FCS Second-Round Playoff
The Matchup – Nicholls (9-3) at No. 3 seed Eastern Washington (9-2) at Roos Field (8,600) in Cheney, Washington
Kickoff – 5 p.m. ET
Coverage – ESPN3
Series – Nicholls leads 1-0 (last meeting: Nicholls won 37-14 on Sept. 2, 2004)
3 Players to Watch – Nicholls: QB Chase Fourcade (197 of 322, 2,784 yards, 21 TDs, 7 INTs; 570 rushing yards, 11 TDs), RB Dontrell Taylor (117 carries, 878 yards, 8 TDs), LB Evan Veron (47 tackles, 21.5 TFL, 7 sacks); Eastern Washington: QB Eric Barriere (118 of 202, 1,503, 13 TDs, 4 INTs; 453 rushing yards, 5 TDs), RB Sam McPherson (130 carries, 1,008 yards, 9 TDs), NT Jay-Tee Tiuli (29 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 4 sacks)
The Skinny – After recording its first playoff win in 32 years – 49-30 over San Diego – Nicholls heads to the road, where it is 3-3, including an FBS win over Kansas. Fourcade, the Southland Conference player of the year, has accounted for 20 touchdowns (13 passing, 7 rushing) during the Colonels’ five-game winning streak, and is only 88 passing yards shy of the school’s career record (Doug Hudson, 7,670). He can stretch the field with WR Damion Jeanpiere Jr. (2,302 all-time receiving yards). Ranking 12th in the FCS in rushing offense, they seek to keep the clock moving and limit the opportunities of Eastern Washington’s quick-strike offense. On defense, Veron and DE Sully Laiche (43 tackles, 16.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks) both rank in the top 25 of FCS players in tackles for loss. PK Lorran Fonseca was steadier last season, but has demonstrated field-goal range up to 56 yards this season. This is Aaron Best’s first playoff game as Eastern Washington’s head coach, but he’s been a part of 22 as an Eagles player and assistant coach. His team closed well in the regular season, winning four games by an average of over 37 points to earn a share of the Big Sky title. The offense ranks second in the FCS in yards per game (553.2) and fourth in points per game (45.2). Barriere is 5-1 as a starter since replacing the injured Gage Gubrud. He runs an offense that boasts a 1,000-yard rusher (McPherson) and a 1,000-yard receiver (Nsimba Webster, 1,021). The experienced defense has been improved greatly from last season, led up front by Tiuli and DE Keenan Williams. Rolan Alcobendas is 13-for-13 on field goals, 54-for-55 on extra points and average 45.9 yards on punts.
Up Next – The winner will play either UNI (7-5) or No. 6 seed UC Davis (9-2) in the quarterfinals Dec. 7 or 8.
Prediction – These two teams have been as red hot as the Eastern Washington turf. It should be a shootout. Eastern Washington, 38-31.
Add A Comment