also has the fortitude to win no matter what. Personally, I thought what Brandon said about the offensive game plan speaks volumes about our skill, depth, and versatility. I still think we've got an "extra gear" we haven't had to shift into.

:thumb: 100%