Season Records: EWU 4-4 (4-2 BSC), PSU 4-3 (2-2 BSC)
Series: 14-18-1
Last season: EWU 50 PSU 17, Hillsboro, Oregon
The game will be televised in the Spokane area and throughout Eastern Washington on SWX (SWX Digital 6.2 in Spokane, 25.3 in the Tri-Cities & 23.3 in the Yakima area; Comcast 115; Time Warner 306; Charter 287, Cable One 466). It will also be carried in the Portland area on Comcast SportsNet (channel 37/HD 737).
The radio broadcast of the game, featuring play-by-play announcer Larry Weir, may be heard on 700-AM ESPN "The Ticket", via the web at http://www.espnnorthwest.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and via iPhone application (search for “Spokane Radio” and download the free app). Internet video stream also available here: http://b2tv.com/upcoming_events.asp?q=v&value=bigsky" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The Vikings feature the fourth-best rushing attack in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision with an average of 270.6 yards per game, and play an EWU team this week that was gashed for 312 yards in EWU’s 42-35 overtime victory over Sacramento State last week. Eastern ranks 98th among 120 FCS teams in rushing defense, allowing 189.4 rushing yards per game.
The Eagles are ranked third in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in passing offense (344.25 yards per game), but are also just 112th out of 121 FCS teams in rushing offense (75.5). Eastern is 22nd overall in total offense (419.8) and 42nd in scoring (29.0). Defensively, Eastern is 88th in FCS in total defense, allowing an average of 396.0 yards per game. Eastern is 56th in passing defense (206.6), 98th in rushing defense (189.4) and 72nd in scoring defense (28.0). Eastern is also 26th nationally in sacks (2.63 per game). Eastern’s passing game, featuring quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell and wide receiver Nicholas Edwards, rank in the top five this week in NCAA Football Championship Subdivision statistics. Mitchell is second in passing yards (342.0 yards per game), third in total offense (339.7) and 33rd in passing efficiency (139.7). Edwards is fifth in receptions per game (8.0 with a total of 64) and eighth in receiving yards per game (105.3). Fellow receiver Greg Herd is 16th (6.38 with a total of 51) and 18th (86.3) in those two categories, respectively. Injured receiver Brandon Kaufman no longer has played enough games to qualify, but in statistics released on Oct. 2, he was 11th in receiving (7.25 with 29 total) and 14th in receiving yards per game (93.3).
Eastern’s bad luck has been on the injury front, and no relief is in sight with several starters still “banged and bruised,” as head coach Beau Baldwin calls his team. But it’s even beyond that, as 11 starters already have suffered injuries that have kept them out of the lineup – including seven players lost for the season. In fact, only one offensive lineman – senior tackle Gabriel Jackson – has started all eight Eastern games, as a total of 10 players have started this season along the offensive line.
Eastern has started 43 different players this season – 23 on offense and 20 on defense – with only five players (Jackson, quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, wide receiver Nicholas Edwards, defensive tackle Charles Moetului and defensive end Paul Ena) starting all eight games thus far. A total of 19 players have made starting debuts this season.
As of Wednesday, this game is a sell-out- standing room only.
http://goeags.com/sports/m-footbl/2011- ... fbOct24PSU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
