Eagles’ fast start fades in narrow home loss to Cal Poly

CHENEY — The Eastern Washington Eagles (1-4) fell to the Cal Poly Mustangs 31-27 Saturday. While the defense provided an energetic first half, late mistakes ultimately cost the Eagles at home. “There's a combination of deflation a little bit,” Head Coach Aaron Best said. “Ultimately, I think it came down to a myriad of things. The big things that stood out for me on the sideline - (we) didn't protect the passer well enough; they got after us. Secondly, 43 (carries) for 87 (yards), the only chance you have in any game like that is when you take the ball away three times, when you have a long kick return, and when you have a fourth down stop.” Despite forcing three turnovers and a turnover on downs, Eastern Washington could not capitalize consistently enough to pull away. Missed kicks, poor pass protection and a struggling rushing attack eventually allowed Cal Poly to erase a fourth-quarter deficit and escape Cheney with a 31-27 victory.