With 10 practices under its belt, the Eastern Washington University football team came together at Roos Field for the first scrimmage of Fall Camp today (Aug. 19) in Cheney, Wash.
 
The offense totaled 435 yards, 250 of which came through the air with the other 207 on the ground. On the defensive front, the Eagles came up with an interception, a fumble and two fumble recoveries, plus four sacks, six quarterback hurries and six passes broken up.
 
"I thought that we were consistently inconsistent. I don't know if it was as much the defense making plays or the offense just wasn't allowing themselves to try to make plays themselves, we'll see it on the film," said head coach Aaron Best. "I thought the energy lacked. It's kind of nice in these moments where I'm quote, unquote, 'not the head coach', kind of standing off to the sidelines, seeing how special teams, offense, and defense are run, but some of that energy has got to be derived by the players. Some of that may have been due to last night's practice being on the field until five o'clock, but no excuses; we're not going to play the victim role or the victim card. We get to come out here and compete."
 
There was a total of three touchdowns scored, plus two field goals for 27 points. Four quarterbacks saw action, led by Kekoa Visperas who completed 12 of his 19 passes for 140 yards while adding another 46 yards on the ground with six carries. Gunner Talkington was 4-for-7 with 33 yards, followed by Simon Burkett who went 5-for-7 for 54 yards. Trey Turner rounded out the action going 1-for-8 for 23 yards.
 
Seth Harrison, who went 2-for-3 on field goal attempts, opened the scoring with a 51-yard field goal on the offense's fourth drive of the scrimmage. The first touchdown of the day was a 15-yard rush by redshirt-freshman Davante Smith. He totaled 49 yards on the ground today on just five carries.
 
The offense finished strong, scoring on three-straight drives to end the day. Redshirt-junior Micah Smith contributed with the team's second score on a two-yard rushing touchdown. He led all rushers today with 74 yards on eight carries. Harrison put a 38-yard field goal through the uprights on the next drive, and Silas Perreiah capped the scoring with a three-yard rushing touchdown.
 
Wyatt Hawkins was an unblemished 3-for-3 on extra point attempts.
 
On the defensive side, defensive back and Washington State transfer Zane Thornton made a statement in his first action on The Inferno, coming down with the scrimmage's lone interception in the endzone. Thornton would end the day with six tackles.
 
Fellow newcomer Derek Tommasini, an Idaho transfer, led the Eagles with nine tackles, two of which were for loss. Along with Thornton, Armani Orange, Ahmani Williams and Jaren Banks also totaled six tackles while Marlon Jones Jr. and Demetrius Crosby Jr. each had five.
 
Sean Skladany was all over the field, recording a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, two quarterback hurries and a sack. LeAndre Gaines, Trevor Thurman and Matthew Brown each had a sack as well. Darrien Sampson and Jones Jr. each had two passes broken up.
 
"We get two of these big scrimmages; one is down, and one is next Friday. I challenge them seven days in advance: energy has got to be better. But, all in all, I think in reality we were consistently inconsistent in a lot of areas. There were some individuals that made plays, there was just no flow. Even when we got a play, it seemed like we were backed up with a bad snap, with a sack, with a dropped ball," added Best. "We will be better than that, we will continue to work on that, but that wasn't our best day of camp thus far. We've had a few pretty good days up to this point, but by no means is that the end product."
 
Just six practices, including the final scrimmage, remain until Eastern Washington's season opener on Sept. 3. The Eagles will scrimmage for the second and final time at Roos Field on Friday, Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. The scrimmage is free and open to the public.
 
EWU Football: Fall Camp Scrimmage #1 Statistics, 8/19/2022
 
Total Offense: Receiving 22-250, Rushing 33-207, 435 Total Yards
 
Scoring Plays: 3 Touchdowns, 2 Field Goals = 27 Points
 
Seth Harrison 51-yard field goal
 
Davante Smith 15-yard rushing touchdown (Wyatt Hawkins kick)
 
Micah Smith 2-yard rushing touchdown (Wyatt Hawkins kick)
 
Seth Harrison 35-yard field goal
 
Silas Perreiah 3-yard rushing touchdown (Wyatt Hawkins kick)
 
Rushing: Tuna Altahir (1- -2), Nick Adimora (2-30), Justice Jackson (3-32), Simon Burkett (1-8), Team (2- -33), Davante Smith (5-49), Micah Smith (8-74), Gunner Talkington (1- -25), Kekoa Visperas (6-46), Silas Perreiah (3-11), Joseph Obeto (1-17).
 
Receiving: Nolan Ulm (4-35), Justice Jackson (1-3), Malaki Roberson (5-66), Efton Chism III (1-21), Jakobie James (4-43), Miles Williams (1-30), Silas Perreiah (1-5), Dylan Ingram (2-17), Anthony Stell Jr. (1-11), Jett Carpenter (2-19).
 
Passing: Gunner Talkington 4-7-33, Simon Burkett 5-7-54, Kekoa Visperas 12-19-140, Trey Turner 1-8-23. (Totaled 22-41-250).
 
Total Tackles: Derek Tommasini 9, Zane Thornton 6, Armani Orange 6, Ahmani Williams 6, Jaren Banks 6, Marlon Jones Jr. 5, Demetrius Crosby Jr. 5, Tre Weed 3, Ben Voigtlaender 3, Shane Aleaga, Ely Doyle 2, Cage Schenck 2, Alphonse Oywak 2, Trevor Thurman 2, Chad Vidican 2, Sean Skladany 2, Darrien Sampson 1, LeAndre Gaines 1, Amani Pressley 1, Daniel Taumoepeau 1, Sherwin King Jr. 1, Elijah Rodriguez 1, Collin Fujimoto-Young 1, Matthew Brown 1, Caleb Davis 1.
 
Interceptions (1): Zane Thornton 1
 
Sacks (4): LeAndre Gaines 1, Trevor Thurman 1, Matthew Brown 1, Sean Skladany 1
 
Passes Broken Up (6): Darrien Sampson 2, Marlon Jones Jr. 2, Alphonse Oywak 1, Shane Aleaga 1
 
Quarterback Hurries (6): Sean Skladany 2, LeAndre Gaines 1, Jaren Banks 1, Chad Vidican 1, Matthew Brown 1
 
Tackles for Loss (7): Derek Tommasini 2, Cage Schenck 1, Demetrius Crosby Jr. 1, Armani Orange 1, Jaren Banks 1, Ben Voigtlaender 1
 
Forced Fumbles (1): Sean Skladany, 1
 
Fumble Recoveries (2): Sean Skladany 2
 
More Comments from Head Coach Aaron Best:
 
On the Quarterbacks' Performances: "Again, kind of like the rest of the team, there were spots where it was good. We put them in wonky situations at times and backed up to start the scrimmage which is not always easy staring down 97 yards of real estate. There was just no flow, and it started really in the stretch, watching those guys come out. As coaches, we need to do a better job to facilitate that energy. If we're excited and we're not playing, then those players that are playing should be excited. So, it starts with us. We'll have a different vibe next Friday. I'm not going to guarantee anything, but that will be a high emphasis this next week."
 
On the Defensive Line and Running Backs: "I think the most experienced group we have is the defensive line. We are down some bodies but we are not going to be down on some bodies for long. So, some of the guys that weren't suited were precautionary and maybe they are a few days away from getting back on. I think the highlight of the offense was those running backs and a lot of them had carries and they did a lot with their carries. They ran hard and it's a competitive group, guys want turns running the ball. And the best way to get turns running the ball is to be productive in the situations we are in. The better they are behind us, the better we are upfront. And those players will make those guys undoubtedly better in front of them, but I would say the progression of the running backs have helped. Not only themselves, but also the offense and the offensive line specifically."