HELENA, Mont. - No. 13 Mountaineers Football now stands undefeated and alone atop the Frontier Conference standings at 3-0 after a hard fought 10-7 road win at Carroll College Saturday afternoon. The Mountaineers scored all 10 points in the second half to take down the Saints by three and hand them their second loss of the season.

How it Happened
• The game was a battle from start to finish as Carroll (1-2, 1-2 Frontier) and Eastern combined for just 447 yards of total offense. The Saints had the edge at 268-179. Helping the Mountaineers in the win was a staggering seven sacks for a loss of 51 yards.
• The first half saw both teams put up a goose egg in terms of scoring as both defenses were stingy and did not allow either to find the endzone. Playing a role in the Mountaineers string performance on defense was the aggression of Chase Van Wyck.
• In the opening series for Carroll, Van Wyck posted two sacks to help the EOU defense establish a rhythm early on. The Saints also had a strong start out the gate on defense to keep the game scoreless.
• Late in the first frame, Van Wyck made his presence known again with a fumble recovery on a strip sack from Gabriel Shukle. The Mountaineers were unable to capitalize on the recovery going into the second quarter as the Saints kept the score knotted at 0-0.
• In the second quarter, the Saints defense managed to pick off Kai Quinn twice but both times their ensuing drives stalled out. On the first drive after the pick, the Saints were forced to attempt a field goal but it sailed wide left to keep the scoring drought intact.
• Carroll College got the ball to start the second half, but they did not have it for long as the Mountaineers defense got an interception on the drive. Wesley McIlwaine pulled down the pick at the Carroll 45 and ran it back to their 27 yard line before being tackled.
• McIlwaine's interception set up the go ahead drive that put EOU ahead and ended the drought. Quinn found Isaiah Thomas for a 13 yard strike and a Zachary Cahill PAT gave the Mountaineers the lead and they never relinquished it.
• On the following drive by Carroll, EOU's defense kept them from equalizing the game and forced the Saints to punt. Keeping momentum from the touchdown drive, the Mountaineers then tacked on a 30 yard Cahill field goal attempt to extend their lead to 10-0 going into the fourth.
• In the fourth, the Saints lone score of the afternoon came on a strip sack of Quinn deep in EOU territory. The Saints knocked the ball loose at the EOU 18 and recovered It in the endzone to make things interesting in the five minutes of action.
• The score remained 10-7 through the final 10 minutes of play but both squads had chances to change the momentum. The Saints managed to get to the EOU 38 yard line but were put in a 4th-and-8 situation. They looked to keep the drive alive, but a double sack from Moses McAninch and Shukle gave the ball back to EOU.
• On the ensuing Mountaineers drive, the Saints defense forced EOU into a third and long situation in the final minute. Quinn put up a pass for Tyler Brown that fell incomplete but a pass interference call on Carroll reset the changes and EOU lined up in victory formation to secure the win.

Mountaineers Stat Leaders
• Kai Quinn had one touchdown on the day for 150 yards and was 12-26 passing in the win.
• Jordan Eggers led the ground game with 35 yards.
• Isaiah Thomas had just one catch that went 13 yards for the lone touchdown by EOU.
• Tyler Brown had four catches for 73 yards.
• Chase Van Wyck posted 2.0 sacks for a loss of 16 yards and finished with seven tackles.
• Hayden Brandon and Solo Taylor each led the way in total tackles with 12, respectively.
• Wesley McIlwaine and Brennun Hull each had an interception in the win.

For the Saints
• Devan Bridgewater was 12-29 passing for 159 yards but was picked off twice and had no touchdowns.
• Duncan Kraft led the rushing attack with 68 yards on 18 carries.
• Camron Rothie pulled in a game high seven receptions for 110 yards.
• Rex Irby led the defense in total tackles with 11and had 1.5 tackles for loss.
• Thomas Robitaille led the way in sacks with 1.5.
• TJ Abraham and Micah Ans each had an interception in the loss.
• Austin Bedke had the lone fumble recovery for the touchdown by Carroll.

By the Numbers
7 - Eastern Oregon has now won its last seven matchups against the Saints.
9 - The Mountaineers are now 9-9 against Carroll College under the direction of Tim Camp.
8 - Eastern is now 8-4 in games decided by 10 points or less under Tim Camp.
3 - EOU is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2011.
2 - Chase Van Wyck now has 34.5 sacks and 20.0 tackles for loss in his career. His total sacks is now tied for second most all-time, while his tackles for loss stands alone at fourth.

Up Next
• The Mountaineers return home next weekend to take on rival College of Idaho. Kickoff against the Coyotes is set for 1 p.m. PT inside Community Stadium.

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