The Eastern Washington Eagles travel south to face the No. 11/12 Idaho Vandals on October 26th to continue their regular football season. After a tough 48-38 loss to UC Davis, Eastern looks to bounce back in this intense rivalry game. Key players include Efton Chism III, who recently broke receiving records and led in multiple FCS categories, and redshirt freshman Derek Ganter Jr., who made a significant impact on defense.

Through the numbers

• Efton Chism III has 69 receptions and 750 receiving yards this season, ranking first in the Big Sky.
• Eastern Washington has only committed 2 turnovers in 7 games and is tied for first place in the FCS.

Yes but

While Eastern has a strong track record when it comes to turnovers and Chism's outstanding stats, their recent loss to UC Davis raises concerns about their ability to close out games. Their historic rivalry with Idaho shows a trend of struggle, especially given a current 3-4 win-loss record since Idaho's return to the Big Sky.

state of affairs

• The Eagles are 9-19 overall against the Vandals, with a record of 4-11 in Moscow.
• Eastern is currently ranked 3rd in the Big Sky and is looking to improve its position against its rival.

What's next?

The Eagles need to build momentum after their loss and hope to capitalize on their offensive talent and defensive improvements against Idaho. If they can get a win it could change their season and their confidence going forward.

Conclusion

For the Eagles, this game is crucial not only for the standings but also for morale. A win against Idaho would boost confidence and potentially turn the tide of the season, while a loss could further complicate their playoff ambitions.