Sept. 3, 2005
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -
JOE SUNNEN, THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
The shoulder pads and helmets are easy to pack; it's momentum that the Western Washington University football team is hoping it can take to Topeka, Kan., for today's game against Washburn University.
"We have to carry that momentum from last week's win," coach Rob Smith said. "There's no magic formula, you just have to keep it. The travel is not easy, but the people in Kansas aren't going to feel sorry for us so we're not going to feel sorry for ourselves."
The Viking (1-0) start a difficult three week stretch today beginning with No. 25 Washburn at 11 a.m. at Yager Stadium.
WWU faces three top 25 teams over the next three weeks. They will be looking for their first 2-0 start since 2002.
"We like challenges," Smith said. "I think all competitors like challenges. And certainly our schedule presents that."
The Ichabods (1-0) opened their season with a 28-17 road win against No. 14-ranked Colorado School of Mines. Quarterback Jordan Brill threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start and receiver Sam Sissom had seven catches for 231 yards and three touchdowns.
All of that adds up to more work for the WWU defense.
"We definitely have a harder challenge this week," senior defensive end Geoff Hise said. "We're staying positive and we think we can get the job done."
The Vikings will also have to find a way to duplicate some of the quick scoring potential they showed against Mesa State College. WWU scored two touchdowns in less then two minutes at the end of the first half and three more in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter last weekend.
"We were able to capitalize on plays and make plays and we've kind of lacked that ability the last few years," Smith said. "We had some other people besides Andy Olson making plays."
Washburn returns 17 starters from last season, including seven on offense and eight on defense. The Ichabods finished third in their conference last year.
"Washburn is a team that is really thinking that this is their year in terms of the playoffs," Smith said. "They have a very talented team and they're coming off a very good win last week. It will be a challenge."
Notes: Western received four votes in the latest American Football Coaches Association coaches poll. Washburn got 13. Neither team cracked the Top 25. ... The Vikings will be without long snapper Matt Overton, who is injured. Backup quarterback A.J. Porter replaces him on special teams. ... Olson has caught a touchdown pass in 10 straight games. ... The Ichabods racked up nearly 430 yards of offense per game last season.
