1. Colonels thrash CatamountsRunning backs Dunn & Washington both gain more than 100 yardsBy Laura KerseySaturday night, the Colonels left the passing game at the door. Instead, Eastern relied onan old school, Kidd-era running game, avenging last seasons three-point loss in a victoryover the Western Carolina Catamounts, 46-21.Senior running backs Mark Dunn and Bobby Washington combined for more than 200receiving yards and together marked the second time in Eastern history that two Colonelssurpassed the 100-yard rushing mark in the same game.Dunn also eclipsed the 2,000-yard career rushing mark in the second quarter, finishingthe game with 122 yards and a career total of 2,074 yards. Washington added a game-high 130 yards.The opening first half of last seasons game against Western Carolina was dominated byEasterns offense, which totaled more than 300 yards. Despite the effort, the Colonelstripped up in the second half as the Catamounts poured in 13 late points to beat theColonels, 20-17.But this year, the Colonels rolled unimpeded.Starting quarterback Allan Holland passed for 101 yards, completing eight-of-12 passes.His first snap of the game also marked the first time someone other than SeniorQuarterback Josh Greco started at the quarterback position for the Colonels in 23consecutive games, dating back to Nov. 20, 2004.The first Colonel spark came on the game’s second possession as quarterback Hollandflipped a pass to Washington, resulting in a 70-yard midfield touchdown.A second score for the Colonels didn’t come until the second half when junior kickerTaylor Long split the uprights for a field goal, capping an 87-yard, 20-play drive stoppedat the Catamounts 24-yard line.Late in the second quarter, Dunn topped off a 30-yard drive by completing an end zonepass from three yards out for a touchdown. The extra point shot the Colonels into a 17-0halftime advantage with 2:15 left before the buzzer.The Catamounts remained scoreless until late in the first, hindered by a Colonel-blockedfield goal and a missed field goal. Ultimately, quarterback Todd Spitzer found MikeMalone for a 69-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 17-7 as the halftime buzzersounded. 2. It was junior Zach Denton who kept the Catamounts at bay on the opening drive with11:23 left in the first quarter by blocking a Jonathan Parsons 47-yard field goal attempt.Head Coach Danny Hope said Denton, who played quarterback position in high school,has shown his advancement in the defensive position."Hes a smart guy, hes a hitter, hes made a big difference in our defense," Hope said ofDenton. "He has the right mentality. He has a defensive personality. He likes to hit and helikes to get after it. Hes got a real knack for finding the football."Denton found the football on several occasions Saturday as he picked off a pair of passesagainst Western Carolina."Id say it was a Christmas gift," Denton said on The Danny Hope Show. "I was rightthere at the right time. We got the pressure out front, like always and I just got a luckytip."In the second half, a Catamount comeback was halted as Holland pitched the ball back toDunn for a 67-yard touchdown run, just after the two minute mark. Five minutes later,Washington pounded in a 7-yard score, extending the Eastern advantage to 31-7.Eastern tacked on two more touchdowns with a 14-yard pass to senior Kyle Barber andan 8-yard Aaron Bradley run in the fourth quarter.The Catamounts added a touchdown pass in the closing minutes, but the rally was notenough as the Colonels rolled, 46-21.Safety Zach Denton credited the defensive line for a big role in the win."The defensive line did a real good job stepping up and getting pressure on thequarterback," Denton said.Much of the Colonels offense has played together for several years. Senior offensivelineman Bakahri Thornton says the close bond among the players helps set the Colonelsapart, improving their verbal and non-verbal communication on the field."From center to tackle, we just communicate so well and we already know what to dobefore the play is even called," Thornton said.The Colonels are already beginning their preparations for Saturdays game againstWestern Kentucky University, vying for the Battle of the Bluegrass title."Were always excited for that," Denton said. "Its always a big game when we playWestern, a big rivalry. Well definitely be ready for that one." 3. The Colonels take the gridiron Saturday, Sept. 15 at Bowling Green. Kickoff is slated for3 p.m.