CHENEY — There were only compliments being passed around after Eastern Washington University defensive units held EWU’s vaunted offense without a touchdown in EWU’s 72-play scrimmage Saturday at Roos Field.

Interceptions by junior linebacker Kurt Calhoun, sophomore linebacker Trevor Davis Jr., junior defensive back Brandon Montgomery and true freshman defensive back Anfernee Gurley were the highlights of a defensive effort that saw the offense average only 3.7 yards per game. The defense surrendered no play of longer than 18 yards.

The offense was held to a trio of field goals, two by senior Roldan Alcobendas and one by senior Brandyn Bangsund. Instead of voicing worry about the offensive side, the Eagles only heaped praise upon the defense, coordinated by assistant coach Jeff Schmedding.

“Guys are rooting for guys and it’s hard to root for them when it’s against you,” Eastern head coach Aaron Best said of the dynamic of EWU playing its own offensive squads versus his own defense. “But at the end of the day you want it done to somebody so you know they have the ability to do it. It all starts up front with that front four (on defense) and then it bleeds all the way to the backend.”

The offense generated 200 yards through the air on 38 attempts, while rushing 34 times for 67 yards. But seven quick-whistle sacks generated by the defense resulted in 28 yards of losses. The defense also had five passes broken up.

“From the standpoint of consistency, for an hour and forty minutes I thought it was a very good, consistent and sustainable job done by that red squad (defense),” Best added.

It was an important scrimmage in solidifying the team’s depth chart and making determinations on what true freshman will earn a place on the active roster in 2017. Eastern will also scrimmage next Friday at Roos Field starting around 5 p.m. The Eagles expect to rest many of their starters and give the majority of action in that scrimmage to inexperienced players needing snaps. That will be the final scrimmage before Best officially opens his head coaching career at Texas Tech on Sept. 2.

Starting junior quarterback Gage Gubrud and redshirt freshman Eric Barriere had almost identical numbers in Saturday’s scrimmage. Gubrud, a returning All-American, completed 10 of 17 for 82 yards, while the hard-throwing backup was 10 of 14 for 89 yards.

Four receivers had at least three catches, including 36 receiving yards by sophomore Jayson Williams. The leading rusher for the Eagles was junior Ashanti Kindle with 26 yards on seven carries.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Conor McKenna has six tackles for the defense, and was matched by Gurley. Sophomore linebacker Andrew Katzenberger had four tackles including a sack, and true freshman defensive lineman Mitchell Johnson had two of the team’s sacks.

Scoring Plays

FG Roldan Alcobendas 24

FG Roldan Alcobendas 30

FG Brandyn Bangsund 20

Rushing: Ashanti Kindle 7-26, Sam McPherson 4-15, Antoine Custer Jr. 3-14, Tamarick Pierce 4-6, Gage Gubrud 3-5, Dennis Merritt 1-4, Gunner Talkington 1-4, Rai-Shyan Alexander 1-0, Eric Barriere 10-minus-7.

Passing: Gage Gubrud 10-17-2-82, Eric Barriere 10-14-1-89, Gunner Talkington 2-4-0-16, Nick Moore 1-3-1.

Receiving: Terence Grady 3-17, Nic Sblendorio 3-26, Nsimba Webster 2-28, Zach Eagle 2-18, Dre’ Sonte Dorton 3-21, Jayson Williams 3-36, Johnny Edwards IV 1-9, Ashanti Kindle 1-7, Rai-Shyan Alexander 2-16, Tyler Puletasi 1-13, Talolo Limu-Jones 2-9.