GLENDALE, Ariz. – Eastern Oregon Football opened Frontier Conference play Saturday night, making a statement with a 50-12 victory over Arizona Christian to secure their first conference victory and extend their win streak to four.
Eastern Oregon set the tone early, and after an interception gave the Mountaineers favorable field position, though they were unable to capitalize with a missed field goal attempt. Quarterback
Kallen Gutridge later connected with
Tyler Creswick for a 26-yard touchdown late in the first quarter to put EOU ahead 7-0.
The Mountaineers broke the game open in the second quarter with three touchdowns. Gutridge found
Jovon Scott for a 36-yard score.
Jarrett Armstrong forced a fumble on the Firestorm's next drive, with Micha Currier recovering the ball to switch possession back to the Mounties. Gutridge then connected with
Cash Weeks on a 12-yard touchdown pass. With two seconds remaining in the half,
Chase Nelson hit Creswick for a 27-yard touchdown, sending Eastern Oregon into the break with a commanding 27-0 lead.
EOU continued its momentum after halftime, as
Adrian Magana recovered a fumble on the first drive of the half.
Jacobaas Van Ruiten later blocked a punt in the end zone, recovered by
Jarrett Armstrong for a touchdown. Nelson then connected with Scott for a 28-yard scoring strike, extending the lead to 41-0. Arizona Christian responded with a touchdown run by Cole Meidinger, but Eastern added a safety before the end of the third quarter to make it 43-6.
The Mountaineers added another touchdown in the fourth quarter when
Coby Tanioka connected with Nelson for a five-yard score, extending the lead to 50-6. Arizona Christian added a late touchdown pass as time expired, but Eastern Oregon secured the 50-12 road victory.
Gutridge led the passing attack with 189 yards and three touchdowns. Nelson added 78 passing yards and two touchdown passes while leading EOU in rushing with 47 yards. Scott finished with 88 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Creswick recorded 69 yards and two scores. Defensively, Eastern Oregon held Arizona Christian to 183 total yards, including just 20 rushing yards. The Mountaineers recorded three sacks and forced three turnovers, including an interception by
Monte Pettichord.
Nehemiah Medrano led the defense with 11 total tackles.
With the win, Eastern Oregon improves to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in Frontier Conference play, while Arizona Christian falls to 0-5 overall. The Mountaineers return home Saturday, October 17, to host Southern Oregon University at Community Stadium for the Homecoming game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT.
