CHENEY, Wash. — October is behind everyone and Eastern Washington football looks to start November on the right note. Eastern hosts No. 2 Montana State on Saturday (Nov. 2) at Roos Field, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
Fans can purchase tickets to the game online by clicking the link
Here or calling the EWU Ticket office at 509-359-6059.
The game will be broadcast on Scripps Sports and aired live on SWX in Spokane. The game will also be streamed live on ESPN+. Listen live to the action at Roos Field with the voices of the Eagles, Larry Weir and Paul Sorensen.
Last Time Out
Eastern faced its fourth consecutive ranked opponent last week in Moscow, facing the No. 11 Vandals at the Kibbie Dome. Both teams tried to find a rhythm on offense to start the game. A 33-yard catch from Efton Chism III set up EWU in the redzone and Kekoa Visperas then called his own number from 1 yard out for the score, tying the game at 7 in the first quarter. Eastern got two field goals from Soren McKee in the second quarter and trailed 17-13 at the half. Idaho scored on a 1-yard touchdown run at the 4 minute mark of the third quarter. EWU's offense stalled on its next possession, and the Vandals took advantage, grinding out a 10 play, 52 yard drive early in the fourth quarter to go up 31-13. Jared Taylor answered the score with a 3-yard TD pass to JP Murphy and the lead was down to 10. Eastern attempted an onside kick, but Idaho recovered and scored on their drive. Michael Wortham broke a 100-yard kickoff return to keep hope alive, but Idaho held on for the 38-28 win.
Eastern accumulated 388 yards of total offense in the game, with Idaho putting up 487. Derek Ganter Jr. set a career-high for the second week in a row with 15 tackles, including eight solo. Conner O'Farrell set his own career-best with nine tackles, while Myles Mayovsky joined the trend with a career-best seven tackles.
Back Against the Bobcats
Eastern has a favorable record against Montana State, going 32-13 overall and 16-6 at home. The Bobcats have been closing the gap, winning the last three matchups, including a dominating 57-14 victory in Bozeman last season. The teams met in Cheney during the 2022 season and closely fought battle. Montana State led 31-21 into the fourth quarter, but Eastern stormed back with 14 points to take the lead, getting two touchdown passes from Gunner Talkington. After picking off the Bobcats, EWU fumbled late in the game and allowed MSU to score the go ahead touchdown. The Bobcats escaped Roos field with a 38-35 win.
Chism Updating the Record Books
It was another week and another career achievement for Efton Chism III. Chism became only the second Eagle receiver in program history to have 300 receptions, after catching 7 against Idaho. He has 302 in his career receptions, trailing Cooper Kupp. He holds second in EWU history with 6.16 receptions per game and has 3405 career receiving yards, moving him into 4th in program history and passing Aaron Boyce. The senior finished with 114 yards against the Vandals. Chism is tied for 5th in receiving touchdowns with 32 in his career, matching Shaq Hill on the all-time list. He is currently in the Big Sky with 864 receiving yards, and leads with 76 receptions. His 8 touchdowns is tied for first in the conference. Chism leads the FCS with 9.5 receptions per game, ranking 2nd in both yards and receiving touchdowns
Money Mike Does it All
Michael Wortham is truly a do-everything player for Eastern, lining up at almost every position except offensive line. Against Idaho, Wortham finally broke free and scored a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Wortham's return was the first for Eastern since 2019, when Dre'Sonte Dorton returned a kickoff 90 yards against Jacksonville State. It was the 7th 100 kickoff return in EWU history. The most recent occurrence was Lamont Brightful in 2000 against Montana. This season, Wortham leads the Big Sky in kickoff returns, averaging 30.4 per return. He has 821 total return yards, which is twice as many as Portland State's Christian Grubb for 2nd (339). Earlier this year, Wortham scored a career-high 2 rushing touchdowns against Drake, rushing for 46 yards on 11 carries, adding one touchdown pass to Efton Chism III. The senior has 147 receiving yards and 123 rushing yards. His 19 receptions is second on the team. He also has 44 passing yards on 4-of-6 passing attempts.
Rushing Tough
The Eagles accumulated 215 yards on 45 carries against the Vandals. It was the 5th game this season the team has rushed for 200+ yards. Tuna Altahir led the way with 67 yards on 13 carries, while Jared Taylor carried 13 times at quarterback for 61 yards. Marceese Yetts stepped up with 7 carries for 51 yards. Kekoa Visperas had 9 carries for 26 yards and 1 touchdown.
Well Protected
Eastern's offensive line prevented Idaho from sacking the quarterback for the second game this season. The line is averaging 1.5 sacks allowed per game, ranking 34th in the FCS, allowing 12 total this season.
Nearly Mistake Free
Eastern has committed 3 turnovers through 8 games this season, to lead the Big Sky and ranking 2nd in the FCS behind No. 1 North Dakota State. The team has forced 4 turnovers, translating to a 0.25 turnover marking that ranks 4th in the conference and 47th in the nation.
Season tickets for the 2024 football season are now available. Ticket packages can be purchased online via your Paciolan account, over the phone at 509-359-6059, or by emailing tickets@ewu.edu.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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