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Week 8, Homecoming: EWU @ Sac State

SDHornet

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Staff member
Ok so this game is a couple of weeks away and a much needed bye is on its way this weekend, but I’ve been dreading this game since the preseason. Anyone else want to share any early thoughts about this one? :?:

EWU started out 0-4 and the OL and LB’s took a complete beating at the hands of the injury bug. They have a converted TE starting at center and I think both starting guards are out. However, they have ripped off two consecutive wins against Weber State and NAU (most likely 3 straight after they rape UNC at The Pad this week) and their passing game looks to have found their stride. They lost their stud LB Johnson so they might have issues defending the run if Renard Williams has one of his lazy Albert Haynesworth-like performances. I was hoping EWU would have gone into full meltdown this season and the Hornets would catch them in a complete tailspin but that doesn’t look to be the case. The Hornets will be facing the most desperate team in the BSC (and probably the FCS) as one more loss puts these guys on the couch this offseason.
 
That's a pretty good analysis as always, SD.

Personally, I'm more confident about the game than I was before the season. We seem to have hit our stride and EWU is no longer the team that won the national championship last year. However, they've had their major injury hit and they seem to have weathered it pretty well.

I still think whoever decided that EWU is homecoming ought to be shot. That said, it seems to me that we have an excellent chance to win this game.
 
did the injuries come after the Washington game? EWU had them on the ropes. i believe they threw an endzone interception at the end of the game, where a TD would have won it. after that game, i thought they were back to their championship forum; after the following 3 losses, that opinion changed.

could be an interesting game in 2 weeks. nice to have a bye to rest and prepare (please, no digs on that last comment!!)
 
I think we have had the bye before playing EWU for the past 2 years and it did us no good then. Hopefully that changes this year.
 
Week 8: Eastern Washington @ Sac State

EWU’s playoff’s started 3 weeks ago after they opened the season 0-4. They have since won 3 straight and their passing attack is finally living up to its billing. EWU’s defense isn’t nearly as strong as a season ago but they are capable of getting some stops and playing well. The Hornets are going to have to play extremely well if they want a win in Hornet Stadium. A win by the Hornets will mathematically knock EWU out of the playoffs and they will not be able to defend their title.

Offense
The eagles run various looks on offense. They range from a double TE look to a 5 WR look. They typically don’t have more than 1 RB in the backfield. This offense is loaded with weapons and they can beat a team multiple ways. Their OL has been banged up and recently they have been using a converted TE as their C. Both starting guards were hurt but I think they might be getting their starting center back this week. EWU doesn’t have a great rushing attack because of their injury situation but they do have some quick and shift RB’s who are dangerous in space. EWU’s team stats and statistical leaders:
  • • Rushing attack: 72.1 ypg (7th BSC, 112th FCS)
    • Passing Attack: 342.4 ypg (1st BSC, 3rd FCS)
    • Mitchell, QB: 198 of 315 for 2,379 yards, 16 TD’s, 9 INT’s, 34 carries for -48 yards, 2 TD
    • Talley, RB: 94 carries for 350 yards, 2 TD’s, 18 recs for 103 yards
    • Edwards, WR: 53 recs for 650 yards, 7 TD’s
    • Herd, WR: 44 recs for 609 yards, 5 TD’s
    • Kaufman, WR: 29 recs for 373 yards, 1 TD
    • Clark, WR: 19 recs for 283 yards, 2 TD’s
    • OL: Allowed 18 sacks
    • Avg TOP: 29:38
In order for the Hornet defense to stop this potent EWU attack, the front 4 has to dominate the line of scrimmage but more importantly there needs to be an effective pass rush. BLM will pick the Hornet secondary apart when given the time so sitting back in a zone and not blitzing will be exactly what EWU wants. The Hornets needs to dial up a blitz on every play and the Hornets will need to keep BLM harassed and contained. He is not a speedy QB but he has great pocket presence and can make plays with his feet when needed. The Hornet defense will have their hands full this week.

Defense
EWU runs a 4-3 and they have a capable front 4. UNC was able to move the ball through the air so their secondary does appear to be vulnerable. LB Zach Johnson was lost for the year due to injury so they might have some issues against the run if the OL can handle the DL. This defense is far from dominate but they do have DT Renard Williams who is capable of controlling the interior when he is on his game and that will present some problems if the Hornets cannot keep him blocked. EWU has the second most sacks in the BSC so they know how to get after a QB. EWU’s defensive stats:
  • • Rushing allowed: 171.7 ypg (7th BSC, 82nd FCS)
    • Passing allowed: 203.0 ypg (5th BSC, 54th FCS)
    • Hamlin, LB: 55 tackles, 1.5 TFL’s
    • Johnson, SS: 52 tackles, 6.5 TFL’s, 1.5 sack, 2 INT’s
    • Lee, CB: 40 tackles, 0.5 TFL’s, 2 INT
    • Minnerly, FS: 36 tackles, 1.5 TFL’s, 1 INT
    • Johnson, LB: 30 tackles, 2.5 TFL’s, 1 sack
    • Agen, LB: 29 tackles, 1.5 TFL’s
    • Ena, DE: 28 tackles, 5 TFL’s, 1.5 sacks
    • Brown, DB: 25 tackles, 1 INT
    • Williams, DB: 23 tackles
    • Moetului, DT: 22 tackles, 2.5 TFL’s, 1.5 sack
    • Williams, DT: 17 tackles, 5 TFL’s, 2.5 sacks
    • Gaylord, DL: 17 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sack
    • McCarthy, LB: 18 tackles, 1.5 TFL’s
    • Day, DL: 11 tackles, 5 TFL’s, 3 sacks
    • Ceja, DL: 11 tackles, 5 TFL’s, 4.5 sacks
The Hornets will need to maintain a balanced attack to be successful this week. Fleming and the WR’s need to be on the same page if they want to be successful against the Eagle secondary. A good balance should keep the EWU defense on its heels and the Hornets should be able to move the ball. The OL will need to have a solid game in order for the Hornet offense to be successful.

Special Teams
EWU has a number of guys who have solid return numbers so the kick coverage is going to have their hands full. As always the opponent’s kickers will give them the advantage in the kicking game. EWU’s season stats:
  • • Jarrett, K: 12/14 FG’s, 20/20 PAT’s, FG long of 47 yards
    • Miller, P: 27 punts for 1,163 yards (43.1 ypp), 7 Inside 20, 2 TB’s, 4 FC’s
    • Clark, PR: 6 pr’s for 69 yards (11.5 ypr)
    • Herd, KR: 8 kr’s for 169 yards (21.1 ypr)
    • Brown, KR: 8 kr’s for 171 yards (21.4 ypr)
    • Kick Coverage: Allowed 34 returns for 744 yards (21.9 ypr)
    • Punt Coverage: Allowed 15 returns for 69 yards (4.6 ypr)
The Hornets cover teams will need to make sure they don’t allow any big returns. EWU has multiple players who can break a big one so the coverage teams will need to keep them contained.

Intangibles
  • • EWU has committed 48 penalties for 39 yards so far (57.0 ypg). That’s 3rd least in the BSC compared to Sac State’s 5th least.
    • EWU’s turnover margin is 0 (4th BSC) compared to the Hornets -3 (7th BSC) so the Hornets need to find a way to force some turnovers as well as take care of the ball on the other end.
    • EWU also has been pretty banged up so far. I think they’ll be getting their center back this week. WR Kaufman was also out the past few weeks, I’m not sure if he will be back or not but EWU has plenty of size and depth at the WR position. Stud LB Zach Johnson was lost for the season earlier in the year.

Hornetsports preview
Not yet released.

The Hornets need to have a great game if they want to win this. The pressure will be on the Hornet defense to find a way to slow down EWU. The Hornets will lose if this game turns into a shootout. The offense is going to need to move the ball effectively both through the air and on the ground and eat up clock to keep BLM on the sidelines. The Hornets finally get another game at home which is sure to be a great welcome to the players and fans. Finally, this is Homecoming week so the Hornets need to put on a good show, especially since I’ll be making the trip up to Sac to watch this one.

Go Hornets!
 
EWU is really hard to figure. they had a chance to beat a pretty good Washington team, then lay an egg at South Dakota (who seems to be pretty good, but, not great). they beat UNC yesterday by 21, but it was only 27-20 late in the 3rd and the Bears had 400 yards of passing offense. if they can run like they did yesterday (108 yards), they are gonna be a handful. I'll take the home team in this one, but i think its gonna be a high-scoring, close game.
 
Two things, Dr Mike.

1. Injuries, injuries, injuries. That will ruin ANYONE's season. But they've persevered and still have a mathematical chance to make the playoffs.

2. Passing yards are often a skewed metric, even in this pass-happy era. If one is forced into passing early (and therefore is unable to establish a running game), the defense can tee off on the QB, relying on a bend-but-don't-break philosophy. The actual score is more important than that. I'm more interested in what UNC did on third down, short yardage, in the red zone, and in the black zone, and how well those things worked against the EWU defense. Those things will show me the things that worked and the things that didn't. These things I can apply to Sac's game plan for Homecoming.
 
thanks for the points, SH. none of their victories look too impressive from a stat point of view (i know, i know...stats....i discount somewhere between 75-80% of all stats, at least 50% of the time!). they haven't had much success running the ball, which might be due to the injuries mentioned above. i thought they would have more success on the ground this year, based on the success they had in the championship game with their backup. they do seem to be able to stop the run.

turnovers hurt them vs. South Dakota and Montana; that could be a key.
 
I can't see us losing this game. I really can't. With two weeks to prepare and heal up, there's no reason we shouldn't come out on Homecoming, put up 40 points and win 45-35.
 
I can see us losing this game, and I can see is losing this game big if the Hornets go into sleepwalk mode. (I don't think we will.)The defense needs to step up in this one. A must win if this program wants to see the post season. Plus a win here eliminates a competitor for a possible at-large berth. We absolutely need this win.
 
SDHornet said:
I can see us losing this game, and I can see is losing this game big if the Hornets go into sleepwalk mode. (I don't think we will.)The defense needs to step up in this one. A must win if this program wants to see the post season. Plus a win here eliminates a competitor for a possible at-large berth. We absolutely need this win.

This
 
SacHornet said:
i know ewu has had a lot of injuries this season, but do we know what the status is of those injured players?

From EWU's press release:

Nine starters already have suffered injuries that have kept them out of the lineup – including six players lost for the season. In fact, only one offensive lineman – senior tackle Gabriel Jackson – has started all seven Eastern games, as a total of nine players have started this season along the offensive line.

“It’s guys stepping up and good practice habits,” explained Baldwin of his team in general overcoming adversity this season. “It’s younger guys stepping into roles, and if someone’s down, they’re ready to go. They prepared like that even before the injuries happened. Weeks and months ago they prepared to be ready in case their number was called, and you see when they are called they’re ready to step up.”

Total of 17 Eagles Make Starting Debuts in 2011

Six Eagles made the first starts of their careers versus Washington on Sept. 3, including just two on offense and four on defense. Since then, another 11 have made their starting debuts in the 2011 season.

On offense, sophomore Ashton Miller started at right guard versus the Huskies, but his debut had a horrible finish. As he was helping Eastern toward a convincing 504-250 advantage in total offense, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon that will sideline him for the rest of the season. He is from Vancouver, Wash., and graduated from Evergreen High School in 2009.

The other starting debut on offense was by offensive tackle Caleb Worthington, who was an injury replacement for injured starter Will Post. Worthington is a sophomore from Boise, Idaho, and graduated from Mountain View High School in 2007. All other offensive players had made at least one start in their careers.

On defense, a pair of senior cornerbacks made their starting debuts – Jeremy Chaten and Alden Gibbs. Chaten is a 2007 graduate of Seattle’s Franklin High School, and Gibbs is a former Eastern basketball player in just his second season of collegiate football. He is from Brooklyn, N.Y.

Senior Charles Moetului started at defensive tackle in his first start in the 30th collegiate game of his career. Senior Bobby Gentry played in his 36th career game, and made the first start of his career at weak-side outside linebacker. Moetului is a 2007 graduate of Mount Si High School and is from North Bend, Wash., while Gentry is a 2007 graduate of Seattle’s Kennedy HS. Eastern’s strong-side linebacker position was manned by junior Grant Williams, who started once before as a fullback in 2009 but made his first start on defense versus UW. He is a 2008 graduate of Rogers High School in Puyallup, Wash.

Against South Dakota on Sept. 10, cornerback T.J. Lee and offensive guard Jase Butorac made their first career starts. Lee is a 2009 graduate of West Seattle High School. Butorac and defensive linemen Evan Day are both 2010 graduates of Skyline High School in Sammamish. Day had his first career sack and forced fumble versus the Huskies, and had another sack the following week versus South Dakota.

Washington transfer Demitrius Bronson made his Eagle debut on Sept. 3 against Washington after playing previously for the Huskies. The 2008 graduate of Kentwood High School in Kent, Wash., made the first start of his career at Montana on Sept. 17. Also making his starting debut against the Grizzlies was sophomore linebacker Ronnie Hamlin, a 2009 graduate of Timberline High School in Lacey, Wash. After missing his redshirt freshman season with a knee injury, Hamlin had a team-leading eight tackles in his collegiate debut versus the Huskies, four against South Dakota and seven in his starting debut at Montana.

Because of injuries, Drew Reynolds received his first career start against Montana State on Sept. 24. He is a 2009 graduate of Foss High School in Tacoma, Wash., and his older brother, Levi, lettered as a senior for the Eagles in 2010. True freshman running back Jordan Talley rushed for 114 yards against Montana on Sept. 17, and a week later received his first career start versus MSU. A 2011 graduate of Jesuit High School in Portland, Ore., Talley rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns in his starting debut.

The most unlikely starting debut occurred on Oct. 1 against Weber State when converted tight end Patrick Mealey received his first career start – at center. When All-America starter Chris Powers was sidelined with a knee injury against MSU, Mealey was inserted into the lineup because all three of the backups for Powers were also sidelined with injuries and lost for the season. Mealey is a 2008 graduate of Central Valley High School in Spokane, Wash. He redshirted at Idaho in 2008, played seven games for the Vandals in 2009 and then lettered as a reserve tight end for the Eagles in 2010.

Also making the first start of his career versus Weber State was sophomore linebacker J.C. Agen, a 2009 graduate of Central Valley High School in Spokane, Wash. He had a career-high eight tackles versus the Wildcats.

In Eastern’s game Oct. 8 at Northern Arizona, true freshman Cody McCarthy made the first start of his career. The 2011 graduate of Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, Idaho, had four tackles in his starting debut, a week after having a season-high seven against Weber State. Versus NAU, sophomore wide receiver Ashton Clark received his first start as an Eagle. The 2009 graduate of Heritage High School in Vancouver, Wash., finished the game with three catches for 76 yards and a TD. Versus Northern Colorado, Daniel Johnson from San Jose, Calif., received his first career start as EWU started in a four receiver set.

Washington State transfer Jake Miller and Boise State transfer Jimmy Pavel saw their first action as Eastern’s punter and kickoff specialist, respectively, in Eastern’s opener against Washington.

http://goeags.com/sports/m-footbl/2011-12/Releases/11fbOct17SAC
 
i wonder how much of this is due to their LONG season last year. 15 games is alot of games for a FCS team.
 
Kadeezy said:
SD, you're famous! SSS.com responded to your link with a little linkage love back!
This is a huge step towards my plan for global domination. :-P

Kudos to Trip S for taking notice. :thumb:

Also my predictions for this game:
28-17 Hornets win with 10,681 in attendance.
 
:nod:
SDHornet said:
Kadeezy said:
SD, you're famous! SSS.com responded to your link with a little linkage love back!
This is a huge step towards my plan for global domination. :-P

Kudos to Trip S for taking notice. :thumb:

Also my predictions for this game:
28-17 Hornets win with 10,681 in attendance.
 

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