Eastern Eags masters Monmouth at season opener

CHENEY - Eastern Washington opened the 2024 football season with an important win 42-27 on the scoreboard against Monmouth, Aug. 29 at Roos Field.

But along the way the Eagles scored other minor victories as they seek to put behind them rare back-to-back seasons of losing records.

Consider that Eastern:

• was 5-for-5 in converting possessions in the red-zone (20 yards in) into touchdowns.

• held a significant edge of nearly 15 minutes in time of possession.

• delivered a pair of fourth-down conversions on offense.

• limited the Hawks to 1-of-3 fourth-down conversions - effectively, but not officially turnovers.

Efton Chism III scored three times on a record night for the award-winning receiver - 12 catches for 173 yards - and the Eagles showed balance in their attack with a 282 to 278 edge in passing over rushing before 4,612 fans.

"We did a great job of mixing it up," head coach Aaron Best said.

Eastern started fast, scoring on their first two possessions just six minutes apart. Chism scored from 30 yards out on a pass from Kekoa Visperas 11 minutes, 46 seconds in followed by Jared Taylor's 9-yard run at the 5:35 mark.

A little of the Eastern of old that finished 3-8 in 2022 and 4-7 a year ago flashed allowing the Hawks to tie the game 14-14 by the 9:06 mark of the second quarter.

But them the Eagles reeled off the game's next 28 points, including a pair of decisive touchdowns in the final 4:23 of the half to lead 28-14 at the break.

Visperas, who had both a productive and efficient night going 25-of-28 for 275 yards, connected with both Nolan Ulm and Miles Williams in that span. It was part of a five-touchdown career best for Visperas.

"I thought offensively we did a really good job of wearing them down," Best explained. "It was easy when you get the ball rolling and a couple of runs early to get momentum."

One of those Eastern fourth-down stops on Monmouth's opening drive of the second half led to the Eagles' next score, Chism's second and a 35-14 lead with 5:51 remaining in the third quarter.

Eastern also used a turnover on downs by Monmouth to set up its final score, this one capped by Chism hurdling defenders at the goal line for 16-yard catch and run 3:44 into the fourth.

Monmouth scored twice in the fourth quarter in a too-little, too-late rally. Trailing by 15 and getting the ball back with 2:08 on the clock, the Hawks had their final drive stopped on an interception by Eastern's Kentrell Williams Jr.

That was the only turnover of the game and Eastern is now 72-6 since 2010 when winning the turnover margin.

Williams and Derek Ganter, Jr. Tied for the lead in total tackles with six.

The Eastern ground game was led by Tuna Altahir who recorded his third career 100-yard game, finishing with 108 yards on 16 carries.

"I thought we played efficiently," Best said. "It was nice to see in game one and see the guys come out with a sense of urgency."

Eastern continues a rare early-season home stand at Roos Field and hosts yet another first-time opponent, the Drake Bulldogs from Des Moines, Iowa on Sept. 7 at 4 p.m.

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].