Idaho

[LDopaPDX]

Yes, Barriere should have run on that fourth down. However, simply comparing him to the running back that was playing QB for Idaho is wrong. That Idaho QB today went all in for one game. There is no way he can sustain that level of running attempts and stay healthy during a real season of football. It was one game and he played hard. However, Eric Barriere
is a real QB that does not take unnecessary risks and he wins games. Did Idaho win?

that's certainly fair, but I'm not asking for Barriere to run the ball 25 times or more each game. I'd settle for just the same way he attacked the field versus UC Davis... a couple of sprint-outs, a couple of zone reads, maybe an improv run or two. It just seems like there's games where he simply won't run the ball, even when it defies logic not to do so. The guy is a really good QB, but he's a really great QB when he chooses to be dynamic.

Also, just to be clear, we can comment on the offense all day, but with the exception of the first Idaho game, our offense has been winning the games. Yesterday, the problem was the defensive side. We played a team that ran a bare-bones Pop Warner offense, snap the ball to a QB, block the guy in front of you, and run wherever you see a gap. You could call it Football 101, but that would imply it was college level. This was like 1st grade level. And we couldn’t defend it. I don’t know what Idaho’s yards after contact looked like, but it felt like 50% of their yards were gained after contact. The linebackers, our strength, were poor on the whole yesterday. The DL was routinely beaten back. It just looked very soft on D.

 

[Obzerver]

The RB Borisch impressed me at QB. He was a great QB in high school but a better all around athlete. Holds a black belt in judo and competed in nationals.
We won and that's what counts but hope they find another level if winning a playoff game is in the cards!

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

Yes, Barriere should have run on that fourth down. However, simply comparing him to the running back that was playing QB for Idaho is wrong. That Idaho QB today went all in for one game. There is no way he can sustain that level of running attempts and stay healthy during a real season of football. It was one game and he played hard. However, Eric Barriere
is a real QB that does not take unnecessary risks and he wins games. Did Idaho win?

that's certainly fair, but I'm not asking for Barriere to run the ball 25 times or more each game. I'd settle for just the same way he attacked the field versus UC Davis... a couple of sprint-outs, a couple of zone reads, maybe an improv run or two. It just seems like there's games where he simply won't run the ball, even when it defies logic not to do so. The guy is a really good QB, but he's a really great QB when he chooses to be dynamic.

Also, just to be clear, we can comment on the offense all day, but with the exception of the first Idaho game, our offense has been winning the games. Yesterday, the problem was the defensive side. We played a team that ran a bare-bones Pop Warner offense, snap the ball to a QB, block the guy in front of you, and run wherever you see a gap. You could call it Football 101, but that would imply it was college level. This was like 1st grade level. And we couldn’t defend it. I don’t know what Idaho’s yards after contact looked like, but it felt like 50% of their yards were gained after contact. The linebackers, our strength, were poor on the whole yesterday. The DL was routinely beaten back. It just looked very soft on D.

I think I hear what you’re saying, it was extremely frustrating watching that Qb run that predictable offense without Eastern being able to stop it. IMO, Eastern continuing to line up in the *wrong defense* was the real issue. What makes EB3 special is his ability to throw the ball (and decision-making) as well as his running ability.

The correct defensive response should have been to put eight in the box and DARE Idaho to throw the ball. Let’s see that kid sit in the pocket, under pressure, and throw the ball accurately! If he hurts us and pulls that off once or twice, back your Strong Safety up and run a two-high look with seven in the box; while telling your SS to play the run first! Idaho would sometimes have three wideouts and Eastern would respond with four or five DBs. It looked as if we gave the guy undue respect as a passer, and he taxed us all...day...long. Having said all that, Coach Best and the boys found a way to win! Now let’s go get a Spring 2021 National Championship! GoEags!

 

[EWU98]

Yes, Barriere should have run on that fourth down. However, simply comparing him to the running back that was playing QB for Idaho is wrong. That Idaho QB today went all in for one game. There is no way he can sustain that level of running attempts and stay healthy during a real season of football. It was one game and he played hard. However, Eric Barriere
is a real QB that does not take unnecessary risks and he wins games. Did Idaho win?

that's certainly fair, but I'm not asking for Barriere to run the ball 25 times or more each game. I'd settle for just the same way he attacked the field versus UC Davis... a couple of sprint-outs, a couple of zone reads, maybe an improv run or two. It just seems like there's games where he simply won't run the ball, even when it defies logic not to do so. The guy is a really good QB, but he's a really great QB when he chooses to be dynamic.

Also, just to be clear, we can comment on the offense all day, but with the exception of the first Idaho game, our offense has been winning the games. Yesterday, the problem was the defensive side. We played a team that ran a bare-bones Pop Warner offense, snap the ball to a QB, block the guy in front of you, and run wherever you see a gap. You could call it Football 101, but that would imply it was college level. This was like 1st grade level. And we couldn’t defend it. I don’t know what Idaho’s yards after contact looked like, but it felt like 50% of their yards were gained after contact. The linebackers, our strength, were poor on the whole yesterday. The DL was routinely beaten back. It just looked very soft on D.

I think I hear what you’re saying, it was extremely frustrating watching that Qb run that predictable offense without Eastern being able to stop it. IMO, Eastern continuing to line up in the *wrong defense* was the real issue. What makes EB3 special is his ability to throw the ball (and decision-making) as well as his running ability.

The correct defensive response should have been to put eight in the box and DARE Idaho to throw the ball. Let’s see that kid sit in the pocket, under pressure, and throw the ball accurately! If he hurts us and pulls that off once or twice, back your Strong Safety up and run a two-high look with seven in the box; while telling your SS to play the run first! Idaho would sometimes have three wideouts and Eastern would respond with four or five DBs. It looked as if we gave the guy undue respect as a passer, and he taxed us all...day...long. Having said all that, Coach Best and the boys found a way to win! Now let’s go get a Spring 2021 National Championship! GoEags!

Totally agree with putting 8 in the box, but with that being said do we have the depth to do that thought? Not sure with our current roster we would have been able to pull that off. What I also mean by this is the size of our DL and depth there.

 

[chicagoeag]

I didn't see the 4th qtr but it's apparent the recruiting has slid year year since 2018.

Oline and Dline were getting pushed around all day. Don't remember an off line that got pushed around like this since Baldwin became HC.

Recruiting can't be easy with all the current financial issues. Guessing every other team in the league is bringing that up in living rooms.

 

[EagerEagle]

I'm not sure what our depth looks like there. We are undersized at DL when it comes to stopping the power run. The loss of Keith Moore is huge there. What really hurt us is what should have been our position of strength, our LB's, have been devastated by the transfer portal and some injuries. Ojoh would have covered edge to edge and helped shut things down quickly. Our MLB's are big inside but Idaho was attacking the edges that made it tough for them to scrape to. Graham got dinged early Saturday and Warren hasn't played since week 1 I believe. That was supposed to be the strength of our D.

The transfer portal is killing teams in every sport. I saw today that we lost Ira Branch (CB) to the portal. I'm glad the kids are getting their shot to play at a different level, but it is slowly destroying smaller programs.

 

[EagerEagle]

Coach Maurice has left the program.... FBS coaching job per twitter.

 

[60s Savage]

Any intel on the injuries to the Eagles that left the Idaho game early? Also a couple questions on portal operation. When an Eagle enters the portal, is he out for the remainder of the season? Scholarship forfeited? Does such a player lose a year's eligibility for a whole season? I'm trying to understand why Ojoh would leave the Eagles to enter the portal, given the possible playing opportunities through spring playoffs? Seemed very sudden to me; disgruntled? Overall, I'm loving spring football. Wish I could be sitting there watching. Go Eags!