Too Soon Again

While many folks were enjoying the sunshine on Saturday in the Ritzville area, EWU Eagle fans were wondering if the fog was ever going to lift over Roos Field.

I guess it finally did by the second quarter. But during that time the Eagles were having trouble with the huge Redbirds from Illinois State.

When I read the comments from Coach Beau Baldwin about 330 pound offensive linemen playing for ISU I assumed they might have a little stomach hanging out of a 6’ 2” frame.

These guys were tall 330 pounders that didn’t have any physical flaws. This made things mighty difficult for the undersized Eagles on the defensive side of the ball.

The Redbird QB was under pressure only twice all afternoon that I can remember allowing him plenty of time to hit receivers that would eventually get open for 5 – 15 yard gains.

Not a lot of yardage but enough to keep the Eagles on the field for extended series.

Oh, and the Redbird punter was only seen by the fans that stayed for the halftime show. He seemed to have a good leg while warming up prior to the second half kickoff but he never punted once the entire game.

I know that a lot of people thought this Eagle team was destined to play for a National Championship but it wasn’t meant to be. To be honest, I’m not sure how the 12-1 Redbirds came in as a number 5 seed.

They are a solid football team. I believe the Eagles would have had an easier time playing the University of Illinois from the Big 10 than they did Illinois State.

I can say that since the University of Washington defeated the Illini 44-19 in Champaign a week after EWU scared the Huskies in a 59-52 loss in Seattle.

This was a long and very interesting year for the Eagles’ football team. They played two games in August at home and their next home game was in early October.

EWU was fun to watch but at times their defense had trouble stopping people.

It seemed that when Vernon Adams broke a couple of bones in his ankle and had to sit out for four games the defense rallied and started to improve and helped the Eagles to keep winning.

Adams backup, Jordan West did a great job filling in for Adams going 3-1. Adams comeback came against the Montana Griz and the Eagles came away with a huge victory.

Adams went 7-1 as a starter and was named Big Sky player of the year for the second year in a row. Can you say respect?

I love the playoff format for the FCS football schools.

It gives the fans the opportunity to watch some teams from around the country that we wouldn’t otherwise get to see especially live and up close.

There are some very good teams around the country that make it to the playoffs. That Eastern has made the playoffs four out of the past five years and won a National Championship, been to two semi-finals and a quarterfinal is not easy. And the thing I think is impressive is that over 60 percent of the players are from the state of Washington.

I know there were plenty of fans that were disappointed last Saturday and I was one of them. But I try to pay attention to what Coach Baldwin says about the team they are playing and I am always cautious because he knows there are a lot of good football teams that make it to the playoffs and it takes a lot of good fortune to win each round.

If you don’t play perfect you better hope the other team has a bad game or it’s over.

Another highly successful season was just completed and EWU ended the season a little too soon.

Vernon Adams will be back as the two time runner up for the Walter Payton award, the FCS version of the Heisman Trophy.

Expectations will be running high again in hopes of pursuing a second National Championship and next year’s journey will begin very soon!