EWU Football turns slow start into 42-21 win to advance in FCS playoffs
CHENEY, Wash. — Two first quarter turnovers helped Nicholls State take a 14-3 edge, but Eastern poured on 39 unanswered points, and now move on to the second round of the FCS playoffs with a 21-point win Saturday.
The offense had trouble getting going during the first half in Cheney, Eric Barriere threw an interception on Eastern’s first drive of the game which the Colonels turned into a 7-0 lead.
The Eagle’s special teams sparked the beginning of a 32-point run for Eastern when Dylan Ledbetter blocked a field goal attempt by Nicholls State in the second quarter, and Kedrick Johnson returned it 55 yards to make it a 14-10 game at half.
In the third quarter, Barriere completed a 34-yard pass to Andrew Boston for EWU’s first lead of the game. Runningback Sam Mcpherson then rushed in for back-to-back touchdowns, he had 20 carries for 137 yards in the game.
Ketner Kupp blew the game open after intercepting Colonel quarterback Chase Fourcade late in the fourth quarter and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown, giving Eastern a 42-14 lead.
One more visit to the end zone for Nicholls State ended the game with a 42-21 final, Eastern now moves on to the second round of the FCS playoffs, and will host the winner of Northern Iowa and UC Davis. The Eags beat the Aggies 59-20 early in November.
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