CHENEY, Wash. — Back on the road for Eastern Washington football this week, with the team traveling for a Mountain West contest against Nevada. The game kicks off from Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nev. at 12 p.m. Pacific Time. EWU is 1-2 on the season and Nevada enters the game with a 1-3 mark.
The game is streamed live on Mountain West Network, as well as being broadcast on Nevada Sports Net. Listen to the game live on 700 ESPN and the Varsity App with the voices of the Eagles, Larry Weir and Paul Sorensen.
Last Time Out
Eastern Washington dropped to 1-2 on the season after a 28-24 loss to Southeastern Louisiana on the road. The game had three lead changes, and only 10 points scored in the second half between the two teams. The game was tied at 21 at half, with EWU scoring a late 43-yard touchdown strike from Kekoa Visperas to Noah Cronquist. Through the defensive battle in the second half, Eastern put themselves in a position to score, converting a 36-yard field goal from Soren McKee for a 24-21 advantage. As the third quarter wound down, SLU was driving into Eagle territory. They jumped in front 28-24 on a 23-yard touchdown run. Eastern offense could not string together enough first downs to produce another scoring opportunity and the Lions held on for the win.
Visperas threw for 243 yards, with 71 going to Cronquist. Malik Dotson scored two touchdowns on the ground.
Face-off Against the Mountain West
The Eagles stay on the road to play Nevada in Reno on Sept. 21 in an FBS matchup for the team. EWU is 9-26 against teams in the Mountain West. EWU played Fresno State on the road last season, falling in a closely fought, 31-34 overtime battle. EWU took a 24-21 lead late on a Justice Jackson touchdown, but the Bulldogs tied the game to force OT. Tuna Altahir scored on the Eagles first possession, but Fresno State matched the score. The Eagles held the Bulldogs to a field goal on their next possession, but the game ended after Fresno managed to intercept Visperas.
Meeting the FBS
Eastern Washington is 11-30 against FBS opponents in program history, with its most recent win against UNLV at Allegiant Stadium in 2021, 35-33 in double overtime. It was Eastern's 11th win over an FBS school in program history as Eric Barriere threw for 374 yards and Joshua Jerome had seven tackles, with two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Ultra Efficient
Redshirt-Junior Kekoa Visperas enters his second season as the Eagles' starting quarterback, after a successful 2023. Visperas leads the NCAA with a 81.7 completion percentage and is 2nd in the Big Sky with 231.7 passing yards per game. His 177.0 QB efficiency rating is 2nd in the nation and 1st in the conference. To begin the season, Visperas threw for a career-high five touchdowns and completed 89.3 percent of his passes. It was the second-best completion percentage for a single game in program history, behind only Erik Meyer who had a 90.5 percentage against Northern Arizona in 2004. He is tied for first with 6 passing touchdowns. Visperas has not thrown an interception in the past 15 quarters - 106 passing attempts - dating back to the second quarter against Northern Arizona in November of 2023.
Alone at No. 2
Efton Chism III caught 7 passes against SLU, propelling him into second on the all-time reception list with 254 total, passing Eric Kimble (253). The senior now has 2862 career receiving yards, placing him 7th all-time. Chism scored his 28th career reception touchdown against Drake, giving him sole-possession of seventh on the all-time list. He currently leads the Big Sky with 321 receiving yards, 28 receptions and 4 touchdowns.
Nearly Mistake Free
Eastern has committed only 1 turnover through three games this season, tying for first in the Big Sky and 3rd in the FCS.
Cleaning up the Act
After committing 17 penalties for 220 yards in the first two games of the season, EWU committed only 4 for 50 yards against SLU.
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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