#11 EWU @ UNC

[Screamin_Eagle174]

UNC 2-4 (1-3 BSC) vs. #11 EWU 4-2 (3-1 BSC)

Saturday, October 16 • 12:35 p.m. Pacific
Nottingham Field (8,500/Grass) • Greeley, Colo.

TV: Televised regionally by Altitude Sports and Entertainment and Comcast Sports Net
Online Radio: http://www.espnnorthwest.com/patchin-wingmen/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Online Video: http://b2tv.com/upcoming_events.asp?q=v&value=bigsky" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Series Record: EWU leads 6-1
Last Meeting: EWU won 16-0 in Cheney in 2009.

The Eagles are coming off a 21-14 victory over Northern Arizona, giving them a 4-2 record overall and 3-1 league mark. The Eagles are ranked 12th in this week's Sports Network/Fathead.com top 25 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision poll, up one spot from last week.

Having already played the top four picks in the league's preseason predictions besides itself, all six of EWU's opponents thus far have been nationally ranked in their respective divisions. But last week's narrow loss showed that the Eagles still have a ways to go to become a contender for the Big Sky title and for the school's fifth berth in the FCS Playoffs in the seven seasons.

"We have to clean some things up," said Eastern head coach Beau Baldwin, whose team had five turnovers against NAU. "There are a lot of little things we have to improve if we want to make a run to the championship."

Northern Colorado is coming off a 42-7 loss at Sacramento State, and has been out-scored 117-21 in its last three outings, including games against nationally-ranked juggernauts Michigan State (45-7) and Montana (30-7). The Bears are 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the league, and won their first two home games of the season versus Adams State (54-0) and Idaho State (35-21), and suffered a four-overtime loss on the road at Weber State (50-47).

"This conference -- top to bottom -- has gotten so much stronger that anyone can beat anyone on any given day," said Baldwin, whose team knocked off UNC 16-0 in Cheney last season. "I know that is cliché to say, but it's the truth. You have to look no further than Northern Colorado's game against Weber State a few weeks back. And you can look at our game against them last year -- it was a defensive battle and we had to scrap our way to a win. They are a tough opponent for us to play and it's a tough road trip, so it will take us playing well to win."

[webfan]

I watched Weber St. play both of these teams. Even without TJ, EWU is for real on both sides of the ball. Their QB, BLM, is real good with some awsome receivers. EWU's WR, Kauffman has to be all-conference.

No problem here for the eagles, EWU 42 UNC 16.

[EWURanger]

We haven't really blown anyone out yet, and there's no reason to think that we will do so against UNC. Our defense will play tough enough to limit UNC's offense, and we'll put enough points up on the board to separate ourselves in the second half. Just MHO. EWU 28, UNC 17

[webfan]

you're overestimating UNC. 40 pts is very likely IMO.

[Green Cookie Monster]

Their QB was scrambling the second he said hike. I dont think you will have any trouble with the Bears. They are on their third string QB, have no running game and are dependent on the desperation pass to move the ball. If your D is playing up to standard it will be a fun day.

[Green Laser]

I agree with Green Cookie Monster , vs Sac State Northern Colorado's Offensive Line was totally ineffective. Unless there are some major improvements in the OL I don't see them having any success.

[wineguy]

It's interesting that fans of other teams feel that EWU will do better than they do. No homers in Cheney? We are all getting tired of this doom and gloom. Step up and take a stand, a positive stand; or just say we're going to lose.

[webfan]

Yea, it seems that EWU fans are overly pessimistic. IMO EWU will win bigger than weber will.

[EWURanger]

Fellas, I do not think that we will lose to UNC. I'm merely stating my opinion that we will not blow them out. I base this on the fact that we have failed, to a certain extent, to close teams down when we have had the opportunity to do so. As much fun as the Montana game was to watch, the game against Weber was by far the most dominant performance we have had this year, and if we play like that then we should absolutely roll UNC. Against NAU, we had a real opportunity to put them away early. Yet in the 4th quarter, up 21-7, we found a way to let them back in the game. That never should have happened. Luckily our D took care of business. We need to find a way to limit the TO's (5 against NAU is unacceptable) and step on the gas and put teams away when we have the opportunity to do so. The team is playing well - if we can find a way to stop the silly TO's I think we will certainly have a great shot to run the table. That said, giving up 5 TO's against Sac and PSU ain't gunna cut it and we will certainly lose those games if we replicate that against them.

[free7694]

Fellas, I do not think that we will lose to UNC. I'm merely stating my opinion that we will not blow them out. I base this on the fact that we have failed, to a certain extent, to close teams down when we have had the opportunity to do so. As much fun as the Montana game was to watch, the game against Weber was by far the most dominant performance we have had this year, and if we play like that then we should absolutely roll UNC. Against NAU, we had a real opportunity to put them away early. Yet in the 4th quarter, up 21-7, we found a way to let them back in the game. That never should have happened. Luckily our D took care of business. We need to find a way to limit the TO's (5 against NAU is unacceptable) and step on the gas and put teams away when we have the opportunity to do so. The team is playing well - if we can find a way to stop the silly TO's I think we will certainly have a great shot to run the table. That said, giving up 5 TO's against Sac and PSU ain't gunna cut it and we will certainly lose those games if we replicate that against them.

IF EWU makes it safely to Nottingham Field for the game, they'll roll UNC. The score will probably look like it has in the Bears' last 3 games, about 40-7. By the way, I'd be fine with that, one step closer to getting Scott Downing fired.

[SDHornet]

TD EWU!!!









Too soon?

[free7694]

TD EWU!!!









Too soon?

I don't think they get to town until tomorrow afternoon, but Mitchell may have thrown a 500+ mile TD pass.

[webfan]

FYI This game is being televized by Altitude. sorry, the first poster reported this.

[EWURanger]

FYI This game is being televized by Altitude. sorry, the first poster reported this.

IS there going to be an internet link to this, or are we stuck with the ol BS TV option?

[EWURanger]

Big Sky tv feed is up now. UNC to punt on 1st possession.

[EWURanger]

FWIW, Jones is playing.

[EWURanger]

Eagles D apparently forgot to show up in this game.

7-0 UNC in the 1st.

EWU returns the ensuing kick-off for a td.

7-7.

[kalm]

TD Jesse Hoffman on the return. Smiles too long and gets flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. No Fun Conference.

[EWURanger]

UNC scores on a 30 yard reverse td.............

14-7 UNC.

EWU's offense stll has only one possession.

[EWURanger]

TD Taiwan Jones on a 1st and goal.

14-14 early in the second. Mitchell is looking really good, defense, not so much.

[EWURanger]

Taiwan Jones 75 yard TD run.

He's baaaaaaaaaaaackkk........

21-14 in the 2nd.

[SDHornet]

FWIW, Jones is playing.

Good thing for EWU, he's the reason they have the lead.

[EWURanger]

FWIW, Jones is playing.

Good thing for EWU, he's the reason they have the lead.

I agree. I think our defense will make some adjustments at half though. That Ormms has been killing us.

[SDHornet]

Good thing for EWU, he's the reason they have the lead.

I agree. I think our defense will make some adjustments at half though. That Ormms has been killing us.

I agree. Orms (sp?) and his scramble ability has helped them pick up some key yardage. BLM has be ok so far, but he has had a few badly thrown balls. I have mostly been impressed with the ability of EWU to convert a couple 3rd and long situations.

[SDHornet]

WOW. EWU fumbles the opening kickoff of the 2nd half. UNC ball at the EWU 36.