Eastern Washington Eagles
Big Sky
It is no easy task to go a perfect 8-0 in the Big Sky, but that is what Eastern Washington did. They even beat Oregon State in week one, a team that has been in and out of the FBS top 25. Their only two losses on the year came on the road against Toledo and Sam Houston State...however, neither was a bad loss.
2013 Record: 10-2, 8-0
Coach: Beau Baldwin
Big Wins: 8/31 at Oregon State (49-46), 10/26 at Montana (42-37)
Bad Losses: 9/14 at Toledo (21-33), 0/28 at Sam Houston State (34-49)
Strengths:
Sophomore signal caller Vernon Adams Jr. has turned the Eagles into one of the best passing teams in the nation. He threw for 4,059 yards and 46 touchdowns, while being intercepted just a dozen times. That is quite impressive for a sophomore, but Adams is not just dangerous with his arm. He also rushed for 491 yards and four scores and does a great job avoiding sacks and extending plays. With four superb wide receivers joining tight end Zach Gehring, Adams never lacks for passing options. Freshman Cooper Kupp leads Eastern Washington with 77 receptions for 1,378 yards and 18 touchdowns. He is a big play receiver that has quickly turned into a consistent all-around pass catcher as well. Speaking of big plays, Shaquille Hill averages nearly 22 yards per catch and nine of his 35 receptions have ended up in the end zone. Senior Ashton Clark has found the end zone nine times and junior Cory Mitchell is a big possession receiver. Eastern Washington does run the ball on occasion with somebody other than Adams. Quincy Forte rarely puts up big numbers, but he is a capable back.
Weaknesses:
Any team that can score as quickly as EWU is going to give up quite a few points, but sometimes it is too easy to march down the field against the Eagles defense. This is a team that ranks 8th in the conference in rushing defense and 10th in passing defense. A team like Idaho State should not be able to score 34 points against Eastern Washington. And it was not like the Bengals picked up all of those touchdowns in the fourth quarter when the game was already decided. Linebacker Ronnie Hamlin is one of the best in the conference and T.J. Lee is a big time playmaker at cornerback, but the pieces around them have had bouts of inconsistency. Eventually, Eastern Washington will not be able to outscore one of the other potent offenses they run into during the FCS playoffs.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Quincy Forte, RB, 739 yards
Passing: Vernon Adam, QB, 4,059 yards
Receiving: Cooper Kupp, WR, 1,378 yards
Tackles: Ronnie Hamlin, LB, 101
Sacks: Evan Day, DL, 6.0
Interceptions: Ronald Baines, DB, 4
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 180.9 (46th in nation, 5th in conference)
Passing Offense: 350.5 (3, 1)
Total Offense: 531.4 (4, 2)
Scoring Offense: 40.3 (7, 1)
Rushing Defense: 178.5 (71, 8)
Pass Defense: 262.4 (108, 10)
Total Defense: 440.8 (97, 10)
Scoring Defense: 27.9 (74, 8)
Turnover Margin: 0.3 (41, 5)
Sacks: 2.00 (57, 3)
Sacks Allowed: 1.73 (44, 5)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2012 Second Round Defeated Wagner
2012 Quarterfinals Defeated Illinois State
2012 Semifinals Lost to Sam Houston State
2010 Second Round Defeated SE Missouri State
2010 Quarterfinals Defeated North Dakota State
2010 Semifinals Defeated Villanova
2010 Championship Defeated Delaware
2009 First Round Lost to Stephen F. Austin
2007 First Round Defeated McNeese State
2007 Quarterfinals Lost to Appalachian State
2005 First Round Lost to Northern Iowa
2004 First Round Defeated Southern Illinois
2004 Quarterfinals Lost to Sam Houston State
1997 First Round Defeated Northwestern State
1997 Quarterfinals Defeated Western Kentucky
1997 Semifinals Lost to Youngstown State
1992 First Round Lost to Northern Iowa
1985 First Round Defeated Idaho
1985 Semifinals Lost to Northern Iowa
1985 Semifinals Lost to Northern Iowa
*all team stats through 11/16
