EWU @ SUU Game Thread

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Should be a high scoring affair, but as long as we don't turn the ball over more than 2 or 3 times, we should come away with a win. I think Jones is going to have 160+ on the ground, and who knows how many more through the air. Looking forward to a great game! Go Eagles!

[dbackjon]

Agree. Should be high scoring

[AZGrizFan]

I hate to say this, but I think there's a chance SUU pulls off the upset here.

[GOKATS]

I hate to say this, but I think there's a chance SUU pulls off the upset here.

Me too.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

EWU should win, but SUU could win, that is for sure.

[LastMinuteman]

Southern Utah may be 4-5, but they're 4-0 at home this season. In fact, nobody has stayed closer than 3 TDs to them at home, including Texas State and UC Davis. They're definitely a threat to win this if they can maintain that level of performance.

[SUUTbird]

If SUU plays like they usually do at home (and dont have a nightmare performance like we had in Vermillion) i think we have got this game. Our Defense is going to be looking to make a statement after letting the Coyotes run all over us and if we keep the turnovers to a minimum or none at all i think we have a very very good shot this week

[EWURanger]

Yep, SUU looks like they're going to be a hard nut to crack, especially with the way that they've played at home. Good news is that we've had a bye week to prepare, and we have actually played considerably better on the road this year. I honestly don't think the home-field advantage for SUU will come into play as some on this board hope it will. Traditionally, Eastern has gone on the road to play some very tough teams, and has either beaten them, or taken them down to the wire.........(see Montana, Southern Illinois, McNeese, Ap State).

It will come down to turn-overs, and how many big plays each defense gives up. I am sure that SUU will be well-prepared and ready to prove something against a Big Sky school, especially after the NAU loss earlier this year.

Believe me, no one is taking this game lightly - but in the end, we'll put out the "w".

[EWURanger]

I hate to say this, but I think there's a chance SUU pulls off the upset here.

Me too.

And Sac has just an equal chance to beat MSU. Believe that.

[SouthDakotaGrizzly]

Me too.

And Sac has just an equal chance to beat MSU. Believe that.

I'll second that, but I think the snow in Bozo may work in the Cats' favor.

As for SUU-EWU, I say EWU. Their playoffs have already started.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

And Sac has just an equal chance to beat MSU. Believe that.

I'll second that, but I think the snow in Bozo may work in the Cats' favor.

As for SUU-EWU, I say EWU. Their playoffs have already started.

We get two Wild-Card rounds: this week and next week.

[BlackFalkin]

Eastern plays GREAT IN BIG GAMES & ON THE ROAD, 45-21 Eastern... Thats the way we roll.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

No. 18 Eastern Washington (6-3) at Southern Utah (4-5), 3 p.m.

Eastern Washington look to keep its playoff hopes alive, while Southern Utah hopes to steal a win to hang on to thoughts of its first winning season at the FCS level.

Southern Utah finished 4-7 last season and 0-11 two seasons ago. Two of the Thunderbirds wins this season were against Division-II schools, but they have beaten UC Davis and North Dakota.

South Dakota handed Southern Utah a 45-21 loss last weekend, in a game in which the Thunderbirds' offense was outgained 569-325.

Quarterback Cade Cooper (2,370 yards passing, 25 TDs) might be the Great West Conference offensive player of the year this season and threw for 288 yards and three scores against USD. However, the senior tossed a career-high four picks.

The wide receiving corps has also been outstanding this season with Tysson Poots (60 catches, 13.1 average, 10 TDs) and Fesi Sitake (60 catches, 10.4 average, seven TDs) playing well for Southern Utah's 23rd-ranked offense.

Austin Minefee (462 yards rushing, 5.3 average) paces the Thunderbirds' rushing attack, but hasn't rushed for more than 44 yards in his last four games.

The Southern Utah defense ranks 110th in FCS and has surrendered 80 points in the past two games. Linebacker Robert Takeno (75 tackles) is a key performer for this struggling unit.

Eastern Washington has tried to claw back into the league race with two straight wins, including a 47-10 win over Portland State two weeks ago. The Eagles are two games behind Montana in the conference standings.

EWU's ninth-ranked offense put up 545 yards against the Vikings, with Payton Award nominee Matt Nichols (2,581 yards passing, 21 TDs, five interceptions) throwing for a season-high 413 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Wide receiver Tony Davis (52 catches, 11.4 average) caught his first touchdown of the season in the game and finished with 112 yards receiving on just three catches.

Running back Taiwan Jones (903 yards rushing, 7.7 average, 12 TDs) picked up two more scores against PSU, but hasn't eclipsed 100 yards on the ground in three of this last four games.

EWU's defense played well against the Vikings, allowing just 278 yards. However, the unit has had trouble stopping the top offenses in the league.

The defense features Buchanan Award nominee J.C. Sherritt (126 tackles, 10 tackles for loss) at linebacker, who ranks first nationally in tackles, strong safety Matt Johnson (77 tackles, six interceptions) and defensive tackle Renard Williams (10.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks).

These two squads have never met, but Eastern Washington's experience should lead to the win in this one.

EASTERN WASHINGTON 35, SOUTHERN UTAH 17

I like TSN's pick, but Kahn does just a poor job of researching facts as Coulson. SUU only played 1 D-II this year, Dixie State. Perhaps Kahn thinks Texas State is a D-II?

Also, EWU and SUU have played 3 other times. "The Series: Saturday’s game will mark the fourth meeting between the two schools on the football field. The Thunderbirds won the first meeting, a 43-21 victory in Cedar City in 1998, but the Eagles have won the last two, a 49-14 win in Cedar City in 2002, and a 49-21 win in Cheney, Wash. in 2003."

[BlackFalkin]

Ill bet an Official Eastern Washington Football tshirt that EWU wins this game. Anybody got the testicular fortitude to accept

[SUUTbird]

Eastern plays GREAT IN BIG GAMES & ON THE ROAD, 45-21 Eastern... Thats the way we roll.

You are seeming to forget however we play amazing at home so i doubt it will be that big of a blowout . Im going to go with 49-45 SUU

[BlackFalkin]

Ill bet an Official Eastern Washington Football tshirt that EWU wins this game. Anybody got the testicular fortitude to accept

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Game time is 12 Pacific, 1 p.m. Mountain. As far as I know there's no TV or internet feed, only radio which can be found at http://www.suu.edu/hss/comm/ksuu/webcast.html.

[EWURanger]

Game time is 12 Pacific, 1 p.m. Mountain. As far as I know there's no TV or internet feed, only radio which can be found at http://www.suu.edu/hss/comm/ksuu/webcast.html.

What is up with that? Why is there no BSTV feed or EWU audio.....because of the BB game?

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Game time is 12 Pacific, 1 p.m. Mountain. As far as I know there's no TV or internet feed, only radio which can be found at http://www.suu.edu/hss/comm/ksuu/webcast.html.

What is up with that? Why is there no BSTV feed or EWU audio.....because of the BB game?

Because it's OOC and not a home game for us.

[EWURanger]

We usually have audio at all games, regardless of if they are home or away.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

TD Pass to Nate Overbay. PAT Good.

EWU 7, SUU 0

[Screamin_Eagle174]

We usually have audio at all games, regardless of if they are home or away.

The SUU link won't even load. 1510am Spokane is carrying the game.

[EWURanger]

We usually have audio at all games, regardless of if they are home or away.

The SUU link won't even load. 1510am Spokane is carrying the game.

WTF!? I have been waiting all week to listen to this game - and I'm not in the Spokane area, so I can't get 1510.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

EWU forces a 3 and out.

EWU ball at own 20.
Jones stuffed on 1st.
Pass complete to Edwards, 11 yard gain and 1st down EAGLES

[EWURanger]

TD Pass to Nate Overbay. PAT Good.

EWU 7, SUU 0

Was that the opening drive of the game?