Four interceptions are highlight as defense allows only 267 yards
Eastern Washington's defense made it hard for anyone, including Nsimba Webster, from earning positive yardage last Saturday.
For a change it was the Eastern Washington defense that made the noise, at least in the team's first preseason scrimmage Aug. 19 at Roos Field.
Interceptions by junior linebacker Kurt Calhoun, sophomore linebacker Trevor Davis Jr., junior defensive back Brandon Montgomery and true freshman defensive back Anfernee Gurley were the highlights of a defensive effort that saw the offense average only 3.7 yards per play. The defense surrendered no play of longer than 18 yards in the 72-play scrimmage.
The offense was held to a trio of field goals, two by senior Roldan Alcobendas and one by senior Brandyn Bangsund. Instead of voicing worry about the offensive side, the Eagles only heaped praise upon the defense, coordinated by assistant coach Jeff Schmedding.
"Guys are rooting for guys and it's hard to root for them when it's against you," head coach Aaron Best said of the dynamic of EWU playing its own offensive squads versus his own defense.
The offense generated 200 yards through the air on 38 passing attempts, while rushing 34 times for 67 yards. But seven quick-whistle sacks generated by the defense resulted in 28 yards of losses. The defense also had five passes broken up.
"From the standpoint of consistency, for an hour and 40 minutes I thought it was a very good, consistent and sustainable job done by that red squad (defense)," Best added.
Starting junior quarterback Gage Gubrud and redshirt freshman Eric Barriere had almost identical numbers Saturday. The returning All-American completed 10-of-17 for 82 yards, while his backup was 10-of-14 for 89 yards.
Four receivers had at least three catches, including 36 receiving yards by sophomore Jayson Williams. The leading rusher for the Eagles was junior Ashanti Kindle with 26 yards on seven carries.
Redshirt freshman linebacker Conor McKenna has six tackles for the defense, and was matched in that category by Gurley. Sophomore linebacker Andrew Katzenberger had four tackles including a sack, and true freshman defensive lineman Mitchell Johnson had two of the team's sacks.
Eastern will also scrimmage Friday, Aug. 25 at Roos Field starting at about 5 p.m. The Eagles expect to rest many of their starters and give the majority of action in that scrimmage to inexperienced players needing snaps. That will be the final scrimmage before Best officially opens his head coaching career at Texas Tech on Sept. 2.
Reader Comments(0)