“Massive Insights” Eastern Washington’s Offense Shines Bright: Eagles’ Defense Delivers Stellar Performance!

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Quarterbacks Kekoa Visperas and Jared Taylor led a powerful performance from Eastern Washington’s offense, while the Eagles’ defense delivered its strongest showing of the season in a crucial road victory.

EWU ended a four-game losing streak, pulling off an upset against 18th-ranked Sacramento State with a 35-28 win on Saturday night in a Big Sky clash at Hornet Stadium.

Visperas completed 15 of 17 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown, also contributing 45 yards and a rushing score.

Taylor added 98 rushing yards on 17 carries, scoring twice, including a critical 23-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter that capped off a 10-play, 99-yard drive, giving the Eagles (2-4, 1-1 Big Sky) a 14-point lead with under three minutes to play.

Sacramento State responded with a touchdown, but their onside kick attempt failed, allowing EWU to run out the clock for the final 1:52.

The Eagles’ defense, which had struggled this season and ranked near the bottom of the FCS in various statistical categories, initially faced challenges as Sacramento State scored on its first three possessions.

EWU allowed 365 total yards but limited the Hornets to just one score in the second half, giving up only 6 yards in the third quarter, highlighted by an interception from Eagles cornerback Alphonse Oywak.

Trailing 21-14 at halftime, EWU opened the third quarter with a scoring drive and seized the momentum with a recovered onside kick, leading to Taylor’s 14-yard rushing touchdown that put the Eagles ahead 28-21.

The fourth quarter saw both teams trade punts until EWU secured the game with a lengthy 99-yard drive that consumed nearly six minutes.

The Eagles amassed 441 yards of offense, punting only once. They rushed for 286 yards and four touchdowns on 54 attempts, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, despite Sacramento State being ranked second in the FCS for rushing defense (67.8 yards per game).

Eagles running back Tuna Altahir rushed for 102 yards and scored a touchdown, also adding a receiving touchdown to kick off the second half.

Sacramento State quarterback Carson Conklin completed 21 of 35 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns, but in the second half, he was 7 of 16 for 114 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

EWU will face UC Davis on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Cheney.