EWU defense flashes takeaways but falters in loss to Cal Poly
Eastern Washington's defense showed both big-play ability and inconsistency in a 31-27 home loss to Cal Poly. The Eagles recorded interceptions from Jaylon Jenkins and Ambrose Marsh and forced a fumble by Dishawn Misa, but could not prevent the defeat.
Eastern Washington's defensive performance against Cal Poly included two interceptions and a forced fumble, yet the Eagles still dropped a 31-27 home contest. Jaylon Jenkins and Ambrose Marsh came away with picks, while Dishawn Misa forced a takeaway. Those plays highlighted the unit's capacity for momentum-changing moments, but the final score showed that such efforts did not consistently translate into enough stops. In college football, close results often hinge on whether a defense can pair splash plays with sustained execution. This game fit that pattern: turnovers arrived, but they were not enough to secure a win.
The outcome may matter most to Eastern Washington players, coaches, students, and alumni, whose mood around campus could be shaped by a narrow home defeat. It may also affect how fans and local media discuss the team's defensive identity, especially whether takeaways can become more reliable. For college football audiences, the game could serve as another reminder that turnover-driven success is difficult to sustain without broader consistency.