LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University football team will shoot for its second-consecutive top-25 upset and third of the season on Saturday afternoon, as the Navy and Gold will square off against one of the best defensive teams in the country in No. 22 Montana Western. Saturday will also be the Mountaineers' Homecoming Game for the 2015 campaign.
To watch 2015 EOU football promo video, click the 'Play' button in the photo above.
Week Eight – Eastern Oregon vs. No. 22 Montana Western
The Opponent
The Bulldogs enter the contest with a 3-2 record overall after yielding a season-high 37 points in a seven-point overtime defeat to Southern Oregon on Oct. 10.
Prior to the contest, Montana Western boasted the best scoring defense in the land.
JD Ferris led the Bulldogs' offense, as he completed 27 of 51 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns. Matthew Fuhrman caught six passes for 95 yards, while Joe Coker and Taft Benson paced Montana Western's defense with nine tackles apiece.
Despite the loss to the Raiders, the Bulldogs currently lead the Frontier Conference in scoring defense (14.6 points/game).
All-Time Series
EOU is 15-8 all-time against Montana Western.
EOU's Last Time Out
The Mountaineers took down No. 4 Carroll College, 28-21, in Helena, Mont., for the third time in the last five seasons.
Junior quarterback Zach Bartlow rushed for a season-high 105 yards on 16 carries, including a pair of touchdowns to start the scoring for EOU.
Meanwhile, JT Capers was all over the place defensively, as he recorded a sack, an interception, and a fumble recovery that ultimately led to a touchdown to start the fourth quarter.
Under head coach Tim Camp, the Mountaineers have five wins against top-10 programs – three of those have come against the Saints.
Last MeetingÂ
EOU fell to Montana Western on Oct. 18, 2014, on the road, 34-28, in what ended up being the Navy and Gold's final loss of the 2014 season.
The Mountaineers entered the fourth-quarter with a 28-20 advantage, but the Bulldogs stormed from behind, eventually taking a six-point lead with 3:20 left to go.
Bartlow amassed 232 yards passing, while senior wide receiver Jace Billingsley caught seven passes for 81 yards and amassed 51 yards on three kickoff returns.
It was the last time that EOU saw senior linebacker Gary Posten during the 2014 season, as he suffered a season-ending injury amidst his 11-tackle effort against the Bulldogs.Â
Hot at the Right Time
For the second consecutive week, Bartlow earned Frontier Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors for the Navy and Gold.
In the last two contests, he has mustered 480 yards of total offense.
Game Time
Kickoff on Saturday at Community Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
Live Video
While live stats are free on the Mountaineer website, fans can pay to watch the game on www.eousports.com.
Â
Live Audio
Fans can tune into NewsTalk 103 or listen online at www.myeasternoregon.com to listen to Saturday's contest. Once again, Ken Kennedy (play-by-play) and Rich Kennedy (color) will be the commentators for the Mountaineers this weekend.
Follow EOU Athletics
Fans can follow Mountaineer athletics on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EOUsports, on Instagram via "EOUsports," or follow the teams on Twitter via @EOUsports.
