CAN EASTERN WASHINGTON BEAT nova WITHOUT TAIWAN JONES?

[BlackFalkin]

It pains me to see Taiwan Jones sidelined after working so hard during the season & having so much success. Apparently hes out for the season & if EWU makes it past nova, & if he has surgery he'll be 25%-50% for the Championship game in Frisco. Total let down, considering its only gonna get harder from her on out. Mario Brown and Darriell Beaumonte, Jones' backups' stats are similar..Brown has rushed for 214 yards and a one touchdown this fall, while Beaumonte has rushed for 216 yards and two TDs. Neither one has impressed me so hopefully they understand that mediocre wont cut it & their best effort is need if EWU is gonna get past nova.

I really wish TJ was playing, so we could TRULY find out. '

[PenthouseClosedEnd]

No. You couldn't beat them with Taiwan Jones either. It doesn't matter.

[Silenoz]

Any given Saturday.... but doubtful imo

[CPAlum]

I don't know that they will but I sure hope they do ......especially so I can stop seeing responses like the one above. With Taiwan Jones and at EWU this game is close without him it will be real tough. EWU was one of the strongest FCS teams this year and it is a bummer that they lost their star. I am pulling for the upset

[kalm]

Of course.

1) NAU is rated above Nova in Rush defense (#5), pass defense (#74), and total defense (#14). And that's from a conference that actually plays some offense. TJ was very limited and fairly ineffective in that game, but our defense only gave up 7 points and Mitchell made enough plays in the passing game to win (20-26 for 288 3 td's 2 int's)

2) We have enough time to put together a TJ-less gameplan and Nova will have a very limited amount of game film to study.

3) Weather may also be a factor. The same poor footing that neutralized TJ last week in the second half and gave an edge to the straight ahead running style of NDSU could hurt Nova and the speed of Szczur a bit. On the other hand we seem to run it more up the middle when Beaumonte and Brown are in.

4) Our defense is playing really well.

5) Travel

I'm not saying Nova shouldn't be the favorite, but it's much closer than CAA homers believe.

[mebison]

Sucks that you have to go without. Always more fun to see two fully healthy teams play than to have that "what if" question hanging overhead.

[clenz]

Could? Yes
Would I put money on it? No.

[Bronco]

Szczur and the QB with the girl's name will both be limping from past dings by the 2nd quarter.
That should even things out.

Weather and crowd won't matter....EWU will want it more and they will win.

[DJH]

no.

[FargoBison]

If they had Jones I'd go as far as calling the game a toss up but without him getting by Nova will be tough. Nova should win by 14, they are playing better than anyone right now.

[Dukie95]

no

[JBB]

Several things going on here:

1) Nova has a tremendous offense and is a big hitting team
2) EWU just played their toughest game of the season and will fall victim to the Stuffing Phenomenon. TJ's injury is part of that but it will affect the team as a whole.
3) EWU has a good passing attack but has trouble stopping the pass rush against a strong defense. Bo makes bad decisions
4) 2 games in a row have been unfairly influenced by the officials in EWU favor. This is a huge intangible.
5) Other than the officiating there will be no home field advantage for EWU.

I say they cant win without an uninterrupted series of favorable calls.

[89Hen]

I'm not saying Nova shouldn't be the favorite, but it's much closer than CAA homers believe.

And if it's not we will know who the homer is.

[Green Cookie Monster]

no

[ASUG8]

No. You were down 21+ with Jones. I'll up it to 28+ now.

[Gil Dobie]

Possible but not very probable

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Eestern sux, CAA is da bestest.

[EWURanger]

Yeah, it's possible. I think we'll have to rely a lot more on a vertical passing game to win it, though. If weather comes into play, it will make that very difficult. And all the crazy TO's that happened in the NDSU game can't happen. I think the defense can hold their own, but this will obviously be the best offense they will have faced all season outside of Nevada.

Either way, I'm hoping we can give Nova a good game. Losing TJ hurts, to be sure, but we can't really ponder the "what-ifs" now.....

[Wedgebuster]

I'm predicting lots more cow bell.

[Ivytalk]

No.

[houndawg]

It pains me to see Taiwan Jones sidelined after working so hard during the season & having so much success. Apparently hes out for the season & if EWU makes it past nova, & if he has surgery he'll be 25%-50% for the Championship game in Frisco. Total let down, considering its only gonna get harder from her on out. Mario Brown and Darriell Beaumonte, Jones' backups' stats are similar..Brown has rushed for 214 yards and a one touchdown this fall, while Beaumonte has rushed for 216 yards and two TDs. Neither one has impressed me so hopefully they understand that mediocre wont cut it & their best effort is need if EWU is gonna get past nova.

I really wish TJ was playing, so we could TRULY find out. '

Injuries are part of the game BF, you need to adjust your gameplan.


RBs have to be durable, especially if they want to play at the next level

[griz8791]

I'm predicting lots more cow bell.

Respect, nay, fear the cowbell.

[SDHornet]

It's in the bag for EWU. Nova shouldn't even make the trip.

Game.Set.Match.

Being serious now, if EWU's D brings its A game, anything can happen. If EWU has turnover problems again it won't be close. EWU will have to get creative on offense with TJ out. Weather could very well be a major influence in this game, I hope this turns out to be a good one.

[BlackFalkin]

Exactly. EWU HAS TO STEP IT UP. No question about it. However, I do think EWU can beat nova, I also think EWU will get the upset Friday!

[BigSkyBears]

Unfortunately EW couldn't beat 'Nova with Jones. It wouldn't matter.