SE Missouri State @ Eastern Washington

[kalm]

So SE Missouri State fans didn't have a place to go. so I worked with Boomerang (on here) to build one. http://www.semofans.com not much there now. But I'm sure there will be in no time.

Looks great Seth! Mighty nice of you to help in getting that set up. I'll see you at the tailgate.

It's the Eagle way what time is everyone planning on tailgating? I'll probably be in the RV section by 730am or so. Little known fact, cars can buy rv spots...they're more expensive, but it's a guaranteed tailgate spot

I'll probably head up there around 10ish.

Bring you camera. We need some pics posted.

 

[EdubAlum]

So SE Missouri State fans didn't have a place to go. so I worked with Boomerang (on here) to build one. http://www.semofans.com not much there now. But I'm sure there will be in no time.

Looks great Seth! Mighty nice of you to help in getting that set up. I'll see you at the tailgate.

It's the Eagle way what time is everyone planning on tailgating? I'll probably be in the RV section by 730am or so. Little known fact, cars can buy rv spots...they're more expensive, but it's a guaranteed tailgate spot

I'll probably head up there around 10ish.

Bring you camera. We need some pics posted.

Kalm, I'll bring my SLR....I have some not very good sideline pics from the montana game (They let me onto the turf! mwhahahahaha!)

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I'll see what I can do.

What do you have for an SLR, Seth?

 

[FrontFive4Life]

I'll be up there around 8 or so to make sure I claim a spot! Can't wait!

 

[EdubAlum]

I'll see what I can do.

What do you have for an SLR, Seth?

just a Canon Rebel XS with the kit lens, I'll probably buy a telephoto lens prior to my Easter Island trip in April. Can you tell I'm excited about that?

 

[EdubAlum]

two stories i found

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1684483.html

http://www.semissourian.com/story/1684861.html

 

[EdubAlum]

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/news/news.aspx?id=4361002

Playoff preview: SE Missouri State at Eastern Washington
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) -

FCS SECOND ROUND: (9) SE MISSOURI STATE AT (1) EASTERN WASHINGTON

Kickoff: 4:05 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4

Facts & Figures: Site: Roos Field (8,600) -- Cheney, Washington. Surface: Red Sprinturf. Television: None. Home Record: SE Missouri State 5-0; Eastern Washington 5-0. Away Record: SE Missouri State 4-2; Eastern Washington 3-2. Neutral Record: SE Missouri State 0-0; Eastern Washington 1-0. Series Record: First meeting. Conference: SE Missouri State - Ohio Valley; Eastern Washington - Big Sky. Nicknames: SE Missouri State Redhawks; Eastern Washington Eagles. Sports Network/Fathead.com Ranking: SE Missouri State (9); Eastern Washington (1). Head Coaches: SE Missouri State - Tony Samuel (22-34 at SE Missouri State and 56-91 Overall); Eastern Washington - Beau Baldwin (23-11 at Eastern Washington and 33-14 Overall). All-Time Record: SE Missouri State (427-474-36); Eastern Washington (472-391-23). Playoff Records: SE Missouri State (0-0); Eastern Washington (5-7). Previous FCS Playoff Appearances: SE Missouri State 0; Eastern Washington 7 (1985, 92, 97, 2004-05, 07, 09).

What to know: Southeast Missouri State will make its first-ever NCAA playoff appearance this Saturday. It is not a stretch to say the trip is unexpected, as the Redhawks are just one season removed from a 2-9 campaign. This year they inverted that total, tying a school record with nine wins and capturing the OVC title for the first time in their history.

The Redhawks' two losses this season book-ended a run of nine consecutive wins. Essential to their success is running back Henry Harris, whose 147.9 rushing yards per game are the second-most in the nation. Harris spearheads a run-heavy option attack, as the Redhawks rank No. 3 in the nation with 271.09 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Matt Scheible, who also totes the rock with proficiency, averages 75.7 rushing yards per game and has scored seven touchdowns on the ground. He has also thrown for eight scores against only one interception, although he averages only 107.0 passing yards per game.

Yes, the Redhawks are a smash-mouth football team and they have had two weeks off to prepare for their first-ever playoff game. They will take their longest road trip of the season this Saturday when they face Eastern Washington on the oddly-adorned red Sprinturf of Roos Field.

The Eastern Washington Eagles are the No. 1 team in the nation and are in the midst of a seven-game winning streak. They locked up a share of the Big Sky title with a 34-7 win over Idaho State on Nov. 20 and boast one of the most dynamic players in the league in running back Taiwan Jones, who trails closely behind Harris in rushing yards per game with 134.4 (No. 4 FCS). It is difficult to do Jones justice on paper. He has speed to burn, is elusive in the open field and also is a gifted receiver (15.4 yards per reception). In short, he is a true home run threat.

Delivering the ball to Jones is SMU transfer Bo Levi Mitchell (234.8 passing ypg, 25 TD), who has the ability to make all of the necessary throws. Mitchell's primary target is receiver Brandon Kaufman (83.8 receiving ypg, 12 TD).

The Eagles' defense is anchored by J.C. Sherritt (125 TT), arguably the best linebacker in the FCS, but the unit does have its holes. The Eagles hold opponents to 125.0 rushing yards per game (No. 27 FCS), but allow a troubling 279.7 passing yards per game (No. 116 FCS). Needless to say, the Eagles are involved in a good number of shootouts and so far, the offense has been able to bail the defense out.

That being said, the Eagles' defensive deficiencies should actually be masked by the Redhawks' run-heavy option attack. Throw in the fact that the Redhawks will be making their first appearance on the disorienting red Sprinturf of Roos Field (where the Eagles are 5-0 this season), and it appears as if this one plays into EWU's hands.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Eastern Washington 45, SE Missouri State 28

12/02 18:00:03 ET

 

[LDopaPDX]

This game worries me a little bit because we haven't faced a true option team all year. You don't know how our D will react.

That said, we haven't really been in any shootouts this season, so I'm not sure why the article says that. If anything, our defense has been bailing our offense out, not the other way around. Only Nevada, a legit top 15 team in the FBS, was able to really put it over on our D.

 

[clawman1]

Getting anxious
http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/customcounter.html?month=12&day=04&year=2010&hour=13&min=05&sec=&p0=234

 

[clawman1]

"Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Eastern Washington 45, SE Missouri State 28"

I don't see this being this high of a scoring game. The Eagles have scored enough to win in several cases but not generally big leads. We didn't even score 40 points against ISU. Given, Beau was showing mercy to his mentor.
My guess would be more like Eagles 28 and Redhawks 14-17. I think our defense is fast enough to string out plays around the ends, and really disrupt their option. There is no doubt our LB'ers and D-line can stop things in the middle. If they try to pass it will be a feast for Jolly and Renard.
In my opinion key in the game will Beau Levi Mitchells short to mid passing game. If he plays smart and does not try to force things we will move the ball.
Go Eags!!

 

[EWURanger]

"Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Eastern Washington 45, SE Missouri State 28"

I don't see this being this high of a scoring game. The Eagles have scored enough to win in several cases but not generally big leads. We didn't even score 40 points against ISU. Given, Beau was showing mercy to his mentor.
My guess would be more like Eagles 28 and Redhawks 14-17. I think our defense is fast enough to string out plays around the ends, and really disrupt their option. There is no doubt our LB'ers and D-line can stop things in the middle. If they try to pass it will be a feast for Jolly and Renard.
In my opinion key in the game will Beau Levi Mitchells short to mid passing game. If he plays smart and does not try to force things we will move the ball.
Go Eags!!

I agree, I don't think there will be that many points scored in this game.

I think the key to beating an option-based running team like SEMO will be jumping on them early. Get some big plays early on offense, get them down early. Force them to play catch up and thus, try to pass on us. No, our passing defense definitely isn't the strongest part of our defense, but we have seen what can happen when we shut down the run and force teams that aren't used to passing a lot to try to do that to beat us. I also think our lb's and ends are fast enough to make plays on the periphery. SEMO will get their yards, but I think our defense is good enough to slow them down. I also think our offense is playing well enough in both the passing and running game to keep them off balance defensively.

It's gunna be a good one - I definitely don't see a blow-out either way. SEMO is a very good team and this is the playoffs so they aren't here for no reason. I think we can be assured we ain't taking these guys lightly.

 

[eaglesfootball]

keys for an eagle victory on Saturday will be:

1) As mentioned above the Eags need to come out out fast and with a vengiance. Take advantage of playing on the inferno and use past playoffs experience and ability to win the close ones. SEMO has not played in a live game in 3 weeks and hasn't ever played in the post season.

2) Limit Harris as much as possible and shut down the Redhawks running game. Limit their yards on first and second down and force them into long yardage situations on 3rd.

3) Continue to win the turnover margin. Force a fumble or two, chances are the defense won't get any picks so we will need to try and strip or knock the ball out of Harris hands as much as possible. The offense must take care of the ball. BLM must play within himself and not force anything that isnt there.

4) Win the special teams battle. So far SEMO's kick coverage has allowed 4 kickoff returns. Hoffman has two kick returns for touchdowns.

 

[bkafflen]

I thought I'd post something for the SEMO fans to stir up some discussion here....

After watching some youtube snippets of Henry Harris and rewatching the SEMO v. UT Martin webcast from KFVS12's website, I'm getting an idea of an extremely disciplined, senior-laden team that shouts "Upset!" to me over the higher-ranked Eastern Eagles. This team scares me personally. I think the lack of penalties and strong senior presence on both sides of the ball, along with the option-style of offense that EWU hasn't seen for a LONG time presents some HUGE difficulties for our Eags. This game is much more of a 50-50 matchup to me.

That being said, I'd love to hear from you SEMO-watchers, current students or alums what to expect from your team on Saturday. Will I see a gambling defense that relies on athleticism? Do you have a fast-flowing, rally to the ball or a larger, stout, slower defense? Do you mix the pass in with your tall 6-6 receiver Ahamefule at times? Is he a burner? Do you throw the long routes to keep the team's honest? How does your offense respond to an obvious tactic like putting 8-10 guys on the line to stack the box against Harris and Scheible?

Do you play well on special teams? Kicker's abilities? Have you given up many big plays on ST?

THANK YOU! and GO EAGS!!

-Brandon-
Spokane, WA

 

[semo_boomerang]

Our Special Teams play is very much our biggest weakness. Our Kicker is, to put it nicely, not good. On top of that, he's regressed as the year goes by. He misses FG's from inside 40 yards with regularity, and lately he's been a huge question mark even on PAT's. Not good. Kickoffs are not exactly his strong suit either. We're decent on return coverage, but he just gets no distance so the returners are getting the ball at the 15-yrd line and then going from there. When we try to pooch kick, the results are usually even worse. You may not break one against us, but you''ll probably get solid field position.

Kick return game is spotty as our star RB is also our primary KR guy. Early in the year, teams were kicking it to him, and he killed them for it. But as the season went on, teams kicked it away from him, and the other return guy is just average. Kick it to H2, and you may have trouble, keep it away from him, and we probably won't do much with it.

Punter is average to below average. Nothing special. Punt return game is average also. H2 doesn't return punts, one of our starting CB's is the punt returner and he has good hands and hangs onto the ball, but he hasn't broke anything all year either.

Special teams is by far our weakest link.

 

[bkafflen]

Interesting. I wouldn't say ours has been great either. I'm not a fan of our kicker and our punt returns haven't been great at #7 in the BSC. We do have Taiwan as our KR and we did pretty well this year on that.

I still worry about our defense getting to your QB to force pressure and our d-line staying at home against the read-option offense. Your o-line is SO good it's scary...

Brandon

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Their defense will have a real hard time at first with TJ... you can't prepare for that kind of speed. A couple guys always take a bad angle and get beat in a footrace down the sideline. Which of course opens up the short passing game, which is our bread and butter.

EWU 35
SEMO 20

 

[EdubAlum]

just got into cheney......i forgot how much i don't miss the winters here

 

[bkafflen]

Their defense will have a real hard time at first with TJ... you can't prepare for that kind of speed. A couple guys always take a bad angle and get beat in a footrace down the sideline. Which of course opens up the short passing game, which is our bread and butter.

EWU 35
SEMO 20

I hope your score prediction is right. Mine is 28-24 EWU.

 

[bkafflen]

just got into cheney......i forgot how much i don't miss the winters here

Did you drive or fly?

 

[catfan92]

GO EAGS! As a CWU Wildcat fan, it's REALLY tough for me to root for teams who have shut us down. However, when MY team ISN'T playin the Eastern Eagles, or the COUGS, I root for 'em! Number ONE in the nation?!?!?!?! Go get 'em, boys, and make the state proud!

GO EAGS!