EOU takes to the road in search of a win

NEW ADDITION: EOU sophomore Kevin Sampson will look to continue his success on the ground in Dillon, Mont., when the Mountaineers clash with Montana-Western Saturday. - The Observer/CHRIS BAXTER

Nearly three years to be exact. EOU defeated Rocky Mountain College 42-35 Oct. 28, 2006.

Mountaineers head coach Tim Camp isn’t worried, though.

“It’s tough to win road games in this conference,” Camp said. “Shoot, it’s tough to win road games in general. We don’t make excuses. The people are here to get it done.”

EOU isn’t that far off. The Mountaineers have been on the wrong side of the close games the past two seasons under Camp.

“It’s about finishing what you start,” he said. “I’m talking to myself, to the left guard and even the trainer. We’re all a team.

“All it comes down to is who wins the three phases of the football game — special teams, offense and defense.”

That’s the creed the Mountaineers head to Dillon, Mont., with for Saturday’s game against Montana-Western.

 Rick Copsey and the Mountaineer’s special teams were just that last Saturday — special.

EOU averaged 30 yards per kick return, including Copsey’s 84-yard touchdown.

On the other side of the ball, Rocky Mountain gained 20 yards per return.

“That’s the one phase you have to win,” Camp said. “We moved some people around. Some of the guys didn’t want to be out there, so we plugged other people in. That’s where the depth is coming in to play this season.”

Offensively, EOU went right back to work after a solid performance against the Battlin’ Bears.

Quarterback Chris Ware earned National Player of the Week honors after accumulating 412 total yards. He completed 22 of his 33 passes, while throwing for five touchdowns. Ware averaged 6.9 yards per rush, and scored another touchdown on the ground.

The rushing attack tallied 270 yards on the ground. Joel Haran and Kevin Sampson helped renew the halfback attack.

But it wasn’t enough to satisfy the Mountaineers.

“We left a lot of points out on the field,” Camp said. “The guys weren’t flawless out there. We wished we could have a second chance at some of the opportunities we missed. Execution problems cost us about 21 to 28 points. Those are things we can control.”

Defensively, EOU had a tough task against Rocky Mountain quarterback Kasey Peters.

The senior quarterback amassed 513 passing yards and four touchdowns.

“Everyone in this conference struggles with Rocky Mountain,” Camp said. “They are a good offensive unit.

“We made some great improvements from week one. The missed tackles were cut in half. The defense kept fighting all game long. It was as close to perfect effort as you could get.”

The Mountaineers stepped up in the second half when needed.

With EOU leading 51-41, Rocky Mountain went for it on 4th-and-1 late in the game and got stuffed. EOU scored four plays later to put the game away. 

This week, EOU faces Montana-Western’s Michah Mamiya, ranked 12th in the NAIA as a freshman in total offense per game, averaging 262.

Mamiya completed 28-of-47 passes during a 42-28 loss to Montana Tech. He threw four touchdown passes.

“He’s a pretty dynamic athlete,” Camp said. “He can run and throw pretty well. Our defense is going to have to be ready for him.

“They got a nice skill set there. Coach (Rich) Farris does a great job there. He’s going to have his team ready to play.”

The kickoff is scheduled for noon. Radio coverage is available on 104.7 FM KCMB and online at EOUsports.com.  The radio feed will be provided by KBEV in Dillon. Pre-game starts at 11:40 a.m. EOU’s website will also provide live stats.