CHENEY, Wash. — Eastern won the toss and elected to receive, and they wasted no time in getting on the board. However, penalties and miscues took a lot of points off of the board in a 35-32 overtime loss to Drake.
Tuna Altahir scored the first touchdown of the day for the Eagles, giving them an early 7-0 lead. Efton Chism III and Michael Wortham got in on the scoring, but the Bulldogs chipped away at the Eastern lead with field goals, and scored a touchdown when it mattered most, in overtime.
Drake was held to only 76 yards on the ground but exploded for 393 yards in the air in the narrow win.
Tuna Altahir led the Eagles with 94 yards rushing, and Efton Chism III added 65 yards receiving with 22 of those after the catch. Kikeo Visperas was 21-26 passing for 177 yards.
Penalties frequently stalled drives and a costly turnover near the end of regulation led to a 29-29 tie when the clock hit zero. Eastern kicked a field goal, but Drake got the second possession and won it on a touchdown.
"I think the obvious one was the penalties," head coach Aaron Best said when asked if there was a specific thing that went wrong. "Especially in the special teams arena. Probably the better part of 100 yards, hurt. Three on punt returns, and I think each one was 15-18 yards plus, so instead of being at the 50, we were at the 25. That's two and a half first downs, so we must clean that up."
Coach Best and the Eagles hit the road next weekend for a matchup with Southeastern Louisiana. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.
