FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The 2024 season had high and lows, and those were both prevalent in the season finale today. Eastern Washington faced No. 21 Northern Arizona, falling to the Lumberjacks 30-18. EWU ends its season 3-5 in the Big Sky and 4-8 overall.
"For three quarters it was back-and-forth and it was field position football. We went for it on fourth and didn't get; and then they went for it and didn't get it late in the half. It was potentially the best defense we played all year, back to front and they made it difficult for us," head coach Aaron Best said. "Our QB run game wasn't as effective, but that was a lot of credit to them. We did what we could with the lead late in the third. We just couldn't get off the field defensively and they made us pay when they stayed on the field. We battled all game. It was a ranked opponent on the road, in conference, trying to defend its undefeated record at home and trying to make the playoffs. We hung in there, but it's a 60 minute game, not a 45 minute game at the end of the day."
It was a defensive struggle to start out as the first quarter was scoreless for the majority of the time. NAU struck first with a long, 75 yards touchdown. EWU tied the game on its next drive after getting good field position on a Michael Wortham-kick return. The 'Jacks would answer with a score and take a touchdown lead into half.
Eastern scored 11 points in the third quarter and took the lead heading into the fourth. NAU turned on its offense in the fourth with 13 points and its defense shut out the Eagles to get the win.
In his final game as an Eagle, Efton Chism III caught 13 passes for 119 yards and one touchdown. It was Chism's 53rd consecutive game with a reception breaking Cooper Kupp's 52-streak for the Eastern and FCS record. Chism also broke Kupp's single-season EWU reception record of 117 receptions in 2016. He finishes with 120 for the season.
Chism described what it means to him to break Kupp's records and his final game as an Eagle,
"It means a lot to pass [Kupp], especially when you look at all of his records. Half of them are untouchable in the FCS, especially career yards and touchdowns. I don't think those will ever be broken. When I get one on him, it feels really special and I'll never forget that. Right after the game it hits you that it's over and then all my family is around me. I put a lot into this. You don't realize until it's done, how much you put into the last 4-5 years. I'm so blessed to be an Eagle and I wouldn't go back and change a thing. I'm just honored and blessed to be here."
Jared Taylor threw two touchdowns and passed for 73 yards on 4-of-5(80%) passing.
Eastern ran for 134 yards on 34 carries. Kekoa Visperas led the team with 62 yards on six carries.
Scoring Summary
The home team scored first on a 75-yard touchdown, flea flicker pass at the end of the first quarter and go up 7-0 on Eastern.
Michael Wortham set up the Eagles at midfield with a 35 yard kickoff return to answer the NAU score. EWU's ground game methodically moved the ball down the field, with Kekoa Visperas breaking the biggest run for 11 yards to put the ball at the 'Jacks 2-yard line. Jared Taylor then faked the run and found a leaping Jett Carpenter for touchdown. Eastern tied the game at 7 with 9:30 on the clock.
The 'Jacks used more triciaration, with a wide receiver pass from Isaiah Eastman to Tay Lanier for a 40-yard touchdown. NAU was back in front, 14-7 and 5:40 remaining in the half. The score held until halftime.
Opening the second half, the 'Jacks started with the ball at their own 1-yard line, following the kickoff returner made an error by walking out of the endzone instead of kneeling. On the next play, Matthew Brown broke through the line and tackled NAU quarterback Ty Pennington in the endzone for a safety. Eastern cut the lead to 14-9, only 7 seconds into the third quarter.
With a record on the line, Efton Chism III took a screen pass from Taylor, shoved off one defender and then raced down field for 67 yards and the touchdown, a career long reception. The touchdown was Chism's 118th catch of the season. EWU went for the 2-point attempt but could not convert. They took the lead, 15-14 at the 10:52 mark.
NAU put together a 7 play, 72 yard drive, ending in a 21-yard field goal. The 'Jacks had the lead, 17-15 and 8:40 on the clock.
Looking to take the lead back, Visperas connected with Wesley Garrett on 2 passes for 32 yards. Visperas and Taylor both moved the ball down the field with 8-yard rushes. The drive stalled for Eastern, but Soren McKee kicked a 31-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 18-17 lead with 3:45 left in the 3rd.
On the 'Jacks next drive, they moved the ball 61 yards in 7 plays to score the go-ahead touchdown, a 6-yard rush. They led 23-18 with 13:53 on the clock.
NAU killed the clock on its next drive, going 66 yards in 12 plays and taking 6:29 off the clock. The 'Jacks won the game 30-18.
Eag Notes
- Efton Chism III finishes his Eastern career with 346 catches, 3852 receiving yards and 37 receiving touchdowns, averaging 6.53 receptions per game. He ranks 2nd all-time behind Cooper Kupp in receptions and receptions per game, while ranking 3rd in yards and touchdowns. He also finished in 4th all-time with 56 punt returns.
- Kentrell Williams Jr. set a career-best with 10 tackles in the game.
- Jett Carpenter caught his second career touchdown pass, his first since September of 2022 against Oregon.
- Matthew Brown's 3rd-quarter safety was Eastern's first safety since Sep. 25, 2021 against Southern Utah.
- Michael Wortham had 110 kickoff return yards in the game, giving him 1093 for the season.
- Kekoa Visperas completed 15-of-22(68.2%) passes for 94 yards and one interception. It was the only turnover of the game.
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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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