Gubrud impressive in Eastern's first scrimmage

Sophomore quarterback Gage Gubrud threw for 202 yards and had just a single incompletion as the Eastern Washington University offense rolled up 494 yards and 46 points Aug. 20 at Roos Field in the team's first preseason scrimmage

Gubrud completed 16 of 17 passes with three touchdowns, and Reilly Hennessey added 130 yards and two more scores. The offense had 362 yards passing and another 132 rushing as EWU concluded its first two weeks of preseason practices.

Four sacks and an interception highlighted the day for the defense, which also stopped the offense four times during a fourth-and-one drill. The defense also nearly came up with an interception, forced a fumble and had another fumble by the offense ruled dead.

"You're going to have ebbs and flows," Eastern head coach Beau Baldwin said.

Three of Gubrud's touchdown throws capped 70-yard drives, and another on a 27-yard red zone possession. He had a pair of 21-yard TD passes to Stu Stiles, and one of 10 yards to Shaq Hill.

Hennessey, also a sophomore, was 8 of 14 and had a 15-yard TD pass to Jayson Williams. Another after a completed pass was fumbled and picked up by Williams for a 16-yard score.

True freshman Antoine Custer Jr. had a 5-yard rushing touchdown, and Roldan Alcobendas and Brandyn Bangsund had field goals of 47 and 36 yards, respectively.

Sophomore Sam McPherson led the way with 39 yards, and Gubrud and Ashanti Kindle each had 28. Another true freshman, Tamarick Pierce, chipped in 21 as did Custer.

The defense was led by Dehonta Hayes with six tackles and Kurt Calhoun with five and a pass broken up. Andre Lino had a pair of sacks.

The Eagles have two more weeks of practices to prepare for the team's Sept. 3 opener at Washington State. The team will also scrimmage this Friday, Aug. 26, at about 9:45 a.m. The scrimmage is free and open to the public at Roos Field.