CHENEY, Wash. — The Eastern Washington Eagles are feeling refreshed both physically and mentally after their bye week, and they're ready to execute the little things and get their season back on track.
"Coming off of a game like Montana and the games we've had prior in the season, it's good for us to get healthy and get this week off," Sophomore running back Talon Betts said. "Personally, I feel great coming back. I was telling my coach yesterday when we were at practice moving around, 'I feel fresh, my legs feel good', so I'm hoping everyone else feels that same way."
They haven't started out the season the way they'd like to. After a 42-27 win over Monmouth, Eastern has lost its last four straight games. Three of those four were decided by one score or fewer. However, their bye week gave them the chance to heal, re-energize, and prepare to win the crucial moments in close matchups.
“We’re close but we’re not close enough, and like I’ve said several times, this isn’t horseshoes, this is football," Head Coach Aaron Best said. "There’s no ties in football, and close doesn’t count. We don’t want that to creep into our minds that close counts, close counts, because I think that’s part of battling, it’s part of a resilient ball club. I want to see this team be on the other side of the true resiliency and overcoming.”
Although Eastern's defense has been pressuring quarterbacks, they haven't managed to come up with many sacks or turnovers. However, Sacramento State has struggled with turnovers this season, giving up three in their last game alone. It could present an opportunity for the Eagle defense to break through.
“Just execute, follow our pass rush lanes, and just have effort, like relentless effort," defensive end Tylin Jackson said. "If you fall down, get back up, try to get to the QB. Scrape, claw, bite, just do everything you can to get to the quarterback.”
The Eagles hit the road to take on Sacramento State Saturday at 6 p.m.