Eastern Washington University Football Team Faces Tough Schedule Ahead

Strategic Insights -

The Eastern Washington University football team, led by third-year head coach Beau Baldwin, is on a mission to prove themselves despite a challenging schedule ahead. Having already played four tough games against top teams in the Big Sky Conference, the Eagles are focused on maintaining their momentum against Northern Colorado and other teams perceived to be weaker opponents.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Eagles' coaching staff is concerned that their players may become complacent due to their tough early season schedule, but Baldwin is determined to keep his team focused and motivated.
  • The team has a difficult schedule ahead, with games against Northern Colorado, Sacramento State, Portland State, and Idaho State, all of which were picked to finish lower in the conference.
  • Defensive coordinator John Graham praised the defensive unit's performance against Northern Arizona, which held the Lumberjacks to 39 rushing yards and stopped them on downs on each of the last three possessions.
  • Senior All-American linebacker J.C. Sherritt was honored by the Big Sky Conference and The Sporting News for his performance against NAU, and is a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award.
  • Running back Taiwan Jones is recovering from a hip and lower back injury, and his status for the upcoming game at Northern Colorado is currently "questionable to probable."
  • The Eagles' win over Northern Arizona moved them up to 12th in the FCS coaches' poll and 12th in The Sports Network/Fathead.com's Top 25 rankings.

Statistics:

  • Eastern Washington University's Big Sky Conference schedule includes games against teams picked to finish 7th (Northern Colorado), 6th (Sacramento State), 8th (Portland State), and 9th (Idaho State).
  • The Eagles have played four teams that were perceived to be among the top five in the league at the beginning of the year, with a current record of 4-2 overall and 3-1 in the BSC.
  • The average attendance at Roos Field has been 9,149 fans per game.
  • J.C. Sherritt led all FCS players with an average of 14.17 tackles per game as a junior last fall.
  • The Eagles' defense allowed only one touchdown against Northern Arizona, despite five turnovers committed by the offense.

Sources:

  • The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
  • Big Sky Conference
  • The Sporting News
  • FCS coaches' poll and The Sports Network/Fathead.com's Top 25 rankings