Eastern tries to keep focus
Paul Wulff is trying to convince his 23rd-ranked Eastern Washington football team that today’s game is just another game.
It would be … if the opponent weren’t the Montana Grizzlies; if about 11,000 fans weren’t expected; if both teams weren’t ranked; and if the lead in the Big Sky Conference weren’t at stake.
That’s just too many “ifs” to call today’s 2 p.m. game at Woodward Stadium, which has temporary bleachers to push its capacity to 11,106, just another game.
“Like I’ve told the kids, it’s just another game,” Wulff said.
“They have to stay focused on the task at hand, stay focused on our goals, stay focused on why we’re in this position today and how we got there. That’s what we’ve got to continue to do. Nothing changes.”
The big prize is the upper hand in the conference with the fifth-ranked Grizzlies coming in at 5-1, 2-0 Big Sky, and the Eagles, riding a four-game winning streak, 4-2, 3-0.
“Sure, this is a big game, but it’s not going to be played any different than any other game,” Wulff insisted. “We have to continue to focus on Eastern Washington University and execute and play our brand of football. We have to be who we are. It’s about us, not the team we are playing.”
True, except that almost every time the Grizzly game rolls around, there is a reason that this is the game of games in the eyes of Eastern, which doesn’t have a rival like Montana has in Montana State. Unlike MSU, which ended a 16-game losing streak to their rivals just two years ago, the Eagles have defeated UM five times since 1990.
In addition, Eastern is the only team in the last nine years to win a league championship without having to share it with the Grizzlies. This is also the fifth time in nine years both teams have been ranked, and it was two years ago Montana came in ranked No. 1, riding a I-AA record-tying, 24-game winning streak, only to lose 40-31 before more than 17,000 fans at Albi Stadium.
To concentrate on the task at hand and ignore the hype, Wulff said, “We try to ignore you.”
Besides, there are plenty of on-the-field reasons to worry.
“I see a good overall team,” Wulff said, starting on his litany of concerns about the Grizzlies. “I see a team that’s very explosive on special teams. Levander Segars on punts and kickoff returns has the ability to score points if you have the slightest slip up on coverage.
“I see a defense that plays very hard, is very good against the run and gives up a lot of yards through the air. Part of that is playing teams that primarily pass … and some of the yards were put up when they were already ahead. Numbers a lot of times aren’t accurate.
“I see an offense that is the most balanced I’ve seen a Montana team. They run and throw the ball equally well. That makes them a dangerous team.”
Segars has returned 123 punts, tying the I-AA record for returns and his 1,324 return yards are 125 short of the record.
The Eagles counter with school-record holder Eric Kimble, who leads the league in punt returns with an average of 18.8 yards.
The Grizzlies are last in I-AA in passing yards allowed (332.2) but lead the league in run defense (117.2). It’s the third consecutive week the Eagles have faced the No. 1 run defense in the Big Sky.
Still, this defense has given the Grizzlies a plus-10 turnover differential, including nine interceptions, four by Kevin Edwards, a junior from Lewis and Clark High who has been limited by injuries the last couple of games.
Senior tackles Blake Horgan and Jonny Varona anchor the defense that leads the league in sacks with 16.
“They do a good job mixing things up, giving you different looks. They make it hard on you offensively,” Wulff said. “It will be a huge challenge for our offense. They took it to us last year and they have the ability to do it again.”
The Grizzlies held the Eagles to a season-low 168 yards in a 41-10 whipping in Missoula last year.
This EWU offense is also more balanced, leading the league in total offense (459.3 yards) behind quarterback Erik Meyer, running back Darius Washington and Kimble, a wide receiver. All are league leaders and Big Sky offensive players of the week.
Meyer, who is completing 71 percent of his passes with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions, is second in the nation in passing efficiency at 187.1. Washington is averaging 112.5 of EWU’s 190.7 yards on the ground and Kimble hauls in passes for 115.2 of the 268.7 the Eagles average.
“After they kicked our butts last year, we want to return the favor,” Meyer said. “It’s going to be a battle out there.”
After handling the balanced offense of 16th-ranked Northern Arizona last week, the EWU defense faces another daunting task.
“They’re more physical in their offensive line,” Wulff said. “Their running backs are more physical so they present a different challenge in the running game than Northern Arizona. They have more experience at the wide receiver position than NAU and good speed. … Their key senior players are at the skill position. They’re a damn good offense.”
The Griz are tied with Eastern in passing yards. Quarterback Craig Ochs, 12th in the nation in passing efficiency at 150.8, completes 65 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. His favorite target is Jefferson Heidelberger, who has 37 catches for 574 yards and five touchdowns.
Montana also uses three different running backs to produce the third-best attack in the league. It’s the same trio that pounded the Eagles for 356 yards last year.
Bad call went against Grizzlies
A call against the Montana Grizzlies in their 24-22 football victory over Idaho State was in error, Big Sky Conference Commissioner Doug Fullerton said.
A block in the back call on Montana’s Jefferson Heidelberger during a punt last Saturday was a mistake, Fullerton said. There was a block in the back, but it was by an Idaho State player.