(STATS) – Their programs are about to play for the first time, but when FCS semifinalists Maine and Eastern Washington look at game film of each other, they see something similar from their conference season.
While the look is something of a collaboration of opponents over a long season, Saturday’s cross-country matchup of offense (Eastern Washington) versus defense (Maine) has a distinct feeling as well.
In CAA champ Maine, Eastern Washington sees another of the Big Sky tri-champs, Weber State, which beat the Eagles in the regular season and had the conference’s top defense.
Maine (10-3) will arrive in Cheney with a defense that ranks No. 1 in the FCS against the run – allowing just 68.7 yards per game – and ninth overall – 293.5 yards on average. The Black Bears’ 47 sacks are No. 2 nationally – linebackers Sterling Sheffield and Deshawn Stevens and defensive end Kayon Whitaker have at least nine each – and cornerback Manny Patterson has a national-high 24 pass breakups.
“They are physical and are going to be a challenge,” EWU second-year coach Aaron Best said. “They play a ton of man-to-man and rely on that front four to create chaos, and they are a confident bunch. They try to get you in precarious situations to get you to make bad decisions. If we can maximize our good decision-making and know that special teams and turnovers will be a factor, we’ll give ourselves a chance. On paper, they are a fabulous defense. Then you turn on the video and see it matches what the paper already tells you.”
Maine third-year coach Joe Harasymiak says it’s imperative to win the majority of one-on-one matchups each play. That will help limit Eastern Washington’s explosiveness, which starts with the dual-threat ways of quarterback Eric Barriere, who reminds Harasymiak of Towson quarterback Tom Flacco, the CAA offensive player of the year. The balanced Eagles (11-2), who rank No. 2 in the FCS in yards per game (538.3) and No. 4 in points per game (44.1), have plenty of weapons, including a 1,000-yard running back, Sam McPherson, and a 1,000-yard wide receiver, Nsimba Webster.
“From the quarterback position, I would say it reminds you a little bit of Towson’s plan and with the way the quarterback creates,” Harasymiak said. “I just think everywhere there’s talent, and that’s no different than all the CAA teams that we’ve faced. I think they do a really good job formation-wise – different things that they will do that will challenge you from a communications standpoint on defense, (where defensive players must) make sure you’re making your checks and getting lined up. If we can do that, and make sure we’re matched up, I think we have a good opportunity to make some plays.”
The winner will advance to play South Dakota State or defending national champ North Dakota State in the title game Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas.
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