Back on Oct. 4, 2014 when quarterback Vernon Adams limped off the field after breaking a couple of bones in his foot, there was concern over where the Eastern Washington University football program might be headed the remainder of the season.
But when Jordan West stepped in for Adams for four weeks and finished with a 3-1 record in his “relief” role, not only did he help salvage a season, but West provided an insurance policy the Eagles could file away, just in case.
Eastern would finish the season 7-1 in Big Sky play and 11-3 overall, falling in the FCS quarterfinal round to Illinois State 59-46. The Eagles closed the 2014 season ranked fourth in FCS.
Now that Adams has departed Cheney to try to crack the lineup with the Pac-12 Oregon Ducks, the Eagles are happy West got real live reps and the quarterback situation seems hardly dire at all.
But that’s just for starters when it comes to changes for the three-time defending Big Sky Conference champion Eagles. They begin fall camp as a unit Wednesday, Aug. 12 with freshmen tentatively scheduled to report Aug. 10 and veterans the following day.
Eastern has its usual challenging schedule, opening at Football Bowl Subdivision national champion runner-up University of Oregon, Sept. 5 where it is possible that Adams could line up behind center for the Ducks against his old team.
The trip to Eugene is followed by a road game in Cedar Falls, Iowa versus traditional Football Championship Subdivision power, Northern Iowa, Sept. 12. Then comes the home opener at Roos Field versus Montana State, the team EWU is expected to battle with again for the championship.
EWU’s offense will still be quite potent with FCS Offensive Player of the Year candidate Cooper Kupp headlining a deep and talented list of receivers and tight ends for the Eagles.
Depth is also in abundance with the defensive line and at cornerback. Eastern’s offensive line will be senior dominated.
Along with a change at quarterback, Eastern has a different look on the defensive side where the Eagles will employ a new 4-2-5 base defense under new coordinator, Jeff Schmedding. In addition to installing the new scheme Schmedding will need to replace the likes of three-time All-American and the Big Sky’s all-time leading tackler, linebacker, Ronnie Hamlin. Eastern also lost a pair of starting defensive linemen and All-America safety Tevin McDonald.
“From a fan’s point of view, you probably won’t see much difference necessarily schematically,” head coach Beau Baldwin said of the new defense.
Baldwin, who enters his eighth season at Eastern, has 43 returning letterwinners. Included are 13 starters and 12 players who earned All-Big Sky Conference honors a year ago.
Eastern has advanced to the FCS Playoffs four of the last five years under Baldwin, a two-time Big Sky Coach of the Year. He enters the 2015 season with a 67-26 record in seven seasons to currently rank seventh in the 50-year history of the Big Sky with a .726 winning percentage.
Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].
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