With three weeks of practice and a week to go until the Red-White Spring Game, the Eastern Washington University football team took to Roos Field for a 60-play scrimmage today (April 23) in Cheney, Wash.

The offense totaled 337 total yards, including 98 on the ground and 229 through the air, and did not concede a turnover. Defensive play was highlighted by three sacks, including one from Mitchell Johnson on the game's final drive.

"The pace felt good today, but the hardest thing to stimulate are Saturdays. Whether it's with an old staff, new staff, or somewhere in the middle. We had referees, different personnel, and were short in a few positions. But the flow was good, we built in some necessary media timeouts that wouldn't take place as consistently," said head coach Aaron Best. "All in all, when you put people up in the box for the first time, there were some really good things and individual plays made. We didn't punt or do special teams besides field goals and extra points. Next week we will split up the staff and everyone will be broken up and against each other, but we'll get there in the fall. The communication was good and clear, there weren't a lot of down, dull, slow, methodical what's going on moments which is good for the first time out."

There was a total of four touchdowns in today's play, plus two field goals for 34 points. Five quarterbacks saw action, led by Ryan Kelley who had two touchdowns and completed five of his seven pass attempts for 81 yards. Gunner Talkington was 6-of-10 for 72 yards plus a touchdown.

Kelley struck first on the second possession of the game, finding Josh Johnson for a 16-yard touchdown. The Eagles would find the endzone again on the ensuing possession, this time on a 12-yard strike from Gunner Talkington to Nolan Ulm.

After that, Wyatt Hawkins connected on his first field goal of the day on a 29-yard attempt. He would also score the final points for the Eagles on a 28-yard try during a simulated game-winning drive with 1:44 left on the clock.

The lone rushing touchdown of the day came from Davante Smith on a five-yard scurry. Kelley's second touchdown pass was a 10-yard completion to Brandon Montoya.

Both Seth Harrison and Jackson Cleaver were a perfect two-for-two on extra point attempts.

Defensively, Ahmani Williams led the way with six total tackles. There was a total of five passes broken up, led by Cage Schenck who had two. Mitchell Johnson and Keshaun King each had a quarterback hurry and recorded a sack, and Johnson also had a tackle for loss.

Davante Smith led the way on the ground, totaling 35 yards on seven carries, followed by Kelley who rushed for 13 yards on two. Robert Mason III hauled in 105 receiving yards on four catches to lead the way, followed by Josh Johnson who had three catches for 40 yards.

Eastern Washington will now practice on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of this week leading up to Saturday's (April 30) Red-White Spring Game at Roos Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and admission is free. For those unable to attend, the game will be broadcast regionally on SWX as well as ESPN+.

"With this being the eleventh practice, you're always a work in progress even when you get to the fall season there are a few situations you try and cover in camp that you may not get to. In the spring, it's more fundamental and not situational driven. We have players in few positions and new faces that joined us a month ago. So, getting them lined up on the field are small victories we're okay with right now. We have a bunch of guys hurt, as does everybody this time of year coming off of surgeries from the fall. So, we're without a couple of bodies and leaders on both sides of the ball. But all in all, we got better today," concluded Best.

2021 Spring Football: Scrimmage Statistics 4/23/22

Total Offense: Rushing 30-98, Receiving 14-229, Totals 60 plays, 337 yards

Scoring Plays: 4 Touchdowns, 2 Field Goals = 34 Points

Josh Johnson 16-yard pass from Ryan Kelley (Seth Harrison kick)

Nolan Ulm 12-yard pass from Gunner Talkington (Jackson Cleaver kick)

Wyatt Hawkins 29-yard field goal

Davante Smith 5-yard touchdown run (Seth Harrison kick)

Brandon Montoya 10-yard pass from Ryan Kelley (Jackson Cleaver kick)

Wyatt Hawkins 28-yard field goal

Rushing: Justice Jackson 6-7, Brandon Montoya 3-9, Micah Smith 3-8, Davante Smith 7-35, Tuna Altahir 2-5, Gunner Talkington 1-minus-4, Trey Turner 1-13, Ryan Kelley 2-13, Kekoa Visperas 4-13, Simon Burkett 1-minus-1

Passing: Gunner Talkington 6-10-72 1 TD, Ryan Kelley 5-7-81 2 TDs, Kekoa Visperas 3-8-78, Simon Burkett 0-3, Trey Turner 0-2

Receiving: Jakobie James 1-15, Robert Mason III 4-105, Isaiah Howard 1-8, Josh Johnson 3-40, Anthony Stell Jr. 1-12, Blake Gobel 1-16, Nolan Ulm 1-12, Micah Smith 1-11, Brandon Montoya 9-10

Total Tackles: Ahmani Williams 6, Warren Hardin 4, Jordan Prunty 4, Sean Skladany 4, Adrian Taylor 4, Mitchell Johnson 3, Ely Doyle 3, Armani Orange 3, Daniel Taumoepeau 3, Kentrell Williams Jr. 2, Brock Harrison 2, Soli Paleso'o 2, Collin Fujimoto-Young 2, Darrien Sampson 1, Keshaun King 1, Darreon Moore 1, Cage Schenck 1, Joseph Obeto 1, Demetrius Crosby Jr. 1, Chad Vidican 1, Taalefili Fata 1, Jacob Newsom 1

Interceptions: None

Sacks: Mitchell Johnson 1, Keshaun King 1, Soli Paleso'o 1

Tackles for Loss: Mitchell Johnson 1, Ely Doyle 1

Passes Broken Up: Cage Schenck 2, Darrien Sampson 1, Joseph Obeto 1, Daniel Taumoepeau 1,

Quarterback Hurries: Mitchell Johnson 1, Keshaun King 1, Adrian Taylor 1