EWU football showed positive signs during the annual Red and White game on both sides of the ball on April 25 at Roos Field for the final scrimmage of spring practices.

Quarterback Jordan West held the reigns first, completing 10 of his 14 passes for 112 yards.

“Offense kind of started slow, defense was making some plays early, but I think we bounced back and we kind of took it to them in the end,” said West, who solidified his spot as the Eagles starting quarterback.

West also said he was good at taking the snaps. Despite the slow start, he said once he got comfortable and loose, things began to flow for him.

The offense put up 39 points on the defense on 407 yards of total offense in front of about 500 fans.

West said he is happy with the progress the offense has made since the start of the spring.

“From the beginning of the spring, that’s how it’s going to be. Coming off a long winter, I mean working out, doing all that, but not actually being on the field. Once you get back out here it’s definitely nice. You’re going to start slow, but toward then, toward the end of spring, we’ve been hitting it and it looks good.”

Linebacker Alek Kacmarcik lead the defense with seven tackles and returning starter Todd Raynes finished with five tackles.

According to Raynes, communication has been biggest improvement with the team this spring and the motivation to be a better team all around.

“Our communication is a lot better. We’re always knowing where we’re suppose to be, all the checks. And as an offense, I think just their recognition of coverages has been very well and their blitz pick up.”

Raynes said the scrimmage has the team “stoked” to finally be closer to a real game this fall, especially for the underclassmen.

With two practices left of spring ball, head coach Beau Baldwin will continue to build off the game, watch film and finish off spring strong, especially with the quarterbacks.

“More than anything, we just wanted to see them continue to progress and just grow with a lot of the little things,” said Baldwin. “Things like seeing and knowing where your check-downs are, getting rid of it hot, seeing the play clock and not allowing it to run out and get a delay of game. Again, I go back to the word ‘operating’ — the operation piece which I talked about a couple weeks ago and I wanted to continue to see them grow in that area.”

Baldwin also assured that West is still the top quarterback for the Eagles.
The Eagles will open the 2015 season against the University of Oregon Ducks on Sept. 5 in Eugene, Oregon.