For the second game in a row the Eastern football team found themselves in a shootout ending with each team putting up over 50 points.

Unlike their loss to the University of Washington, EWU head coach Beau Baldwin’s team was able to come out on top, as the Eagles slipped past Big Sky rival Montana State University Bobcats, 52-51.

The game was the first time since 1986 that MSU and EWU played each other in a non-conference game.

Even without Big Sky ramifications the game still had the feel of late season, in conference football.

“Anytime you play a great Montana State team, if anything I expect them to move forward and do great things. I expected this type of feel in a strange way,” said Baldwin.

The game was played well by each team but with a margin of victory so close it is easy to isolate a pair of plays where the Eagles showed slightly better execution eventually helping to secure the victory.

After the Bobcats’ second touchdown the team attempted a two-point conversion and failed as quarterback Dakota Prukop’s pass sailed out of the back of the end zone.

In a similar situation, with 27 seconds remaining in the game, Baldwin made the bold decision of sending his offense onto the field to attempt a two-point conversion after a late touchdown by running back  Mario Brown, which would put the Eagles up by a point.

With the ball in his hands at the most crucial moment, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. did what he has done so many times in his career as an Eagle. After failing to find an open receiver,

Adams scrambled into the end zone, putting Eastern ahead for the win.

“That last drive, I’m just so happy we executed, and we got that win,” said Adams.

The win moves the Eagles to 3-1 on the season, priming them for next weekend’s conference opener against University of California, Davis.

Eastern has looked strong up to this point with one loss occurring against UW in a game where the Eagles showed that this team can play with anyone in the country no matter the division.

This was also the third high profile game of the season and the Eagles second consecutive road game.

Next weekend’s opponent, UC Davis, will be the third straight road game for the Eagles who do not return home until the Hall of Fame game on Oct. 4 against Idaho State.

According to Adams the team is not worn down from playing consecutive road games.

“No not at all, we just have to start fast and finish strong,” said Adams.

While the Eagles have played strong in each of their road games, a return to Roos Field will be a nice refresher for the team which cruised to victory in each of its first two home games this season.

Before Eastern travelled to face rivals UW and MSU, they faced off against Sam Houston State University and Montana Western.

Against SHSU the Eagles were able to avenge 3 straight losses against an opponent who clearly had Eastern’s number up to that point. The game was the first of the college football season.

The second game at Roos Field brought UMW who played a tough game, forcing Eastern to take the team seriously and play starters the majority of the game.

This weekend’s win keeps the Eagles rolling into the next part of their schedule, looking to maintain their recent dominance of the Big Sky Conference.

After the first game of the season, senior safety Tevin McDonald made a statement that has been backed up by his teammates to this point in the season.

“I don’t think there is team that can play with us in the country.”