Idaho State at #2 EWU Game Thread

[LDopaPDX]

.... Looked damn good today.

They really needed to get a decent opener under their belt, and they got it done. Kramer has that thing moving in the right direction, but the pace would move from a crawl to a leap by beating Eastern.

They put 639 yards on Sac State and were playing reserves by the middle of the 4th. Granted, Sac State is atrocious on D, but that's an impressive total nonetheless.

This will be a big test for the D. They played great today, but Idaho State is a totally different animal. They want to throw it 50 times and only run to keep you off balance.

 

[EWURanger]

They looked really good from the bits of the Sac State game I watched. They seem to be able to run the ball this year, which makes them far more dangerous than even a year ago.

From taking a look at their roster, it appears they have a former EWU commit in Michael Tate, from Federal Way. Some may recall that he was committed to EWU a couple years back, but then backed out in the final hour to go to SJSU.

 

[kalm]

Xavier Finney had 26 carries for 135 yards and 3 touchdowns yesterday and leads the conference in rushing even with two FBS opponents on the schedule. They've become much more balanced and Kramer has done a great job getting out from under the APR issues and getting better athletes to come to pokey.

The Bengals could make a bit of noise this year.

 

[luckyintheorder]

After watching ISU v Sac St...

ISU is a middle of the road team. Playing with heart but don't have the athlete's to beat top teams. Arias gets the ball out quick, receivers caught some tough balls. Will throw balls in the middle of the field. All that stuff is very defensiveable. Certainly, they can make some plays but I think we have better, bigger and faster athletes all over the field on O and D. Our O will take them apart. As I am not superstitious this is not an upset alert game.

Not much on the Bengal board.

To see the game yourself, just login to the AmericaOne and click BigSky option and you can click on the calendar for the 27th and click VOD; scroll through games and select ISU v Sac State.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I've watched a good bit of three of their games. They are a lot better than last year, and we struggled a little down in Pocatello last year. They play some D now; they're not great on that side of the ball, but they are good enough to force a few stops.

They're offense is pretty balanced, but like us, they'd rather put in in the air than keep it on the ground. At the every least, we have to respect both run and pass, which is more than UC Davis offered.

Eastern is better physically and athletically, but Idaho State is within the margin of error and could get a win if we play poorly and they play well.

 

[luckyintheorder]

Guess going with the "what-if" scenarios we can assume some advantage by being at home and having a majority of our defensive starters available (especially DB/Safety unlike last year). Play to our level, take care of the ball and minimize silly penalties (been a challenge) and this one takes care of itself. Still have to play the game, but no clucking necessary this Saturday IMO.

 

[luckyintheorder]

I've watched a good bit of three of their games. They are a lot better than last year, and we struggled a little down in Pocatello last year. They play some D now; they're not great on that side of the ball, but they are good enough to force a few stops.

They're offense is pretty balanced, but like us, they'd rather put in in the air than keep it on the ground. At the every least, we have to respect both run and pass, which is more than UC Davis offered.

Eastern is better physically and athletically, but Idaho State is within the margin of error and could get a win if we play poorly and they play well.

We played as poorly as I have seen in recent memory against a good MSU team on the road and managed to squeak by with a W. ISU ain't got it in 'em.

 

[eaglesfootball]

I've watched a good bit of three of their games. They are a lot better than last year, and we struggled a little down in Pocatello last year. They play some D now; they're not great on that side of the ball, but they are good enough to force a few stops.

They're offense is pretty balanced, but like us, they'd rather put in in the air than keep it on the ground. At the every least, we have to respect both run and pass, which is more than UC Davis offered.

Eastern is better physically and athletically, but Idaho State is within the margin of error and could get a win if we play poorly and they play well.

We played as poorly as I have seen in recent memory against a good MSU team on the road and managed to squeak by with a W. ISU ain't got it in 'em.

they have a good coach who knows how to win big games.

 

[luckyintheorder]

I've watched a good bit of three of their games. They are a lot better than last year, and we struggled a little down in Pocatello last year. They play some D now; they're not great on that side of the ball, but they are good enough to force a few stops.

They're offense is pretty balanced, but like us, they'd rather put in in the air than keep it on the ground. At the every least, we have to respect both run and pass, which is more than UC Davis offered.

Eastern is better physically and athletically, but Idaho State is within the margin of error and could get a win if we play poorly and they play well.

We played as poorly as I have seen in recent memory against a good MSU team on the road and managed to squeak by with a W. ISU ain't got it in 'em.

they have a good coach who knows how to win big games.

I assume the players are the only ones on the field. Do the players know how to win big games like King Kramer? Look, watch the last ISU game and if they pass the eye test for you great. They didn't measure up for me. Dopa says on UC Davis prediction thread, "They might get a signature win somewhere along the way, but they aren't a very good football team."

Not gonna play to the cluckers who need a reason to worry week in and out without doing the work or worry about the standard what-if scenarios without evidence that suggests I should i.e., a superb defense, offense or player. Reality is, the Eags are the superior team in this match up and all things being equal, should put ISU away without too much trouble IMO.

 

[DefendtheRed]

I've watched a good bit of three of their games. They are a lot better than last year, and we struggled a little down in Pocatello last year. They play some D now; they're not great on that side of the ball, but they are good enough to force a few stops.

They're offense is pretty balanced, but like us, they'd rather put in in the air than keep it on the ground. At the every least, we have to respect both run and pass, which is more than UC Davis offered.

Eastern is better physically and athletically, but Idaho State is within the margin of error and could get a win if we play poorly and they play well.

We played as poorly as I have seen in recent memory against a good MSU team on the road and managed to squeak by with a W. ISU ain't got it in 'em.

they have a good coach who knows how to win big games.

I assume the players are the only ones on the field. Do the players know how to win big games like King Kramer? Look, watch the last ISU game and if they pass the eye test for you great. They didn't measure up for me. Dopa says on UC Davis prediction thread, "They might get a signature win somewhere along the way, but they aren't a very good football team."

Not gonna play to the cluckers who need a reason to worry week in and out without doing the work or worry about the standard what-if scenarios without evidence that suggests I should i.e., a superb defense, offense or player. Reality is, the Eags are the superior team in this match up and all things being equal, should put ISU away without too much trouble IMO.

If we get another defensive outing like we did this weekend, then I agree.

 

[luckyintheorder]

DefendtheRed: If we get another defensive outing like we did this weekend, then I agree.

Right there with you DTR

 

[clawman1]

I assume the players are the only ones on the field. Do the players know how to win big games like King Kramer?

Every organization has a certain culture that supposedly flows from the top leadership. My impression is Kramer rules with fear and intimidation vs Baldwin and staff leads with caring and respect.
Kramer's style leads to different factions and friction in the team while Baldwins style lends itself to a family atmosphere.
With that said, some of Kramer's players know how to win like King Kramer but it takes a whole team to win regularly.

 

[luckyintheorder]

I assume the players are the only ones on the field. Do the players know how to win big games like King Kramer?

Every organization has a certain culture that supposedly flows from the top leadership. My impression is Kramer rules with fear and intimidation vs Baldwin and staff leads with caring and respect.
Kramer's style leads to different factions and friction in the team while Baldwins style lends itself to a family atmosphere.
With that said, some of Kramer's players know how to win like King Kramer but it takes a whole team to win regularly.

:thumb:

I remember Kramer well and was never impressed; Coach Baldwin impresses at every level and his brand of leadership shows with our players and fans. He just has "it". Go Eags!

 

[LDopaPDX]

I assume the players are the only ones on the field. Do the players know how to win big games like King Kramer?

Every organization has a certain culture that supposedly flows from the top leadership. My impression is Kramer rules with fear and intimidation vs Baldwin and staff leads with caring and respect.
Kramer's style leads to different factions and friction in the team while Baldwins style lends itself to a family atmosphere.
With that said, some of Kramer's players know how to win like King Kramer but it takes a whole team to win regularly.

:thumb:

I remember Kramer well and was never impressed; Coach Baldwin impresses at every level and his brand of leadership shows with our players and fans. He just has "it". Go Eags!

Kramer is a really good coach who got some bad breaks along the way in his career. He is a really fun guy to be around and is a very charismatic character (sort of the exact opposite of Paul Wulff).

As for Michael Tate, wasn't he the guy who decommited about 2 weeks before LOI day? If so, he's the guy that pulled out and allowed us to open the schollie up for Kendrick Bourne. I'd say that worked out for us in the long run.

 

[luckyintheorder]

I assume the players are the only ones on the field. Do the players know how to win big games like King Kramer?

Every organization has a certain culture that supposedly flows from the top leadership. My impression is Kramer rules with fear and intimidation vs Baldwin and staff leads with caring and respect.
Kramer's style leads to different factions and friction in the team while Baldwins style lends itself to a family atmosphere.
With that said, some of Kramer's players know how to win like King Kramer but it takes a whole team to win regularly.

:thumb:

I remember Kramer well and was never impressed; Coach Baldwin impresses at every level and his brand of leadership shows with our players and fans. He just has "it". Go Eags!

Kramer is a really good coach who got some bad breaks along the way in his career. He is a really fun guy to be around and is a very charismatic character (sort of the exact opposite of Paul Wulff).

As for Michael Tate, wasn't he the guy who decommited about 2 weeks before LOI day? If so, he's the guy that pulled out and allowed us to open the schollie up for Kendrick Bourne. I'd say that worked out for us in the long run.

Kramer may be a good X's and O's guy. Doesn't make him the kind of guy everyone wants to be around IMO. Don't take it personal. Like you, a big fan of Bourne, he looked great against UC Davis and is making "money" catches like the fourth down at MSU. Certainly not pining for Tate or the return of Kramer.

 

[LDopaPDX]

No, I, too, am pretty happy with Coach Baldwin. That said, I don't remember anyone who played for Coach K who had bad things to say about him. He was the kind of guy who had aspects of being a father figure as well as your crazy uncle who didn't have a verbal filter.

 

[luckyintheorder]

No, I, too, am pretty happy with Coach Baldwin. That said, I don't remember anyone who played for Coach K who had bad things to say about him. He was the kind of guy who had aspects of being a father figure as well as your crazy uncle who didn't have a verbal filter.

I concede. Maybe we are that crazy uncle... :lol: Go Eags!

 

[eaglesfootball]

No, I, too, am pretty happy with Coach Baldwin. That said, I don't remember anyone who played for Coach K who had bad things to say about him. He was the kind of guy who had aspects of being a father figure as well as your crazy uncle who didn't have a verbal filter.

agreed, Coach K is a great dude.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Idaho State Bengals (2-2, 1-0 BSC) at #2 Eastern Washington Eagles (4-1, 1-0 BSC)

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014 • 1:35 p.m. Pacific
Roos Field (8,600) • Cheney, WA

TV: Televised live regionally by SWX
Radio: 700 ESPN (EWU)
Webcast: www.watchbigsky.com

Athletics: ISUBengals.com | GoEags.com
Twitter: @IdahoStateU | @ewuathletics
Fan Forums: Big Sky Fans - Bengals | EWU Redzone

Series: EWU leads 25-9
Last Meeting: 2013 - EWU won 55-34 in Pocatello, ID

It's like a season opener all over again.

The Eastern Washington University football team plays its first home game in over a month when the Eagles host Idaho State and former Eagle head coach Mike Kramer Saturday (Oct. 4) at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. Kickoff is 1:35 p.m. Pacific time on Hall of Fame Day at "The Inferno," and the day will also provide awareness for the Inland Northwest-based Community Cancer Fund.

The Eagles put their 11-game league winning streak on the line this week, having not lost since falling 30-27 at Southern Utah on Oct. 27, 2012. The Eagles are 21-2 in their last 23 Big Sky games dating back to a 0-2 start in 2011.

The Eagles enter the game 4-1 and are coming off a 37-14 victory against UC Davis. That was the third-straight road game for EWU, which has not played at home since Aug. 30. The Eagles are 26-4 all-time at "The Inferno" and have a current seven-game winning streak versus ISU.

"It's great to be back at home – I can't wait," said Baldwin, who won his 60th game as EWU's head coach last week. "Students are back and we just appreciate being able to play in front of our home crowd, which has given us so much love and support. Our players will be fired up."

Coached by Kramer, a 17-year head coaching veteran of the Big Sky, Idaho State is 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the league after knocking off Sacramento State 44-24. The Bengals finished with 639 yards of offense, with Justin Arias completing 30-of-42 passes for 413 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Xavier Finney rushed for 135 yards and three touchdowns, while Madison Mangum caught eight passes for a career high 174 yards, and also passed for a TD.

"We're playing an Idaho State team coming off a very good victory against a very good Sacramento State team," said Baldwin, whose program has outscored the Bengals 172-58 in the last four meetings. "They have looked incredibly good on video against the likes of Utah and Utah State. This is a different, different, different Idaho State team (than in years past) – and that's not just coach talk. It's going to be a tremendous challenge and a tough ballgame on Saturday."

This is the first game Kramer has played in Cheney with the Bengals, but previously he coached against the Eagles when he was head coach at Montana State. He spent five years as an Eastern assistant (1989-93), then six seasons as Eastern's head coach (1994-1999). He was the Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year in 1997 after he helped guide the 1997 team to the Big Sky title and an appearance in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs. That 12-2 team was inducted into the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.

http://www.goeags.com/sports/m-footbl/2014-15/releases/14fbSept29ISU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[56n92]

So the discussion in the "Idaho State" thread got me thinking...... If we wound up with a coaching vacancy somewhere down the line, would you welcome Coach Kramer back? Obviously a hypothetical discussion. On principle I don't like the idea because he thought MSU was a better post than EWU. That's a sore spot I can't let go of.
I suspect he would rather have a root canal than live in Pocotello but that was his avenue back into coaching so he had to. Now he's probably trying to find an exit strategy. So, if we had a vacancy why wouldn't he be interested? In that same light, think he'll get any consideration for the UM job? That's a little scary because if he can get the numbers he's getting at ISU with JV athletes, just think of what he could do with legit kids.