Messages

16

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Eastern Washington

« on: December 12, 2016, 05:48:50 PM »

For all that sillyness (my opinon) of a red field, that place only seats 12,000 and they are averaging less than 10,000 per game   YSU average is 12,000+  for our  8 home wins.  That has to at least tie a YSU record for home wins in a season with 8 and I bet 100,000 is the most home attendance in a long time also.

This isn't accurate. Roos field only has seating for 8,300 and we average nearly 10,000. We don't have big crowds, but we have no problem filling seats during the season. They've had to get creative with field level standing club areas at the corners to accommodate higher than capacity crowds, and we are at four seasons straight selling out regular season home games. The school does Hogwarts style magic tricks to get 11,500 in for the Montana game each year but it's a huge strain on the gamely resources the school has. We have a desperate need for an expansion to around 18,000 but can't come up with the funding to make it happen. Two recent proposals have failed and the current AD has been specifically tasked with coming up with a 3rd by the new university president.

We struggle with attendance in the post season like most of the FCS. Nobody is around Cheney after Thanksgiving. And I think our success has actually come back to bite us a little bit. In 2010 the fans were a bit starved for playoff success and basically sold out the whole postseason run of three games. But 2010 to this weekend we have hosted 12 postseason games and I get the feeling that people take for granted that they can always come watch EWU play December ball next year if their plans get in the way this year (office christmas parties, kid's nativity plays, The Santa Clause 2 and Love Actually double feature on Oxygen network...).
It's frustrating, but a good problem to have.

This is of course not true, playoffs are never guaranteed, and home games even less so. I wish we could get people in those seats in December even when its cold.

17

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Eastern Washington

« on: December 12, 2016, 05:36:19 PM »

You may not like it, but your coach is smart and you have to stay with the run Eagle. Once you become a Montana team, you fail in the post-season & good DE's will eat you alive. We have two of the best. Moss is a monster pass rusher and has above average cover skills. Rivers is a natural pass-rusher and an even better player in coverage. The last few weeks most teams have been using what I call the "Red October" offense; that is throwing at our DE's ...which is smart ... and Rivers has moved back into coverage very well. Most draft services have see him at OLB for the next level. That being said I think he is good enough to be drafted.

Hahaha I'm with you! I actually scolded fans last weekend, they were complaining that Balwin was running more than they liked (they seem to only notice that he's running the ball when it's not working of course).
The last few years we've passed for 4500yds and rushed for 2500 and everyone assumes we are a passing team without realizing that our play calling was almost exactly 50/50.

We can't say that we are 50/50 this year, but I still want Coach to pound the rock. I'm sure things will get back to normal next season.

18

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Eastern Washington

« on: December 12, 2016, 05:02:11 PM »

Does anybody know much about this team. (any on the blog anyway) 
I read the following:
YSU  27.7 PPG OPP 18.1 PPG
EWU 42.7 PPG OPP 25.4 PPG
Rush  YSU 3867 OPP 2220
        EWU 2041 OPP 2753
Pass YSU 291-169-13  169 YPG
       EWU 585-402-12 402 YPG

Looks like we can rush and score, but will need to stop best passing attack we've seen in a while to prevail, but that is just reading a few stats.

Defensively, you can see my previous comment. But in general, be expecting the 16ppg unit of late, probably not the 35ppg of the early season unit. #3 Samson Ebukam DE is a player to watch, he set up camp in Richmond's backfield and still had time to forage out in coverage for an INT. Albert Havili DT and Miquiyah Zamora LB are the run stoppers. Zamaora is working his way up the ranks of EWU tacklers to finish out his senior season.
This defense typically allows yards not points. Gotta get creative in the redzone. I would also say that they typically adjust over a game. Lots of teams have had a great first half only to find out that they can't go anywhere in the second half. See UNI and Central Arkansas for examples of that.

The offense is fairly entertaining. Sophomore QB Gage Gubrud is in his first season as a starter and in 13 games has 6 of the top 8 total offensive performances in the EWU record books. He is great from the pocket and mobile when it breaks down. You will see looks where they intentionally move his pocket out left because he throws well on the run. You will also see designed runs up the middle from him.

The three starting receivers are all over 1000 yards this year and have accounted for 37 TDs, Kupp Bourne and Hill have all run the ball a bit this season as well, Kupp has himself a number of completed passes as well as a pair of TD passes. The back ups are all capable and you will see them play lots of snaps as well, they have accounted for 1000 receiving yards and 7 scores. The Eagles throw every pass in the book, but we prefer the high percentage short throws/screens/boundary plays that keep the chains moving rather than deep routes. I think this is why Richmond tried to drop everyone into coverage and cover all of the field, that was a fairly big mistake. Gotta rush our QB, that's your ticket.

Running has been tough for us most of the season, but coach is dedicated to it. So you'll see Custer Jr and Wilson a plenty as runners and receivers. The games where we have been bottled up we've had to make up for it by throwing a million passes, but it hasn't seemed to hold us back yet. A lot of this may be because the offensive line is young and could only handle so much going into the season, as they grow the run has become a better part of the game.

There are a number of gadgets in the playbook so expect to see one or two during the game. They aren't an integral part of the offense the way Portland State likes. Coach will run them more based on the defense giving us the right look rather than on needing it due to the game situation.

This team tends to start slow allowing points early and sputtering on offense at the same time. But they get the kinks worked out around halftime and usually come out on top in good fashion. It's a scary trend to watch. It even makes blowouts like UC Davis feel like nail biters.

What else... IDK y'all can ask if you want more about 'em.

19

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Eastern Washington

« on: December 12, 2016, 04:31:33 PM »

Yes Go Guins ...like all the teams from the Sky, they can sling the ball. What they have going for them is something most of the other Sky teams do not have ...a defense and a stupid red field. Nothing personal Eagle Fans but Blue, Red and Purple fields? The NCAA issues pages to make certain that fields are consistent ... yet permit something so atrocious ...I have never understood it.   LOL

Worse than playing on it is watching it. Especially on TV. Since both team can play in snow ...let's hope for a light dusting. 

I agree they can sling all over the yard. But to say they have a good defense is ridiculous.
Wofford is ranked #5 in total defense, we are ranked 11th. Eastern Washington isn't in the top 50. The shut out against Richmond was their first in 109 games

With all due respect, Penguin Ice.

Our defense has allowed 16ppg over their last seven outings which included 3 playoff teams and 24ppg over the year. I don't think you can even say that your own defense has allowed only 16ppg in the last 7. Granted Eastern is by no means a top ten defensive unit, but we play in a conference with the largest variety of offensive schemes and most of them extremely good at what they do (there is a reason the Payton award keeps making its way back to the Big Sky). Richmond folks spent a weak poking around our defensive rushing stats only to watch their rushing game crumble. It's not enough to look at points allowed or yards allowed. Take a peak at our schedule on GoEags.com and look at the trend of points allowed over the course of our season. This defense has figured things out, and in my humble opinion they deserve to be considered good, even if you can't make it to great.

20

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Eastern Washington

« on: December 11, 2016, 04:25:22 PM »

Thanks for the rundown! It's more fun to watch when I know where to look, and what to expect! Congrats on your success thus far! I still harbor some ill will towards Jacksonville (for football reasons not anything real lol) glad y'all knocked em out.

21

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Eastern Washington

« on: December 11, 2016, 01:55:23 PM »

Who are your guys? What makes this team tick?

22

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Eastern Washington

« on: December 11, 2016, 12:43:37 PM »

Our kicking game is not particularly strong. We protect them from the tougher tries by going on fourth often. That gives Alcobendas the chance to be consistent in the tries he does get.

23

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Eastern Washington

« on: December 11, 2016, 12:12:35 PM »

It's a dry cold!

LOL

What were the game time conditions yesterday Talon? I didn't get to see any of it.

How is the wind on a typical game day?

Looking forward to it. I have new polarized sunglasses on the way to help me cope with the most obnoxious field this side of Boise State. Did you guys have to make any special petitions to the NCAA to get away with that or is it simply a choice anyone could do at any time? Just kidding about the obnoxious thing, sort of.

Everything on the field will be red and white it should be interesting.

It was around 20 degrees yesterday, field was icy but cleared of snow. There was no wind to speak of, but that was uncharacteristic of games in Cheney. Typically at least 5-10 mph. I'd say it's usually significant enough that trying to face north when kicking is a legitimate game winning strategy.

And the inferno is on the OTHER side of Boise

Color wise, I bet eastern comes out in their greys or blacks!