Dual-threat sophomore Nate Bell was handed the reins as starting quarterback, hurt Idaho with his legs and his arm, and the Eagles held the Vandals to just 14 points in what might be a season-defining win.

Now EWU and Weber State both enter Saturday’s matchup (1 p.m., Stewart Stadium) hoping to build something as the Big Sky season nears the back half. Eastern aims for its first road win in five tries this season against a WSU program that is 3-6 at home in conference games under head coach Mickey Mental.

Mental said the focus this week is not letting any bit of complacency creep into their preparation like he felt happened after previous wins over McNeese and Butler.

“We is more important than me, is the message this week,” Mental said.

Photo supplied, WSU Athletics

They’ll need plenty of “we” to slow down Bell and company.

“It’s just getting 11 hats to the ball, running with relentless pursuit,” Mental said. “When you run with 11 hats to the ball, it is demoralizing, just getting hits on him, making sure he feels every tackle if they’re going to run him how they’ve been running him. He’s a very good player.”

Junior safety Kao Hansen, who had two of his team’s four interceptions among five turnovers and 12 tackles for loss totaled in a win at Portland State, said his defense needs to do more of the same to succeed this week.

“If our D-line contains how they did this last game and rushes how they did this last game, and our secondary covers the receivers, they can’t do anything,” Hansen said.

MEET THE EAGLES

As mentioned, all eyes are on Bell, with former QB Jared Taylor now at running back. It was a surprise Taylor run package that flummoxed Weber State in the 2023 loss; Taylor (No. 15) rushed 17 times for 79 yards in that game, with many third- and fourth-down conversions to prolong drives. His permanent move to RB is new this week so it’s possible the Eagles again have new offensive sets that aren’t on film.

Bridget Mayfield, EWU Athletics

But Bell (No. 2) keyed EWU to a big win against then-ranked, but slipping, Idaho last week in a 21-14 decision. He threw 18 of 31 for 177 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, while rushing 23 times for 134 yards. The rest of EWU’s rushing offense netted minus-6 yards. Bell runs for 6.5 yards per carry.

Eastern’s passing offense is largely short- and medium-based. Noah Cronquist (No. 6, 36 yards per game) and Marceese Yetts (No. 21, 30 yards per game) lead the team in receiving.

Defensively, linebacker Read Sunn (No. 26) leads in tackles (48), tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (two). Safety Jaylon Jenkins (No. 31) has three interceptions and seven pass breakups.

TEAM VS. TEAM METRICS

Against five FCS opponents, Weber State has averaged 32.4 points on 374.6 yards per game, including a 5.56 yards-per-play average. Defensively, the Wildcats give up 36.2 points on 418.4 yards per game and 6.34 yards per play.

Overall, Weber State’s turnover margin is now even after the five-takeaway game at PSU. Weber State has lost 11 turnovers (10 interceptions, one fumble) while taking away 11 (eight interceptions, three fumbles). Weber’s offense has one turnover in the last three games.

WSU averages a Big Sky-low 4.14 penalties per game for 40 yards.

For Eastern Washington, against six FCS opponents, the Eagles average 24.3 points on 356 yards per game and 5.52 yards per play. Defensively, EWU allows 29.5 points on 450.5 yards per game, with a per-play average against of 5.76 yards. FCS opponents average running 13.7 more plays per game than EWU.

Overall, EWU is minus-five in the turnover margin. The Eagles have given the ball away 12 times (six interceptions, six fumbles) while taking away seven turnovers (five interceptions, two fumbles).

The Eagles are penalized an average of 5.8 times for 54.4 yards per game.

ODDS & PREDICTIONS

Jeff Sagarin ranks Weber State at No. 179 in all of Division I (FBS and FCS, 265 total teams), up 20 spots. Eastern Washington is 174. Including home-field advantage, his formula favors Weber State by 3.5 points.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly ranks Weber State at No. 82 in FCS (129 teams) and EWU at 72. His formula predicts a narrow Weber State victory of 32-31.

D Ratings predicts a Weber State victory of 31-28 at 57% probability.

INJURY REPORT

A week after sitting out, starting running back Davion Godley, starting defensive end Keahnist Thompson and starting safety Angel King are all “probable,” Mental said.

BEEHIVE BLACKS

The Wildcats will wear all-black uniforms this week and debut a new helmet. WSU will be the first in the state to don the beehive emblem from Utah’s state flag for what it calls “State Connect Day.”

WEATHER

Saturday brings Weber State’s first home day game and the weather looks great before a Sunday rainstorm arrives, though a wind of 10-15 mph may have an impact. Cloudy skies are expected to temper the sun but the forecasted temperature for the 1 p.m. kickoff is 62 degrees, going to 65 by game’s end.

TV & RADIO

The game broadcast streams on the ESPN+ subscription service, available on the ESPN app or WatchESPN.com. Tony Parks and Riley Jensen are on the mic for WSU’s production. Weber State’s radio call, with Carl Arky and Jerry Graybeal, airs in Utah on 103.1 FM and online at 1031thewave.com.

ALL-TIME SERIES

Eastern Washington leads the series 20-18 and won the last outing, a 2023 game in Cheney the Eagles claimed 31-23. WSU is 10-7 at home in the series, having won two straight in Ogden with the last a 45-21 decision in 2022.

The 2023 game snapped a four-game win streak for WSU and gave ninth-year head coach Aaron Best his first win against the Wildcats in five tries.