It will be a tough task for the Eastern Washington University football team this week to duplicate its production in the last two games, but for a week at least the Eagles are riding high in NCAA statistics.
 
Heading into its Sept. 15 game at Washington State, the Eagles lead the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision with an average of 623.5 yards per game, and rank sixth in both rushing (288.0) and passing (335.5). Eastern is the only team in FCS to rank in the top 10 in both passing and rushing. The Eagles are also second in team passing efficiency rating (213.9) and seventh in third down conversions (50.0 percent), while allowing only one sack to rank fourth nationally.
 
However, the Cougars have the second-best defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing just 157.5 yards per game – fifth in passing (83.5) and 14th in rushing (74.0). They've also held opponents to 19.2 percent on third down to rank third in the nation, and are 10th in fewest first downs allowed (10 total) and 13th in scoring defense (9.5 per game).
 
On the opposite side of the ball, Washington State is eighth in FBS in passing offense at 369.5 per game, with a ranking of 42nd in total offense (469.0) and 53rd in scoring (36.0). Eastern is 27th in FCS in scoring defense (19.5) and 45th in total defense (366.0), plus are 18th in sacks with an average of 3.5 per game. The Cougars have yet to allow a sack.

Both the Eagles and Cougars are 2-0 this season, with EWU out-scoring its two opponents by 50 points and WSU having a 53-point advantage. Eastern beat Central Washington (58-13) and nationally-ranked Northern Arizona (31-26), while Washington State beat Wyoming (41-19) and San Jose State (31-0).

The EWU versus WSU game will be televised on the Pac-12 Networks, starting at 5 p.m. from Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash.

"We made some dynamic plays early on offense, which made it feel like the machine was oiled and running well," said Eastern head coach Aaron Best on his team's 570-yard output at NAU. "We had some tough possessions after that, but we had some big plays on third down late in the game. One was a 10-yard catch by Terence Grady on third-and 10, and that was as big a play as any. We talked about being a difference maker in their roles, and he was a difference maker in that situation. For the most part Gage (Gubrud) stayed upright and clean. We knew they were going to heat it up, so we knew we had to be ready for a lot of pressure situations and I think we handled them accordingly."

Individually, Eastern's Gage Gubrud leads FCS with nine passing touchdowns and 54 total points accounted for, and is third in total offense (373.5), third in passing efficiency (218.0) and sixth in passing (329.5). He had 402 yards of total offense against NAU, helping him go over 10,000 in his career with a current total of 10,188 to rank fourth

Receiver Nsimba Webster leads in touchdown receptions with four, and is third in receiving yards (194.0 per game) and fifth in catches (8.5 per game). Running back Sam McPherson is third in rushing (173.0). Eastern punt returners Tre Weed and Zach Eagle both rank in the top 21, with averages of 12.6 (12th) and 8.6 (21st), respectively, helping EWU rank 32nd as a team (10.6).
 
Washington State's transfer quarterback, Gardner Minshew II, is sixth in FBS in passing (366.5), and fourth in total offense (383.5), while leading the nation in completions per game (36.0).
 
The game versus the Cougars is a rematch of a 45-42 Eagle upset to open the 2016 season on Sept. 3, 2016. In the first start of his Eagle career, Gubrud had what was then a school-record 551 yards of total offense, passing for 474 yards and five touchdowns, and rushing for another 77 and a game-clinching score. He is one of 32 Eagles on this year's roster who played in that game, including five starters on offense, five on defense and 22 backups.