Weber State football takes series streak back to the red turf of Eastern Washington
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- Weber State receiver Haze Hadley (80) wards off an Eastern Washington cornerback during a Big Sky Conference football game Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, at Stewart Stadium in Ogden.
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- Weber State running back Dontae McMillan, center, fights through Eastern Washington defenders Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Cheney, Wash.
For the second straight week, Weber State football will face an opponent likely playing to remain in playoff contention when the Wildcats travel to Eastern Washington for a 5 p.m. MDT kickoff in Cheney, Washington.
Both WSU and EWU fell out of the Top 25 with one-point losses last week — Weber State a 17-16 defeat to UC Davis, and Eastern a 42-41 loss at Idaho State.
The latter saw the Eagles cough up a 41-14 lead late in the third quarter, likely providing motivation heading into this week. It spoiled the return of quarterback Kekoa Visperas, who threw 33 of 47 for 403 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
How did Eastern (2-4, 1-2 Big Sky) lose to Idaho State with such a performance? Its defense. Idaho State’s two quarterbacks combined to complete 38 of 55 passes for 523 yards.
That’s perhaps welcome news for Weber State (3-4, 1-3), who has handed the offense to true freshman quarterback Richie Munoz. Munoz got the start last week and is now listed as the starting quarterback on this week’s depth chart after throwing 15 of 30 for 138 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, though with two lost fumbles.
The Wildcats have won two straight in Cheney and four straight overall against EWU.
MEET THE EAGLES
Visperas (No. 0) missed a game due to injury but, over five games, has completed 66% of his passes for 292 yards per game, totaling eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Efton Chism III (No. 7) remains the go-to receiver for EWU; he goes for 81 yards per game on 10.1 yards per catch, totaling four touchdowns on 48 receptions.
There’s plenty of football to go around in the passing game, however. Nolan Ulm (No. 17) and Anthony Stell Jr. (No. 3) each have 24 catches apiece, combining for another 87 yards per game.
Tuna Altahir (No. 5) is back toting the rock, totaling a team-high 67 carries but at just 2.9 yards per carry. Justice Jackson (No. 22) gets 43 yards per game on 5.6 yards per carry.
A trio of fifth-year linebackers leads EWU in tackling: Ben Allen (No. 20) has 47 tackles, including six for loss, Adam Cohen (No. 32) has 33 tackles, and Jaren Banks (No. 6) has 31 tackles with four for loss, including 2.5 sacks. Safety Armani Orange (No. 38) also has 31 tackles and two interceptions.
Eastern has forced just four turnovers in six games (three interceptions, one fumble). Weber State’s defense has forced 10 turnovers (seven interceptions, three fumbles).
TEAM VS. TEAM METRICS
Through seven games, Weber State is averaging 18.6 points and 266 yards per game, averaging 4.3 yards per play. Defensively, WSU gives up 23.2 points and 368 yards per game on a 5.3 yards-per-play average.
In six games, Eastern Washington averages 30.8 points on 410 yards per game, averaging 5.4 yards per play. Defensively, the Eagles allow an average of 34.7 points per game on 445 yards and a 6.5 yards-per-play average.
ODDS & PREDICTIONS
Jeff Sagarin ranks Weber State No. 153 in all of Division I (FBS and FCS), the same position as last week. Eastern Washington is No. 158 overall. Including accounting for home-field advantage, which represents all of EWU’s advantage in an otherwise pick ’em game, his formula favors Eastern Washington by two points.
Bill Connelly ranks Weber State at No. 45 in FCS and Eastern Washington at 57. His formula predicts a Weber State win 29-27.
D Ratings predicts a Weber State victory of 31-29 at 58% probability.
WEATHER
Weather in Cheney, Washington, brings a predicted high of 71 degrees on a mostly clear Saturday. It’s expected to be 70 degrees at kickoff with the sun setting and the temperature around 60 degrees by game’s end.
TV & RADIO
The TV broadcast will be an SWX production with Austin Getz and Bill Ames on the call, available outside the SWX TV footprint on the ESPN+ subscription service.
Weber State’s radio call will be Steve Klauke and Jerry Graybeal on 103.1 FM in Utah and online at 1031thewave.com.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Eastern Washington leads the all-time series 19-18, with a 10-7 advantage in Cheney. Weber State holds a four-game win streak dating to 2017, claiming wins of 35-34 and 28-20 in the last two meetings at Roos Field. WSU won the last time out in 2022, a 45-21 victory in Ogden.