Eastern Washington Univeristy's Inferno
Bobcat Game Day Notebook at Eastern Washington
11/9/2013 12:41:00 PM | Football
MSU visits The Inferno on Saturday
Rob Ash isn't letting the numbers fool him.
Montana State's seventh-year head coach says the disparity between the Eastern Washington defense that shows up on game film and the Eagles that stand in the middle to lower reaches of Big Sky statistics is stark, and easily explained. "They've played teams with a lot of firepower," Ash said of an EWU squad that surrenders 28.4 points and 434.2 yards a game.
A deeper look into the numbers bears that out. In league games, the Eagles allow just 22.8 points and 415.6 yards a game. Of the 3,908 yards Eastern has allowed this year, more than 40% came in the two games against FBS foes plus the contest at Sam Houston State. "I think some of those games have skewed the stats," Ash said.
Indeed, Ash lauds the Eagles for their play on the defensive side of the ball, particlularly the team's stars. Linebacker Ronnie Hamlin and cornerback TJ Lee III are returning All-Americas who are at or near the top in their position groups in the Big Sky. The Eagles have players up and down the defensive stat sheet that fill up columns, an indication playmaking ability.
"This is a very talented defense," Ash says.
* * * * *
Eastern Washington's huge offensive numbers are built on a big plays, and that, according to Rob Ash, is no accident.
"They are not timid ab out taking shots," Ash said. "They have calls built in for certain looks, and if they can get a player isolated (in man coverage) they will take a shot. They make big plays happen."
Another reason for the big plays is spectacular sophomore quarterback Vernon Adams. "He doesn't need much room" between a defender and receiver," Ash said. "He'll throw it up there and trust his guys to make a play. And they usually do."
* * * * *
Montana State enters Saturday's game as healthy as it has been all season, but the absence of starting tight end Tiai Salanoa provides an opportunity for a pair of players that have not been involved in the pass game in 2013. Lee Parkins starts at tight end today, with redshirt freshman Austin Barth sliding into two-tight end sets. That also creates more opportunities for Chad Newell, a running back who can be utilized as a 'move' tight end. Newell has proven his mettle as a pass-catcher with a pair of scoring grabs this year.
Montana State's seventh-year head coach says the disparity between the Eastern Washington defense that shows up on game film and the Eagles that stand in the middle to lower reaches of Big Sky statistics is stark, and easily explained. "They've played teams with a lot of firepower," Ash said of an EWU squad that surrenders 28.4 points and 434.2 yards a game.
A deeper look into the numbers bears that out. In league games, the Eagles allow just 22.8 points and 415.6 yards a game. Of the 3,908 yards Eastern has allowed this year, more than 40% came in the two games against FBS foes plus the contest at Sam Houston State. "I think some of those games have skewed the stats," Ash said.
Indeed, Ash lauds the Eagles for their play on the defensive side of the ball, particlularly the team's stars. Linebacker Ronnie Hamlin and cornerback TJ Lee III are returning All-Americas who are at or near the top in their position groups in the Big Sky. The Eagles have players up and down the defensive stat sheet that fill up columns, an indication playmaking ability.
"This is a very talented defense," Ash says.
* * * * *
Eastern Washington's huge offensive numbers are built on a big plays, and that, according to Rob Ash, is no accident.
"They are not timid ab out taking shots," Ash said. "They have calls built in for certain looks, and if they can get a player isolated (in man coverage) they will take a shot. They make big plays happen."
Another reason for the big plays is spectacular sophomore quarterback Vernon Adams. "He doesn't need much room" between a defender and receiver," Ash said. "He'll throw it up there and trust his guys to make a play. And they usually do."
* * * * *
Montana State enters Saturday's game as healthy as it has been all season, but the absence of starting tight end Tiai Salanoa provides an opportunity for a pair of players that have not been involved in the pass game in 2013. Lee Parkins starts at tight end today, with redshirt freshman Austin Barth sliding into two-tight end sets. That also creates more opportunities for Chad Newell, a running back who can be utilized as a 'move' tight end. Newell has proven his mettle as a pass-catcher with a pair of scoring grabs this year.
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