vs. Sac State

[EWURanger]

This week we head back home to play Sac St. for what could be the last time for a while. Looking over their 4-4 record, they've probably beaten who they should have and lost to who they should have. The only exception to that might be their loss at home against Cal Poly, where their Qb threw 3 interceptions. They still outgained the Mustangs in total offense 426-381, but shot themselves in the foot repeatedly with TO's. Speaking of Qb's, theirs is a Transfer from Tulsa who has thrown for 1225 yards with 7 TD's against 5 int's. Serviceable, and he has 294 rushing yards on 66 attempts on the season. Overall, Sac ranks 2nd offensively and 5th defensively in the conference while Eastern ranks 11th offensively and 8th defensively. Ouch.

On paper, this probably isn't a winnable game for Eastern. That said, get a solid week of practice and execute game plan well with a few TO's, and who knows.

 

[E-Wu Tang Clan]

Looks like their rushing offense is 4th in FCS. Eastern's defensive front has much improved but looks like it will be tested. Eastern gave up 293 rushing yards to Montana State.

Sac State's defense is much better than Weber State's. 63rd giving up 380 ypg vs 107th giving up 443 ypg.
If Weber State could contain Bell I think Sac State definitely can.

 

[E-Wu Tang Clan]

This week we head back home to play Sac St. for what be the last time for a while. Looking over their 4-4 record, they've probably beaten who they should have and lost to who they should have. The only exception to that might be their loss at home against Cal Poly, where their Qb threw 3 interceptions. They still outgained the Mustangs in total offense 426-381, but shot themselves in the foot repeatedly with TO's. Speaking of Qb's, theirs is a Transfer from Tulsa who has thrown for 1225 yards with 7 TD's against 5 int's. Serviceable, and he has 294 rushing yards on 66 attempts on the season. Overall, Sac ranks 2nd offensively and 5th defensively in the conference while Eastern ranks 11th offensively and 8th defensively. Ouch.

On paper, this probably isn't a winnable game for Eastern. That said, get a solid week of practice and execute game plan well with a few TO's, and who knows.

Where do you get 8th defensively? Those conference only play stats?

 

[EWURanger]

Where do you get 8th defensively? Those conference only play stats?

Those are overall stats. For conference-only rankings, we're #11 offensively, and #6 defensively. And I should have clarified that those are scoring offense/defense stats.

https://bigskyconf.com/stats.aspx?path=football&year=2025

 

[Atomic Eagle]

I've watched Suck a few times this year. Talented team, but undisciplined and turnover prone.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I’d imagine we’d be slight underdogs, but this is absolutely a winnable game. I’ve read comments about how we’ll struggle against all the remaining teams on our schedule. We may very well struggle, but it’s not because anyone left on the schedule is all that good. If Eastern struggles, it’s because we aren’t good enough. If we were at our historical standard, I’d favor us in all games. Montana is clearly the best remaining team, but I don’t think they’re anything special. I think the quality of the Big Sky (and all of FCS, frankly) is well below average this season. It speaks to how off the pace we are that we’re a .500 team in a conference that is down.

 

[Obzerver]

Watched some of the Sac St. and their QB(Williams) is a stud . Throws and runs with ease. Two Rb's who are fast and combined with one main WR(Campbell) who caught 9 catches for 206 yds. They have top tier speed on offense across the board and their defense is fast closing and to the ball.
We need to slow this team down. We can score points on these guys and win TO battle.
I believe we can win this game at home and their one RB got smashed at end of Montana game...smashed. Not sure he came back in.

 

[Savages]

Watched some of the Sac St. and their QB(Williams) is a stud . Throws and runs with ease. Two Rb's who are fast and combined with one main WR(Campbell) who caught 9 catches for 206 yds. They have top tier speed on offense across the board and their defense is fast closing and to the ball.
We need to slow this team down. We can score points on these guys and win TO battle.
I believe we can win this game at home and their one RB got smashed at end of Montana game...smashed. Not sure he came back in.

Since we're playing at home, this won't be as embarrassing as one of the Montana/MSU beat-downs we've taken recently, but it still ain't gunna be pretty.

 

[Obzerver]

Here is a write up on the Sac State message board by one of their posters;

Agree with SHA and good rundown for this game. Hornets need to play to their strengths on offense, which is the run game.

On the other side of the ball, EWU is pretty balanced. The Eagles have 2 quarterbacks that have gotten significant play (injury?) but bual threat Nate Bell (88/161, 964 yds, 6 TD, 6 INT, 113 car, 639 yds, 7 TD) having more playing time on the season while also leading EWU in rush yards. Out of the backfield, Marceese Yetts (53 car, 182 yds, 4 TD, 27 rec, 215 yds) helps fuel the rushing attack when Bell doesn't keep the ball. Noah Cronquist (27 rec, 315 yds) and Miles Williams (18 rec, 223 yds, 2 TD) are the leading receivers in the passing game.

EWU's defense is led by linebackers Read Sunn (59 tak, 6 TFL, 2 sac) and Myles Mayovsky (55 tak, 5 TFL, 1 sac). Safety Jaylon Jenkins (35 tak, 4 INT) leads the team in interceptions. The Eagle defense has played better in the last 3 weeks against lesser competition, but struggled keeping opponents off the scoreboard in the early part of the season.

On special teams, kicker Soren McKee (4/5, 18/19 PAT) hasn't had many attempts and has a long of 39 yards on the season. Punter Landon Ogles has dropped 19 of his 55 punts inside the 20 and also has a booming leg with 13 punts of 50 or more yards. Noah Cronquist has proven to be an impact player in the return game as he averages over 11 yards per punt return and over 22 yards per kick return.

The Hornets are in playoff mode as any more losses mathematically ends their season. The good news is that Hornets have a stretch of very winnable games if they play up to their potential and take care of business.