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Eastern Washington
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| TV: | N/A |
| Webcast: | https://ift.tt/3gI6AcE Play-by-Play: Ari Wolfe / Color: Max Browne |
| Radio: | 700-AM ESPN and 105.3-FM in the Spokane/Cheney area. Larry Weir returns for his 31st season calling the play-by-play, with analysis handled by Paul Sorensen for the 19th year. Broadcasts begin one hour prior to kickoff and include an expanded post-game show. |
| Internet Radio: | https://tunein.com/radio/Eastern-Washington-Eagles-Sports-Network-s273711/ |
| Radio Mobile Phone App: | Via tunein radio. |
| Live Stats: | TBA |
| EWU Game Program: | Coming Soon |
An opportunity to test its mettle against a NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision team in an NFL stadium, the Eastern Washington University football team opens the 2021 football season this Thursday (Sept. 2) at UNLV of the Mountain West Conference. Kickoff is 7:06 p.m. at Allegiant Stadium, and the game will be televised by Stadium (http://watchstadium.com).
The game will also be broadcast on 700-AM ESPN and 105.3-FM in the Spokane/Cheney area. Larry Weir returns for his 31st season calling the play-by-play, with analysis handled by Paul Sorensen for the 19th season. Broadcasts begin one hour prior to kickoff and include an expanded post-game show.
The Eagles are a member of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, and are ranked 11th in the Stats Perform Top 25 preseason poll. Eastern is also ranked 14th by the American Football Coaches Association, and other preseason polls have EWU ranked eighth (College Football America), 10th (College Sports Madness), 16th (Hero Sports) and 19th (Athlon Sports).
With all 22 starters returning and a whopping total of 67 returning letterwinners, Eastern is seeking its 11th Big Sky Conference title and 15th appearance in the FCS Playoffs. The Eagles won the 2010 NCAA Division I title and were runners-up in 2018, and advanced to the first round of the playoffs in the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign.
Eastern wrapped up preseason practices on Aug. 25 with an 80-play scrimmage at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash., then started prep work for UNLV.
"It's fun to do what you do, but it's time to get to the next chapter and phase of things," said Eastern head coach Aaron Best of the ending of fall camp. "It's in the books, and we're all excited. It's kind of one of those moments of 'Okay, we're done, now we get a new challenge in front of us, and they actually do keep score.'"
Eastern returns a total of 14 players who have previously earned All-Big Sky Conference honors, with 13 of them being honored during the 2020-21 campaign when eight of the league's 13 schools took part in the league schedule. Quarterback Eric Barriere was the runner-up for the 2020-21 Walter Payton Award, and joins offensive tackle Tristen Taylor, wide receiver Talolo Limu-Jones and kicker Seth Harrison as preseason All-Americans.
Eastern's visit to Las Vegas will include an appearance at the brand spanking new Allegiant Stadium. Allegiant Stadium is located on about 62 acres of land west of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Interstate 15. Construction on the new domed stadium began on Nov. 13, 2017, and seats 65,000 people for football. It serves as the home stadium for the National Football League's Las Vegas Raiders, as well as UNLV.
It is scheduled to host the Pac-12 Conference Championship game in 2021 (it was also scheduled to be there in 2020 but moved to the Los Angeles Coliseum), the NFL Pro Bowl in 2021 and the annual Las Vegas Bowl college game. The Raiders beat New Orleans on Sept. 21, 2020, in the first football game played in the stadium. The first college game was UNLV's loss to the rival Nevada Wolf Pack on Oct. 31, 2020.
The Rebels are a member of the Mountain West Conference and the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. Eastern is 8-24 all-time against current members of the league, with 24 of those meetings coming versus former Big Sky Conference rivals Boise State and Nevada (Reno).
Additionally, Eastern is Eastern is now 10-27 all-time versus Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Eastern has won three of its last 10 games versus FBS foes, but has lost its last three since winning at Washington State 45-42 on Sept. 3, 2016.
The Rebels completed the abbreviated 2020 season 0-6 – all Mountain West games -- and had two games canceled because of the pandemic. All three of their home games were played in Allegiant Stadium. They were 4-8 overall in 2019, including a season-opening 56-23 victory over Southern Utah of the Big Sky. UNLV was 2-6 in the Mountain West, and ended the season with victories over San Jose State (38-35) and Nevada (33-30 in overtime).
Eastern finished 5-2 overall in the unique 2020-21 spring season and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Division I playoffs where it lost to North Dakota State. The Eagles ended the season ranked No. 10 in the Stats Perform Top 25 poll, marking the 16th time Eastern has finished the season nationally ranked, including 12 times since 2004. The other seasons were in 1985, 1992, 1993, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. Seven times the Eagles have finished in the top four – fourth in 1997, 2012, 2014 and 2016; third in 2013; second in 2018; and first in 2010 after winning the NCAA Division I title.
In EWU's last 17 seasons (2004-2020/21), EWU has ranked in the top 10 in FCS in passing 14 times, total offense on 13 occasions and scoring eight times. In school history, EWU has won a trio of FCS titles for total offense (2019, 2001, 1997), as well as three passing offense titles (2016, 2015, 2011) and two for scoring offense (2014, 2001).
Eastern had 383 yards of offense on the Aug. 25 scrimmage, an average of 4.8 yards per play. The defense had two interceptions and five sacks as most starters on offense sat out, as well as many on defense.
But in the first scrimmage, when more starters saw action – including All-America quarterback Eric Barriere – the offense used several big plays to finish with 652 yards of total offense in 78 plays, an average of 8.4 per play. The offense had six touchdowns and four field goals in that scrimmage on Aug. 18, and had four TDs and a trio of field goals a week later.
"In one capacity, you're really excited," said Best of EWU's offensive explosion in the first scrimmage. "Some of that probably has to do with our receiving corps and the quarterback. Coach (Ian) Shoemaker is going to be aggressive in his play calling, and our guys are going to make plays when the plays are there to make.
"On the other side of things, we need to look at where we are personnel wise and schematically to make sure that we're good and in a better position to really make plays in the end. When you have a talented receiving corps and players that have a ton of experience, they're going to take advantage of a lot of defenses, not just our own. In one room you're clapping and the other you're looking into things a little bit deeper."
Best wrapped up his 21st preseason camp as either an EWU player, assistant coach or head coach. But it was the first in August in two years.
"Having not been in camp for two years, a true training camp, this has been probably the most energetic camp I can remember in a long time," he said. "We have two senior classes and two freshmen classes, so they kind of balance each other out. From an energy and a passion standpoint, we've had less hiccups this camp in totality than we have in, I can't remember how long. It has been good.
"The weather has coped with us a little bit, so that has helped," he added. "The players have really taken it upon themselves, knowing that they haven't been in camp for a while, to get their minds and bodies in shape for when we tee it up against UNLV."
Game Notes
Eagles 10-27 Versus FBS Members
Since the early 1980's when it began the move to become a member of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (in 1984), Eastern is now 10-27 all-time versus Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Eastern has won three of its last 10 games versus FBS foes, with the most recent victory coming in the 2016 season with a 45-42 victory at Washington State. Since then, EWU has lost at Texas Tech in 2017 (56-10), at Washington State in 2018 (59-24) and at Washington in 2019 (47-14).
Against current Pac-12 Conference members, EWU is now 2-11 (2-13 including losses to Washington State in 1907 and 1908) with a 49-46 upset of 25th-ranked Oregon State in 2013 and a 45-42 win over Washington State in 2016. A 35-17 win over Connecticut on Sept. 8, 2001, snapped a five-game losing streak versus FBS foes, then a 20-3 win at Idaho in 2012 snapped a 10-game skid. Here are EWU's upcoming games versus FBS opponents:
2021 - at UNLV (9/2/21)
2022 - at Oregon (9/3/22)
2022 - at Florida (10/1/22) . . . re-scheduled from 2020
2023 - at Fresno State (9/9/23)
2026 - at Washington (date either 9/5, 9/12 or 9/19)
2028 - at Washington (date either 9/2, 9/9 or 9/16)
Total of 36 Players Return Totaling 318 Career Starts
The Eagles will enter the season with 18 players on each side of the ball with starting experience, including 182 total starts by offensive players and 136 by the defense for a total of 318. Among players listed as starters on this week's two-deep for the UNLV game, all have previously started games.
In the abbreviated 2020-21 season, 20 players made the initial starts of their careers – 12 on defense and eight on offense. Eastern entered that year with a total of 20 players returning with 191 games of starting experience, including 10 players on defense with 86 starts and 10 on offense with 105 starts.
Here are the current starts by EWU players:
Current Starts on Defense (136 starts by 18 players): Calin Criner 19, Tre Weed 18, Jack Sendelbach 18, Mitchell Johnson 17, Darrien Sampson 10, Joshua Jerome 7, Jacob Newsom 7, Darreon Moore 7, Ty Graham 6, Brock Harrison 6, Anthany Smith 6, Keshaun King 4, Marlon Jones Jr. 4, Cale Lindsay 2, Caleb Davis 2, Ely Doyle 1, Jusstis Warren 1, Debore'ae McClain 1.
Current Starts on Offense (182 starts by 18 players): Tristen Taylor 47, Eric Barriere 29, Andrew Boston 24, Johnny Edwards IV 12, Conner Crist 9, Talolo Limu-Jones 9, Freddie Roberson 8, Dylan Ingram 7, Wyatt Musser 7, Matt Shook 7, Tamarick Pierce 6, Wyatt Hansen 5, Anthony Stell Jr. 4, Dennis Merritt 2, Brad Godwin 2, Efton Chism III 2, Blake Gobel 1, Gunner Talkington 1.
Offense Scores on Five of First Six Possessions in First Scrimmage
In Eastern's first scrimmage at Roos Field on Aug. 18, the offense had 652 total yards, including 465 through the air. Five quarterbacks saw action, with senior Eric Barriere leading the way with 233 passing yards (11-14) and three touchdowns. Redshirt-sophomore Simon Burkett was 5-of-8 with 105 total yards and a touchdown. In all, the Eagles scored six touchdowns and connected on four field goals for a total of 54 points.
The Eagles got off to a fast start, scoring five times in their first six possessions. Barriere connected with Talolo Limu-Jones for 66 yards for the game's first touchdown. Limu-Jones would lead all receivers with four catches for 101 total yards.
After that, Harrison made a 28-yard field goal, his first of two on the day. He would make a 29-yard attempt later in the game, and went a perfect four-for-four on extra points.
The next score came on a 76-yard pass from Barriere to redshirt-sophomore Freddie Roberson. Roberson collected 82 yards on two catches. Freshman Wyatt Hawkins made back-to-back 46 and 27-yard field goals to complete the fast start for the Eagles.
True freshman Messiah Jones was third on the team with 53 receiving yards on two catches, including a 47-yard touchdown pass from Burkett. Another true freshman, and Kamiakin High School teammate, Tuna Altahir impressed with a team-high 77 rushing yards on 13 carries, ending the day with a three-yard rushing touchdown.
EWU's other two scores came mid-scrimmage from Isaiah Lewis on an eight-yard run. Johnny Edwards IV earned a one-yard touchdown reception on a fumble return after a 29-yard pass from Barriere to Limu-Jones.
Defensively, the Eagles recorded six total sacks with Warren Hardin and LeAndre Gaines leading the way with one and a half each. Ahmani Williams led the way with 10 tackles, followed by Cage Schenck with nine and Shane Aleaga with six. There were four passes broken up by four different Eagles, and Kentrell Williams Jr. recorded the lone fumble recovery.
Fall Camp Concludes Following Second Scrimmage
Eastern wrapped up fall camp on Aug. 25 with its second and final scrimmage of the preseason. With most of Eastern's starters and veterans sitting out, several players earned the chance to see action in the 80-play scrimmage at Roos Field. In all, the offense racked up 383 total yards, including 209 through the air. The defense shined too with two interceptions and five sacks to highlight the day.
For the second-straight scrimmage, Ahmani Williams led the way with six tackles along with Steven Flowers. Williams helped the defense score two points when he teamed up with Jacob Newsom for a tackle near the endzone that resulted in a safety.
Shane Aleaga and Armani Orange each had four tackles. Cage Schenck broke up three passes, recorded a quarterback hurry and had an interception. Demetrius Crosby Jr. recorded the other interception for the Eagles.
Offensively, Eastern Washington scored four touchdowns to go with three field goals for a total of 37 points. Seth Harrison recorded a 38 and a 45-yard field goal, while Wyatt Hawkins also connected on a 38-yarder.
The first touchdown of the day came on a 21-yard pass from Simon Burkett to Jakobie James. Burkett was 4-of-11 with 60 total yards to go with one touchdown and an interception.
Later in the scrimmage, Nolan Ulm caught an 11-yard pass from Gunner Talkington for the second touchdown of the game. The final touchdown came on a 31-yard pass from freshman Kekoa Visperas to Josh Johnson.
Talkington was 6-of-14 with 69 yards and a touchdown. Visperas was 2-for-4 for 41 yards and a touchdown. Trey Turner (4-of-9, 30) and Ryan Kelley (2-of-9, 9) also saw action.
True freshman Tuna Altahir led the Eagles in rushing yards for the second-straight scrimmage, racking up 64 yards on nine carries. Davante Smith followed with 48 yards on six carries. Efton Chism III recorded five catches for 55 yards to lead the team in receiving.
Eagles Have Played 63 Games in a Dome
The game April 24, 2021, versus North Dakota State was Eastern's 63rd game inside a dome, where the temperatures are always at about 72 degrees and wind or humidity are not factors. After the 42-20 loss, Eastern is 32-31 all-time in domes, including 16-4 at Idaho State's Holt Arena, 4-10 at the Kibbie Dome, 10-7 at NAU's Walkup Skydome, 2-0 at North Dakota, 0-2 at North Dakota State, 0-1 at South Dakota, 0-6 at Northern Iowa and 0-1 at the Houston Astrodome.
The 2020-21 season for Eastern was played in the winter/spring, thus, heat wasn't a factor as three of EWU's seven games were played in a dome. On game day this week in Las Vegas, Thursday's high temperature is forecast to be 98 degrees, and if not for the temperature-controlled dome, probably would have been about 90 degrees at kickoff at 7 p.m. Pacific time, which would have ranked in the top eight in school history for hottest games at kickoff.
Playing in a dome is a far cry from what Eastern faced Sept. 14, 2019, in Jacksonville, Ala., where the game was delayed by 30 minutes to 3:35 p.m. because of lightning in the area. At kickoff it was 90 degrees with 67 percent humidity. That was the eighth-hottest game in recorded EWU history (since 1980), ranking behind the 106 at Arizona State (8/31/02 at 6 p.m.), 97 at Sacramento State (9/26/09 at 6 p.m.), 94 at Southwest Texas State (9/7/95 at 6 p.m. in San Marcos, Texas), 93 at Spokane's Albi Stadium versus Portland State (9/3/88 at 7 p.m.), 93 at Sacramento State (9/26/15 at 6 p.m.), 92 at Eastern Illinois (9/14/91 at 6:30 p.m.) and 91 at Nicholls State (9/2/04 at 6:30 p.m. at Thibodeaux, La.). On two other occasions the temperature has hit 90 degrees at kickoff.
The temperature for the Nicholls State game in 2004 also came with considerable humidity, and a pre-game rain shower soaked Eastern's footballs prior to the 37-14 loss. Eastern also faced severe weather at Sam Houston State on Sept. 28, 2013, when a thunder, lightning and rain storm stopped the game for 78 minutes. With a temperature of 84 degrees and 81 percent humidity, Eastern fell 49-34. There was also a similar one-hour weather delay when Eastern played at Southwest Texas State in San Marcos, Texas, on a 94-degree day on Sept. 7, 1995. Eastern won that game 34-16.
EWU Preseason Notes & Honors
2021 EWU Preseason Honors and Rankings (as of 8/26/21)
Senior Co-Captains
QB Eric Barriere (3rd Year), S Calin Criner (2nd Year), DB Ty Graham (2nd Year), RB Tamarick Pierce (2nd Year), LB Jack Sendelbach (3rd Year), OT Tristen Taylor (2nd Year)
All-America
QB Eric Barriere – First Team Stats Perform
OT Tristen Taylor – Second Team Stats Perform
QB Eric Barriere – First Team Offense HERO Sports
K Seth Harrison – Third Team Special Teams HERO Sports
QB Eric Barriere – First Team Phil Steele Publications
OT Tristen Taylor – Second Team Phil Steele Publications
WR Talolo Limu-Jones – Second Team Phil Steele Publications
All-Big Sky Conference
QB Eric Barriere – All-Big Sky Preseason Team / Preseason Offensive MVP
OL Tristen Taylor – All-Big Sky Preseason Team
DL Mitchell Johnson – All-Big Sky Preseason Team
WR Talolo Limu-Jones – All-Big Sky Preseason Team
QB Eric Barriere – Phil Steele Publications First Team
WR Talolo Limu-Jones – Phil Steele Publications First Team
OL Tristen Taylor – Phil Steele Publications First Team
DL Mitchell Johnson – Phil Steele Publications Second Team
RB Tamarick Pierce – Phil Steele Publications Second Team
DT Joshua Jerome – Phil Steele Publications Second Team
K Seth Harrison – Phil Steele Publications Second Team
WR Freddie Roberson – Phil Steele Publications Third Team
WR Andrew Boston – Phil Steele Publications Third Team
OL Wyatt Musser – Phil Steele Publications Third Team
S Anthany Smith – Phil Steele Publications Third Team
Award Watch Lists
QB Eric Barriere – Walter Payton Award
QB Eric Barriere – College Performance Awards Performer of the Year
FCS Top 25 Preseason Rankings
11th – Stats Perform
14th – American Football Coaches Association
19th – Athlon Sports
16th – HERO Sports
8th – College Football America
10th – College Sports Madness
Eagles Check in at No. 11 on Stats Perform Preseason Top 25
The Big Sky Conference had five teams recognized in the Stats Perform preseason top 25 poll, including two in the top nine. Weber State came in at No. 6 followed by Montana at the No. 9 spot. After EWU came Montana State (No. 12) and UC Davis (No. 23) while Sacramento State received votes.
The Eagles will face off against Weber State, Montana and Montana State at home at Roos Field in 2021 and take on UC Davis on the road, but won't play the Hornets.
FCS National Champion Sam Houston claimed the No. 1 spot, while James Madison, South Dakota State, North Dakota State and Delaware rounded out the top five. The Missouri Valley Football Conference had the most selections with six, followed by the Big Sky Conference with five.
Eastern was ranked 14th by the American Football Coaches Association in the other major weekly poll. In other preseason polls, the Eagles ranked as high as eighth by College Football America and 10th by College Sports Madness. The Eagles landed 16th on the Hero Sports preseason squad, and were ranked 19th by Athlon Sports. They were picked to finish third by both the coaches and the media in the Big Sky Conference preseason polls.
Eric Barriere is on Watch Lists for the Walter Payton Award as well as the CFPA Performer of the Year
Eric Barriere has the opportunity to finish what he started as he was named to the prestigious Walter Payton Award Watch List by Stats Perform on Aug. 4. Later in August, Barriere was named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy Watch List.
The Walter Payton Award is given to the national offensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision. Barriere is no stranger to the list, as he's been a finalist the past two seasons. Last year, Barriere finished runner up to Southeastern Louisiana's Cole Kelley, coming just six votes shy (137-131) of the award. In 2019 as a junior, he finished fifth. He is one of 35 players on the list, along with Sacred Heart's Julius Chestnut who finished behind him in voting. More players can join the list during the regular season and a national media panel will select the winner at the end of the year.
Barriere is among 44 returning players across the FCS on the watch list for the CFPA award, including two others from the Big Sky Conference in quarterback Hunter Rodrigues from UC Davis and running back Josh Davis from Weber State. The award will be announced on January 22, 2022.
Barriere, a native of Inglewood, Calif., has a long list of preseason honors that include the Big Sky Conference Preseason Offensive MVP, and first team preseason All-America honors by Stats Perform, HERO Sports. Most recently, Barriere was named a first team FCS Preseason All-America quarterback by Phil Steele Publications.
He is coming off of a season that saw him lead Eastern Washington to the NCAA FCS Playoffs and was named a first team All-American by six different organizations, including being named the FCS Offensive Player of the Year by the FCS ADA.
The senior made a case for the Payton Award last year by passing for at least 300 yards in five of six regular games and having at least 400 yards of total offense in three of them. Barriere ranked in the top 10 in the FCS in total offense (fifth, 369.0 per game), passing offense (fifth, 348.4), passing touchdowns (third, 19) and points responsible for (ninth, 17.4 per game). He completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,439 yards, 19 touchdowns and 2,583 total yards of offense.
More on Eric Barriere . . . In his illustrious 38-game career, Barriere is now 20-9 as a starter, including 13-0 at home. He went over the 10,000-yard mark for total offense in his career with a current total of 10,102 – including 8,739 through the air. He ranks fifth in school history in both categories, as well as his career total of 75 TD passes. He's now fourth with 93 total touchdowns responsible for. Eastern career records in those categories are 13,308, 12,616, 110 and 121. Barriere has completed 60.3 percent of his passes in his career (646-of-1071), good for 8,739 yards, 75 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, and has rushed 287 times for 1,363 net yards and 18 more TDs. He had a passing efficiency rating of 146.9 as a sophomore, 151.6 in 2019 and a 148.1 mark in his career to currently rank fifth in school history. Barriere has surpassed the school record for rushing yards by a quarterback -- he now has 1,363 with Vernon Adams Jr. closing his career with 1,232. Eastern is 19-1 when Barriere has rushed for at least 21 yards, with the lone loss coming at Sacramento State (10/5/19) when he finished with 103. Besides the Sac State game, he's rushed for at least 98 yards on four other occasions (98/Southern Utah/2018, 99/Portland State/2018, 101/Northern Arizona/2019, 164/Cal Poly/2019). Barriere now has 10 career performances with at least 400 yards of total offense, and 19 with 300+. He also has had 13 performances with at least 300 passing yards (five with at least 400). He has now been honored six times in his career as Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week, including three times in 2020-21 and twice in the 2019 season.
A pair of Eastern football seniors, Eric Barriere and Tristen Taylor, have been named to the Stats Perform Preseason All-America Team, as announced Aug. 2.
Barriere represents Eastern as a first team quarterback and Taylor is a second team offensive lineman. The duo is among 21 other Big Sky Conference student-athletes to make the team, the most among FCS conferences selections. In total, there are 120 preseason All-Americans from 60 schools and 15 conferences split into three 40-player teams.
Barriere, who hails from Inglewood, Calif., and is a 2016 graduate from La Habra High School, is picking up where he left off. He was named first team All-America by Stats Perform at the end of the spring 2021 season, becoming just the seventh All-American in school history. Last season, he was picked as the preseason Big Sky Offensive MVP and went on to earn the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year honor at the end of the season, as well as being unanimously named to the first team. Additionally, Barriere finished runner-up in voting for the prestigious Walter Payton Award and was honored as a first team All-American by six different organizations at the end of the season. He was also named the FCS Offensive Player of the Year by the FCS ADA.
This year, Barriere was picked as the preseason Big Sky Offensive MVP again and made the All-Big Sky preseason team. The other quarterback to be named to the first team preseason Stats Perform All-America team is Cole Kelley, the reigning Walter Payton Award winner who Barriere finished runner-up to.
Taylor earned first team All-America honors by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) at the end of last season. He joined Barriere on the preseason All-Big Sky team this year after being named to the first team at the end of the 2021 season, the fourth All-Big Sky honor of his career. He was a second-team selection in 2019 and honorable mention in 2016 and 2017.
More on Tristen Taylor . . . Entering his seventh season with the Eagles, Taylor, a Stockton, Calif., native and a 2015 Stagg HS graduate, has started all 47 games he's played in. Last year, he helped Eastern rank third in total offense in the FCS with an average of 522.7 yards per game. Eastern was also fourth nationally in passing (366.7) and eighth in scoring offense (37.7). The Eagles led the FCS in total offense during the regular season. Taylor missed the last 12 games in 2018 with a knee injury, but has started all 19 Eagle games since then. He had started 28-of-28 games as an Eagle until the season-ending injury kept him out of the lineup on Sept. 22, 2018, versus Cal Poly. He could establish new school records for games played (55, Shaq Hill, 2012-14) and games started (52, Chris Schlichting, 2016-19). Already a four-time All-Big Sky selection, Taylor enters the 2021 season with the most starts on the offense and the most overall.
Eric Barriere, Seth Harrison Named HERO Sports Preseason All-Americans
A pair of Eagles have been named to the HERO Sports FCS Preseason All-America Teams. Eric Barriere, a senior quarterback, made the First Team Offensive squad, and redshirt-sophomore kicker Seth Harrison earned a spot on the Third Team Special Teams.
This is the second preseason All-America honor for Barriere, who was also named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America first team. Back in July, he was named the Big Sky Conference Preseason MVP and earned a spot on the All-Big Sky Preseason Team. Barriere is also on the Walter Payton Award watchlist after finishing runner-up last season.
This is the first preseason honor for Harrison, who was named to the All-Big Sky Conference second team following the spring 2021 season.
After going 12-of-12 as a freshman, Harrison was 6-of-9 in the 2020-21 The 2018 graduate of nearby Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) High School kicked a 55-yard field goal to match the third-longest in school history and also had boots of 47 and 50 yards. He is the seventh Eagle in school history to have at least three career field goals of 47 yards or more, and just the fourth with two of at least 50 yards.
Barriere, who hails from Inglewood, Calif., and is a 2016 graduate from La Habra High School, was honored as a first team All-American by six different organizations at the end of the 2021 season. He was also named the FCS Offensive Player of the Year by the FCS ADA.
He passed for at least 300 yards in five of six regular games during the unique 2021 spring season, and had at least 400 yards of total offense in three of them. He finished ranked in the top 10 in the FCS in total offense (fifth, 369.0 per game), passing offense (fifth, 348.4), passing touchdowns (third, 19) and points responsible for (ninth, 17.4 per game). He completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,439 yards, 19 touchdowns and 2,583 total yards of offense. Twice he directed game-tying and game-winning scoring drives in the fourth quarter for EWU. In his illustrious career for the Eagles, he is 20-9 as a starter with an unblemished 13-0 record at home. He has racked up 10,102 yards of total offense in his career, including 8,739 through the air.
More on Seth Harrison . . . Harrison made the first 12 field goal attempts of his career, and is now 18-of-21 for .857 accuracy which currently ranks second in school history. The career leader is Tyler McNannay, who was 11-of-12 (.917) in his two-year career from 2014-15. He is also 75-of-80 kicking extra points in his career and has a 54.5 kickoff average (eight touchbacks). Harrison became just the seventh Eagle in school history to have at least three career field goals of 47 yards or more, and just the fourth with two of at least 50 yards. There have been just 44 total field goals of 47 yards or more and 22 of at least 50 all-time at EWU.
Four Eagles Represent Eastern Washington on the Big Sky Preseason Team
A quartet of football players represent the Eagles on the 2021 Preseason All-Big Sky team. Eric Barriere, Talolo Limu-Jones, Tristen Taylor and Mitchell Johnson make up EWU's selections, as announced July 26 by the league as part of the Big Sky Media Kickoff.
All four selections are coming off seasons that saw them earn spots on the All-Big Sky first team.
Barriere was also picked as the conference's Preseason Offensive MVP, released July 25, and is the lone quarterback on the preseason team. The reigning Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year and unanimous first team selection also finished runner up in the prestigious Walter Payton Award voting and was honored as a first team All-American by six different organizations. Barriere finished ranked in the top 10 in the FCS in total offense (fifth, 369.0 per game), passing offense (fifth, 348.4), passing touchdowns (third, 19) and points responsible for (ninth, 17.4 per game).
Limu-Jones was one of three wide receivers to make the list. The senior was a unanimous All-Big Sky first team selection last season after ending the season fourth in FCS in receiving yards per game (108.4) and was ninth in receptions per game (6.9, total of 48). The Vallejo, Calif., native was also honored as a second team All-American by three different organizations.
Taylor, a senior offensive tackle, was also honored on the list after earning a spot on the All-Big Sky first team last year – the fourth All-Big Sky award of his career. He was a second-team selection in 2019 and honorable mention in 2016 and 2017. He's started all 47 games he's played thus far in his EWU career.
Johnson is a junior defensive end who earned first team honors last year after earning a spot on the second-team as a freshman. He started six games a year ago and ended the season with 26 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, four quarterback hurries and a pass broken up.
More on Talolo Limu-Jones . . . He now has 42 games of experience (nine as a starter), and has 90 career catches for 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns – an average of 17.8 per reception (currently sixth in school history). He has averaged a touchdown every 6.0 career catches. Jones has had 10 receptions of at least 40 yards in his career, including six as a junior in 2019 and three more in the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign.
More on Mitchell Johnson . . . Johnson has been an opportunistic player as EWU's "Buck" defensive end, and he now has 98 tackles in his 34-game career (17 as a starter). He has eight sacks, five interceptions, 11 quarterback hurries, four passes broken up, three fumble recoveries and a pair of forced fumbles.
Phil Steele Publications Honors 11 Eagles, Including Trio as Preseason All-Americans
Phil Steele Publications honored 11 Eagles on a pair of preseason all-star teams released recently. Included were FCS Preseason All-America honors to senior quarterback Eric Barriere (first team), senior wide receiver Talolo Limu-Jones (second team) and senior offensive tackle Tristen Taylor (second team).
The 2021 Phil Steele Big Sky All-Conference offensive team consisted of Barriere, Limu-Jones and Taylor on the first team. Running back Tamarick Pierce made the second team and wide receivers Freddie Roberson and Andrew Boston along with Wyatt Musser represented EWU on the third team. The Phil Steele Big Sky All-Conference defensive team was made up of Mitchell Johnson and Joshua Jerome on the second team and Anthany Smith on the third squad. Kicker Seth Harrison rounded out Eastern's selections on the second team for special teams.
Eastern Washington Football Picked to Finish Third by both the Coaches and Media
The Eagles have been picked to finish third in the Big Sky Conference by both the coaches and media in polls released July 26 at the Big Sky Conference Football Kickoff in Spokane.
Only four-time defending Big Sky Champions Weber State plus Montana were selected ahead of the Eagles in both polls, with EWU finishing ahead of Montana State and Sacramento State.
After that, spots six through 11 were identical in both the coaches and media polls with UC Davis picked sixth followed by Northern Arizona, Idaho, Idaho State, Portland State, and Southern Utah. In the coaches poll, Cal Poly was selected 12th followed by Northern Colorado. The media selected Northern Colorado 13th and Cal Poly 12th.
Eastern received three first-place votes in the media poll and two in the coaches. Weber State had 14 votes in the media and seven in the coaches, while Montana had four first-place votes in the media poll to go with two in the coaches. Montana State (three in media, one in coaches) and Sacramento State (one in coaches) rounded out the first place votes.
Prior to the 2020 season, Eastern was picked No. 4 in both polls. In 2018 and 2019, they were selected No. 1 by both the coaches and media, which marked the third time since 2014 the Eagles have been picked No. 1 in both polls. In 2015 EWU was selected first by the media. In 2016 the Eagles were fourth by the coaches and third by the media, and in 2017 Eastern was second in both. In 2013, EWU was second in both as well.
Since winning the league and NCAA Division I titles in 2010, Eastern has won Big Sky championships in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018, giving the Eagles a total of 10 league titles.
Eastern Washington plays three of the top-five teams in the Big Sky preseason polls at home this season in No. 1 Weber State, No. 2 Montana and No. 4 Montana State. They are also slated to play No. 8 Idaho at Roos Field, and will go on the road to play No. 12/13 Northern Colorado, No. 6 UC Davis and No. 10 Portland State.
More Player Notes
Eight Current Eagles Have Completed Coursework Toward Degrees
Eight Eastern players have already completed requirements toward their bachelor's degree, including a pair of recent graduates in quarterback Eric Barriere and long snapper Cody Clements. Barriere earned his degree in communications and Clements was an English major.
Previously, linebacker Jack Sendelbach graduated following spring quarter of 2019 in marketing, and is now in a graduate program for sport and recreation administration. Linebacker Ty Graham is now working toward his master's degree in business administration after having already received his marketing degree from EWU with a minor in sports management. Linebacker Jusstis Warren has also received his bachelor's degree and is now a graduate student in communications studies. Cornerback Darreon Moore has received his management degree and is now working on his MBA like Graham. And offensive tackle Tristen Taylor has completed his criminal justice degree and is now working toward a second degree in psychology.
The eighth graduate is quarterback Ryan Kelley, a graduate transfer from Arizona State. He earned his bachelor's degree at ASU and is now working toward his master's in business administration at EWU.
Since 2001, Eastern has annually averaged more than 20 selections to the Big Sky All-Academic team. Eastern has had a league-most 475 selections from 2001-2020/21, and Eastern has won a total of 674 Big Sky All-Academic honors since joining the league in 1987. A total of 26 were honored in 2019, and a program-best 34 were recognized in the 2016 season. In the abbreviated 2020-21 season, 52 Eagles were honored, however, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, there were no participation requirements to be named to the team.
Senior Calin Criner Wears No. 4 Legacy Jersey for Eagles
Eastern senior safety Calin Criner is continuing the legacy of wearing the No. 4 jersey for the Eagle Football team, a tribute that has existed for more than 10 years. Since the 2008 season when senior Jason Belford had the number, the coaching staff has selected a leader on defense to wear the jersey. It symbolizes the defensive player who most embodies the characteristics of defense at Eastern -- grit, toughness, effort, leadership and academic success.
Although the honor isn't necessarily given to the most talented defensive player on the team, Eastern has had 11-straight players in that number earn All-Big Sky honors, and 13 of a possible 14 since Eastern joined the league in 1987. Below is the list of players who have worn that number since EWU became a member of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in 1984 (Big Sky in 1987).
Name – Year - Pos. - Hometown / Previous School
Hunter, Darryl - 1983-84-85-86 - DB - Tacoma, Wash. / Foss HS
%Corr, Dominic - 1986-87-88-89 - RB - Seattle, Wash. / Garfield HS
%Wright, Harold - 1990-91-92-93 - RB - Tacoma, Wash. / Lakes HS '89
Givens, Roderick - 1995 - DB - Auburn, Wash. / Auburn HS '94
#%Brightful, Lamont - 1998-99-00-01 - WR - Everett, Wash. /Mariner HS '97
%Williams, A.J. - 2002-03 - DB - Lacey, Wash. - North Thurston HS '01
%Dotson, Anthony - 2005-06-07 - DB - Federal Way, Wash. / Federal Way HS '03
%Belford, Jason - 2005-06-07-08 - DL - Tacoma, Wash. / Lincoln HS '04
#%Sherritt, J.C. - 2007-08-09-10 - LB - Pullman, Wash. / Pullman HS '06
%Brown, Allen - 2010-11-12-13 - DB - Tacoma, Wash. / Foss HS '09
%Raynes, Todd - 2012-13-14-15 - DB - Kenmore, Wash. / Inglemoor HS '11
%Zamora, Miquiyah - 2013-14-15-16 - LB - Pasco, Wash. / Chiawana HS '12
%Havili, Albert - 2013-14-16-17 - DL - Federal Way, Wash. / Federal Way HS '13
%Fettig, Mitch - 2015-16-17-18 - DB - Olympia Wash. / Olympia HS '14
%Ledbetter, Dylan - 2016-17-18-19 - DL - West Seattle, Wash. / O'Dea HS '15
Criner, Calin – 2017-18-19-20 – DB – Boise, Idaho / Rocky Mountain HS '16
#All-America selection (Brightful was first team in 2001, second team in 2000 & second team in 1999 as return specialist, and honorable mention in 2001 as a wide receiver; Sherritt was the Buck Buchanan Award winner in 2010, and first team in 2009 and 2010 as a linebacker).
%All-Big Sky Conference selection (Corr was first team in 1989 & second team in 1989 as return specialist; Wright was Big Sky Newcomer of the Year in 1989, and first team in 1991 & second team in 1992 as a running back; Brightful was first team in 2001 as a wide receiver and return specialist, first team in 2000 as a return specialist, second team in 2000 as a wide receiver and first team in 1999 as a return specialist; Williams was honorable mention in 2003 and 2002 as a safety; Dotson was second team in 2007 as an outside linebacker; Belford was second team in 2008 and honorable mention in 2007 as a defensive end; Sherritt was the Big Sky Defensive MVP in 2010, first team in 2009 and 2010 as a linebacker & honorable mention in 2008 as a linebacker; Brown was second team in 2012 & honorable mention in 2013 as a safety; Raynes was third team in 2015 as a safety; Zamora was first team in 2016 & honorable mention in 2014 as a linebacker; Havili was second team in 2017 as a defensive end; Fettig was third team in 2018 & 2017 & honorable mention in 2016 as a safety; Ledbetter was honorable mention in 2018 and 2019 as a defensive tackle).
2021 Schedule Notes
More on the Fall 2021 Non-Conference Opponents
Eastern's 2021 non-conference schedule features two road games and one at home, as the Eagles will host Central Washington on Sept. 11, 2021, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash., Eastern will also play first-ever non-conference meetings on the road versus UNLV on Thursday, Sept. 2, and at Western Illinois on Sept. 18.
Central Washington and Eastern were fierce rivals in the NAIA and Evergreen Conference prior to EWU becoming a member of NCAA Division I and the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as I-AA) in 1984. The Wildcats are now in NCAA Division II and a member of the Great Northwest Conference.
Eastern leads the all-time series 35-30-4, including a 10 victories in the last 11 meetings since 1978. Eastern is 7-1 versus the Wildcats since EWU moved to FCS, with Central beating Eastern in Cheney 21-14 in 2006. Eastern has won the two meetings since then – 35-32 in 2010 at Qwest Field (now Lumen Field) in Seattle, and 58-13 in 2018 in Cheney.
The Wildcats did not play in fall of 2020, but in the spring played one game – a 59-3 loss at Montana on April 14, 2021. They ended the 2019 season with a six-game winning streak and finished 7-4 overall and 5-1 in the GNAC. Central opened the season with a 41-31 loss at Idaho, and its lone GNAC loss was 36-26 to Eastern Oregon.
Eastern will also play its first-ever game against Western Illinois of the Missouri Valley Conference, with the game played Sept. 18 in Macomb, Ill. Eastern was scheduled to play the Leathernecks at Roos Field in the fall of 2020, but the game was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic and will be re-scheduled.
Entering 2021, Eastern is 10-15 all-time versus current members of the Missouri Valley Conference, having also not played Indiana State and Missouri State. Five of those victories (and no losses) came versus North Dakota when it was a member of the Big Sky Conference. Eastern is 1-3 versus North Dakota State, which has won eight of the last nine titles in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.
Eastern's last games versus a MVC foe were both versus North Dakota State – a 42-20 loss in Fargo on April 24, 2021, in the first round of the FCS Playoffs, and a 38-24 loss on Jan. 5, 2019, in the 2018 NCAA Division I Championship Game. Eastern did beat North Dakota 35-20 on Sept. 28, 2019, in the final Big Sky match-up between the two schools.
Like Eastern, the Leathernecks did not play in the fall of 2020. But they played a six-game winter/spring schedule in the MVC, finishing 1-5. Western lost its first five games before beating Youngstown State 27-24 in its season finale. The Leathernecks play at Ball State (Sept. 2) and Montana (Sept. 11) prior to hosting EWU in 2020-21.
League Schedules in fall of 2021 revert back to 2020
The best-ever home schedule in school history is back.
Continuing the twists and turns created by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Big Sky Conference announced on Feb. 17, 2021, that the league's 2021 league football schedule will revert back to the 2020 schedules for all teams, meaning Eagle fans will be extremely happy.
Eastern will now host Big Sky home games against the top three favorites of Eagle fans – Montana (Oct. 2), Idaho (Oct. 16) and Montana State (Nov. 6). The Eagles will also host reigning four-time league champion Weber State (Oct. 23) in a league counter.
Hosting Idaho, Montana and Montana State in the same year will be the first time in EWU history that will have taken place. Eastern will play road contests at Southern Utah (Sept. 25), Northern Colorado (Oct. 9), UC Davis (Nov. 13) and Portland State (Nov. 20).
Eastern originally announced the completion of its 2021 schedule back on Dec. 22, with the league games based previously on the announcement by the league in May 2019 of schedules from 2020 through 2023. But since then, Southern Utah announced it was leaving the conference, and that precipitated the change to revert back to the 2020 schedule for 2021. Schedules for 2022 and beyond will now be revised.
More Season Notes
Eagles Hire Justin Mullgrav as Linebackers Coach
The Eastern football program has added Justin Mullgrav as its new linebackers coach. He takes over for Justin Ena, who filled the position on an interim basis for the 2020-21 winter/spring season.
Mullgrav has spent the past two season as a graduate assistant coach at Utah, assisting the defensive staff for the Utes. He joined the program in 2019 from Fort Scott Community College where he coached the linebackers for one season. Prior to that he spent one year as linebackers coach at ASA College Miami.
In 2016, Mullgrav had a brief stint in the NFL with the player personnel department for the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he served as a scouting intern. In that role he assisted the scouting staff in generating scouting reports on both collegiate and professional players through extensive film review.
A native of Old Bridge, N.J., Mullgrav was an outstanding linebacker from 2012-14 at South Carolina State, where he guided the Bulldogs to two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles and a pair of appearances in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs. A criminal justice major, Mullgrav earned his degree from SCSU in 2015 and earned his master's degree from the University of Miami in 2016.
Marc Anderson Officially Named as Tight Ends Coach & Chief of Staff
Marc Anderson, who holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Eastern Washington University, has officially been named as EWU's new tight ends coach and will also hold the title of chief of staff. In 2020 he also took on additional duties as recruiting coordinator, and spent five years as director of football operations for EWU.
He provides a variety of administrative support services for head coach Aaron Best and the program, including recruiting, budget, staffing organization/hiring, head coach media obligations and other duties. Eastern's recruiting class in 2019 was ranked No. 1 in the Big Sky and No. 2 in FCS. Anderson also assists with roster management, coordinating team meals and camps, but now on lesser scale with the addition of his tight ends coaching duties.
He worked as the student operations assistant and video coordinator for EWU Football from January 2014-December 2015 after interning with them for nearly three years. Anderson directed day-to-day video operations and assisted coaches with stats and scouting reports. He coordinated film for all practices and games, and assisted in the coordinating of team travel. He also hired, managed and trained student assistants.
The EWU alum earned a master of arts in English degree in June 2016 and a bachelor of arts and education in English in June 2014. He is married to current EWU assistant athletic director of compliance Mikayla Anderson (formerly Brandhorst).
Eagles Add Running Backs Coach
Eastern added Aaron Prier as its running backs coach and community relations coordinator, with the hire coming as a result of Kevin Maurice leaving EWU after the 2020-21 regular season for the same position as running backs coach at New Mexico State.
Prier comes to Eastern from Idaho State where he was an assistant coach and played running back and wide receiver for the Bengals. He takes over a position group that includes seniors Tamarick Pierce and Dennis Merritt, who have combined for 2,839 rushing yards, 39 receptions and 43 total touchdowns in their careers through the 2020-21 winter/spring season.
"He has a proven track record playing and coaching multiple positions," said Eastern head coach Aaron Best. "The familiarity with the league and our program was an added bonus. His passion, energy and connectivity with student-athletes was obvious on so many levels. He's a huge addition for our current student-athletes, future student-athletes and staff."
Most recently, Prier spent the 2020-21 season coaching ISU inside receivers, tight ends and serving as recruiting coordinator. Before that, he was tight ends coach from 2017-19, and in 2016 was an ISU graduate assistant. In 2018, ISU junior tight end Austin Campbell earned honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference honors after catching five touchdown passes during the season.
Prier played for the Bengals from 2011-14, and received his degree from ISU in 2015 in business administration/business management. He earned his master's degree in physical education/athletic administration in the summer of 2017.
He saw time at cornerback in the 2011 season then later that year moved to running back where he stayed much of the rest of his career. He also was a kick returner, earning a spot on the 2014 CFPA Kickoff Returner Award Watch List.
He played in a total of three games versus Eastern in 2011, 2013 and 2014. In 2011, he rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown and caught five passes for 19 yards and another score in EWU's 45-15 win. In 2012 when EWU triumphed 55-34, he returned a pair of kickoffs for 38 yards with a long of 25, and also had a catch for five yards and a rush for one. As a senior, he moved to wide receiver and had a reception for seven yards against the Eagles before suffering a season-ending injury at Roos Field in a narrow 56-53 loss on Oct. 4, 2014.
Prier is formerly from Richmond, Calif., and graduated from Salesian High School in 2011. He and his wife, Christal, were married in 2019.
Eagles Announce New Hires in Football Program
The Eagles filled two important roles with the official hirings of Ryan Groneman and Jake Rasmussen to fill two support positions for the Eagles. Groneman takes over as director of athletic performance and will work with the football program. Coming to EWU from positions at a pair of schools in South Carolina, he will serve under assistant athletic director for athletic performance, T.J. Conley.
Also hired to fill the role of director of football operations is Rasmussen, who recently received his bachelor's degree from EWU and served as an operations assistant as a student. He is the son of former Eastern football coach, Rich Rasmussen.
Groneman is a 2000 graduate of Boise State where he played four seasons as an offensive lineman, and since then has been a strength and conditioning coach. Most recently, Groneman has spent a second tour of duty at NCAA Division I Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C., where he was the head strength and conditioning coach since 2013. He oversaw all aspects of strength and conditioning for all sports, including football.
Prior to that, he had a short stint at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C., where he served as an assistant. He was directly responsible for overseeing football, track & field and cross country strength and conditioning.
He served as assistant strength & conditioning coach at Presbyterian College, and prior to that spent four months as a consultant to the strength & conditioning staff at Division III Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., from January-May of 2011.
Prior to that engagement, he spent six years in the University of Buffalo Sports Performance Office, serving as an intern from January-July of 2004 before being named the assistant sports performance coach that same year and the director of sports performance in 2007. During his time there, the Bulls football program earned their first Bowl bid in that time during the 2008 season. Those accomplishments included the program's first FBS victory over a nationally ranked opponent, a 42-36 win over No. 12 Ball State to clinch the league title, and their first winning season at the FBS level.
He began his professional career on the sidelines for the Forest Grove (Ore.) High School football program from 2001-03 where he served as the offensive line coach. In his second year, that program qualified for the first round of the playoffs for the first time in 17 years.
Collegiately, Groneman was a four-year starter on Division I Boise State's football team from 1995-99, making 40 consecutive starts in that time. Individually, he earned All-Big West Conference honors in 1996 and 1997 and helped the Broncos to a 34-31 victory over Louisville in the 1999 Humanitarian Bowl. That same season Boise posted a 10-3 overall record, equaling the second most victories in program history to that point.
A 2000 graduate of Boise State University, Groneman holds a bachelor of science in social science public affairs with an emphasis on sociology and psychology.
The son of a former Eastern football coach, Rasmussen graduated Magna Cum Laude from EWU in 2021 while helping the football team as an assistant operations director under Marc Anderson from 2019-21. Rasmussen spent two previous years receiving his associate degree in business from Skagit Valley College. He was a 2017 graduate of Lake Stevens (Wash.) High School.
Born in Spokane, his parents are former Cheney residents Rich and Teri Rasmussen. Rich spent 12 seasons working for the football program at Eastern in various roles, including director of football operations, recruiting coordinator, team travel coordinator, summer camp coordinator and tight ends coach. He earned his bachelor's degree (physical education, 1998) and master's degree (athletic administration, 2000) from Eastern.
Rich left EWU to join former Eagle head coach Paul Wulff at Washington State University where he remained for four seasons. He then spent two seasons on Chris Petersen's staff at Boise State, then four more under Petersen at the University of Washington.
Eastern Washington and North Dakota State to Clash at U.S. Bank Stadium in 2023
Two NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) perennials will clash at one of America's newest major stadiums to open the 2023 football season. The Eastern football team will play at North Dakota State on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 at U.S. Bank Stadium, home of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings, in Minneapolis, Minn., with a time to be announced at a later date.
The matchup will be the sixth all-time between the two programs, but only the third time the Eagles and Bison have clashed during the regular season. Eastern Washington is 1-4 all-time against NDSU, with the most recent game coming on April 24, 2021 when the Bison knocked EWU out of the first round of the NCAA FCS Playoffs by a score of 42-20 in Fargo, N.D.
Prior to that, EWU lost to NDSU in the FCS Championship game on January 5, 2019 in Frisco, Texas, by a final score of 38-24. The other playoff match-up was the first-ever game between the two foes, and that one went Eastern's way on Dec. 11, 2010 in overtime when the Eagles beat the Bison 38-31 to advance to the NCAA Semifinals en route to the 2010 title. In fact, two matchups between the teams have gone to overtime, with EWU losing the other on Sept. 10, 2016 in Fargo, N.D. by a final score of 50-44.
North Dakota State is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Eastern Washington is currently 10-15 all-time against current MVFC members, including a 5-0 record versus North Dakota when it was a member of the Big Sky.
The Bison went 7-3 during the abbreviated spring 2021 season, advancing to the NCAA FCS Quarterfinals where they lost to Sam Houston State. In 2019, NDSU went a perfect 16-0 and won its eighth-straight FCS National Title.
Officially opened in 2016, U.S. Bank stadium is an enclosed stadium that seats 66,860 for most games and can be expanded to 73,000. Besides home Minnesota Viking games, the stadium hosted Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, 2018, the ESPN X Games and the NCAA Final Four in 2019.
Ticket information for the 2023 match-up will be available at a later date.
Eastern Now 58-0 Since 2010 When Winning the TO Battle
In the last 13 seasons (2008-20/21), the Eagles are now 67-1 when they've won the turnover battle, 24-9 when they've been tied and 25-35 when they've lost (total of 116-45). The last time EWU lost a game when it won the turnover battle came in the 2009 FCS Playoffs at Stephen F. Austin when EWU had two miscues and forced four in the 44-33 loss.
Thus, EWU is 58-0 since 2010 when they've won the turnover battle, 21-9 when they've been tied and 23-28 when they've lost. That's a collective record of 102-37 (73.4 percent), with 28 of those 37 losses (76 percent) coming in games EWU has lost the turnover battle and 57 percent of EWU's wins coming when they've won the turnover battle (77 percent when including ties).
In 2020-21, EWU opened the year by falling to Idaho 28-21 after losing the turnover battle 2-1. Eastern beat Northern Arizona 45-13 on March 6, but also lost the turnover battle in that one, 3-0. Eastern beat Idaho State by both score (46-42) and the turnover battle (3-2). Eastern won the turnover battle 2-1 against Cal Poly on March 27, but lost 1-0 at UC Davis in a 32-22 victory on April 3. The Eagles closed the regular season by registered two four-quarter interceptions – the only turnovers of the game – in a 38-31 win over Idaho on April 10. In the FCS Playoffs, the lone turnover was an Eagle interception on offense as North Dakota State won the turnover battle 1-0.
Series Notes
Eastern has never played UNLV, which is a member of the Mountain West Conference and the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. Eastern is 8-24 all-time against current members of the league, with 24 of those meetings coming versus former Big Sky Conference rivals Boise State and Nevada (Reno).
Besides UNLV, Eastern has never played Mountain West members Colorado State, Hawaii, New Mexico, Wyoming and Fresno State. However, Eastern recently announced a game versus Fresno State scheduled for Sept. 9, 2023. The last time EWU played a team from that league came in 2010 when Eastern lost at Nevada 49-24, but then won 13 of its last 14 to claim the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title.
Although Eastern is 8-24 overall versus the league, just six of them (2-6 record) have come versus members of the FBS. Eastern is 6-13 overall versus Boise State, but 1-2 since it moved to FBS in the mid-1990's. Nevada also left the Big Sky at that time, and EWU 1-7 versus Nevada prior to that (1-8 overall). Eastern also lost to San Diego State in 2003, Air Force in 2004 and San Jose State in 2005, and defeated Utah State in 1994.
2021 Season Outlook
Season Starts as an Anomaly With All 22 Starters Back
What seems normal is anything but that for the Eastern football team.
Coming off a 2020-21 winter/spring schedule that yielded a 5-2 record, the Eagles are ready to get back to normal after facing obstacle after obstacle during a year impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Practice in August and games in September have never looked better, but there is lots of heavy lifting to do when it comes to the schedule that lies ahead.
With all 22 starters returning and a whopping total of 67 returning letterwinners, Eastern is poised for yet another big year when the Eagles open the 2021 season at UNLV on Sept. 2. The home schedule starts the week after in a non-conference game, but the Eagles will host four formidable Big Sky Conference foes at Roos Field after that – Montana, Idaho, Weber State and Montana State. The good news is that EWU has won 17-straight games at "The Inferno," and returning All-America quarterback Eric Barriere is a perfect 13-0 as a starter there.
Eastern returns a total of 14 players who have previously earned All-Big Sky Conference honors, with 13 of them being honored during the 2020-21 campaign when eight of the league's 13 schools took part in the league schedule. Eastern used a five-game winning streak to finish as the Big Sky runner-up and then fell to NCAA Football Championship Subdivision power North Dakota State in the FCS Playoffs.
Headlining Eastern's cast of returning players are a trio of All-Americans – Barriere, offensive tackle Tristen Taylor and wide receiver Talolo Limu-Jones. They helped Eastern lead FCS in total offense during the regular season, and Barriere went on to finish as the runner-up for the Walter Payton Award given to the top offensive player in FCS. He won first team recognition on six FCS All-America teams, including the FCS Athletic Director's Association which picked him as its top offensive player nationally.
Of the total of 67 returning letterwinners, fifth-year head coach Aaron Best has them evenly split with 31 back on both offense and defense, plus five specialists. The adjusted, abbreviated schedule in 2020-21 did not count against the eligibility for all student-athletes.
Three of the returning players will be back for their seventh seasons as Eagles. Following the conclusion of the 2019 season, Taylor, linebacker Jack Sendelbach and running back Dennis Merritt were granted a sixth year by the NCAA to complete four years of eligibility because of seasons lost because of injuries. Also receiving a sixth year was University of Washington transfer Jusstis Warren, who played in just one game for EWU in 2019 and only one in 2020-21.
Eastern enters the fall season with a total of 36 players returning with 318 games of starting experience, including 18 players on defense with 136 starts and 18 on offense with 182 starts.
Consistency has been a cornerstone of EWU Football, and the Eagles have cemented a 17-year run of winning the league title and/or advancing to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs at least every other year. Eastern has achieved that feat ever since its last back-back-empty seasons in 2002 and 2003.
In 2018, Eastern secured its 10th Big Sky title. Two years later, the Eagles secured their 14th appearance in the FCS Playoffs in what is now 37 years as a member of the FCS (formerly I-AA). Since 2010 when EWU won the NCAA Division I title, the Eagles have won league titles six times (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018) and advanced to the playoffs all six of those seasons plus in 2020-21.
While the Eagles were making their 14th appearance overall in the FCS Playoffs in the 2020-21 season, Best made his 11th as an EWU player or coach.
From 2004 to 2009 Eastern advanced to the playoffs four times (2004, 2005, 2007, 2009), and won the league title twice (2004, 2005). Eastern has three other playoff berths in school history (1985, 1992, 1997) and two other titles (1992, 1997), and has only had two multi-year stretches in which they accomplished neither. Those were both six-year stretches from between 1986-1991 and 1998-2003.
The Eagles have been impressive – if not dominant – in the league in the last 14 years (2007-2020/21), winning 80 percent of their games (88-22) and six titles. In that span, Eastern has had no league finish below 5-3 and five of them have included 7-1 or 8-0 records.
OFFENSE . . . Barriere and supporting cast back after ending regular season as FCS offense leaders
The eight returning All-Big Sky Conference performers on offense include Barriere, Taylor, Limu-Jones, Merritt, senior running back Tamarick Pierce, junior offensive guard Wyatt Musser, junior wide receiver Andrew Boston and sophomore receiver Freddie Roberson. Barriere joined Limu-Jones as a unanimous first team All-BSC selection in 2020-21. Barriere is now 20-9 in 29 games as a starter, and his total is second-best on the team behind Taylor's 47 starts. A total of 18 players return on offense who have started games as Eagles.
Honored by the league for the fourth time, Taylor was a first team selection in 2020-21. Musser and Roberson were second team choices, while Merritt earned honorable mention. Boston was honored in 2019 on the All-Big Sky third team.
Eastern closed the 2020 regular season with the best offense in FCS, and finished the season third at 524.9 yards per game. The Eagles were also fourth nationally in passing (367.3) and eighth in scoring offense (37.7). Eastern's passing average was the third-best in school history and the average of 524.9 yards per game of total offense was fourth, just ahead of the 2019 average of 524.8 which led FCS.
In EWU's last 17 seasons (2004-2020/21), EWU has ranked in the top 10 in passing 14 times, total offense on 13 occasions and scoring eight times. In school history, EWU has won a trio of FCS titles for total offense (2019, 2001, 1997), as well as three passing offense titles (2016, 2015, 2011) and two for scoring offense (2014, 2001).
Although limited to seven games, Barriere had a season to remember and was honored by six different organizations as a first team All-America selection -- American Football Coaches Association, FCS Athletic Director's Association, Associated Press, Stats Perform, Hero Sports and Phil Steele Publications. The senior from Inglewood, Calif., was also named the FCS Offensive Player of the Year by the FCS ADA.
Barriere was a unanimous All-Big Sky Conference first team selection and was the league's Offensive Player of the Year. He finished fifth in the voting for the Payton Award as a junior in the 2019 season, and he made his case for the award in the 2020-21 campaign by passing for at least 300 yards in five of six regular games and having at least 400 yards of total offense in three of them. In the other game, he had 284 passing/324 total offense in barely over two quarters of action in a 62-10 romp.
Barriere ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in total offense (fifth, 369.0 per game), passing offense (fifth, 348.4), passing touchdowns (third, 19) and points responsible for (ninth, 17.4 per game). He completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,439 yards, 19 touchdowns and 2,583 total yards of offense.
In his illustrious 38-game career, Barriere is now 20-9 as a starter, including 13-0 at home. He went over the 10,000-yard mark for total offense in his career with a current total of 10,102 – including 8,739 through the air. He ranks fifth in school history in both categories, as well as his career total of 75 TD passes. He's now fourth with 93 total touchdowns responsible for. Eastern career records in those categories are 13,308, 12,616, 110 and 121.
Barriere has completed 60.3 percent of his passes in his career (646-of-1071), good for 8,739 yards, 75 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, and has rushed 287 times for 1,363 net yards and 18 more TDs. He had a passing efficiency rating of 146.9 as a sophomore, 151.6 in 2019 and a 148.1 mark in his career to currently rank fifth in school history. Barriere has surpassed the school record for rushing yards by a quarterback -- he now has 1,363 with Vernon Adams Jr. closing his career with 1,232. Eastern is 19-1 when Barriere has rushed for at least 21 yards, with the lone loss coming at Sacramento State (10/5/19) when he finished with 103.
Backing Barriere up in 2021 will be junior Gunner Talkington, sophomore Simon Burkett and redshirt freshman Trey Turner. Also now in the program is former Arizona State quarterback Ryan Kelley.
Talkington was the only player of the three to throw a pass in 2020-21, all when he made the first start of his career versus Cal Poly and finished with career highs for completions (6), yards (132), touchdowns (2), rushing yards (14), long rush (14) and total offense (146). He has completed 21-of-47 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns in his career.
At receiver, Limu-Jones earned second team All-America honors in 2020-21 from three organizations. He ended the season fourth in FCS in receiving yards per game (108.4) and was ninth in receptions per game (6.9, total of 48). He ended the regular season with three-straight performances with at least 140 receiving yards, and had a least a 66-yard catch in all three games.
He now has 42 games of experience (nine as a starter), and has 90 career catches for 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns – an average of 17.8 per reception (currently sixth in school history). He has averaged a touchdown every 6.0 career catches. Jones has had 10 receptions of at least 40 yards in his career, including six as a junior in 2019 and three more in the abbreviated 2020-21 campaign.
Boston returns for his junior season after catching 26 passes 391 yards and three scores in 2020-21. A freshman All-America selection in 2018, Boston has 119 receptions for 1,652 yards and 12 touchdowns in 32 career games (24 as a starter) as an Eagle.
Also returning to the receiver position are Roberson and Anthony Stell Jr., a pair of former high school teammates who were impressive as redshirt freshmen in 2019 and then developed into standouts in 2020-21.
Roberson started six games, finishing with 33 grabs for 470 yards and three touchdowns, and also had a 42-yard touchdown rush. He now has 18 games of experience (eight starts) in his career with totals of 47 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns, with a pair of 100-yard receiving performances.
Stell had four starts in 2020-21, and finished the season with 17 catches for 282 yards and three scores. He now has 22 catches for 323 yards and three scores in his 20-game career.
Senior Johnny Edwards IV did not play in the winter/spring season, and returns for his senior season with 36 games of experience (12 as a starter), and has career totals of 52 receptions for 823 yards and seven touchdowns. As a junior in 2019, he was third on the team with 32 catches for 553 yards (17.3 per reception) and three scores.
Redshirt freshman Jakobie James played considerably in the winter/spring season and caught 10 passes for 125 yards. Also returning is sophomore Michael Taras, with junior Robert Mason III also playing for the Eagles in 2020-21 after coming to EWU from Central Washington. Taras, a converted quarterback, had two grabs for 40 yards in 2020-21. Mason didn't catch any passes for EWU, but he caught 20 passes in two previous seasons for the Wildcats.
Two true freshmen burst onto the scene in the winter/spring season, including two-game starter Efton Chism III. He caught 23 passes for 267 yards and a score, and was also EWU's punt returner. Nolan Ulm played considerably and had a catch for nine yards. A third true freshman, Malaki Roberson, has yet to play in an Eagle uniform.
Eastern also has a trio of experienced tight ends, led by returning starter Dylan Ingram. Mostly used as a blocking tight end, the junior has 32 games of experience (seven starts), and has caught six passes for 56 yards and two scores in his career.
Sophomore Aiden Nellor is also back with 18 games of experience as an Eagle and one career catch, as well as redshirt freshman Blake Gobel. Gobel now has 11 games of experience, and has five career catches for 41 yards and three touchdowns after leading the tight end corp with four receptions for 26 yards and two scores in the 2020-21 season.
Three other tight ends are back, including redshirt freshman Chris Johnson, a converted wide receiver. The others are true freshmen Jett Carpenter and Nathaniel Smith.
The running back position returns a pair of seniors in Pierce, the returning starter, and Merritt. Both returned from injuries to earn All-Big Sky honors in the 2020-21 season and help keep the Eagle offense productive.
Pierce, forced to redshirt in 2019 while recovering from a knee injury at the end of the 2018 season, started six of the seven games he played in the 2020-21 season. He finished the season with a team-high 462 yards rushing with five touchdowns and an average of 5.4 yards per rush. He also caught eight passes for another 31 yards, and had his first career 100-yard rushing game with 105 and two scores versus Northern Arizona.
Pierce now has a 5.98 career average per rush which currently ranks sixth in school history (Merritt is fifth at 6.02). Pierce has rushed for 1,476 yards and 23 touchdowns in 46 games as an Eagle (six as a starter) with 21 catches for 138 yards and another score.
Merritt also returned to be highly productive in 2020-21 after suffering a serious lower leg injury versus Lindenwood on Sept. 7, 2019, and missing the remainder of the season. He earned All-Big Sky Conference honorable mention after playing in all seven Eastern games (one as a starter) as a running back. He had 287 yards and four touchdowns rushing for EWU, and caught another 10 passes for 123 yards and three more scores. He scored a team-high seven touchdowns, including three in EWU's final regular season game versus Idaho.
He now has 861 career yards (6.02 average per rush to rank fifth in school history just ahead of Pierce at 5.98) and eight touchdowns rushing, and another 18 catches for 270 yards and four scores in 37 games (two as a starter). Merritt has also averaged 20.7 yards on 30 career kickoff returns.
Sophomores Silas Perreiah and Micah Smith also return after seeing action in both 2019 and 2020-21. Perreiah played in EWU's first three games and then missed the rest of the season. He has now played in 13 career games, and has 268 yards rushing with a touchdown, and three catches for seven yards and another score. Smith has played in 13 Eagle games in his career and has 158 yards rushing and a score, plus three catches for 28 yards. In 2020-21, he played in all seven Eastern games and finished the year with 52 yards and a touchdown on 11 rushes, and another 17 yards on two receptions.
Eastern received a boost at running back in 2020-21 with the return of sophomore Isaiah Lewis, who played in three games and finished the year with 53 yards rushing. Now with a total of eight games of experience as an Eagle, he played in two games early in the 2019 season and had 64 yards and a touchdown rushing versus Lindenwood, but shortly after that left the team. As a redshirt freshman in 2018, he played in three games and had 52 yards.
As a true freshman in 2020-21, Justice Jackson earned action in four games, finishing with 11 carries for 42 yards. Another true freshman from the 2020 high school graduating class, Brandon Montoya, has yet to play as an Eagle.
Barriere also provides a run option for the Eagles, with 144 net yards in EWU's seven games in the winter/spring season. He has also surpassed the school record for rushing yards by a quarterback -- he now has 1,363 with Vernon Adams Jr. closing his career with 1,232. Eastern is 19-1 when Barriere has rushed for at least 21 yards, with the lone loss coming at Sacramento State (10/5/19) when he finished with 103. Besides the Sac State game, he's rushed for at least 98 yards on four other occasions with three of at least 100 and a high of 164 versus Cal Poly in 2019.
The biggest priority for EWU in 2020-21 was replacing four starters on the offensive line, a group which combined for 193 games played and 141 starts in their careers.
The situation was helped considerably with the return of Taylor, who has now started all 47 games he's played as an Eagle. A first team selection in 2020-21, he was a second team All-Big Sky selection in 2019 after earning honorable mention in both 2016 and 2017.
Senior center Conner Crist returns with 29 career games of experience and nine starts under his belt, including starts in all seven Eagle games in 2020-21. Musser also started all seven games at guard, and now has 19 games worth of experience in his career. Junior tackle Matt Shook was injured in 2019 and did not play, but returned to start all seven games in 2020-21 and now has 17 games worth of experience.
The fifth starter back from 2020-21 is Wyatt Hansen, a true freshman who started all five games he played as an offensive guard. Sophomore Brad Godwin started the other two games, and now has 16 total games of experience.
Eastern's other returning letterwinners on the offensive line are junior Andrei Leonardi, sophomore Brad Prestegord, freshman Luke Dahlgren and freshman Matthew Hewa Baddege. Non-lettering squad members included freshmen Isaac Flemmer, Nate Hagreen, Gale Kamp and Brenden Rivera. Flemmer and Hewa-Baddege saw action as true freshmen in 2019.
DEFENSE . . . All starters back on defense as well with seniors Criner and Sendelbach leading the way
Gaining more and more game experience was the key part of 2020-21 for Eastern's defense. A total of 18 players who have started previously return, led by the 19 starts of senior safety Calin Criner, 18 by junior cornerback Tre Weed, 18 by Sendelbach and 17 by junior defensive end Mitchell Johnson. Those 18 players have combined for a total of 182 starts.
Johnson and Weed both earned All-Big Sky honors in 2020-21, with Johnson earning first team All-BSC honors and Weed named to the second team. Johnson also earned second team accolades as a freshman in 2018.
Three others – a total of five – were recognized by the league during the abbreviated season. Junior safety Anthany Smith earned first team accolades and sophomore defensive tackle Joshua Jerome and senior linebacker Ty Graham both received honorable mention.
Criner returns for his senior season with seven interceptions, 190 tackles, 11 passes broken up, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his 41-game career (19 as a starter). He has four performances in his career with at least 10 tackles. Criner continues the legacy of wearing the No. 4 jersey for the Eagle Football team, a tribute that has existed for more than 10 years.
The 2016 graduate of Rocky Mountain High School in Boise, Idaho, missed EWU's first four games of the spring season, then started in the final three to close the year with seven tackles and a pass broken up.
Criner has deep collegiate football roots. His father is a former player at Boise State (1990 graduate) and is now an assistant coach at Southern Miss with previous collegiate tenures at Idaho, Portland State, Utah State, Minnesota, Eastern Michigan, Cincinnati, Middle Tennessee State, Lamar, and Colorado State Pueblo. Calin is the grandson of former Boise State University head football coach Jim Criner (1976-82), who guided the Broncos to the 1980 NCAA Championship Subdivision (then I-AA) title and later was head coach at Iowa State (1983-86).
Smith is the other starting safety returning and had a stellar season. The junior finished with a team-leading 44 tackles in six games played (all as a starter). In EWU's last regular season game versus Idaho, Smith had 17 tackles -- equaling the 19th-most in school history. He made his starting debut earlier in the season versus the Vandals (2/27/21) and had 10 tackles, a pass broken up and a 71-yard interception return for a touchdown which was the 18th-longest in school history.
Smith has 71 career tackles, three interceptions and three passes broken up in 24 games (six as a starter). Smith played in just three games in 2019 before being lost for the season with an injury.
Junior Keshaun King started EWU's first four games before Criner returned, and he finished with 33 tackles on the season. In the second game versus Idaho, he had nine tackles and his first career interception that led to EWU's game-winning score. King now has 40 tackles and an interception in his 21-game career (four as a starter).
Weed and sophomore Darrien Sampson were both seven-game starters at cornerback for EWU in the 2020-21 season. Weed had 22 tackles with a pair of passes broken up, and has now played 23 games as an Eagle (18 as a starter). He has career totals of 68 tackles, two interceptions and nine passes broken up.
Sampson finished with 13 tackles and a pair of passes broken up in 2020-21, and has now played in 21 career games (10 starts). A former high school teammate of wide receivers Anthony Stell Jr. and Freddie Roberson, he now has 32 tackles, two interceptions and four passes broken up as an Eagle.
The fifth starter back in the secondary is nickel back Marlon Jones Jr., who saw action in all seven games as a redshirt freshman and started four times. He finished the year with 17 of his 24 tackles in EWU's last three games, including a pass broken up in the final game of the year versus North Dakota State. He also played in three games in 2019, giving him a total of 10 games of experience.
Also back for the Eagles in the secondary is 2019 starting cornerback Darreon Moore, now a junior. Moore has played in 25 career games (seven as a starter), and has 40 tackles with three passes broken up and a sack. He played in just one game in the 2020-21 season.
Arizona State transfer Ely Doyle provided a big boost in 2020-21 for Eastern after playing in five games in 2019 for the Sun Devils. He had 36 tackles in six games played to rank fourth on the team, including no tackles while playing sparingly in EWU's opener versus Idaho. But he quickly bumped himself up the leaders list, with 30 tackles during EWU's four-game winning streak. He also had two passes broken up in the 2020-21 season, and missed the rematch against Idaho which extended EWU's winning streak to five.
Other returning letterwinners in the secondary include sophomore Demetrius Crosby Jr, and freshmen DaJean Wells, Cage Schenck and Kameron Lane. Crosby had seven tackles in the 2020-21 season while playing in all seven games. Wells and Schenck had four tackles each, and Lane had five.
Sendelbach, a two-time team captain, and Graham headline a linebacker corp that includes five returning letterwinners. Graham was also a team co-captain during the 2020-21 season when the University of Idaho transfer was playing his first collegiate games after a stretch of 833 days without.
Sendelbach finished with 33 tackles to rank sixth on the team despite playing in just three games. An Eagle since the fall of 2015 when he redshirted, Sendelbach enters the 2021 season with 192 tackles in his 39-game career (18 as a starter), and has had 10 performances in double figures. He also has five career sacks, 17 total tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.
Graham had 42 tackles after starting all six of the games he played as a linebacker. Graham had a career-high nine tackles in his Eagle debut versus his former team, then in the rematch played just the first series versus Vandals before being lost for the season with an injury.
The local product of Cheney (Wash.) High School played in 27 games at Idaho and had 133 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, an interception, two passes broken up and a forced fumble in those three seasons for the Vandals. His father, John, is EWU's former defensive coordinator.
Also back at linebacker is junior Cale Lindsay, who had 16 total tackles in seven games in the 2020-21 season. He made the first two starts of his career that season, and now has 44 tackles in 24 career games.
Now at linebacker is Warren, who transferred to EWU in 2019 from the University of Washington. He played in EWU's opener against his alma mater in 2019, but missed the rest of the season. In the 2020-21 season, he also played just one game as a starter at end before being lost for the remainder of the season. Thus, he's played in only two games as an Eagle (one start) and has four tackles. In his 31-game career as a Husky, he had nine tackles, 1 1/2 sacks, a forced fumble and caught a 2-yard touchdown pass.
Freshmen Conner O'Farrell, Steven Flowers, Trevor Thurman and Ahmani Williams all lettered in the 2020-21 season. Flowers had three tackles to go along with a tackle while playing three games as a true freshman in 2019. O'Farrell had seven tackles in the winter/spring season and Thurman had a pair. Williams, whose father, Julian Williams, was an All-America safety for EWU in the 1990's, also had a pair of tackles.
The defensive line entered with just one starter back for the 2020-21 season – Johnson – but several others received much-needed experience as a result. Freshman end Brock Harrison returns as a 2020-21 starter, as does Jerome and freshman tackle Jacob Newsom.
For the season, Johnson had 26 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, four quarterback hurries and a pass broken up. Included was his first career touchdown on a 34-yard interception return, and his fifth career interception with a leaping/twisting pick on fourth down with 1:29 remaining in a playoff-clinching victory over Idaho.
Johnson has been an opportunistic player as EWU's "Buck" defensive end, and he now has 98 tackles in his 34-game career (17 as a starter). He has eight sacks, five interceptions, 11 quarterback hurries, four passes broken up, three fumble recoveries and a pair of forced fumbles. He burst on the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2018 and earned second team All-Big Sky honors and freshman All-America accolades.
On the other end, Harrison took over as the starter in EWU's second game of the season and finished with a team-high five quarterback hurries to go along with 15 tackles. He's played in a total of 11 career games as an Eagle and has 17 tackles.
Jerome started all seven of Eastern's games and had 41 tackles to rank third on the team, and also had a team-leading three sacks and a pair of quarterback hurries. He has played just 21 career games (seven as a starter), but already has 82 career tackles with 4 1/2 sacks, three quarterback hurries, a pass broken up, and a fumble recovery.
Newsom also started all seven games, and finished with 22 tackles in his debut season. He had two sacks, a pass broken up and a quarterback hurry.
Four other returning lettermen are back with starting experience, including junior Caleb Davis who missed the entire 2020-21 season. In his first two years in the program he had 47 tackles and a pair of sacks in 23 games (two as a starter), including 21 stops and one sack as a sophomore.
Junior Debore'ae McClain started once as a defensive end in the 2020-21 season and finished with 12 tackles in seven games. He now has 33 stops in 34 career games, including 1 1/2 sacks.
Sophomore Emmanuel Osuoha is the only other non-freshman returning, and was a linebacker in the winter/spring. Osuoha had a pair of tackles in six games played and enters fall of 2021 with 10 career stops in 11 games played.
Five freshmen earned letters in 2020-21, giving EWU a total of 13 along the defensive line. Soli Paleso'o and Warren Hardin played as a redshirt freshman, while the other three – LeAndre Gaines, Matthew Brown and Ben Roe – saw action as true freshmen.
Paleso'o has 12 tackles in seven games played, and Hardin has a pair of stops in three games. Roe finished with 12 tackles in seven games played in his debut campaign, Brown had three in four games and Gaines played in a pair of contests.
Three non-lettering squad members also return – Jacobe Lee, Taalefili Fata and Sandrey Mitberg.
SPECIAL TEAMS . . . Harrison adds strong leg to repertoire of accuracy
Experience on experience is always a good thing, and that's what the Eagles received in the winter/spring season from sophomore kicker Seth Harrison, sophomore punter Nick Kokich and sophomore long snapper Cody Clements.
Harrison earned his second-straight All-Big Sky honor, earning second team accolades after earning honorable mention as a freshman when he was a perfect 12-of-12 kicking field goals.
In the 2020-21 season, Harrison showed a strong leg to go along with accuracy, and is now 18-of-21 for .857 accuracy which currently ranks second in school history. He is also 75-of-80 kicking extra points in his career and has a 54.5 kickoff average (eight touchbacks).
Harrison became just the seventh Eagle in school history to have at least three career field goals of 47 yards or more, and just the fourth with two of at least 50 yards (long of 55). In the 2020-21 season, he was 6-of-9 kicking field goals, 25-of-27 on extra points and averaged 59.9 per kickoff (two touchbacks).
Harrison ended his debut season in 2019 as the FCS leader in field goal percentage, and was the only kicker in FCS with at least one field goal attempt per game to make all of his field goals. He was 30th in field goals with an average of 1.09 per game) and earned Freshman All-America accolades. Twice Harrison kicked four field goals in a single game.
As a true freshman, Kokich made his season debut four games into the season and has held the punting position ever since. In 2020-21 he averaged 39.2 yards in 20 punts, with five downed inside the opponent 20-yard line and two of at least 50 yards with a long of 55. He averaged 39.0 yards in 2019, and enters 2021 with a 39.1 career average with 15 downed inside the opponent 20-yard line and a long of 59 to equal the 38th longest in EWU history.
Eastern also has three other freshmen specialists who were in the program in 2020-21, including a pair who saw action. Backup kicker Jackson Cleaver had a 28-yard field goal, all six of his extra point attempts and had eight kickoffs in two games as an injury replacement for Harrison. Wyatt Hawkins handled kickoffs in EWU's final two games of the season and had 11 in all. The third is long-snapper Aaron Estrada, who did not play in any games.
Eastern's kickoff return team averaged 18.6 yards per return in the 2020-21 season, and both Merritt and Stell return after handling the load. Merritt has averaged 20.7 yards on 30 career kickoff returns, and Stell averaged 20.7 on seven returns in the winter/spring and has an 18.6 average in his career.
Chism handled punt return duties for most of the 2020-21 season, averaging 4.2 yards on nine returns. Weed has a 7.0 average in 11 career returns.
2020 Season Recap & Notes
Eastern Finishes a Hard-Earned 5-2 in Winter/Spring of 2021
A chance to celebrate what they accomplished were top on the list for the Eagles after they concluded their 2020-21 season with a 5-2 record overall and a 14th appearance in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs.
The Eagles led 14-0 and 20-7 at North Dakota State, the eight-time NCAA Division I Champions, but fell 42-20 on April 24 in the first round of the playoffs. Eastern had earned an at-large berth after finishing 5-1 and as the runner-up in the Big Sky Conference during a season delayed and impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We'll take a deep breath and look back on all the things we conquered along this journey," Eastern head coach Aaron Best said just minutes after his team's season concluded at the Fargodome in Fargo, N.D.
Addressing his players in the locker room once the season concluded was more difficult than normal, Best said.
"It's never easy and is one of the most difficult things to do," he explained. "But it's even tougher this time around because of all the obstacles and challenges Covid presented us. The pushback to the spring season ended with us in the playoffs, and you don't know when it's going to end. But you know it could end at any moment, so it makes it kind of doubly tough. It's even tougher when you love your kids you coach – day-in and day-out they've put a lot on the line."
The Eagles put together a five-game winning streak amidst an environment that included lots of cancellations and postponements in FCS Football and within the Big Sky, but those didn't impact the season schedule for EWU's program.
Eastern closed the regular season ninth in the STATS Perform NCAA Football Championship Subdivision top 25 poll, and EWU was also ranked ninth by the coaches. While the Eagles were making their 14th appearance overall in the FCS Playoffs, Best made his 11th as an EWU player or coach.
The Eagles were led by Walter Payton Award runner-up and Big Sky Conference Offensive MVP Eric Barriere, who finished with 2,583 yards of total offense and 19 passing touchdowns in seven games. He helped EWU rank third in FCS in total offense (524.9 per game) after leading during the regular season. Eastern was also seventh in scoring (37.7) and fourth in passing (367.3). Eastern's passing average was the third-best in school history and total offense was fifth, just behind the 2019 average of 524.8 which led FCS.
Barriere was honored as a first team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, FCS Athletic Director's Association, Associated Press, Stats Perform and Phil Steele Publications. The senior from Inglewood, Calif., was also named the FCS Offensive Player of the Year by the FCS ADA, and came six points away from winning the prestigious Walter Payton Award presented each year by Stats Perform to the top offensive player in FCS.
Barriere finished fifth in the voting for the Payton Award as a junior in the 2019 season, and he made his case for the award in the 2020-21 campaign by passing for at least 300 yards in five of six regular games and having at least 400 yards of total offense in three of them. In the other game, he had 284 passing/324 total offense in barely over two quarters of action in a 62-10 romp.
Barriere ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in total offense (fifth, 369.0 per game), passing offense (fifth, 348.4), passing touchdowns (third, 19) and points responsible for (ninth, 17.4 per game). He completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,439 yards, 19 touchdowns and 2,583 total yards of offense.
Also earning first team All-Big Sky honors were offensive tackle Tristen Taylor, wide receiver Talolo Limu-Jones, running back Tamarick Pierce, defensive end Mitchell Johnson and safety Anthany Smith. Taylor earned first team All-America honors from the American Football Coaches Association and Phil Steele Publications, and Limu-Jones earned second team All-America accolades from the AFCA, Stats Perform and Phil Steele Publications.
Consistency has been a cornerstone of EWU Football, and the Eagles have extended to 17 seasons a current run of winning the league title and/or advancing to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs at least every other year. Eastern has achieved that feat ever since its last back-to-back-empty seasons in 2002 and 2003.
"These guys have earned the right to hug each other and be proud of each other for the run that they've had," added Best, who is now 31-14 overall in four seasons at the helm, including a 24-6 mark in Big Sky games. "They won five games in a row and then had the ability to get into the playoffs."
Eagles Fall Short of Winning Second-Straight Total Offense Title
Through seven games in the 2020-21 season, Eastern was third in FCS in total offense with an average of 524.9 yards per game. The Eagles had entered the postseason leading FCS in total offense and were looking to defend the title it won in 2019. However, the Eagles were held to 307 yards against eight-time NCAA Division I champion North Dakota State, coming up 13 yards short of the title (needed 320 overall in the game).
Besides ranking third in total offense, the Eagles were also fourth nationally in passing (367.3) and eighth in scoring offense (37.7). Eastern's passing average was the third-best in school history and the average of 524.9 yards per game of total offense was fourth, just ahead of the 2019 average of 524.8 which led FCS.
In EWU's last 17 seasons (2004-2020/21), EWU has ranked in the top 10 in passing 14 times, total offense on 13 occasions and scoring eight times. In school history, EWU has won a trio of FCS titles for total offense (2019, 2001, 1997), as well as three passing offense titles (2016, 2015, 2011) and two for scoring offense (2014, 2001).
Quarterback Eric Barriere finished the 2020-21 season ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in total offense (fifth, 369.0 per game), passing offense (fifth, 348.4), passing touchdowns (third, 19) and points responsible for (ninth, 17.4 per game). He completed 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,439 yards, 19 touchdowns and 2,583 total yards of offense. Wide receiver Talolo Limu-Jones ended the season fourth in FCS in receiving yards per game (108.4) and was is ninth in receptions per game (6.9, total of 48).
The Eagles were ranked 65th in total defense in the 2020-21 season, allowing an average of 383.0 yards per game and allowing 26.9 points per game to rank 56th. In third down conversion percentage, Eastern was 13th offensively (.462) and 57th defensively (.408), and on fourth down were 12th on offense (.700) and ninth on defense (.250).
Most Recent Game Recap
Ninth-Ranked Eagles Fall to No. 6/8 Bison 42-20
Eastern opened early leads of 14-0 and 20-7 over North Dakota State, but the Bison scored 35 unanswered points for a 42-20 victory in a first-round game in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs on April 24, 2021, at the Fargodome in Fargo. N.D. Eastern scored touchdowns the first three times they had the ball, only to have the Bison get their running game untracked and eventually lead 21-20 at halftime. North Dakota State outscored EWU 21-0 in the second half as it finished with 422 yards rushing on the ground. Thanks to a fast start, Walter Payton Award finalist and Big Sky Conference Offensive MVP Eric Barriere went over the 10,000 yard mark in total offense in his career in the first half versus the Bison after needing just 157 to hit that mark. An 18-yard scramble put him over the top as he completed 10 of his first 11 passes for 178 yards and another 27 rushing. He finished the game 17-of-28 for 246 yards passing, with another 32 on the ground. North Dakota State had the ball for 21:50 of the second half after EWU held it for 16:27 in the first half. Senior Andrew Boston was EWU's leading receiver with five catches for 88 yards, and senior Talolo Limu-Jones added four for 38 yards as his stretch of 100-yard receiving games ended at three. True freshman Efton Chism III had three for 56. Defensively, linebacker Jack Sendelbach had 13 tackles for EWU to hit double figures for the 10th time of his career. Senior rover Kedrick Johnson added eight and sophomore safety Ely Doyle had six. Eastern's defense recorded no sacks while the Bison had five, plus recorded the lone takeaway of the game with an interception. Eastern allowed North Dakota State to average just 2.3 yards on its first four rushes and 3.5 on its first nine. But the Bison finished the game with 422 on 57 rushes for an average of 7.4 per carry. North Dakota State finished with 472 yards overall and EWU had 307, including 246 through the air. Eastern scored on touchdown drives of 85 and 53 yards to open the game, with both capped by 3-yard touchdown runs by Tamarick Pierce then Barriere. After a NDSU touchdown, Eastern scored on its third possession on a 12-play, 79-yard drive, capped by Barriere's 3-yard TD pass to Boston. It was during that drive that Barriere had his 18-yard run to put him over 10,000 yards of total offense in his career. The Bison scored again in the second quarter, then Eastern drove again on its fourth drive of the game. Barriere was flushed out of the pocket on a third-and-13 play, but somehow found Limu-Jones for a 26-yard gain. Another gain of 19 to Jakobie James put EWU at the NDSU 23-yard line, but a sack helped result in a missed 53-yard field goal attempt. The Bison had a 42-yard on its first play after that, and turned it into a four-play, 64-yard drive to take a 21-20 lead. The Bison had 163 yards rushing at halftime, although EWU still led in total yards 243-212, with 178 through the air. Eastern got a fourth-down stop to open the third quarter, only to give it right back on an interception by Barriere. The Bison pounced, and drove 41 yards on three plays to take a 28-20 advantage with 9:29 left in the quarter. Eastern punted the next two times it had the ball, and the Bison put the game away with scoring drives of 86 and 72 yards.
More Aaron Best Comments
More Notes (to possibly use during season)
Eagle Now 18-1 Versus FCS Schools in California From 2006-2020/21
Following a pair of wins in the abbreviated 2020-21 season, the Eagles have won 20 of their last 21 matchups against NCAA Football Championship Subdivision opponents from California. Eastern has won its last three games versus California foes, starting Nov. 16, 2019 against Cal Poly, and continuing in the 2020-21 season with victories over Cal Poly (62-10 on March 27, 2021) and UC Davis (32-22 on April 3, 2021).
The Sac State loss earlier in 2019 ended a 17-game streak versus FCS foes from California dating back to a 15-13 home loss to Sacramento State on Nov. 1, 2008. During that streak, EWU was 5-0 versus Sac State and 6-0 against both Cal Poly and UC Davis. Overall, the Eagles are now 38-7 against those three foes (84.4 percent), but are better on the road (19-3 for 86.4 percent) than at home (19-4 for 82.6 percent). Eastern is now 12-1 at Sacramento State (19-5 overall), 3-0 at UC Davis (9-0 overall) and 4-2 at Cal Poly (10-2 overall).
In addition, until the Eagles lost at Sacramento State on Oct. 5, 2019, it had been 14 years since Eastern had lost a road game to a FCS school in California – an 8-0 record starting back to 2008. Eastern was 2-0 versus Sacramento State, 3-0 against Cal Poly and 2-0 at UC Davis in that span, with the last road loss to those three teams a 40-35 setback at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo on Nov. 5, 2005. The Eagles did lose to California of the Pac-12 Conference 59-7 on Sept. 12, 2009, in Berkeley, Calif.
Eastern is 31-19 Since 2010 Versus Ranked Opponents
After EWU's game versus North Dakota State on April 24, Eastern has now won 63 percent of its games (31-19) versus ranked teams since 2010. Eastern is 60-73 (.451) in 133 games overall against ranked teams since becoming a member of that classification in 1983 (then known as I-AA). Since 1983, Eastern is 1-7 versus ranked FBS foes, and a loss to Washington (ranked 13th by the media and 12th by the coaches) in 2019 was the eighth such foe EWU has faced.
Eastern's game versus sixth-ranked NDSU in the FCS Playoffs was the 64th time and the most recent occasion Eastern has faced a team ranked in the top 10 in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (STATS). Eastern is 10-10 versus top 10 foes since 2010, including a 5-4 mark in the regular season and 5-6 in the playoffs Eastern is 19-45 in the 64 games all-time versus top 10 opponents. The Eagles are 9-35 all-time versus top 5 opponents (4-7 since 2010), including 2-8 versus No. 1 (0-2 since 2010).
Overall, EWU has faced the No. 1 team in FCS 10 times, winning twice -- 35-31 in 2004 over Southern Illinois in the FCS Playoffs and 30-21 in 2002 over Montana at Albi Stadium in Spokane, Wash. One of the losses was in 2016 in Fargo, N.D., when North Dakota State beat No. 8 Eastern 50-44 in overtime. The following season, EWU was ranked seventh and lost 40-13 to second-ranked NDSU in Cheney. Eastern lost a third time to the top-ranked Bison by a 38-24 score on Jan. 5, 2019, in the NCAA Division I Championship Game.
Eagles Have Played 63 Games in a Dome
The game April 24, 2021, versus North Dakota State was Eastern's 63rd game inside a dome, where the temperatures are always at about 72 degrees and wind or humidity are not factors. After the 42-20 loss, Eastern is 32-31 all-time in domes, including 16-4 at Idaho State's Holt Arena, 4-10 at the Kibbie Dome, 10-7 at NAU's Walkup Skydome, 2-0 at North Dakota, 0-2 at North Dakota State, 0-1 at South Dakota, 0-6 at Northern Iowa and 0-1 at the Houston Astrodome.
Eagles Have Won 80 Percent of Their Last 110 Big Sky Conference Games
Eastern has had 23 winning seasons in the last 25 years (1996-2020), including a current school record string of 14-straight (2007-20) and another stretch of seven straight (1999-2005). The last time Eastern had that many winning seasons in a row came 75 years earlier in the Red Reese era when Eastern had a string of 11-straight winning seasons from 1931-1941.
A major reason for Eastern's stretch of winning seasons is success in the Big Sky Conference. In finishing 5-1 in the league in the 2020-21 season, Eastern has now won at least five conference games in the last 14 seasons, with a 6-2 or better finish (75 percent) in 11 of those 14. Since EWU's last losing league season in 2006 (3-5), the Eagles are 88-22 for a .800 winning percentage.
Head coach Aaron Best has led EWU to league finishes of 6-2, 7-1, 6-2 and now 5-1 in the league in his four seasons at the helm, a 24-6 record and .800 winning percentage that currently ranks sixth in the 58-year history of the league (third among coaches with at least four seasons). Overall, Best is currently 31-14 for a .689 winning percentage to rank 12th all-time in the league (ninth among coaches with at last four seasons at the helm).
Through the 2020-21 season, the Eagles have won 64 of their last 76 Big Sky Conference games (84.2 percent) since a 0-2 start in 2011. Included are stretches of 54 victories in the last 64 games (including two at the end of the 2012 season) and 32 of the last 38 (since 2016). Those are percentages of .844 and .842, respectively.
Including three wins at the end of the 2009 season, Eastern has had a 74-15 record (.831) in league games since then. Including four non-conference victories (two versus MSU, and one each against Cal Poly and Northern Arizona), two playoff wins (Montana and UC Davis) and one loss (Idaho), the Eagles are 70-13 (.843) since the 0-2 start in 2011 and 60-10 (.857) since winning the last two games at the end of the 2012 campaign.
At one point the Eagles had won 44 of 50 league games, and the only Big Sky school which has come close to that in the 56-year history of the league was Montana, which won 50 of 55 games from 1995-2002 and 46 of 51 from 2003-2009.
What is perhaps most impressive is Eastern's ability to consistently win on the road versus conference foes, with records of 27-8 (77 percent) on the road, 32-3 at home (91 percent) and 59-11 overall (84 percent) in the last eight seasons since 2012. From 2012-2019, Eastern defeated every Big Sky team on the road at least once, including former Big Sky member North Dakota and a 2012 non-league road victory at Idaho, which re-joined the league in 2018. Until losing at Southern Utah in October of 2017, the Eagles had won their previous road game versus all 13 other league members.
Eastern secured its 10th Big Sky title in 2018 and in the 2020-21 season EWU earned its 14th berth in the FCS Playoffs in what is now 37 years as a member of the FCS (formerly I-AA) and 34 seasons in the Big Sky. Since 2010 when EWU won the NCAA Division I title, the Eagles have won league titles six times (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018) and advanced to the playoffs all six of those seasons.
From 2004 to 2009 Eastern advanced to the playoffs four times (2004, 2005, 2007, 2009), and won the league title twice (2004, 2005). Eastern has three other playoff berths in school history (1985, 1992, 1997) and two other titles (1992, 1997), and has only had two multi-year stretches in which they accomplished neither. Those were both six-year stretches from between 1986-1991 and 1998-2003.
Eagles Now 60-10 on the Red Turf with Record 17-Game Winning Streak
Having won all five of its regular season home games in 2019 and all eight in 2018, Eastern has started the 2020-21 season 3-0 at home to give the Eagles a school-record 17-straight wins at Roos Field. Eastern is now 60-10 (85.7 percent) overall at "The Inferno" since 2010. The stadium has been known as Roos Field since 2010 when a new red synthetic Sprinturf surface made its debut. Eastern's last home loss came on Nov. 4, 2017, versus Weber State.
At its current site, the previous school record was 11 consecutive home wins set between 9/16/78 and 9/27/80 (between losses was from 11/19/77 to 11/1/80). Overall, the school record is 21 set from 1935-40. Eastern had a nine-game winning streak snapped in a 36-21 loss to Montana State on Sept. 24, 2011. The Eagles also had a nine-game winning streak at that venue snapped against Sacramento State on Oct. 21, 2000, when the Hornets made a 23-yard field goal with no time remaining.
Eastern has lost just six regular season games at "The Inferno" – 47-6 (88.7 percent), plus are 13-4 (76.5 percent) in playoff games. The only regular season losses at home for EWU since 2010 are to conference foes Montana State (2011), Portland State (2011 and 2015), Northern Arizona (2015) and Weber State (2017), as well as North Dakota State (2017).
Eastern finished a perfect 8-0 in its debut season at "The Inferno," including three playoff victories. Eastern has won 85.1 percent of its games since the red turf was installed in 2010 – including a 4-0 record versus rival Montana. The original red turf at Roos Field was replaced in summer of 2020 by a new AstroTurf surface.
The North Dakota State game on Sept. 9, 2017, was the 50th at Roos Field since the red turf surface was installed in 2010. In 2016, Eastern finished 7-1 in the 50th season of football at EWU's current stadium location, which opened in 1967. Eastern has a 173-65 record (72.7 percent) in 238 games at Roos Field (formerly Woodward Field) since 1967, with the Eagles utilizing Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane as the school's main home field from 1983-89.
Eagles Dominant During 17-Game Winning Streak at Home
During Eastern's 16-game winning streak at Roos Field, the Eagles have had just three games decided by less than double figures and all but four decided by at least 21 points. In fact, Eastern has won by an average score of 52-23, more than doubling its opponents 877-393. The margin of victory in 13 of the 17 games has been at least 21 points, eight of them have been by at least 30, three by 40 or more and a pair have been won by at least 50 points (52 and 53, both versus Cal Poly).
In EWU's last nine home games, EWU has won by an average score of 51-25 (462-229). Those games came after EWU's 34-29 victory over UC Davis in the 2018 FCS Playoffs. The only other games decided by less than 10 points was a 53-46 victory over Portland State to end the 2019 campaign and 38-31 over Idaho on April 10, 2021, to end the 2020-21 regular season.
Streak of At Least One Road Win Extended to 52 Seasons; Two Road Wins Now at 27 Seasons
Against UC Davis, Eastern extended its streak of seasons with at least two road wins to 27 and is now 9-0 all-time versus the Aggies. Eastern has had at least two road wins in all but six seasons (1974, 1975, 1976, 1988, 1989, 1994) since 1969, including a current streak of 27-straight seasons with at least a pair. Eastern extended that from 25 to 26 against Cal Poly on Nov. 16, 2019.
A 46-42 win at ISU earlier in the 2020-21 season extended EWU's current streak seasons with at least one road win to 52 and EWU won for the 12th-straight time over Idaho State. The year prior, EWU had also extended it with a win at ISU on Nov. 9, 2019. That streak now includes all 37 seasons Eastern has been a member of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA). The last time Eastern was winless on the road was 1969 when the then-Savages were 0-4 away from home and finished 4-5 on the season.
New Iconic Red Turf at "The Inferno" Made its Debut on March 6, 2021
The red glow that was missing in Cheney, Wash., in May and June finally returned in July of 2020 with the replacement of EWU's original iconic red turf. And it finally got to be used on March 6, 2021.
Workers began in July of 2020 the three-week process of installing the second generation of red turf at Eastern Washington University's Roos Field. The original red turf at "The Inferno" was installed in 2010, and taken out in May of 2020 in preparation for its replacement.
The basic design of the new turf is the same as before with "Eastern" in one end zone. But "Eagles" replaced "Washington" in the other.
The project was completed in August, just as preseason practices were expected to move from the grass EWU practice fields to the stadium in preparation for the 2020 season. But the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the start of the season, so instead of making its debut versus Western Illinois on Sept. 12, 2020, the turf finally made its debut versus Northern Arizona on March 6, 2021.
AstroTurf received the bid to replace the iconic red field. The nearly $1 million project was part of a $5 million pledge provided by local businessman Jack Gillingham toward the Roos Field Renovation Project.
Eagles Continue Big Sky Success With Impressive Consistency
Consistency has been a cornerstone of EWU Football, and the Eagles have cemented a 16-year run of winning the league title and/or advancing to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs at least every other year. Since 2004, Eastern has advanced to the playoffs and/or won the league title at least every other year, and hasn't had back-back-empty seasons since 2002 and 2003.
In 2018, Eastern secured its 10th Big Sky title and 13th appearance in the FCS Playoffs in what is now 36 years as a member of the FCS (formerly I-AA). Since 2010 when EWU won the NCAA Division I title, the Eagles have won league titles six times (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018) and advanced to the playoffs all six of those seasons. From 2004 to 2009 Eastern advanced to the playoffs four times (2004, 2005, 2007, 2009), and won the league title twice (2004, 2005). Eastern has three other playoff berths in school history (1985, 1992, 1997) and two other titles (1992, 1997), and has only had two multi-year stretches in which they accomplished neither. Those were both six-year stretches from between 1986-1991 and 1998-2003.
The Eagles have been impressive – if not dominant – in the league in the last 14 years (2007-2020/21), winning 80 percent of their games (88-22) and six titles. In that span, Eastern has had no league finish below 5-3 and five of them have included 7-1 or 8-0 records.
Eagles No. 3 in Wins in FCS from 2010-19
Eastern finished the 2019 regular season with the third-most wins in the decade (2010-19) with 97 victories, and its winning percentage of .735 (97-35) is fifth-best among 124 schools currently in FCS.
Moreover, the Eagles rank 11th overall in FCS playoff berths with 14, and currently have the 11th-most victories (19) and the 12th-best percentage (.594, 19-13). Eastern has 11 playoff berths in a 17-year span (2004-20/21), ranking the Eagles as one of only five schools among 124 in FCS to accomplish that feat.
Winningest Current FCS Teams from 2010-19
By percentage . . . 1. North Dakota State .913 (137-13); 2. Kennesaw State .762 (48-15); 3. San Diego .741 (86-30); 4. Harvard .740 (74-26); 5. Eastern Washington .735 (97-35); 6. James Madison .733 (96-35); 7. Jacksonville State .7280 (91-34); 8. Sam Houston State .7279 (99-37); 9. Dartmouth .700 (70-30); 10. Bethune-Cookman .690 (78-35); 11. North Carolina A&T .687 (79-36); 12. Dayton .676 (75-36); 13. Central Arkansas .667 (80-40); 14. Wofford .650 (80-43); 15. South Dakota State .648 (83-45); 16. McNeese State .646 (73-40); 17. Montana .642 (79-44); 18. Illinois State .634 (78-45); 19. Duquesne .632 (72-42); 20. Montana State .629 (78-46).
By victories . . . 1. North Dakota State 137; 2. Sam Houston State 99; 3. Eastern Washington 97; 4. James Madison 96; 5. Jacksonville State 91; 6. San Diego 86; 7. South Dakota State 83; 8. New Hampshire, Central Arkansas & Wofford 80; 11. Montana & North Carolina A&T 79; 12. Montana State, Illinois State & Bethune-Cookman 78; 16. Northern Iowa 77; 17. Dayton 75; 18. Harvard 74; 19. McNeese State 73; 20. Duquesne 72.
All-Time FCS Playoffs Leaders (following 2020-21 playoffs)
Appearances . . . 1. Montana 24; 2. Northern Iowa & Eastern Kentucky 21; 4. Appalachian State 20; 5. Georgia Southern 19; 6. Furman 18; 7. James Madison, Delaware, 17; 9. Eastern Illinois, McNeese, New Hampshire 16; 12. Eastern Washington 14.
Playoff Wins . . . 1. Georgia Southern 45; 2. North Dakota State 37; 3. Montana 33; 4. Youngstown State 28; 5. Northern Iowa 26; 6. Delaware, Appalachian State 24; 8. Sam Houston State, Marshall 23; 10. James Madison 22; 11. Eastern Washington, Furman 19.
Percentage . . . 1. North Dakota State .925 (37-3); 2. Marshall .793 (23-6); 3. Youngstown State .777 (28-8); 4 Georgia Southern .776 (45-13); 5. Sam Houston State .676 (23-11); 6. Boise State .667 (8-4); 7. Montana .600 (33-22), Delaware .600 (24-16), Richmond .600 (15-10) & Arkansas State .600 (6-4); 11. James Madison .595 (22-15); 12. Eastern Washington .594 (19-13); 13. Massachusetts .588 (10-7); 14. Appalachian State .585 (24-17); 15. Nevada .563 (9-7); 16. Northern Iowa .553 (26-21).
Eagles Continue Excellence in November Into January
November has long been a successful month for Eastern, and they continued that in 2019 with a 4-0 record. Since 2004, EWU has lost just seven regular season games in November (Weber State in 2017; NAU, Portland State and Montana in 2015; Sac State and Weber State in 2006; and Cal Poly in 2005), with an overall record of 39-7 and a current nine-game winning streak in the month. Until losing to Northern Arizona on Nov. 7, 2015, Eastern had won its last 19 regular season games in November, dating back to a 15-13 loss to Sacramento State on Nov. 1, 2008.
In November through January since 2004, the Eagles are now 55-16, including a 39-7 regular season mark and 16-9 record in the FCS Playoffs. Since 2010, Eastern is 40-9 overall in November and beyond (26-4 regular season and 14-5 in the playoffs), with the lone setbacks coming in 2019 to North Dakota State in the NCAA Division I Championship game; 2017 to Weber State; 2016 to Youngstown State in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs; 2015 to Portland State, Montana and Northern Arizona; 2014 to Illinois State in the playoff quarterfinals; 2013 to Towson in the playoff semifinals; and 2012 to Sam Houston State in the playoff semifinals.
Eagles No Stranger to Football in the Winter Months
Although having never played in February or March until the 2020-21 season delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, practicing and playing in the winter months is nothing new for the Eagle football program. Until that season, the Eagles had played 31 games in 13 appearances in the NCAA Football Championship subdivision playoffs, including 21 home games.
And EWU was successful in the winter months to boot, including a 15-6 record in those 21 home playoff games. Since 2004, EWU is 39-7 in regular season games in November with a nine-game winning streak, and are 16-9 in the playoffs in November through January for a collective 55-16 record (77 percent). Since 2010, EWU is 40-9 in November-January and for 82 percent – 26-4 in regular season games and 14-5 in the playoffs.
Eastern made a 14th appearance in the FCS Playoffs in the 2020-21 season, falling 42-20 at North Dakota State on April 24, 2021, in Fargo, N.D.
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