WHY??? Why EWU?

[Ursa Major]

But, to balance things out, here are reasons why EWU will have no problem beating the Griz, as observed through my red colored glasses:

1) Kyle Padron is head and shoulders, both literally and figuratively, above Bo Levi. More passing TDs, more passing yards, half the INTs in roughly the same amount of games at SMU. He's also 6'4, 233lbs, not some barely-six-foot, 205/210lb twink. In a year and a half there, he had 7 rushing TDs... he's not afraid of lowering his shoulder and getting the yardage. And for a big QB, he's just as mobile as BLM.

2) We have all of our WRs back. Two 6'3, 1000+yard guys from last year in Edwards and Herd who had a combined 26 TDs, plus 6'5 Kaufman who had 1000+ and 15 TDs in 2010. In fact, we have all of our offense back except our LT and Center. But we also have a lot of depth on the OL with 3 guys from last year getting a ton of playing time because of all the injuries. All of our RBs back... Mario will be a Junior, and like Mario, both Quincy Forte and Jordan Talley played as true freshmen last year, and will undoubtedly be better. Nowhere to go but up for the running game.

3) Our DL is deep and nasty. We lost Renard who was unstoppable when he brought his A game, but often didn't bring his A game. In his place, we have Andru Pulu, a transfer from UW who sat out last year because of academic transfer issues. He's got a mean streak, and will be a force on the line this year. We also have a bevy of upperclassmen DEs who have only gotten bigger and stronger, along with a few really talented RS freshmen and possibly a true freshman who could be seeing action. DL, by all accounts, is our most talented and deepest position outside of WR. Zach Johnson qualified for a medical RS, and will be back this year, probably at OLB instead of MLB.

4) We retain all of our coaches, and actually have gained a couple because we are no longer under probation by the NCAA for the BS from Wulff's years.

5) Our players will be hungrier and more motivated than ever before, after having won a NC, then failing to make it back to the playoffs to defend it last year. Hearing from the WRs and Padron... there is only one thing on their mind, and that's another National Championship for EWU.

6) We won 6/7 down the stretch last season despite playing without a lot of key guys on both sides of the ball because of injury.

7) We get the Griz at home on the red turf, where we're 10-2, and undefeated against the Griz. :lol:

SE,

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing but respect for EWU. I think you guys turn out the best body and paint men and welders in the Pacific Northwest.

Ironically Padron has big shoes to fill in the guy he once beat out. The knock on him is he holds on to the ball too long. That coupled with “not being afraid of lowering his shoulder and getting yardage” are the reasons he was injured and finds himself in Cheney.

Your wide outs had impressive numbers last year. Great players with great size but also helped out that you passed the ball what maybe 60-70% of the time last year.

As far as JJ’s targets, we do have the BSC First Team TE returning (hopefully we will actually use him this year). We also have honorable mention Sam Gratton and some up and comers with speed and good hands.

Defense as always will be solid anchored by the best linebacker group in the BSC. Secondary is a question mark especially at cb.

All smack aside I expect it will be another great game as usual. I originally began this post to get a gauge on Griz fans. It seems like we have lost that swagger we used to have especially when it comes to EWU. Plus I have a feeling 2010 exercised some of those ghosts for EWU of always playing 2nd fiddle to the Griz. If you ever have the chance and it is still available watch the game on the Big Sky Channel. It used the radio feed for the play-by-play. The announcer was just having a fit when the Griz came back in that game…Here we go losing to these guys again. Not sure I have ever heard that much passion from an announcer before or since.

The best BSC football I remember is from the late 80’s and the 90’s when there was a great deal of parity in the league. I fondly remember my nightly ritural of sticking pins into my John Friesz voo doo doll. It’s good to see the BSC competitive again and makes the wins that much sweeter.

And for the record, I live in Wa. State and work with a few EWU grads. I see how little press and respect you guys get. I will be rooting for you guys in Moscow and Pullman. It will only make our victory over you, if we get one, that much better.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

I love Eastern Washington and the Palouse, just for the damn wine.

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

But, to balance things out, here are reasons why EWU will have no problem beating the Griz, as observed through my red colored glasses:

1) Kyle Padron is head and shoulders, both literally and figuratively, above Bo Levi. More passing TDs, more passing yards, half the INTs in roughly the same amount of games at SMU. He's also 6'4, 233lbs, not some barely-six-foot, 205/210lb twink. In a year and a half there, he had 7 rushing TDs... he's not afraid of lowering his shoulder and getting the yardage. And for a big QB, he's just as mobile as BLM.

2) We have all of our WRs back. Two 6'3, 1000+yard guys from last year in Edwards and Herd who had a combined 26 TDs, plus 6'5 Kaufman who had 1000+ and 15 TDs in 2010. In fact, we have all of our offense back except our LT and Center. But we also have a lot of depth on the OL with 3 guys from last year getting a ton of playing time because of all the injuries. All of our RBs back... Mario will be a Junior, and like Mario, both Quincy Forte and Jordan Talley played as true freshmen last year, and will undoubtedly be better. Nowhere to go but up for the running game.

3) Our DL is deep and nasty. We lost Renard who was unstoppable when he brought his A game, but often didn't bring his A game. In his place, we have Andru Pulu, a transfer from UW who sat out last year because of academic transfer issues. He's got a mean streak, and will be a force on the line this year. We also have a bevy of upperclassmen DEs who have only gotten bigger and stronger, along with a few really talented RS freshmen and possibly a true freshman who could be seeing action. DL, by all accounts, is our most talented and deepest position outside of WR. Zach Johnson qualified for a medical RS, and will be back this year, probably at OLB instead of MLB.

4) We retain all of our coaches, and actually have gained a couple because we are no longer under probation by the NCAA for the BS from Wulff's years.

5) Our players will be hungrier and more motivated than ever before, after having won a NC, then failing to make it back to the playoffs to defend it last year. Hearing from the WRs and Padron... there is only one thing on their mind, and that's another National Championship for EWU.

6) We won 6/7 down the stretch last season despite playing without a lot of key guys on both sides of the ball because of injury.

7) We get the Griz at home on the red turf, where we're 10-2, and undefeated against the Griz. :lol:

Talk DBs, please.

We have Jeff Minnerly and Allen Brown back at Safety, and BSC 1st team TJ Lee III back at corner, so we're only replacing one. We also signed a 3 star CB/WR Dalis Bruce, who turned down a lot of big school offers because they only wanted him at CB. So if we struggle or injuries hit us, we have a safety valve in him.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/apr/27/ewus-secondary-looks-for-opportunities/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Screamin_Eagle174]

But, to balance things out, here are reasons why EWU will have no problem beating the Griz, as observed through my red colored glasses:

1) Kyle Padron is head and shoulders, both literally and figuratively, above Bo Levi. More passing TDs, more passing yards, half the INTs in roughly the same amount of games at SMU. He's also 6'4, 233lbs, not some barely-six-foot, 205/210lb twink. In a year and a half there, he had 7 rushing TDs... he's not afraid of lowering his shoulder and getting the yardage. And for a big QB, he's just as mobile as BLM.

2) We have all of our WRs back. Two 6'3, 1000+yard guys from last year in Edwards and Herd who had a combined 26 TDs, plus 6'5 Kaufman who had 1000+ and 15 TDs in 2010. In fact, we have all of our offense back except our LT and Center. But we also have a lot of depth on the OL with 3 guys from last year getting a ton of playing time because of all the injuries. All of our RBs back... Mario will be a Junior, and like Mario, both Quincy Forte and Jordan Talley played as true freshmen last year, and will undoubtedly be better. Nowhere to go but up for the running game.

3) Our DL is deep and nasty. We lost Renard who was unstoppable when he brought his A game, but often didn't bring his A game. In his place, we have Andru Pulu, a transfer from UW who sat out last year because of academic transfer issues. He's got a mean streak, and will be a force on the line this year. We also have a bevy of upperclassmen DEs who have only gotten bigger and stronger, along with a few really talented RS freshmen and possibly a true freshman who could be seeing action. DL, by all accounts, is our most talented and deepest position outside of WR. Zach Johnson qualified for a medical RS, and will be back this year, probably at OLB instead of MLB.

4) We retain all of our coaches, and actually have gained a couple because we are no longer under probation by the NCAA for the BS from Wulff's years.

5) Our players will be hungrier and more motivated than ever before, after having won a NC, then failing to make it back to the playoffs to defend it last year. Hearing from the WRs and Padron... there is only one thing on their mind, and that's another National Championship for EWU.

6) We won 6/7 down the stretch last season despite playing without a lot of key guys on both sides of the ball because of injury.

7) We get the Griz at home on the red turf, where we're 10-2, and undefeated against the Griz. :lol:

SE,

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing but respect for EWU. I think you guys turn out the best body and paint men and welders in the Pacific Northwest.

Ironically Padron has big shoes to fill in the guy he once beat out. The knock on him is he holds on to the ball too long. That coupled with “not being afraid of lowering his shoulder and getting yardage” are the reasons he was injured and finds himself in Cheney.

Your wide outs had impressive numbers last year. Great players with great size but also helped out that you passed the ball what maybe 60-70% of the time last year.

As far as JJ’s targets, we do have the BSC First Team TE returning (hopefully we will actually use him this year). We also have honorable mention Sam Gratton and some up and comers with speed and good hands.

Defense as always will be solid anchored by the best linebacker group in the BSC. Secondary is a question mark especially at cb.

All smack aside I expect it will be another great game as usual. I originally began this post to get a gauge on Griz fans. It seems like we have lost that swagger we used to have especially when it comes to EWU. Plus I have a feeling 2010 exercised some of those ghosts for EWU of always playing 2nd fiddle to the Griz. If you ever have the chance and it is still available watch the game on the Big Sky Channel. It used the radio feed for the play-by-play. The announcer was just having a fit when the Griz came back in that game…Here we go losing to these guys again. Not sure I have ever heard that much passion from an announcer before or since.

The best BSC football I remember is from the late 80’s and the 90’s when there was a great deal of parity in the league. I fondly remember my nightly ritural of sticking pins into my John Friesz voo doo doll. It’s good to see the BSC competitive again and makes the wins that much sweeter.

And for the record, I live in Wa. State and work with a few EWU grads. I see how little press and respect you guys get. I will be rooting for you guys in Moscow and Pullman. It will only make our victory over you, if we get one, that much better.

Padron didn't get hurt from bulldozing his way into the endzone... he hurt his back from working out. He had surgery to repair his foot that he played through the latter half of 2010 on, but I think that was from a lineman stepping on his foot. He's coming to EWU because June Jones pulled him prematurely, he got hurt from working out, and then Garrett Gilbert from Texas announced he was transferring in. Regardless, we always have big shoes to fill at QB, and we keep on filling them.

I know what you're talking as far as the announcer... that wasn't Larry Weir, it was the color commentary guy whose name is escaping me right now. Larry promptly fired back, "well the game isn't over [so STFU]" :lol:

So what you're telling me about the Griz WRs, is that you have one guy who was an honorable mention, and a good TE who wasn't used much at all? :lol: :lol: :lol:

It'll be the first game at home again this year, so EWU fans will pack the place and bring their A-game. Should be a great one. Wonder how many times we'll rush the field? :mrgreen:

 

[Ursa Major]

Wonder how many times we'll rush the field? :mrgreen:

Ahhh, that's just the liqour talking!

 

[Tokyogriz]

Honestly how can anyone predict how great or not so great this Griz team will be this year? Its really a crap shoot IMO with this complete chaos.

EWU has always played us hard even in good years. Other than that horrible red field and lack of fans they are pretty solid year in and out.

 

[WSUWALDO]

The Griz have lost 2 straight in Ogden..........now if only Weber could be competetive in Missoula. :?

Don't sell yourself short. You've only lost the last two by a combined 56 points. :lol:

Hahahahaha. Hell, at least it is better than the 80-20 blow out Weber suffered in 1999. Gratefully, I wasn't around for that one.

Then again, Weber has had some good showings in MIssoula. The playoff game in 08, even though a loss for the Wildcats, was a very competitive game and went into the second half of the fourth quarter till the Grizz finally ran away with it. Higgins first year the Cats lost 18-10 after some wild events. I think Weber had a 4th and Goal from the 45yard line, and finally there was Mac's first trip to Missoula the Cats lost 24-19. There have been a lot of close games in this series, and of course, well a bunch I don't like to remember :lol: (1999).

Can't knock this, Weber has Eastern, Cal Poly, and the Grizz (also McNeese St and unco) all at Stewart this year. I just ordered my season tickets. 1 out of 2500 YIKES!! If only the people along the Wasatch knew how good these games are going to be.

Waldo,

I don’t get that. I have never understood that about Weber. I remember watching the UM games in '10 & '08 in Ogden on the internet and the crowds weren't there. These were good Weber State teams too playing against a rival with huge BSC implications. Is it just a basketball school? Is it just BYU country?

I went to school with a bunch of guys from Utah and they knew very little about Weber and seemed to care less. Most were BYU & Utah grads but Weber wasn't even on their radar. Even a kid that was from Ogden was apathetic.

What gives?

Ursa,

It isn't a population, but an image problem. There are plenty of people living along the Wasatch front. Heavens, over a million and half between Ogden and Salt Lake, but there are the other schools. Utah is in the PAC-12, BYU has had a storied tradition and is fairly competitive, not to mention it seems that most LDS folks think they have to cheer for it to be good and faithful members of the church, and then whatever is left, Utah State gets. Weber, to a lot of Utahans is an after-thought. Most have no clue that Weber is a DI school, that the school has a solid athletics program and as a school, as DI and before, has a fairly storied tradition (especially in basketball, not so much in football, but Weber does do a good job of holding its own there). What is really sad is that most Weber State grads support one of the other "Big 3" (thankfully we aren't talking about the Dakotas) than their alma mater. Weber is the red-headed step child of Utah, like PSU in Oregon, NAU in Arizona, UNCO in Colorado, and Eastern in Washington. Yes, when the team is doing well and is successful most Utahans are happy for Weber and want us to succeed, but not a lot are willing to go to the stadium to watch for themselves. In basketball, since Weber can beat, at times, Utah, Utah State, and BYU you get a stronger fan base.

Other issues that have affected attendance is Ogden, it isn't a "normal" Utah city (a lot of Utahans are scared of Ogden, I don't know why. It is the most diverse city in Utah), Weber's athletic marketing, it is improving, and the fact that Weber is mostly a commuter campus. At Utah State they don't get a lot of community involvement either, but they do get great student crowds. There isn't anything else USU students can do, but go to the games. Utah State is in the middle of no where and has a traditional college feel, since most of its student live on campus. Regardless, these are all excuses and they stink in my opinion. I think there is no reason why Weber shouldn't have sold out games or at least well attended games. If I was in charge of marketing, I would flood the area with Weber State paraphenalia, constantly do promotions with the area businesses, be on campus doing a number of things, getting the students to games (flyers, signage, music, food, hotties, whatever it took). It is part of the college experience. If you are a student somewhere, you might as well experience what the school has to offer. You don't remember chemistry or other classes, but events and games. Weber doesn't do a very good job covering its own butt. Weber can point and say, well we have to compete with the Jazz, Utah, BYU, Utah State, Real Salt Lake, but it doesn't help. They need to be more positive and do a better job of stretching what they have promoting their image and showing the citizens what they are missing. We all know how good Big Sky football is, and basketball has had good years. Last year's race between the Grizz and Cats was a blast, to bad the school doesn't do a better job of showing it.

Sorry for the rant. I hope this answered your question. I can report, things are getting better.

 

[Geddes]

No rant. Seems like a fair anthropological breakdown of why Weber is Weber. Be careful with these well thought out posts around here..might get yourself a bad reputation..

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

Wonder how many times we'll rush the field?

Well, good to know that the referees will be, hopefully, at least, calling some kind of a technical foul there; unsportsmanlike conduct or something like that, you never know with them, on the crowd as I don't think they'll be too amused if all you EWU fans keep on rushing onto the field after each quarter. I know, I know, I know, they are BSC refs and all that and they really do some weird things out there but this one might just be in the bag. :bad:

Of course, you might convince them all that with the restrooms on the other side of the field that that was all the commotion was about. Might work; BSC referees and all. :?

 

[kemajic]

I don’t get that. I have never understood that about Weber. I remember watching the UM games in '10 & '08 in Ogden on the internet and the crowds weren't there. These were good Weber State teams too playing against a rival with huge BSC implications. Is it just a basketball school? Is it just BYU country?

I went to school with a bunch of guys from Utah and they knew very little about Weber and seemed to care less. Most were BYU & Utah grads but Weber wasn't even on their radar. Even a kid that was from Ogden was apathetic.

What gives?

Small college football when there are three major college programs within 80 miles. No contest. When they beat us there in '08 and made the playoffs, there were 3753 in attendance, many of those MT fans.

 

[WSUWALDO]

No rant. Seems like a fair anthropological breakdown of why Weber is Weber. Be careful with these well thought out posts around here..might get yourself a bad reputation..

:lol: I've noticed. It could be worse though. Egrizz could be like some NDSU fans. :thumb:

 

[WSUWALDO]

I don’t get that. I have never understood that about Weber. I remember watching the UM games in '10 & '08 in Ogden on the internet and the crowds weren't there. These were good Weber State teams too playing against a rival with huge BSC implications. Is it just a basketball school? Is it just BYU country?

I went to school with a bunch of guys from Utah and they knew very little about Weber and seemed to care less. Most were BYU & Utah grads but Weber wasn't even on their radar. Even a kid that was from Ogden was apathetic.

What gives?

Small college football when there are three major college programs within 80 miles. No contest. When they beat us there in '08 and made the playoffs, there were 3753 in attendance, many of those MT fans.

Yeah, that was sad. But you've got to remember that the game was also played in a Monsoon. It rained almost 2 inches during the game, which is a total aberration in Ogden Utah. Nonetheless, even if it was a clear day, the most that would have turned out for the game would have been 8K.

 

[grizfan47]

I'll stick my neck out and say we have another advantage and that would be vastly improved coaching and discipline. There were just too many inconsistencies the last two years that fall squarley into the hands of the head coach. Mistakes were made that previous coaches would have "fixed" instead of worked on. I'm not worried about defense, changes needed made. Towards the end of the season last year our blitzing was becoming so predictable, we were getting burned just often enough to hurt.

I'd like to see JJ if there isn't enough cloud to be distracting, but honestly we'll be fine without him.

I totally agree.

I mean no disrespect to EWU. I have the utmost respect for the Eags. I cheered jubiantly when they beat Delaware in the NC.

However, I think this season is going to be special. I agree that Pflu just seemed to be missing something in terms of discipline and leadership. Don't misunderstand, his accomplishments speak for themselves but I was always concerned. I think Coach Delaney is going to bring something to the team that was missing. And I think the new coordinators are going to be better than those we lost. I am certainly looking through maroon colored glasses but I expect a great season. The EWU will be very tough but I think we win it.

 

[ewueagle2010]

As an EWU fan, I can certainly relate to the Weber problem as far as attendance goes. Eastern in one of five universities within less than 100 miles. (Washington State, U of Idaho, Gonzaga, Whitworth and EWU.) That teamed with the concept that the University of Washington and Wazzu are the major schools in the state relates to a lower attendance rate for EWU. Wazzu is drawing close to 40,000 fans a game with a horrible team and they have a lot of alumni in the Spokane area...so that is obviously going to take a lot of people away from Eastern on gameday's. EWU attendance has been getting better every year (average of almost 9,000 last season) and with more and more people having a hard time getting tickets, the talk of expansion is in the works. Adding the planned 8,000 additional seats will be huge for the program!! My point is that I think people forget that there is no other show in town for the Montana schools...when there is nothing else to compete with, why would it be hard to draw 25,000 fans?

 

[Grisly Fan]

What worries most about the EWU game? That red turf. GRIZ HAVE NEVER WON ON IT. (ok its 0-1 but it is still a "streak")