CHENEY, Wash. — Tuna Altahir scored two touchdowns and backup quarterback Jared Taylor had a rushing touchdown with 1:37 to go to give Eastern Washington a 31-23 victory over Weber State.
The Eags struck first on a three yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Kekoa Visperas on the first drive of the game.
Eastern lined up for a field goal in the second quarter, but Efton Chism III kept the ball and picked up a first down at the one yard line, which lined up Altahir for a one yard rushing touchdown to make it 14-3 EWU.
The Eags led 17-13 into the fourth quarter, but Weber State would take its first lead of the game with 14:56 to go on a Richie Munoz rushing touchdown to put the Wildcats up 20-17.
Eastern was unphased and retook the lead on a Visperas four yard touchdown pass to Altahir to put EWU up 24-20.
Weber State cut the lead to 24-23, but Eastern launched a methodical final drive, which culminated in Taylor's three yard rushing touchdown to make it a 31-23 game.
Weber State had one final chance, but on fourth down and 10 on the EWU 16 yard line, Munoz's pass was broken up by freshman Derek Ganter Jr. to seal the win for EWU.
The Eags rotated Visperas, Taylor and Michael Wortham at quarterback throughout the game and kept the Wildcats on their toes.
Visperas was 20 of 27 for 228 yards and a touchdown through the air and one on the ground.
Taylor led the way on the ground with 17 carries for 79 yards and the big touchdown late.
EWU improves to 3-4 on the season and will go on the road to face Dante Chachere and Portland State next week.
