Eastern Washington QB’s Last-Second Fumble Hands Victory to No. 2 Montana
In a dramatic clash, Eastern Washington’s redshirt freshman quarterback, Jake Schakel, faced a heartbreaking moment that denied his team a potential victory against the second-ranked Montana Grizzlies. The game concluded with a score of 29-24 in favor of Montana, leaving Eastern Washington contemplating missed opportunities.
Game Overview
On Saturday, the Eagles stood within five yards of achieving a go-ahead touchdown, with mere seconds remaining on the clock. Schakel received the snap but fumbled while attempting to spike the ball to stop the clock. Although running back Kevin Allen III recovered the ball, Eastern Washington was unable to execute a play due to a lack of timeouts.
Performance Highlights
- Final Score: Montana 29, Eastern Washington 24
- Schakel’s Completion Rate: 68.3% (43 completions on 63 attempts)
- Total Passing Yards: 451
- Touchdowns Thrown: 2
- Interceptions: 2
Schakel’s performance was notable for his first start, following an injury to Nate Bell. The Puyallup, Washington native’s passing yardage puts him among the top performers in Eastern Washington history, ranking 20th for single-game totals and fourth for completions.
Key Contributions
His standout connections included:
- Miles Williams: 11 receptions for 136 yards
- Cole Pruett: 10 receptions for 133 yards and 1 touchdown
Game Dynamics
The Grizzlies initially surged to a 22-0 lead in the first half. However, Schakel responded by leading a critical 11-play, 63-yard touchdown drive that brought the Eagles back into contention. With only 61 seconds remaining, Eastern Washington executed an onside kick recovery, raising hopes for a comeback.
Tragically, the fumble on the spike play ended their chance at a last-second victory. This game highlighted both the potential of Schakel and the resilience of the team, but ultimately they fell short against Montana, who remains undefeated with a record of 10-0.
