Bears may turn to Greeley native
Not that Eastern Washington knew a lot about Big Sky Conference newcomer Northern Colorado before, but preparations for the first meeting in more than 20 years could be tougher.
It appears the struggling Bears (1-5, 0-2) are switching quarterbacks for Saturday’s game in Greeley (kickoff 12:35 p.m., KSKN 22 TV).
Greeley native Brian Wiedman, a redshirt freshman, could get his first start after leading UNC to two scoring drives in a 41-13 loss to Idaho State.
“One thing that was apparent is that he played fast, and I wanted somebody at quarterback to play fast,” first-year coach Scott Downing told The Greeley Tribune. “He was in and out of the huddle, running in and out and doing things. The other players fed off of his enthusiasm, and he was having fun out there. I appreciate that.”
With matching 1-5 records, the Bears and Eagles are in similar situations.
“I’m disappointed,” Downing said. “We’ve made a lot of progress, but I think as a team we need to grow up and take accountability for what we do on the field. We need to take accountability on how we prepare.
“When a player has a chance to make a play, they need to step up and make a play. Players make plays. Coaches coach. We need more of that. I don’t think we’ve yet been beaten in a game by a scheme, and we’ve faced some good offenses and defenses. Our coaches have exhibited the fact that we run a sound offense and defense.”
More QB shuffles
Hawaii transfer Jack Rolovich should get his first start at quarterback for Montana State because Cory Carpenter sprained an ankle at the end of the third quarter of a 14-0 win over visiting Portland State.
Rolovich engineered the game-clinching drive against the Vikings.
MSU, 2-0 on the road and 0-3 at home, spent Friday night 24 miles away in Livingston.
Meanwhile, PSU continues to have issues at quarterback.
Starter Sawyer Smith, who was injured last month at California, returned and couldn’t get anything going. He was pulled in the third quarter after hitting just 8 of 18 for 39 yards with two interceptions.
Brian White, the recent arrival from Colorado who did a nice job rallying the Vikings against Montana, fared no better under horrible weather conditions in Bozeman, hitting 2 of 7 for 34 yards.
Quick kicks
Eastern Washington and Northern Colorado have met three times. The Eagles won big in 1979 and ‘84, and lost in Greeley in 1981. … Sacramento State last won two consecutive conference games in 2000. … Northern Arizona has lost eight consecutive games to Montana. … Weber State has this week’s bye. … The 94-yard punt return for a touchdown by Tuff Harris set a Montana record and tied the Big Sky Conference record. … Idaho State’s Pago Togafau leads the nation in tackles per game with an average of 12.8.