Volume 103, Issue 3
www.TheEasterner.org
October 9, 2019
THE INDEPENDENT, STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER OF
EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
3 News | 6 Arts & Features | 9 Opinion | 10 Sports
EWU senior running back Antoine Custer Jr. dives into the endzone during the Eagles' 35-20 victory over North Dakota on Sept. 28. | Malati Powell for The Easterner
News
Features
MMR immunity requirement
EWU family and alumni celebrate homecoming
All EWU students are required to provide proof of their MMR immunity or a valid waiver starting fall quarter 2019. Prior to fall 2019, EWU was the only four year public university in the state of Washington to not require a MMR vaccine. Deadline to submit forms is Oct. 23, 2019.
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@The Easterner
@The_Easterner
@_TheEasterner
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Editor-in-Chief Richard N. Clark IV easterner.editor@ewu.edu
Managing Editor Dylan Harris easterner.mngeditor@ewu.edu
Get in the spirit V103 I3 - 10.9.19
A collection of homecoming photos from The Easterner Archives
Ad Director Jacie Philips advertising@ewu.edu
Multimedia Director Malati Powell easterner.multimedia@gmail.com
Chief Copy Editor easternercopy@gmail.com
News Editor Mitchell Roland easterner.news@gmail.com
Sports Editor Drew Lawson easterner.sports@gmail.com
Arts & Features Editor Hamine Mendez easterner.aef@gmail.com
Web Editor Keri Kelly easterner.online@gmail.com
Social Media Editor Isaiah Gessner easterner.social@gmail.com
Photographers Mckenzie Ford
Director of Student Newspaper Jeff Bunch
Faculty Adviser Jamie Neely jneely@ewu.edu
About The Easterner
Mission
We, as independent student journalists at The Easterner, inform our EWU audience of the governance, activities and views of our community. We provide a voice and a learning environment for students to engage, connect and make informed decisions.
Circulation
The Easterner publishes a weekly print version as well as web content during the week at theeasterner.org. The Easterner is distributed throughout the Cheney campus and business district as well as the Riverpoint campus and various Spokane businesses. If you would like The Easterner to be distributed at your business call the Advertising Department at 509-359-7010.
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Corrections
The Easterner never knowingly publishes inaccuracies. If any error is found, The Easterner is obligated to correct the error as soon as possible, regardless of the source of the error. The Easterner does not remove any editorial content from theeasterner.org. However, if there is a factual inaccuracy in a story, the editors will run a correction or an update as needed.
News
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Oh, the places you can go
Your Eagle Card doubles as a bus pass with Spokane Transit Authority. Here's a guide to help you get around town.
68-Cheney Loop
Eagle BETZ K Presley 6th point Turnout Street Salnave PUB 7:38 7:41 7:43 7:46 e7:52 ---- 7:57 8:08 8:11 8:13 8:16 8:22 8:25 8:31 8:38 8:41 8:43 8:46 8:52 8:55 9:01 9:08 9:11 9:13 9:16 9:22 9:25 9:31 9:38 9:41 9:43 9:46 9:52 9:55 10:01 10:08 10:11 10:13 10:16 10:22 10:25 10:31 10:38 10:41 10:43 10:46 10:52 10:55 11:01 11:08 11:11 11:13 11:16 11:22 11:25 11:31 11:38 11:41 11:43 11:46 11:52 11:55 12:01 12:08 12:11 12:13 12:16 12:22 12:25 12:31 12:38 12:41 12:43 12:46 12:52 12:55 1:01 1:08 1:11 1:13 1:16 1:22 1:25 1:31 1:38 1:41 1:43 1:46 1:52 1:55 2:01 2:08 2:11 2:13 2:16 2:22 2:25 2:31 2:42 2:45 2:47 2:50 2:56 2:59 3:05
PUB
64-Spokane to Cheney Plaza Jefferson West
Four
P and R Plains lakes
6th
PUB
7:05 7:09 7:24 7:29 7:36 7:40 8:05 8:09 8:25 8:30 8:37 8:41 9:05 9:09 9:25 9:30 9:37 9:41 10:05 10:09 10:25 10:30 10:37 10:40 11:05 11:09 11:25 11:30 11:37 11:40 12:05 12:09 12:25 12:30 12:37 12:40 1:05 1:09 1:25 1:30 1:37 1:40 2:05 2:09 2:25 2:30 2:37 2:40 3:05 3:09 3:25 3:30 3:37 3:40 4:05 4:09 4:25 4:30 4:37 4:40 5:05 5:09 5:25 5:30 5:37 5:40 2:05 2:09 2:25 2:30 2:37 2:40 3:05 3:09 3:25 3:30 3:37 3:41 4:05 4:09 4:25 4:30 4:37 4:41 5:05 5:09 5:25 5:30 5:37 5:41
67-Swoop Loop Eagle point PUB 7:28 7:35 7:36 7:42 7:53 7:58 8:05 8:06 8:12 8:23 8:28 8:35 8:36 8:42 8:53 8:58 9:05 9:06 9:12 9:23 9:28 9:35 9:36 9:42 9:53 9:58 10:05 10:06 10:12 10:23 10:28 10:35 10:36 10:42 10:53 10:58 11:05 11:06 11:12 11:23 11:28 11:35 11:36 11:42 11:53 11:58 12:05 12:06 12:12 12:23 12:28 12:35 12:36 12:42 12:53 12:58 1:05 1:06 1:12 PUB
K 6th Street
Note: The Swoop Loop is only operational on EWU School days.
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News
V103 I3 - 10.9.19
Deadline nears for MMR requirement Students must provide documentation of vaccine, or apply for a waiver
Starting fall quarter, all EWU students must provide proof of their MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) immunity or an acceptable waiver in order to register for winter classes. This new public health requirement consists of two doses of MMR vaccinations, typically ones that individuals receive as children. “I think some misperceptions are students thinking they need a booster or they need a recent vaccination, and it is not. It’s typically a dose given after you’re one, so between 14-18 months and then right before kindergarten,” says Laura Gant, health education coordinator at EWU Health and Wellness. This policy was implemented to help protect the EWU community and the students in it from a potential outbreak. “If we have an outbreak on campus, we know who to communicate with because those students who are vaccinated will be able to stay on campus. With the major outbreaks we have been having recently in Washington State and across the country, we found it really important to be able to communicate with students who are unvaccinated so that their health is not put at risk,” said Lindsey Fulton, who is also a health education coordinator at Eastern’s HWPS. Washington had two outbreaks of measles in 2019, which totaled 86 cases, according to the Washington State Department of Health website. Although the state of Washington is not in outbreak status at the moment, the Washington State Department of Health wants people to take the necessary precautions to prevent the number of cases
Erik Rotness for The Easterner
SANDRA REYES Contributor
Shawn Jones receiving a free flu shot at Neighborfest 2018. Flu shots are included in student fees and are free of charge for currently enrolled students. and overall potential outbreaks. Individuals born after 1956 may need a dose of this vaccine if they have not had it. If you are a current student, MultiCare Rockwood serves as EWU’s student health clinic and provides the MMR vaccine at no additional cost or an MMR titer blood test with an $8 co-pay, which is more cost effective for college students. However, do keep in mind that if you are getting the MMR vaccine, you must receive two doses and there is a 28 day wait between doses.
The deadline for students to submit their immunization records is Oct. 23, 2019. Students can submit any of the following documents as proof of MMR immunity: school certificate of immunizations; immunization records from a healthcare provider, public health department or state immunization registry; a copy of their child immunization card; copy of military immunization card; or a signed proof of immunity from their healthcare provider (form is located on the Med+Proctor site). International students must also meet the new MMR requirements and all documentation must be in English. Once students have a copy of their document(s), they must register using Med+Proctor through their EWU student email. HWPS will not accept any documents or emails, but students are welcome to stop by their office located in URC 201 if they need assistance uploading their records on Med+Proctor.
Students who have a medical, religious and/or personal reason(s) that exempts them from this requirement must fill out and upload an application for a waiver which can also be found in the Med+Proctor system. This waiver also applies to students who are 100% enrolled in an online program and who do not ever come to campus. With that being said, if EWU were to have an outbreak, students who submit a waiver form will not be allowed on campus until the outbreak is no longer in effect. Some students on campus seemed to be in favor of the new policy. “I think the policy is great. I feel a lot safer in my environment knowing that Eastern is going above and beyond to keep its students healthy,” says sophomore Nathalie Medina. For more information on the requirement, visit the EWU Health, Wellness and Prevention Services website.•
“I think some misperceptions
are students thinking they need a booster...” LAURA GANT Health Education Coordinator
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News
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New fee for online tuition payments MITCHELL ROLAND News Editor While the price of tuition for students hasn’t risen, the cost for students who want to pay using a credit or debit card just got a little bit higher. Beginning this fall quarter, EWU students who wish to pay their tuition or any other university fees online will now be directed to pay using PayPath, a thirdparty payment processor. Students are no longer able to make a tuition payment using a credit or debit card in person. “When using debit or credit cards, [students] will be charged a nonrefundable 2.85% convenience fee,” according to the Student Financial Services website, This means that even if part of a student’s tuition is refunded, the processing fee paid on it would not be. And when students pay thousands of dollars in tuition, this fee can add up quickly. For example, if a student were to make a payment for $3,000, PayPath’s service fee on the payment would be an additional $85.50, which means that the total payment would be $3,085.50 Students are also no longer able to pay over the phone or in person, and must process their payment through PayPath if they wish to pay with a credit or debit card. The money collected on the 2.85% fee does not go to Eastern, but is instead collected by PayPath.
EWU is certainly not alone in charging credit card fees for online payments. Big and small, a majority of colleges and universities around the country charge fees for processing credit card payments. In 2016, 255 of 300 universities and colleges that were examined accepted card payment. Of the 255 schools that did accept card, 57% of them charged some type of processing fee for the service, according to a study published by CreditCards.com . The average processing fees charged by universities was 2.62%. Only 21 of the four year universities that were studied by Creditcards.com accepted card payment for tuition without a fee. Students who want to avoid this new fee still have options when it comes to paying their tuition and fees. Students can also pay their tuition by either sending a check or an E-check. To pay by E-check, you will need both your bank account and routing number. To pay by check, students can mail checks to: Eastern Washington University Student Financial Services 202 Sutton Hall Cheney, WA 99004-2448 Students who pay with a paper check must either include their NetID or their student identification number on the check. Tuition payments are due by the sixth day of classes each quarter. After this deadline, there is a $75 late fee for tuition payments. •
Rather then using PayPath, what else could a student spend $85 on?
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY OCTOBER 24, 2019
Thursday
Oct 24
th
11AM - 3PM PUB NCR
Professional Attire Required
Bring Updated Resumes
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
Connect with employers and discover jobs and internships!
EWU Career Center College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics WiSE Club ASME Club
Premiere Employers: Connect Event
- A text book - An uber to the airport, and a one-way flight to Seattle - 65 crunchy tacos from Taco Bell - An 8 month supscription to Netflix - Two weeks worth of groceries - 12 medium pizzas from Dominos
Visit
EWU.EDU/STEMFAIR for details
People needing accomodations should contact EWU Career Center at 509.359.6365 or careers@ewu.edu at least three business days before the event.
www.TheEasterner.org
Feat
6 - The Easterner
2019 Homecom EAGLE FAMILY HOMECOMING KICK OFF & FIELD DAY (Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. at the Lower Intramural Fields)
SPIRIT CAR BASH
Start homecoming off with a bang. Eastern will be putting on a field day to kick off the start of homecoming. There will be free EWU swag, as well as free food. It will have a variety of fun games to keep students entertained. Team challenges are a huge part of EWU's Homecoming. The bed racing team challenge event will be taking place during the kickoff. Different organizations such as residential halls and Greek houses will be competing to win a cash prize. If you would like to start homecoming off with style, then field day might be the right event for you!
(Thursday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. at the Campus Mall)
(Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 8 p.m. in the Pub NCR) Following the field day, three hours later the school will be putting on a Family Feud game night. This will be another opportunity for you and your organization to win points points for the team challenge competition.
GAME NIGHT: FAMILY FEUD
One of the more popular events would have to be the car bash. It costs $1 (in cash) to smash a car with a sledgehammer. The money collected will be donated to local food charities. Senior Darinka Cereceres Reyes mentioned how this is a great way to relieve stress. You can also earn team challenge points through this.
(Thursday, Oct. 10 2-4 p.m. meet in front of the Pub NCR) Following the car bash on Thursday, the school will be hosting a campus wide scavenger hunt. Students will earn clues by completing games and then use those clues to find the next location. This is yet another way clubs and organizations can earn points in the team challenge. Junior Ashley Croney commented how the games are unique and fun to play.
CAMPUS CLUE GAME
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tures
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ming Events EASTERN’S GOT TALENT (Thursday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. in Showalter Auditorium) Continuing the trend of school events on Thursday, EWU will be hosting a talent show. This is a great way to showcase the talents of our fellow Eagles. Get involved with EWU through the performances of your peers. Sophomore Hannah Ellis said that she loves how inclusive the event was. She also thinks it's cool to see the residential hall community advisers bring their residents. This is a fun way for new students to get introduced to campus life and hang out with their friends.
asterner.org
LATE NIGHT COMEDY SHOW: MELISSA MCGILLICUDDY (Friday, Oct. 11 at 10 p.m. in Showalter Auditorium) Comedian Melissa McGillicuddy will be coming to Showalter Auditorium to perform for one hour. This is special considering she was voted best comedian by the Sacramento News & Review. Enjoy your Friday night with friends and laughter.
(Friday, Oct. 11 at 8:30 p.m. at the parking lot on the corner of First Street and G street) EWU will be hosting a bonfire and pep rally on Friday to get ready for Saturday's big game. They will have a marching band, cheerleaders and the football team in attendance. The school will be putting on a bonfire in the same parking lot. This is a great way to connect with the EWU community through school spirit. This is also another way to earn team challenge points.
BONFIRE & PEP RALLY
(Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12:20 p.m. outside the main gates of Roos Field) Whether or not you decide to tailgate, the rally is an exciting event for fans and students. EWU alumnus Mathew Haley said it really made him feel a part of the local community, and it was cool being apart of a large group. This is a great way to prepare for the big game.
RALLY AT ROOS
Arts
Easterner Asks
What is your favorite class/ subject to study, and why? "My favorite subject is African American culture and expressions. I would consider this my favorite because of all the new information we learn and how it directs back to the world we live in today."
- Kelsey Bray, Freshman "My favorite subject to learn is science because it intrigues me a lot. You really learn just how much science plays a part in your everyday life."
- Erin Walls, Freshman “My favorite subject is psychology 201 because the way the human mind develops over a lifespan fascinates me very much."
- Autumn Meyers, Freshman "One of my favorite subjects that I plan to major in is Spanish. I greatly enjoy being able to learn about the diversity of language in different cultures and how it is utilized in day to day life."
- Reganne Bond, Freshman "My favorite subject(s) at the moment (because I can’t pick one!) would have to be history and politics ... I love learning about the way our past and political system work together to make today."
V103 I3 - 10.9.19
Looking Back
Saving Homecoming! THE EASTERNER Archives
This story was originally published in The Easterner, Vol. 61, No. 29, May 26, 2010 and has not been changed except for AP style. Saving Homecoming! Homecoming 1969 is in desperate fear of failure. The moratorium and increased student interest in all social problems is dooming homecoming and other traditional college activities. All over the country traditional activities, including Homecoming, Collegiate Week and even Commencement, are being snubbed, spoofed and satirized. The New Left is so busy complaining about what is wrong and the Right is so busy complaining about the New Left that neither side seems to remember about the good side of life. Everyone seems to think the world’s problems can be solved NOW. This they can not. But only through understanding, cooperation and friendship will they ever be solved. To have cooperation is to adjust to another, to discard hostilities, to hopefully become friends. One Way to do this is to start cooperating and enjoying life in a less serious atmosphere--the relaxed, even inane atmosphere that Homecoming offers. Homecoming lasts for just a short
The Easterner, Vol. 20, No, 3, October 15, 1969
8 - The Easterner
while each year. Just as a coffee break increases efficiency in work, so should Homecoming increase the possibility of the world’s problems by promoting relaxation for a short while … and by
promoting friendship. So keep working for a better world, but pause to participate in Homecoming, too. The bed race is at 2:40!
“To have cooperation is to adjust to another,
to discard hostilities, to hopefully become friends .” - The Easterner Archives
Confessions These posts were originally published on Instagram @EWU_Confessions. The purpose of this platform is to provide a safeplace for students to comfortably share their expierences and to support one another. The account @EWU_Confessions is not affiliated with The Easterner and is independently operated by an EWU student. In order to submit confessions, please go to @EWU_Confessions on Instagram.
- Hailey Brereton, Freshman "My favorite subject to learn is English because it relates to my major. I’ve always been a book nerd since I was little and it has just continued through college to make me want to become an English teacher."
- Haylee Mae, Sophomore
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Opinion
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Photo courtesy of Capt. Nicholas B. Carbaugh
Guest Column
EWU Cadet Maximizes Army Summer Opportunities Cheney, Wa – Cadet Valentino Olmstead, a junior at EWU, returned home on September 11th after completing an internship with the National Forensic Science
Technology Center (NFSTC) and graduating from the US Army Air Assault School. “My favorite part was repelling out of the UH-60 Blackhawk. Flying down the rope with a helicopter hovering over my head left me grinning from ear
to ear and speechless” said Cadet Olmstead. The EWU ROTC program offers a wide range of opportunities for Cadets over the summer from Army schools, Cadet Summer Training, the Cadet Coalition Warfighting Program all around
the world, numerous internships, and Cadet Troop Leader Training where Cadets shadows and help lead active duty Army units. These summer opportunities broaden Cadets understanding of what opportunities the Army has to offer them after college. The EWU ROTC program is open to any student who has at least two years remaining in college. ROTC takes students with little or no military background and develops them into Army leaders pursuing careers in a wide range of branches, from infantry
to nursing to engineering. “Being able to learn how the skills from my Forensic Science degree can be applied to a military setting was my favorite part of the whole internship. It really opened my eyes as to how versatile the skills I’m learning at Eastern can be and helped encourage me to keep pursuing my degree” said Cadet Olmstead when asked if he found his internship with NFSTC useful. To learn more about ROTC call 509-359-6110 or visit https:// inside.ewu.edu/rotc/•
Photo courtesy of Cpt. Nicholas B. Carbaugh
Capt. Nicholas B. Carbaugh Guest Columnist
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Sports
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Keister brings the fire to the field Junior forward leads EWU in goals and points RANDLE KINSWA Sports Reporter EWU junior forward Sariah Keister can be described in one word: feisty. At least, that’s how EWU head coach Chad Bodnar and senior forward Brooke Dunbar describe her. “Sariah is one of those players that will not stop, she will just keep running at people,” Dunbar said. “She’s a little fireball ... she makes defenders angry.” Keister has enjoyed a successful junior campaign. The junior forward is second in the Big Sky Conference in goals and is third in total points (soccer counts assists as one point). Keister is leading the Eagles with 37 shots and 17 shots on goal. Keister has a .135% shot percentage. Rather than taking credit for her accomplishments, Keister attributes her success to her teammates and coach. “(Without) the coaches (and) team ... none of this would have happened,” Keister said.
When asked if there's anything that she needs to work on individually, Keister said she can improve on controlling her temper . The origin of Keister's motivation comes from those on the other side of the pitch. “There was always someone on another team … if they played good or had really good skill, I told myself I wanted to be better than them,” said Keister. “I’ve always wanted to win … I am a competitor … even off the field.” Dunbar thinks very highly of Keister. “Sariah has come super far,” Dunbar said. “This year she literally came out of the gates running ... she plays every minute of the game … she’s great.” The senior leader has some advice for Keister. “Enjoy every moment, it goes so quick," Dunbar said. "And don’t yell at the refs.” Bodnar has much praise for his leading scorer. Her competitiveness is a focal point of Bodnar’s compliments. “I think she just has a competitive streak in her that you don’t see on a regular basis for people,” Bodnar said. “She works extremely hard and she wants to win … She
is not the most positive person, but that is because of her competitiveness.” Bodnar also highlights where Keister can improve. “I think emotionally she gets tied into things,” Bodnar said. “It can be a good thing or a bad thing...she gets a little bit over the top sometimes.” In her first two years at EWU, Keister was a midfielder. Now, she has transitioned to forward. Bodnar said the change has not just helped her, but has helped the team in a major way. Keister is second on the team with eight fouls. This is a byproduct of her intensity, feistiness and will to win, according to Bodnar and Dunbar. “She likes to win,” Bodnar said. “She rubs people the wrong way because of it sometimes, but it’s something that I love about her.” Keister and the rest of the Eagles will be on the road this week, traveling to Pocatello, Idaho to take on the Idaho State Bengals. EWU is 1-0-1 in BSC play and 4-52 overall. •
Sariah Keister (right) chases the ball against Idaho State on Oct. 14, 2018. EWU won the match 8-1.
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Drew Lawson for The Easterner
Bailey Monteith for The Easterner
Sariah Keister surveys the field during EWU's 4-2 loss vs North Dakota State on Sept. 20. Keister scored two goals in the match. Drew Lawson for The Easterner
Sariah Keister (far left, #2) kicks the ball during EWU's 4-2 loss vs North Dakota State on Sept. 20. Keister scored two goals in the match.
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Sporting the new clubs
A guide to the five club sports that are new or reactivated for the 2019-20 school year Information gathered by Drew Lawson for The Easterner Artwork by Keri Kelly for The Easterner
Car Club
Esports
President: Jordan Schafer
President: Connor Stark
Cost: $10 per quarter
Cost: None at press time
Contact: jschafer3@eagles.ewu.edu
Contact: connorstark0@gmail.com
The car club, which is one of two brand new club sports this year, will have several components, according to Schafer. The club will have car meets, where members meet in a parking lot to show off their cars and discuss automobiles. There will be cruises, where members will meet up and then go on a caravan-style drive. Schafer also hopes to have the club participate in various racing events at the Spokane Speedway, but that plan is currently unconfirmed. Schafer’s goal is to have the members meet on the first Saturday of every month for a car meet and on the third Saturday of every month for a cruise. That schedule also has yet to be decided. •
Esports is a brand new club at EWU in 2019-20. The group, which currently consists of 20 members, meets on Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. in the PUB Game Room. The club is playing League of Legends for the time being, but Stark is looking into expanding that list. Stark is working on making the EWU club an official member of the Big Sky League, which begins competition in March. For now, the club will be scrimmaging League of Legends games against each other. •
Lacrosse
Figure Skating
President: Brandon Wong
President: Caitlin Porter
Cost: $10 per quarter
Cost: $10 per quarter
Contact: bwong3@eagles.ewu.edu
Contact: EagleSync
The lacrosse club has technically been active for three years, but has only managed to play in one competitive match due to a shortage of players. That match came last year against Gonzaga. The club is back this year and is hoping for 15 members total so it can begin to compete regularly against other schools in Washington. Currently, there are eight to nine members. Practices are tentatively scheduled for Tuesdays. •
Rodeo
President: Madi Sphuler Cost: TBD
Contact: mweilepstomley@eagles. ewu.edu
The figure skating club was brought back for the 2019-20 school year after Porter agreed to become president of the club. The skaters meet every Monday at the URC ice rink at 8 p.m. There are currently four members, but Porter said they’re hoping that number grows. According to Porter, the club works on any new skills that members want to try out during meetings. There aren’t any plans for competition currently. •
The rodeo club has been inactive for a period of time. It’s back in full force for the 2019-20 school year. Sphuler said the club already has five to six members. There will be a meeting on Oct. 9 at The Mason Jar in Cheney to discuss practices and club meet-ups. Sphuler said she hopes to have weekly practices at an undetermined Cheney or Spokane location and monthly meetings to discuss competitions and other future plans. There are plans for four competitions, which have yet to be officially scheduled. Sphuler said there will be one in either fall or winter quarter and three in spring quarter. Interested members are required to obtain a rodeo card through the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Costs for both the club and the rodeo card have yet to be determined. •
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Sports
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Mckenzie Ford for The Easterner
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EWU senior running back Antoine Custer Jr. stiff arms a defender during EWU's 35-20 victory over North Dakota on Sept. 28. Custer leads EWU in rushing this season.
EWU looks to turn the tide during Homecoming DREW LAWSON Sports Editor Famous author Charles Dickens once said, “Every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.” That sentiment rings especially true for the EWU football team (1-1, 2-4), which enters Saturday’s homecoming matchup against the Northern Colorado Bears (1-1, 1-5) a perfect 2-0 at home but an imperfect 0-4 on the road. EWU senior defensive lineman Dylan Ledbetter said he wishes he had the answer as to why the Eagles start better on Roos Field. “I don’t know if it’s the offense, the defense or energy,” Ledbetter said. “It’s something we’re working on, for sure."
Early Season Struggles EWU head coach Aaron Best said all the early season losses are abnormal for the program. He said the coaches have to act as guides for the players when they reach uncharted waters. “(We) have to explain to the guys that ‘no, the (losses) aren’t okay, but don’t be shellshocked,’” Best said. “We’ll get through this thing together.” EWU's season opening 47-14 loss to the Washington Huskies wasn’t a surprise, but after losses at Jacksonville State, Idaho and Sacramento State, the Eagles find themselves in an uphill climb to return to the postseason.
For all the away game struggles, EWU has taken care of business on the Inferno with a Sept. 7 59-31 rout of Lindenwood and a Sept. 28 35-20 victory over North Dakota. With four losses already in the ledger, the Eagles can ill-afford another setback Saturday against the Bears.
About the Opponent UNC had a difficult first six games. Its only victory came in upset fashion over Idaho on Sept. 28 by a score of 27-24. All but one of UNC’s losses came by 17 points or more, with the low point being a 50-0 thrashing at the hands of Sac State on Sept. 14. The Bears are in last place in scoring offense and total defense in the Big Sky Conference. UNC has been led by senior running back Milo Hall, who has 498 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Graduate quarterback Jacob Knipp has thrown for 1213 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. Defensively, senior linebacker Luke Nelson has 51 total tackles, an interception and a forced fumble for the Bears. Senior cornerback Michael Walker has added 29 total tackles and two interceptions. EWU winning six straight to end the season must start with a win on what is forecasted to be a crisp, 55 degree fall day in Cheney. Following are The Easterner’s three keys to an Eagle victory.
Three Keys to Victory
1.) Limit penalties.
The Eagles had ten yellow flags thrown against them in their 48-27 loss at Sac State on Oct. 5. These costly infractions stifled the offensive momentum by creating long yardage situations. EWU is averaging 72.8 penalty yards per game in 2019. Senior running back Antoine Custer Jr. said the offense has to avoid getting in its own way. “We have talent on the offense to move the ball very well,” Custer said. “We have to see it in ourselves ... to minimize the (mistakes) we can control.” If the Eagles cut their average of nearly eight penalties per game down to five or six, they’d be doing themselves a big favor.
2.) Avoid a slow start. EWU was losing 21-0 after the first quarter at Washington, 28-0 at halftime at Idaho and 21-7 after the first quarter at Sac State. Against Idaho and Sac State, the Eagles managed to draw within one score, but the hole they had dug themselves into proved to be too much to overcome.
Conversely, EWU has started strong at home. The Eagles led Lindenwood 21-0 after one quarter and 28-7 at halftime against North Dakota.
3.) Offensive consistency. EWU’s loss at Sac State was the first time since Sept. 7 that the offense didn’t have at least one scoreless quarter in a game. The Eagles still went three-and-out and turned the ball over on downs five times each. This inconsistency is surprising for a group that was third in the country in total offense in 2018. EWU is still racking up the yards, averaging 474.3 per game. However, those yards often come in spurts. That average is also aided by EWU’s school-record 769 total yards against Division II Lindenwood. UNC brings an ample opportunity to rediscover some offensive momentum. The Bears have given up 501.8 yards per game, which is the worst in the BSC. If EWU can score consistently in all four quarters while avoiding long scoring droughts, Eagle fans should be celebrating wins instead of dreading losses. •
EWU at home vs on the road
Home
Road
Points Scored Per Game Points Allowed Per Game
47.0
28.3
25.5
44.8
Record
2-0
0-4
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