Eastern Eagles overpower Grizzlies

CHENEY – College football fans were treated to a rivalry matchup on Oct. 2 when the Eastern Washington Eagles came from behind to top the visiting Montana Grizzlies late in the game, 34-28.

Eastern started strong as they got the ball first and ran an 8-play drive taking them 85 yards down the field, topping it off with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Eric Barriere to Andrew Boston for the first score of the game.

Barriere finished the game completing 26-of-46 passes for 422 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the evening.

The score would remain the same for a few possessions, but a targeting penalty thrown against Eagle Keshaun King would get him ejected from the game and give Montana 15 yards.

Utilizing a conservative game plan, the Grizzlies marched down the field to the Eagle 5-yard line.

Eastern's defense held strong, but a costly 4th down facemask penalty would keep the drive alive for Montana, and the Grizzlies capitalized with a 3-yard touchdown run from Xavier Harris.

The battle continued as the teams played smash-mouth football, and just over 6 minutes into the second quarter when Grizzly quarterback Cam Humphrey threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Samuel Akem, putting Montana ahead 14-7.

Eastern struggled with penalties in the first half, but with almost 4:30 to go in the half, the team marched 50 yards in under 2 minutes with Jackson Cleaver kicking a 32-yard field goal for the Eagles and bringing the score to 14-10 in Montana's favor at halftime.

Montana wasted no time in the third quarter with a six play, 62-yard drive that resulted in a 15-yard touchdown toss from Cam Humphrey to Joey Elwell taking two and a half minutes off the game clock.

The remainder of the quarter was uneventful until Eagle tackle Caleb Davis blocked a 48-yard field goal attempt by Montana shifting the momentum in favor of Eastern Washington.

The Eagles started driving with only 4 minutes left in the third, and the team gained momentum as the crowd roared for the home team.

Eastern started the fourth quarter on the Montana 9-yard line, and quickly finished the drive as Barriere found Boston for his second touchdown catch of the day and bringing the score to 21-16. Montana would go three-and-out on the next possession.

With 13:44 left in the game, Barriere found Talolo Limu-Jones for a 58 yard pass taking them down to the Montana 2-yard line.

Limu-Jones would be injured on the play and leave the field, ending with 231 receiving yards on 11 catches.

Running back Micah Smith would power the ball through the line and into the endzone.

Barriere ran to the outside for a 2-point conversion giving Eastern Washington the lead, 24-21.

Montana marched right back down the field on the following drive, but Eagle cornerback Demetrius Crosby Jr. intercepted a pass in the endzone preventing another Grizzly touchdown.

With 11:03 left on the clock, Barriere connected with Boston again, this time for a gain of 35 yards.

A few plays later Dennis Merritt – a graduate of Cascade High School in Leavenworth -- crossed into the end zone for another Eagle score bringing the score to 31-21 after the extra point kick.

Merritt finished the game with 103 yards on 23 carries.

Malik Flowers returned the following kickoff 99 yards for a Montana touchdown and keeping the Grizzlies in the game.

A few drives later Jackson Cleaver kicked another 30-yard field goal to extend Eastern's lead to 34-28.

Montana had 1:20 seconds to drive down the field and score.

Humphrey went to work, completing a couple passes.

As time was running low, Humphrey was chased out of the pocket, and hit by Eagle linebackers Jack Sendelbach and Cheney native Ty Graham.

Humphrey was injured and left the field after the play.

Montana's backup quarterback Kris Brown came in the game, but his pass to the end zone was knocked away as time ran out, sealing the win for Eastern Washington 34-28.

The Eagles extend their home winning streak to 19 games with this win and will travel to Greeley, Colo., to face University of Northern Colorado on Oct. 9.

Matthew O. Stephens can be reached at [email protected].