COMMENTARY: Back in 2015-16, we decided to pursue FCS recruiting as a key initiative in our coverage of the level, and one of the very first quarterback prospects I talked to was a three-star Eastern Washington recruit out of La Habra, Calif. His name? Eric Barriere.
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Flash forward more than 2.5 years to his breakout FCS Semifinal game in front of a national audience on ESPN2, a day loaded with bowl games. The slippery quarterback did something no quarterback had done to defensive-minded Maine all season long — he doused the Black Bears with 7 TD passes and 352 yards passing, while also rushing for 53 yards against a defense that came in tied for the national lead in tackles for loss and was second in team sacks. This was not a defense that you "torch", but it got torched.
Folks — Maine (10-4) had given up 21 passing touchdowns in 13 games coming in, if that helps put it into perspective.
Way back on Jan. 28, 2016, just hours after he'd picked EWU (12-2), he told HERO Sports the following, when asked about what he felt he could bring to the Eagles one day:
"What the staff loves most about me is how I'm composed all the time and my play-making ability to extend plays," Barriere said to HERO Sports. "They also love my demeanor, how I'm calm all the time and love how I'm competitor … The staff knows what they're doing and believe in the players they're bringing in. They'll help us with the little things to make us get better as a player. The offense has really talented wide receivers who know how to make plays and go after the ball."
It's almost like he was making a prediction 34 months ago that at some point, he'd help the Eagles be highly successful, that he'd have a hand in maybe taking the Eagles back to Frisco, where they haven't been since 2010 (when they won). With All-American starting quarterback Gage Gubrud out with injuries, Barriere caught fire this year and now they'll face off against the mighty Bison of North Dakota State.
This year, FBS Western Kentucky couldn't score 50 points on Maine (it managed 28, in a loss to the Black Bears). FBS Central Michigan managed only 17 against the Black Bears, while Maine held other impressive opponents to even less. Folks, these were the CAA outright champions this year … you know, the conference that earned a record six berths in the FCS Playoffs? But Barriere, EWU and the Eags hung 50 on a proud group of defensive players. It was a display like none seen.
Even more amazing? He's not even halfway through his college career.
Eagles fans are going to have a lot to look forward to in coming seasons.
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