LA GRANDE, Ore.- Eastern Oregon University picked up their first win of the season in a shutout effort against Montana State Northern on Saturday afternoon. On a homecoming day filled with rain and cold weather the Mountaineers relied on their run game and a stout defense in a 37-0 win over Northern. The win moves EOU to 1-7 on the season while the Lights drop to 0-7.
 
The first strike of the day came on the legs of Aiden Patterson who played a big part in establishing the run game for Eastern. Late in the first quarter Patterson broke two big runs, the last one being an 18-yard touchdown with four minutes left as the Mounties jumped out to a 7-0 lead.
 
EOU did most of its damage in the second quarter where they put up 20 of their 37 points. Some smart play calling and different looks played a big part in the three touchdowns. The first score of the second quarter came off a wildcat touchdown pass from Parker Robinson to Jonah Blackham early in the second making it 14-0. A few minutes later Malachi Spurrier hauled in a floater from Carson Bohning in the corner of the endzone to make it a three-score game, 20-0. 
 
Heading into the half the Mountaineers didn't let off the gas. A double-reverse lead into a pitch to Carson Bohning who then unloaded a 39-yard touchdown pass to Willie Camp for the final score of the half with just 50 seconds on the clock. At the half Eastern lead Montana State Northern 27-0.
 
As the rain picked up in the second half the action slowed down. The only score in the third quarter came off a 23-yard field goal from Ethan Cutler around the midway mark. Up 30 in the final frame of play, the Mountaineers put the cherry on top of their first win of the season with a break away run from Parker Robinson. Robinson who threw for a touchdown in the first half out of the wildcat offense, did it with his legs with 1:15 left in the game as he broke away for a 56-yard rushing touchdown making it 37-0.
 
The Mounties will finish October's schedule on the road when they take on Carroll College next Saturday, Oct. 29. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. MT.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• EOU's defense stifled the Lights holding Montana State Northern to only 28 yards and negative 43 rushing yards
• The Mountaineer defense also totaled six sacks and forced two fumbles
• The Mountaineers had their best rushing game of the season rushing for 252 yards
• Montana State University Northern found defensive success in the secondary with three interceptions

 
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES

• Aiden Patterson: 11 Att., 105 yards, 1 touchdown
• Parker Robinson: 1 passing touchdown, 1 rushing touchdown, 88 rushing yards
• Moses McAninch: 2 sacks, 3 tackles

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