CHENEY, Wash. — The Eastern Washington Eagles are off to a rough 1-3 start for the second time in three years and now have to try and turn their season around by upsetting eighth ranked Montana on Saturday.
"We are facing Montana on the red, which is something they haven't done well against, but we are just going to keep swinging," EWU starting quarterback Kekoa Visperas said. "It is huge and it embarks us on the (Big Sky) journey, honestly."
Visperas is right. The Grizzlies have lost the last six meetings between these two teams in Cheney and have never won a game on the Inferno.
However, the last time these teams met in Missoula in 2022, the Grizzlies pummeled Eastern 63-7.
Despite the 1-3 start, EWU head coach Aaron Best says the first chapter of the season is behind the Eags and they now must focus on making the most out of the next two.
"It's a 'new season', the eight games in front of us are way more important from the standpoint of getting us where we intend to go, than the four games behind us," Best said. "We are not excited about the start and that is an understatement, but last time I checked it is not how you start, it is how you finish. We have to finish this week of practice strong to give us the best chance on Saturday."
The Eags face a Grizzlies team which had to overcome a 17-point deficit at home on Saturday against Western Carolina to get its third victory of the season.
Montana is led by dual threat quarterback Keali'i Ah Yat and a host of offensive weapons including All American wide receiver Junior Bergen. Coach Best knows Saturday's test will be far from easy.
"They play a ton of guys," Best said. "They pressure you, they get you moving every third and fourth down for years and years. There is always a call on defense on third and fourth down to scramble your eggs a bit. They are experienced and not to mention they have an All American receiver and All American running back to boot."
"They are scary in a lot of different ways, but defensively and on special teams, they play harder than anyone we are going to face the rest of the season," Best said.
The Eags and No. 8 Montana will kick it off at 5 p.m. at Roos Field on Saturday.