University of Northern Colorado football quarterbacks combined for five interceptions while Eastern Washington quarterback Jake Schakel turned in a stellar Saturday for the Eagles in a 27-7 Big Sky Conference win over the Bears at Roos Field in Cheney, Washington.
The loss is the fifth in a row this season for the Bears, and their 16th straight to Eastern Washington (5-6 overall, 4-3), which received a strong performance from redshirt freshman Schakel.
Schakel was 31 of 41 passing for 299 yards with two touchdowns and an interception that set up UNC’s only touchdown. He left the game late with an apparent injury and was replaced by freshman Kaden Rolfsness.
UNC (3-8, 1-6) couldn’t get anything going on offense against the Eagles, who allowed UNC its fewest points in a game this season. The Bears came into the game averaging 21.2 points per game.
Starting quarterback Eric Gibson Jr. threw two interceptions in the first half, and Peter Costelli threw three picks, including one that set up an Eastern Washington touchdown for a 17-7 lead late in the second quarter. Costelli’s third interception came on the final play of the game.
UNC had four other turnovers on downs.
“I think the tale of the day was the interceptions,” Lamb said. “Four of those five passes were to wide receivers in one-on-one opportunities. We didn’t win in those moments. Not all of the interceptions were the type where they were bad decisions. We didn’t win in those situations.”
Lamb said earlier this week that both Gibson Jr. and Costelli would see action against Eastern Washington while the team looked for one quarterback to help the Bears get a win.
Costelli was the starter coming out of preseason camp, but he suffered a fractured collarbone in the opener against Chadron State and missed the next seven weeks. Gibson Jr. took over and generally performed well, giving the Bears more of an offensive presence than they previously had in Lamb’s time as head coach.
Lamb said this week the coaches wanted better decisions from the quarterbacks.
Gibson Jr. was 13 of 19 passing for 108 yards with a touchdown and the pair of interceptions. Costelli was 8 of 17 for 83 yards and the three interceptions.
UNC’s touchown came early in the second quarter and was set up by a long interception return from safety Cam Chapa.
The Bears’ defensive line pressured Schakel on play, forcing the quarterback into an errant throw in his own territory. Chapa picked off the ball at UNC’s 44 and returned it 34 yards to Eastern Washington’s 22. A personal foul penalty on Eastern Washington moved the ball to the 11 as the first quarter ended.
Two plays later, Gibson Jr. rolled out and connected with wide receiver Carver Cheeks for a touchdown reception. Cheeks caught the ball at the 10 and did the rest to get inside the end zone pylon for the score.
The touchdown was Cheeks’ team-high sixth receiving touchdown this season. He came away from the play holding his right arm or shoulder and appeared to be seeking attention on the sideline. Cheeks returned to the field and finished the game with five catches for 27 yards. Brayden Munroe led UNC with six catches for 59 yards.
The game turned chippy in the second half. UNC picked up a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty after Allen III’s touchdown. Eastern Washington was called for two 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalties later in the quarter, after Eagles safety Isaac Redford picked off Costelli for Eastern Washington’s fourth interception of the day.
Late in the third, UNC defensive lineman Dominic Butts hit Schakel as the quarterback threw the ball. No penalty was called on Butts on the hit. Schakel was shaken up on the play and he left the game. An Eastern Washington player was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty for a hit on Butts, forcing the junior from Severance High School to the sideline.
Eastern Washington was called for another unsportsmanlike penalty a couple of plays later on short run by Rolfsness on third down.
One of UNC’s turnovers came early in the fourth quarter on a short-yardage fourth-down attempt at Eastern Washington’s 2-yard line. The play also led to Lamb picking up an uncharacteristic unsportsmanlike penalty.
The Bears lined up for a tush-push run play with former quarterback, now tight end Hank Gibbs carrying the ball. Officials ruled Gibbs didn’t get into the end zone on the play.
Lamb said he received conflicting opinions from officials on the outcome of the play. One official told Lamb that Gibbs never got into the end zone and another official said Gibbs’ forward progress was stopped.
UNC burned a time out while Lamb looked for more information on the call the Bears then challenged. The on-field call was upheld.
“I didn’t do it with enough composure,” Lamb said of his inquiry. “I was upset. We made a second effort to get in and I thought it should’ve been ruled a touchdown. I regret it and I regret the way I handled it.”
Eastern Washington 27, UNC 7
UNC — 0-7-0-0 — 7
Eastern Washington — 3-17-7-0 — 27
1st Q, 6:42 — EWU, Soren McKee 38 field goal. 3-0.
2nd Q, 14:50 — UNC, Carver Cheeks 12 reception from Eric Gibson Jr. 7-3.
2nd Q, 11:00 — EWU, Cole Pruett 12 reception from Jake Schakel (Soren McKee kick). 10-7.
2nd Q, 3:07 — EWU, Nolan Ulm 14 reception from Schakel (McKee kick). 17-7.
2nd Q, 0:23 — EWU, McKee 22 field goal. 20-7.
3d Q, 9:45 — EWU, Kevin Allen III 1 run (McKee kick). 27-7.