­­­­#4/3 Ranked Eastern Washington Univ. "Eagles" versus #1/1 North Dakota State University "Bison" Saturday, Jan. 5 • 9:04 a.m. Pacific Toyota Stadium (20,500) • Frisco, Texas
TV:	ESPN2
Webcast:	ESPN+ (http://watchespn.com)
Radio:	700-AM ESPN and 105.3-FM in the Spokane/Cheney area, as well as KTEL 1490-AM & 99.7-FM in Walla Walla. Larry Weir returns for his 28th season calling the play-by-play, with analysis handled by Paul Sorensen for the 16th 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:	http://ncaa.com/fcs

At the top of the heap, you'll find the Bison and the Eagles – and in Frisco too.
 
In a battle of programs which have never lost in the title game, the two winningest teams in the 2010's among schools who compete in the playoffs will square off Saturday, Jan. 5 for the NCAA Division I Football Championship at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
 
Kickoff is 9:04 a.m. Pacific time in a game that is televised on ESPN2 and may be viewed via ESPN3/ESPN+ (http://watchespn.com). Fans can also listen to the game on 700-AM ESPN, 105.3-FM, via the web at tunein.com and via mobile phone app, with pre-game coverage starting one hour prior to kickoff.
 
The Bison have won 120 of 133 games since 2010, and have won all six times they have advanced to the championship game since then (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017). Eastern won in 2010 in its only title game appearance, and knocked off NDSU in the quarterfinals 38-31 in overtime that season in Cheney. The Eagles are 90-29 since 2010, a percentage of .756 that trails only the Bison at .902 and the .778 percentage (70-30) of Ivy League member Harvard, which does not participate in the playoffs.
 
"It's going to be a huge challenge," said Eastern head coach Aaron Best. "They have been the premier FCS team for a while. I think it was Ketner Kupp who said to somebody that the standard of FCS championship caliber football is North Dakota State. So, it doesn't take much to know that they have done what they have accomplished with consistency on both sides of the ball and on special teams."
 
North Dakota State is unbeaten at 14-0 this season, the overall No. 1 seed in the playoffs and was the unanimous top-ranked team throughout the season in the STATS Top 25 poll and were third in the American Football Coaches Association poll. Eastern, which lost regular season games in 2016 (50-44 in Fargo in overtime) and 2017 (40-13 in Cheney) to drop to 1-2 all-time against the Bison, is 12-2. Eastern finished the regular season ranked a season-high fourth by STATS and third by the coaches, and entered the playoffs at the No. 3 seed overall.
 
Both teams are playoff tested as well, highlighted by NDSU's incredible run of 29 victories in its last 30 playoff games (31-2 overall since 2010). Eastern is 14-4 in that same time frame in the playoffs – with 17 games at home in Cheney and one in Frisco -- but lost in the semifinals in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. Eastern got over the hump on Dec. 15 by trouncing Maine 50-19, a night after NDSU advanced with a 44-21 romp over Missouri Valley Conference rival South Dakota State.
 
While the Eagles have played 17 games at home in Cheney, nearly all of NDSU's postseason games have been played in the Fargodome. That has translated to a very pro-Bison crowd each year in Frisco.
 
"They have a very energized fan base and a big following," said Best of Bison Nation. "They have done a great job, especially when they made the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. They have left nothing short of excellence, so it's fun to watch."
 
The Bison, which lost in the semis in 2016, are the fourth-straight conference champion the Eagles will face. Eastern opened the playoffs with a 42-21 victory over Southland Conference champ Nicholls, then rallied in the fourth quarter to beat fellow Big Sky Conference co-champion UC Davis 34-29 on Dec. 8. Maine was the outright champion in the CAA (Colonial Athletic Association).
 
A 345-139 advantage on the scoreboard – an average score of 49-20 and winning margin of 29.4 points – only scratches the surface of how dominating the Eagles have been during their seven-game winning streak. Most notably, Eastern is averaging 556.9 yards of offense, compared to 379.3 for opponents, including a 270.9 to 156.1 advantage in rushing. Eastern has a big advantage in turnovers forced (23-8) with 15 interceptions.
 
"That's a special bunch," Best said of his team. "I don't want this season to end because they are so precious, they are so important and they are so fun to hang around every day."
 
The Eagles wrapped up their 10th Big Sky Conference title and clinched their 13th berth in the FCS Playoffs with a dominating 74-23 victory over Portland State Nov. 16 at Hillsboro Stadium in Hillsboro, Ore. This is the 12th-straight season the Eagles will have finished 5-3 or better in the Big Sky, with a 12th-straight winning season and 21st in the last 23 years. Eastern closed the 2017 season with a 7-4 record overall and was 6-2 in the Big Sky Conference in the first season under head coach Aaron Best.
 
 
Links to EWU Football Information
 
A complete Season Outlook of Eagle Football: http://goeags.com/news/2018/8/2/football-season-outlook-eastern-working-out-kinks-after-base-built-in-2017.aspx?path=football
A .pdf version of the 2018 EWU Football Fact Book & Archives: http://goeags.com/sports/2016/1/8/FB_Other%20Links-Archives.aspx
More Information on the Eastern Football Team: http://goeags.com/index.aspx?path=football
 
 
 

EWU Records Watch

 
Among others, the Eagles set school records in 2018 offensively for total points (623) and most games of 50 points or more (6, tied with the 2014 team), and defensively have tied a school record with nine games of allowing 20 points or fewer (also in 1997, 1981, 1964 and 1949). Amazingly, the Eagles have done that without the services of a bevy of players lost because of injuries. In fact, EWU's starting lineup from its second game of the season versus Washington State was minus nine players -- three on offense and six on defense -- versus Maine in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs.
 
Below are records which have been broken or about to be broken by the Eagles this season (does not include season records previously set by Gage Gubrud in the 2016 season):
 
RECORDS WATCH
Below are records which have been broken or about to be broken by the Eagles this season (does not include season records previously set by Gage Gubrud in the 2016 season):
Wins: 12 (previous record 13 in 2010)
Scoring: 623 (previous record 618 in 2014)
Touchdowns: 83 (current record is 84 in 2014)
Games Scoring 50 or More Points: 6 (ties record of six in 2014)
Games Allowing 20 or Fewer Points: 9 (ties record of 9 in 1997, 1981, 1964 & 1949)
Total Offense: 7,556 (current record 8,002 in 2013)
Rushing Yards: 3,682 (previous record 3,130 set in 1950)
Rushing Touchdowns: 39 (previous record 32 set in 2014)
Rushing Yards Per Carry: 6.73 (current record is 6.41 set in 2001)
Rushing Attempts: 547 (current record 572 in 1997)
Average Total Offense Per Game: 540.4 (current record is 533.5 set in 2013)
Passes Broken Up: 70 (previous record is 67 set in 2010)
Season Rushing Yards by a Quarterback: Eric Barriere, 603 (current record is 606 set by Gage Gubrud in 2016)
Season Field Goals: Roldan Alcobendas, 15 (current record is 17 set by Jimmy Pavel in 2017)
Career Field Goals: Roldan Alcobendas, 35 (current record is 39 set by Jason Cromer from 1988-90)
Season Punting Average: Roldan Alcobendas, 44.9 (current record 44.9 set by Jake Miller in 2014)
Career Punting Average: Roldan Alcobendas, 44.8 (current record 43.8 set by Jake Miller in 2011-14)
Season Kick Scoring: Roldan Alcobendas, 113 (previous record 103 by Josh Atwood in 1997)
Career Kick Scoring: Roldan Alcobendas, 314 (previous record 236 by Mike Jarrett in 2009-11)
Career Extra Points Made: Roldan Alcobendas, 209 (previous record 143 by Mike Jarrett in 2009-11)
Career Extra Points Attempted: Roldan Alcobendas, 215 (previous record 150 by Mike Jarrett in 2009-11)
* Career Total Offense Per Game: Gage Gubrud, 344.6 (previous record 315.4 by Vernon Adams Jr. from 2012-14)
Career Passing Per Game: Gage Gubrud, 312.0 (previous record 288.7 by Bo Levi Mitchell from 2010-11)
* Single Game Average Per Rush: 14.7 (previous Big Sky record was 11.1 set by Portland State vs. UC Davis in 2013)
^ Single Game TD Passes: Eric Barriere, 7 vs. Maine 12/15/18 (ties record of 7 by Vernon Adams Jr. vs. Washington on 9/3/16)
^ Single Game TD Receptions: Nsimba Webster, 4 vs. Maine 12/15/18 (ties record of 4 set by three other players)
* Longest Punt: Roldan Alcobendas, 78 vs. Weber State 10/13/18 (previous record 74 by Jake Miller vs. Washington State on 9/8/12)
* Longest Run by a Quarterback: Eric Barriere, 85 vs. Southern Utah 10/6/18 (previous record 80 by Jack Perrault vs. Western Washington in 1942).
*Also Big Sky Conference Record. ^Also FCS Playoffs Record.
 
 
 

Winningest FCS Teams Since 2010

 
By percentage . . . 1. North Dakota State .902 (120-13); 2. Harvard .778 (70-30); 3. Eastern Washington .756 (90-29); 4. Kennesaw State .7524 (79-26); 5. Jacksonville State .7522 (85-28); 6. Sam Houston State .742 (92-32); 7. James Madison .713 (82-33); 8. Bethune-Cookman .702 (73-31); 9. San Diego .675 (77-27); 10. Central Arkansas .664 (71-36).
By victories . . . 1. North Dakota State 120; 2. Sam Houston State 92; 3. Eastern Washington 90; 5. Jacksonville State 85; 6. James Madison 82; 7. Kennesaw State 79; 8. San Diego 77; 9. South Dakota State 75; 10. New Hampshire 74.
 
 
 

Game Notes

 
 
Eagles Face Stiff Test Again Versus Powerhouse Bison
 
Eastern faced the top rushing defense in FCS on Dec. 15 against Maine, but North Dakota State will be the most formidable test to date for Eastern's offense. The Bison rank fifth in total defense (284.4 yards per game), with rankings of 13th in rushing (111.5), 11th in passing (172.9) and seventh in passing efficiency (103.93). The Bison are second in FCS in scoring defense (11.8) while ranking sixth in scoring offense (41.7).
 
The Bison are also in the top five nationally in red zone defense (1st, 50.0 percent) and red zone offense (5th, 91.4 percent), while also ranking in the top 10 on both sides of the ball in third down conversions. The Bison are fourth offensively (51.2 percent) and ninth defensively (28.6 percent).
 
In addition, NDSU is ranked fourth in turnover margin (+1.29 per game), ranking second nationally in interceptions (21), ninth in turnovers gained (27) and fifth for fewest giveaways (9). Besides ranking second in team offensive passing efficiency (169.72), the Bison are seventh in rushing offense (285.9), 88th in passing offense (184.6) and 16th in total offense (284.4).
 
Individually, All-America quarterback Easton Stick leads FCS in passing efficiency at 172.6, with 2,554 yards, 26 touchdowns, just five interceptions and a 61.8 percent completion rate. He also has rushed for 14 touchdowns to rank second in FCS with 240 points accounted for (17.1 per game to rank 11th). Bruce Anderson is fourth nationally in rushing yards per carry (7.45), with a total of 924 (42nd) and an average of 77.0 (49th). Lance Dunn has added 12 rushing touchdowns (20th) and a total of 15 (10th). Darius Shepherd is 24th in receiving yards (940), 60th in receiving yards per game (67.1) and 103rd in receptions per game (4.1).
 
Defensively, Robbie Grimsley is 14th in FCS with an average of 0.4 interceptions per game (six total), and Greg Menard is 59th in sacks with an average of 0.57 per game (8 total). On special teams, Shepherd is fourth in punt returns (15.6 per return) and Garret Wegner is ninth in punting (43.2).
 
 
Quartet of Coaches Were Eagles Back in 2010
 
Head coach Aaron Best is among the four current coaches who were with the Eastern Football team back in 2010 when the Eagles won the NCAA Division I title with a 20-19 win over Delaware in the championship game. Best served as offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and academic coordinator in what was then his 10th year on the coaching staff and 14th overall as an Eagle. Current defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding was special teams coordinator, video coordinator and a safeties coach that season, and was in his sixth season on the staff. In addition, Heath Pulver served as tights coach for the Eagles in 2010, and returned in 2017 to take over that position as well as the role of special teams coordinator. Current offensive line coach Jase Butorac was a true freshman and redshirted in 2010 for the Eagles.
 
 
Eight Eagles Graduated at End of Fall Quarter
 
Besides a run to the NCAA Division I Championship Game, eight Eagle players finished their run at a college degree when classes concluded in the fall quarter. The players included Zach Eagle (exercise science/pre-physical therapy), Mitch Fettig (criminal justice), Josh Lewis (criminal justice), Matt Meyer (recreation and tourism management), Nsimba Webster (communications), Nzuzi Webster (communications), Gage Gubrud (business administration/management) and Roldan Alcobendas (business administration/finance). Previously, Jonah Jordan and Brandon Montgomery received business administration degrees and are now graduate students in business. Expected to fulfill requirements for their degrees in the winter quarter (starting on Jan. 7) are Ketner Kupp (business administration/management), Cole Karstetter (business administration/accounting) and Kurt Calhoun (exercise science).
 
In fall quarter of 2018, Eastern's players had combined 3.07 grade point average, and the accumulative average GPA of the Eagles is 3.15. Sam McPherson, Josh Lewis, Dehonta Hayes, Brandon Montgomery and Mitch Fettig were among the eight players in the program with a perfect 4.0 GPA in fall quarter. Hayes (communications) has a current accumulative GPA of 3.84, McPherson (mechanical engineering) is at 3.78 and Fettig finished at 3.77.
 
 
Matching Its Second-Best Win Total in School History, Average Score in 12 Victories is 49-19
 
Eastern has won 12 games for just the fifth time in school history, with the record coming during EWU's national championship season in 2010 when the Eagles were victorious 13 times. Eastern won 12 games in 1997, 2013 and 2016, and had 11 in 2012, 2014 and 1967. Thus, this is the sixth time in the last nine seasons (2010-2018) that Eastern has been victorious at least 11 times.
 
The Eagles have now won their 12 games this season by an average of 30.3 points per game – 593-229 for an average score of 49-19. That was nearly identical to EWU's 50-19 victory in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs against Maine. Until rallying for a 34-29 win over UC Davis in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs, the closest victories for EWU were 21 points versus Nicholls and 24 against Idaho. The largest was a 53-point romp over Cal Pol, which was the biggest winning margin for EWU in a Big Sky game and the third-largest overall as a member of FCS.
 
Eastern's defensive effort in league play was unprecedented – Eastern had never held Big Sky opponents to 23 points or less in eight-straight games until the 2018 season, which is a span of 32 seasons and 246 games. In 1997 and 2008 the Eagles had a stretch of four-straight league games in holding opponents to 23 points or fewer, and overall EWU had six in a row to begin the 1997 campaign. The overall record came in 1981 when EWU held its last nine opponents to 14 or less and allowed only 97 points for the season (9.7 per game).
 
In beating Maine 50-19 on Dec. 15, the Eagles had 50 points or more for the sixth time this season and the 61st time in school history, and are now 58-3 in those games. Earlier this season, EWU scored what was then the fourth-most in school history – a record versus a FCS opponent -- in a 70-17 win over Cal Poly. Eastern has had 22 50-point games in the last 6+ seasons (including six thus far in 2018), with six in 2014, three in 2017, two each in 2016, 2013 and 2012 and one in 2015.
 
 
Eagles Second in FCS in Total Offense, Plus in Top 20 in Rushing and Passing
 
Eastern is the only school to rank in the top 20 in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in total offense, rushing and passing. The Eagles are averaging 540.4 yards on offense to rank second in FCS, trailing only Davidson with an average of 561.9. Broken down, EWU is averaging 263.0 rushing (10th) and 277.4 passing (17th). Defensively, Eastern is allowing 385.6 per game to rank 60th, including 156.7 on the ground (46th) and 228.9 through the air (84th).
 
The Eagles are ranked third in scoring (44.5) and 20th in scoring defense (21.6), and are one of five schools in FCS to rank in the top 20 in both. Eastern's unbeaten Jan. 5 opponent North Dakota State is at 41.7 (sixth) and 11.8 (second). Princeton is first in scoring (47.0) and is fourth in defense (13.0), Kennesaw State ranks fourth in scoring (43.5) and seventh in defense (15.4) and James Madison is 18th in scoring (33.9) and sixth in defense (14.6).
 
In addition, EWU leads FCS with six defensive touchdowns, and nearly had a seventh when Josh Lewis returned an interception to the Maine 1-yard line on Dec. 15 in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs. Eastern also is second in turnovers gained with 32, is third with 20 interceptions and ranks 12th overall in turnover margin (32 takeaways, 21 giveaways, +0.79 per game). In addition, EWU has the most first downs in FCS with 338, is 13th in passing efficiency (153.64) and ranks 17th in third-down conversion percentage (.436).
 
Quarterback Eric Barriere has steadily been climbing the national rankings despite playing in three of EWU's first five games of the season as a backup to Gage Gubrud. He's 10th in FCS in passing efficiency (150.8), 39th for passing yards overall (2,252) and 13th in touchdown passes with 24 after setting school and FCS Playoff records with seven versus Maine on Dec. 15.
 
Receiver Nsimba Webster is sixth in FCS receiving yards (1,287 to rank 10th in school history), 19th in receiving yards per game (91.9) and 25th in catches (5.7 per game with a total of 80 to rank as the 11th-most in all-time at EWU). Running back Sam McPherson is ranked seventh in FCS for average per carry (7.27), is 22nd with an average of 96.6 yards per game, is 20th with 12 rushing touchdowns and is eighth with 1,352 total rushing yards to rank as the fifth-most all-time at EWU.
 
Kicker Roldan Alcobendas is the only player in FCS (minimum of one attempt per game) to be perfect kicking field goals (15-of-15). Alcobendas is 11th in FCS in scoring overall and third in kick scoring (8.7 per game), and is 31st with an average of 1.15 field goals per game. His 44.9 punting average is second nationally, ranking only behind a punter who plays for a school in Florida (Chris Faddoul, Florida A&M, 46.8). The season (44.9) and career averages (44.8) for Alcobendas are both on pace to either tie or break school records of 44.9 and 43.8, respectively.  His 113 kick-scoring points this season broke the school record of 103 and ranks fifth in Big Sky history, and his 314 career points are also a school record and rank sixth all-time in the league. His second extra point of the season was blocked, but he's made all 67 since then for a season total of 68-of-69 to break his own single season consecutive makes record of 63 set in 2016. He also owns the career record with 85-straight from 2016-2017.
 
 
Eastern Now 50-0 Since 2010 When Winning the TO Battle
 
In the last 10+ seasons (2008-18), the Eagles are now 59-1 when they've won the turnover battle, 24-6 when they've been tied and 21-31 when they've lost (total of 104-38). The last time EWU lost 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 50-0 since 2010 when they've won the turnover battle, 21-5 when they've been tied and 19-24 when they've lost. That's a collective record of 90-29 (75.6 percent), with 24 of those 29 losses (83 percent) coming in games EWU has lost the turnover battle and 56 percent of EWU's wins coming when they've won the turnover battle (79 percent when including ties).
 
In the last 11 games, Eastern has a plus-17 turnover advantage (30 takeaways and 13 giveaways), but in the first three the Eagles were a negative six (two takeaways and eight giveaways). For the season, EWU is 12th in FCS with a plus 0.79 margin per game (32 takeaways to rank second in FCS, 21 giveaways). Eastern is third in FCS with 20 interceptions and leads with six defensive touchdowns.
 
Eastern opened the 2018 season by losing the turnover battle against Central Washington 3-1, but winning on the scoreboard 58-13. The Eagles were tied 1-1 against NAU in turnovers, but prevailed 31-26. Washington State scored 24 points on four Eastern turnovers, with the Eagles failing to register a takeaway. Eastern won the turnover battle 2-1 in its 70-17 romp past Cal Poly, 2-1 at Montana State in a 34-17 win and 2-1 at home against Southern Utah. Eastern lost the turnover battle 2-1 in a 14-6 loss at Weber State when the Eagles threw two fourth-quarter interceptions.
 
During its current seven-game winning streak, Eastern has a 23-8 advantage in turnovers forced. The Eagles won the battle 1-0 in beating Idaho 38-14 and 3-2 in defeating Northern Colorado 48-13. Eastern forced five turnovers – equaling its most since 2010 – and had only one giveaway in a 59-20 victory over UC Davis on Nov. 10. The Aggies had entered the game with a plus-12 margin, ranking them fifth in FCS. Eastern ended the regular season with a 4-1 advantage over Portland State, including EWU's third-straight game with three interceptions, the first time EWU has accomplished that feat since joining the Big Sky Conference in 1987. In the FCS Playoffs against Nicholls, EWU tied 2-2, then had a 4-1 advantage over both UC Davis and Maine in the quarterfinals.
 
So far in 2018, Eastern is 9-0 it when it wins the turnover battle, 1-2 when it has more turnovers and 2-0 when tied. In 2017, EWU was 3-0 when it won the turnover battle, 3-3 when it lost and 1-1 when it was tied. Eastern finished the 2017 season at minus 10 turnovers for the season, ranking EWU 105th out of 123 FCS schools in turnover margin (-0.91 per game), 90th in turnovers lost (23) and 105th in turnovers gained (13).
 
 
Running Game Sets Pair of School Records, Plus is On Pace for Average Per Carry Record at 6.93 to Rank Second in FCS
 
Eastern's running game has been a mainstay this season, setting records for most yards (3,682) and rushing touchdowns (39) in a single season. The previous records were 3,130 yards set in 10 games in 1950 (313.0 average) and 32 TDs in 2014.
 
Eastern is averaging 6.73 yards per carry to rank second in FCS, compared to a 3.9 average for opponents. Only Davidson's 7.44 average per rush is better in FCS, and the Eagles are on pace to break the school record of 6.4. The Eagles are averaging 540.4 yards on offense to rank second in FCS, including 263.0 rushing to rank 10th.
 
All five EWU running backs are averaging at least 6.5 per carry – senior Sam McPherson is at 7.27 to rank seventh in FCS. In addition, junior Antoine Custer Jr. averages 6.5, junior Tamarick Pierce is at 7.9, junior Dennis Merritt has an 8.1 average and true freshman Isaiah Lewis is at 7.4. The school record is 7.9 set by Taiwan Jones in 2010, with the minimum number of carries to qualify being 45 (Pierce is at 70 and Merritt is at 43).
 
Quarterback Eric Barriere is averaging 6.7 per carry, which includes yardage on 16 sacks in his last eight games. He had a career-high 99 yards versus Portland State on Nov. 16, including a 66-yard TD on the game's third play. Versus Southern Utah, he finished with 98 yards on the ground after recording the longest run in school history by a quarterback (ninth-longest overall) with an 85-yard touchdown run.
 
Eastern is also on record pace in total offense per game (540.4), and is averaging 7.5 yards per offensive play with a total of 7,566 offensive yards (436 from the school record). As a member of FCS, the record for average rushing yards per game is 225.4 set in 2001 when Jesse Chatman averaged 190.5 single handedly. The EWU season record for average yards per rush is 6.4 set in 2001, and the record for average yards per play of 7.7 was set in 2013. Eastern's records for total offense came in 2013 when it averaged 533.5 and had 8,002 total. Eastern has never averaged more rushing yards than passing yards in a single season as a member of FCS, and the last time it happened overall was in 1981 (226.5 rushing and 145.0 passing). Eastern's balanced attack has averaged 263.0 rushing and 277.4 passing, with balanced yardage totals of 3,682 and 3,884, respectively.
 
McPherson has had three 100-yard rushing performances in his last four games, with 143 and a game-winning 35-yard touchdown run with 26 seconds remaining versus UC Davis on Dec. 8. He also had 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns in EWU's playoff win over Nicholls on Dec. 1, and how has six 100-yard performances in his career and five this season. The second team All-Big Sky Conference performer now has 1,352 yards this season, moving into fifth in single season school history. He is ranked seventh in FCS seventh in FCS for average per carry (7.27), is 22nd with an average of 96.6 yards per game, is 20th with 12 rushing touchdowns and is eighth in total rushing yards. He handled the bulk of the rushing load in EWU's first three games, with Custer making his 2018 debut versus Cal Poly after suffering a preseason hamstring injury.
 
Custer has 614 and eight scores in 10 games played (61.4/6.5); Pierce has 550 yards (39.3/7.9) and seven TDs; Merritt has 348 (24.9/8.1) with a trio of scores; and Lewis has 52 (26.0/7.4). Barriere has added 603 yards on the ground (46.5/6.7) with six scores, and Gubrud has 169 (33.8/5.5) and a pair of touchdowns. Barriere's total is just three yards from the single season record for rushing yards by a quarterback of 606 set by Gage Gubrud in 2016.
 
"I would argue with anybody that the top four backs we have in Antoine, Sam, Tamarick and Dennis all rival anybody in this league," said Eastern head coach Aaron Best earlier this season.
 
McPherson is EWU's first 1,000-yard rusher since Quincy Forte in the 2013 season when he finished with 1,208. Taiwan Jones had 1,213 yards in 2009 and went over the 1,000-yard mark again in 2010 with 1,742 yards. In 13 of the last 24 seasons (1995-2018), Eastern has had a 1,000-yard rusher, including nine different players. McPherson has now rushed for 2,001 yards and 15 touchdowns in his 44-game career (10 as a starter), with 626 receiving on 66 catches and a total of 2,789 all-purpose yards (63.4 per game). He's scored 21 TDs in his EWU career, and is even a perfect 6-of-6 passing for 155 yards, three touchdowns and a passing efficiency rating of 482.0.
 
Custer, an honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference selection in 2018, was a second team all-league pick in 2017 when he rushed for 776 yards and 10 touchdowns. He now has 1,806 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in his 34-game career (21 as a starter), and scored on runs of 62 and 43 yards versus Cal Poly, 2 and 13 yards against SUU and a pair of 1-yard plunges versus UC Davis. He also has 556 receiving yards on 64 catches and 499 on kickoff returns for a total of 2,861 all-purpose yards (84.1 per game). His career 23.8 average returning kickoffs is currently 11th in school history and he's scored a total of 23 touchdowns as an Eagle.
 
Eastern finished with 378 yards on the ground versus Portland State, including a 14.0 average per rush. It was EWU's fifth performance this season with at least 300 rushing yards, a mark EWU has achieved just 11 other times since 1987 when EWU became a member of the Big Sky Conference. Only twice in that span – 1999 and 2001 – has EWU had two performances of at least 300 in the regular season. The Eagles had 626 total yards versus the Vikings for an average of 10.8 per play.
 
One game earlier, Eastern ended with 669 yards of total offense – sixth-most in school history – against UC Davis on Nov. 10, including 372 on the ground and 297 through the air. Eastern averaged 5.9 on the ground and 7.1 overall, with Sam McPherson leading the way with 133 yards on just six carries (22.2 per rush).
 
Eastern has had eight rushing performances this season of at least 235 yards, with 380 versus Southern Utah on Oct. 6 and two weeks earlier having the second-most rushing yards in school history with 441 versus Cal Poly on Sept. 22. The EWU running game has come a long way since 2016 when quarterback Gage Gubrud led the Eagles in rushing as a sophomore in 2016. That same season, Eastern led the Big Sky in passing (401.0 per game) but was 12th in rushing (128.6).
 
In the milestone performance against Cal Poly, Custer had 133 and two touchdowns on just eight carries (16.6 per rush). Merritt had 92 with an 81-yard touchdown run; McPherson had 84 on eight carries; Pierce added 52 on five rushes; and Gubrud even had 50 yards on four totes.
 
The Eagles have had a 100-yard rusher in 10 of their last 16 games dating back to 2017, including six by McPherson and four by Custer. Besides McPherson's 143 versus UC Davis, 137 against Nicholls and 133 versus Portland State, Custer had an even 100 in a 372-yard outing versus UC Davis and 122 on a 308-yard day on Nov. 3 versus Northern Colorado. Eastern had 248 against Northern Arizona on Sept. 8, including 161 on 22 carries by McPherson and 80 yards by Gubrud. One game earlier against Central Washington, McPherson had 185 yards on just 15 carries and Merritt added 75 as the Eagles finished with 328 as a team. At the time, the 328 were the most rushing yards EWU has had in its last 147 games dating back to a 331-yard performance in a 47-22 win over Idaho State on Sept. 25, 2004. Eastern finished with 677 yards of offense (349 passing) against Central and had 570 versus NAU (322 passing).
 
"When you start getting rushing yards like that, it's not just first and second level blocking, but it's third level blocking," explained Best. "Receivers don't just catch balls here, they block downfield too."
 
In Eastern's last 16 games (14-2 record) dating back to the 2017 season, the Eagles have rushed 640 times for 4,211 yards and 44 touchdowns, with averages of 263.2 per game and 6.6 per rush. By contrast, Eastern has attempted 520 passes for 4,456 yards and 43 touchdowns, with averages of 278.5 per game and 8.6 per play. In total, Eastern is averaging 541.7 yards per game and 7.5 per play with 87 total offensive touchdowns.
 
Last year, Eastern ended the season with 728 yards against Portland State (440 passing/228 rushing) and one game before that had 376 against North Dakota (132 passing/244 rushing). McPherson had 118 yards on eight carries on just one half of action against UND, with Custer contributing another 70 on 19 carries. Custer had 177 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries against PSU to end the season.
 
 
Defense Allows Just 16.9 Points in League, With 21.6 Average Overall the Lowest Since 1997
 
You have to go back more than 20 years to find a defense that has been stingier than this year's team. A year after allowing 33.4 points per game, the Eagles are allowing just 21.6 for the team's best performance since 1997. That season, on their way to a semifinal appearance in the FCS Playoffs (then I-AA), Eastern allowed just 17.4 points per game. Eastern's nine games of allowing 20 points for fewer equals the school record also set in 1997, 1981, 1964 and 1949.
 
Eastern leads FCS with six defensive touchdowns, and nearly had a seventh when Josh Lewis returned an interception to the Maine 1-yard line on Dec. 15 in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs. Eastern also is second in turnovers gained with 32, is third with 20 interceptions and ranks 12th overall in turnover margin (32 takeaways, 21 giveaways, +0.79 per game). Eastern set a school record with 70 passes broken up, breaking the previous record of 67 set in the 2010 season.
 
Eastern's defense was particularly impressive during league play, with EWU allowing only 135 points for a league-leading 16.9 average per game – with seven of those points coming on a punt return touchdown. Included was an 89:52 stretch of not allowing a point, spanning two games. The school record for fewest average points in a Big Sky season came in 1992 when the Eagles surrendered just 16.4 per game (115 total) in seven league games (6-1 record).
 
Eastern had three interceptions in each of the last three regular season games, the first time that has happened since 1987 when EWU joined the league. The Eagles forced a season-high five turnovers (three interceptions and two fumbles) against UC Davis in a 59-20 win on Nov. 10, equaling the most since forcing six (four fumbles, two interceptions) in a 41-31 victory over Villanova on Dec. 18, 2010, in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs. It was Eastern's third five-turnover performance in league play since forcing six (four fumbles and two interceptions) in a 36-27 victory over Montana on Sept. 18, 2010, in the inaugural game on EWU's red turf at Roos Field. In addition, the Eagles finished with 13 passes broken up versus UCD – the second-most in school history behind the school-record 14 EWU had in 1984 versus Montana State.
 
Eastern allowed 40 points in the first quarter of its eight Big Sky games, 35 in the second, 44 in the third and 16 in the fourth. Eastern pitched a shutout in 14 of 32 quarters, and had a stretch of five-straight goose eggs ended in the third quarter versus Idaho on Oct. 27. It would have been 15, but the Eagles gave up a defensive two-point conversion in the fourth quarter of EWU's finale versus Portland State. In the game versus the Vandals, the Eagles as a team recorded five sacks, six quarterback hurries and broke up five passes in holding Idaho to 204 yards passing and 159 on the ground.
 
In the next game versus Northern Colorado on Nov. 3, Eastern's had a rare occurrence of three interceptions and six sacks. In fact, that many of each in the same game has not happened since 1985 when EWU had three picks and seven sacks in a 31-19 win over Weber State. The six sacks versus UNC were the most in a league game since Oct. 19, 2014, when EWU had seven versus Northern Colorado, and overall, EWU had 10 versus Fordham in 2017 and six against Richmond in 2016. Only six times since 2005 has EWU had at least six sacks in a game. The three interceptions were the most in a league game since EWU had five versus Portland State in 2009. Eastern has had three on eight occasions since then. The two interceptions by D'londo Tucker was the first time EWU has had a player have two in the same game since 2014 when a trio of players accomplished that feat.
 
In eight league games, Eastern allowed the fewest points per game (16.9) while ranking second in total defense (346.6), second in passing defense (185.4) and second in rushing defense (161.2). Eastern held Idaho scoreless for the first 38:27 of the game. One game earlier in a 14-6 loss at Weber State, Eastern's defense held the Wildcats to just one offensive touchdown and scoreless for the final 51:25 of the contest. The Eagles held Weber State to 166 first-half yards and just 109 in the second half to keep the game within striking distance. The Eagles allowed just 159 yards through the air and 116 on the ground, and held Weber State to just 4-of-15 on third down. Weber State's average per rush was just 2.6 yards and the Eagles recorded six three-and-outs, and forced and recovered a fumble on another WSU possession.
 
 
Eastern is 30-15 Since 2010 Versus Ranked Opponents, Including 2-7 Versus No. 1
 
Overall, EWU has faced the No. 1 team in FCS nine 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.
 
A 59-20 victory over UC Davis on Nov. 10 was the seventh occasion all-time that Eastern has played a fellow top 5 opponent, and EWU is now 4-3 in those games. The last time it happened was in 2013 when No. 3 EWU lost to No. 5 Towson 35-31 in the semifinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs. The Eagles had two other top 5 matchups that year. The Eagles are 9-34 all-time versus top 5 opponents (4-2 since 2010), including 2-7 versus No. 1 (0-1 since 2010).
 
The UC Davis rematch on Dec. 8 in the FCS Playoffs was the 17th time in school history EWU has played a matchup of top 10 teams in FCS, including the third-straight season. The Eagles are now 10-7 in those games -- including a 5-3 mark in the regular season and 5-4 in the playoffs Eastern is 19-42 in 61 games all-time versus top 10 opponents, but is 10-7 since 2010.
 
Eastern is now 59-69 in 128 games against ranked teams in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision since becoming a member of that classification in 1983 (then known as I-AA). Since 2010, though, the Eagles are 30-15 overall. This season, the Eagles are 5-1, plus beat the No. 9 team in NCAA Division II at the time when EWU blasted Central Washington 58-13 to open the season.
 
Earlier this season, Eastern defeated a ranked NCAA Football Championship Subdivision opponent for the first time since 2016 when the Eagles beat Northern Arizona 31-26 on Sept. 8. Northern Arizona had entered the game ranked 18th in the STATS Top 25 poll, and the win snapped a three-game losing streak in games versus ranked foes. The last win came over No. 12 Richmond 38-0 on Dec. 10, 2016, in the quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs. Eastern, however, fell 14-6 to No. 13 Weber State on Oct. 13, 2018, in Ogden, Utah, in another game versus a ranked foe.
 
 
 
Eastern Has 41 Players With Combined 672 Career Starts
 
Eastern's experience is not questioned, with 41 total players with a total of 672 games of starting experience – 22 players on defense, 19 players on offense and 336 starts on both sides of the ball.
 
Thus far in 2018, nine players have made starting debuts, including Jim Townsend at defensive end and Andrew Boston at wide receiver versus Central Washington in EWU's opener. Senior Nick Foerstel made his first start at Washington State at defensive end, then senior offensive tackle Beau Byus, junior linebacker Andrew Katzenberger and sophomore linebacker Chris Ojoh made their starting debuts versus Cal Poly. Against Southern Utah on Oct. 6, Dehonta Hayes made the first start of his career and finished with a career-high 11 tackles.
 
The other two starts came in the secondary in the FCS Playoffs against Nicholls when sophomore Kedrick Johnson and sophomore safety Calin Criner made their starting debuts. After falling behind 14-3, Johnson returned a blocked field goal by junior Dylan Ledbetter for a touchdown and start a run of 39-straight points in the 42-21 Eagle win. It was the first blocked field goal returned for a touchdown since Alvin Tolliver returned one 67 yards for a scorer versus, Montana State on Oct. 7, 2000. Johnson finished with a career-high seven tackles and a sack, and also recovered a fumble. Criner also had seven tackles and forced a fumble.
 
Although the Eagles adhere to the "next man up" mentality when dealing with injuries, EWU played the Nicholls and UC Davis playoff games without three senior defensive starters (Mitch Fettig, Keenan Williams, Cole Karstetter) out with injuries. Coupled with one other senior defensive starter lost for the season (Kurt Calhoun), two senior offensive starters (Gage Gubrud, Zach Eagle) and one junior offensive starter lost for the year (Tristen Taylor), those seven players have combined for 240 games played and 181 starts in their careers.
 
The Eagles entered the season with 32 total players returning with a total of 364 games of starting experience (182 on each side), including 15 on defense and 17 on offense. Of the players lost from the 2017 team, four had at least 20 starts. They collectively had 128 starts, including 98 on defense and 26 on offense.
 
Current Starts on Defense (336 starts by 22 players): Mitch Fettig 43, Josh Lewis 35, Nzuzi Webster 26, Keenan Williams 26, Ketner Kupp 26, Cole Karstetter 25, Jay-Tee Tiuli 24, D'londo Tucker 22, Dylan Ledbetter 20, Kurt Calhoun 18, Nick Foerstel 12, Tysen Prunty 10, Jonah Jordan 10, Jim Townsend 9, Dehonta Hayes 9, Chris Ojoh 7, Jack Sendelbach 4, Calin Criner 3, Kedrick Johnson 3, Conner Baumann 2 (including 1 as a fullback), Andrew Katzenberger 1, Anfernee Gurley 1.
 
Current Starts on Offense (336 starts by 19 players): Chris Schlichting 39, Spencer Blackburn 36, Gage Gubrud 28, Tristen Taylor 28, Jack Hunter 26, Nsimba Webster 25, Antoine Custer Jr. 21, Matt Meyer 18, Terence Grady 18, Kaleb Levao 17 (including 1 as defensive lineman), Zach Eagle 13, Andrew Boston 13, Henderson Belk 12, Sam McPherson 10, Eric Barriere 10, Beau Byus 10, Jayce Gilder 6, Jayson Williams 4, Johnny Edwards IV 2.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

EWU Championship Information & Postseason History

 
 
Eastern Returns to Site of 2010 Title Victory
 
After a season full of late-game rallies and gut-wrenching victories, then Eastern football coach Beau Baldwin had a simple response following his team's 20-19 victory over Delaware in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Game Jan. 7, 2011, at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas.
 
"Why wouldn't we?"
 
That became the mantra of Baldwin and his team, long before the title game victory in which the Eagles scored three touchdowns in the final 16:48 of the game to rally from a 19-0 deficit and end their season with a school-record 11-game winning streak. Eastern won six games when it trailed or was tied in the fourth quarter. But the championship game victory was by far the largest deficit the Eagles faced in those six games, and the most gratifying.
 
Texas native Bo Levi Mitchell was selected as the game's Most Outstanding Player after passing for all three Eastern touchdowns in the comeback. He finished with 302 yards through the air, giving him a school-record 37 TD passes for the season. Defensively, Buck Buchanan Award Winner J.C. Sherritt had 18 tackles to equal the seventh-most in school history, as the Eagles held the Blue Hens scoreless on their last four possessions.
 
"This game wouldn't be right if that didn't happen – if we didn't go down 19-0 and have to make a comeback," said Mitchell, who is formerly from Katy, Texas, and transferred from Southern Methodist University near Frisco. "And for these players – especially J.C. – to make a stop on defense to win this game, if it wasn't like that, it just wouldn't be right."
 
Baldwin's team found itself behind 19-0 mid-way through the third quarter and had been out-gained 337-98 at that point in total offense. Eastern dominated the rest of the game, owning a 229-90 advantage with touchdown drives of 80, 89 and 63 yards.
 
Besides finishing 8-0 on its new, red Sprinturf surface at Roos Field (formerly Woodward Field), Eastern was 3-0 without its All-America running back Taiwan Jones. The junior rushed for 1,742 yards and scored 17 total touchdowns in 10 full games played and parts of two others, but a foot injury ended his season against North Dakota State in the quarterfinals as he missed the last two games of the playoff run. Jones would later announce he was leaving EWU early to declare himself eligible for the NFL Draft.
 
In particular, the overtime victory against North Dakota State tested Eastern's mettle, as the Eagles had to go on a 13-play, 90-yard drive to knot the game with 23 seconds to play in regulation. They were tested again against Delaware, scoring what would prove to be the game-winner with 2:47 left in the game. Mitchell had touchdown passes of 22 yards to Brandon Kaufman, 9 to Nicholas Edwards and 11 to Kaufman to end those three drives, then Eastern stopped Delaware on downs at the EWU 39-yard line with 47 ticks of the clock left to wrap-up the title.
 
Eastern was no stranger to narrow victories, with nine of Eastern's wins coming by an average of 6.2 points per game, including seven decided by seven points or less. Of those nine games, the Eagles trailed or were tied in the fourth quarter of six of them, in one they trailed in the third quarter and in the other two they were scoreless in the final stanza. Despite the late-season loss of Jones, the Eagles were a confident bunch of players who relied on being loose through the direst of circumstances.
 
"Our crew, at times, had what I call a loose focus," Baldwin explained. "But honestly, I think that helped them in a lot of tough situations. They didn't get tight and worried or afraid to be in a challenging spot. To have the opportunity to practice and play this late in the season, they had a blast because you don't have those moments very often."
 
 
Eagles Haven't Played a Road Playoff Game Since 2009
 
The 9-2 Eagles received a No. 3 seed and a second-round game after ending the regular season with a four-game winning streak. The No. 3 seed guaranteed the Eagles the potential to host at least two games up to the National Championship game. They then got a bonus third home game when No. 2 seed Weber State lost in the quarterfinals.
 
Eastern hasn't played a true playoff road game since 2009 when it fell at Stephen F. Austin in the first round, and has gone 13-4 in the 17 home games since then with playoff berths in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018. Eastern won the 2010 NCAA Division I title on a neutral field in Frisco, Texas. Overall, Eastern is 19-11 in the playoffs with a 15-6 record at home, 3-5 on the road and 1-0 in the championship game on a neutral field.
 
Four Big Sky Conference teams advanced to the playoffs and three of them were among the final eight teams alive heading into the quarterfinal round. The Eagles, though, are the last league team standing. Eastern was the 2010 NCAA Division I Champions after winning three home games in the playoffs and then defeating Delaware 20-19 for the title in Frisco, Texas. Eastern also hosted three games in 2012, 2013 and 2016, but lost in the semifinals all three seasons. Eastern hosted two more playoff games in 2014, falling in the quarterfinal round.
 
"We like to be at home – playing at home means you did a little bit more during the regular season," said Eastern head coach Aaron Best.
 
 
Eagles Rank in the Top 12 in Both Playoff Appearances and Victories, Even After Snub in 2017
 
The Eagles are making their 13th tournament appearance to rank 12th in FCS history, and have a 19-11 record all-time to rank eighth in wins. Head coach Aaron Best and his team had the mantra all season of "Leave No Doubt" after the team was denied a berth in 2017  after finishing 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the league.
 
"The standard around here are Big Sky championships and playoff berths, so when we don't do that it hurts," he explained. "I've been here 20-plus years and have been a part of a lot of victories, so it hurt when I couldn't tell those players last year why we didn't get in. The natural response is we didn't do enough on our resume to get in, but this year we didn't want to put it anybody else's hands. We weren't going to let a committee or people decide our fate. We decided our own fate, and here we are in the bracket and being allowed to play it out."
 
 
Eagles Continue Big Sky Success With Impressive Consistency
 
Consistency has been a cornerstone of EWU Football, and the Eagles have cemented a 15-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.
 
Eastern clinched its 10th Big Sky title and 13th appearance in the FCS Playoffs in what is now 35 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 12 years (2007-2018), winning 80 percent of their games (77-19) 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. Eastern got the 2018 league season off to a great start on Sept. 22 with a 70-17 victory over Cal Poly, followed by wins over Montana State (34-17) and Southern Utah (50-17). After a 14-6 loss at Weber State, Eastern rebounded for victories over Idaho (38-14), Northern Colorado (48-13), UC Davis (59-20) and Portland State (74-23). A crowd of 8,789 was on hand for the UC Davis game – the 30th-straight sellout at Roos Field (crowd of 8,600 or more) and 42nd in history.
 
 
EWU Playoff History & Tidbits
 
• Eastern is making a 13th appearance in the playoffs in 2018, becoming just the 12th team in FCS to have 13 or more appearances. The other appearances for the Eagles came in 1985, 1992, 1997, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016. With a 6-5 record during an injury-ravaged season in 2011, Eastern fell a victory shy of making its first back-to-back-to-back appearances, but accomplished that feat in 2012-13-14. The Eagles were also 6-5 in 2015 and missed the postseason, and 7-4 in 2017 when they were also passed over.
 
• This is Aaron Best's first playoff appearance as head coach, but 10th overall. He was a player in 1997, then coached in 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and now 2018). He has now been a part of 25 playoff games (17-8), with 22 as a coach (15-7) and three as a player (2-1). He has been involved in 21 of those games at home (15-6), just three on the road (1-2) and was offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2010 when the Eagles won the NCAA Division I title with a 20-19 victory over Delaware on a neutral field in Frisco, Texas.
 
• Eastern now has 10 playoff berths in a 15-year span (2004-18), ranking the Eagles as one of only three schools among 123 in FCS to accomplish that feat. New Hampshire (2004-05-06-07-08-09-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17) made the playoffs for the 14th-straight time in 2017. The third team was Montana (2004-05-06-07-08-09-11-13-14-15) with 10 appearances in that stretch.
 
• The Eagles have five appearances in the last seven years (2012-18), with only six other teams on that list (Jacksonville State, New Hampshire, North Dakota State, Sam Houston State, South Dakota State and James Madison).
 
• The Eagles have a 19-11 record in their 13 playoff appearances, ranking eighth all-time for wins. Eastern has a 15-6 record at home, 3-5 on the road and 1-0 in the championship game on a neutral field. Eastern has advanced to the semifinals in the FCS Playoffs six times (1997, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018) and is 2-4 in those games. The Eagles have won their opener 10 times (1985, 1997, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018) and are 6-4 in the quarterfinals. The Eagles won the title in 2010 in its first and only appearance in the championship game. The Eagles have received first-round byes in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018 (the playoffs were expanded to 20 teams in 2010 and to 24 teams in 2013).
 
2018 – (No. 3 seed, ranked #4)
    #1/No. 1 seed North Dakota State - W, 20-19 (Championship/Frisco, Texas)
    #12/No. 7 seed Maine – W, 50-19 (Semifinals/Cheney)
    #7/No. 6 seed UC Davis – W, 34-29 (Quarterfinals/Cheney)
    #14 Nicholls W, 42-21 (Second Round/Cheney)
2016 – (No. 2 seed, ranked #3)
    #13 Youngstown State – L, 38-40 (Semifinals/Cheney)
    #12 Richmond – W, 38-0 (Quarterfinals/Cheney)
    #14 Central Arkansas – W, 31-14 (Second Round/Cheney)
2014 – (No. 4 seed, ranked #4)
    #7/No. 5 seed Illinois State – L, 46-59 (Quarterfinals/Cheney)
    #12 Montana - W, 37-20 (Second Round/Cheney)
2013 – (No. 3 seed, ranked #3)
    #5 Towson – L, 31-35 (Semifinals/Cheney)
    #20 Jacksonville State – W, 35-24 (Quarterfinals/Cheney)
    #13 South Dakota State – W, 41-17 (Second Round/Cheney)
2012 – (No. 2 seed, ranked #4)
    #5 Sam Houston State – L, 42-45 (Semifinals/Cheney)
    #16 Illinois State – W, 51-35 (Quarterfinals/Cheney)
    Wagner – W, 29-19 (Second Round/Cheney)
2010 – (No. 5 seed, ranked #1)
    #5 Delaware - W, 20-19 (Championship/Frisco, Texas)
    #10 Villanova - W, 41-31 (Semifinals/Cheney)
    #25 North Dakota State - W, 38-31 in OT (Quarterfinals/Cheney)
    #9 Southeast Missouri State - W, 37-17 (Second Round/Cheney)
2009 – (ranked #13)
    at #12 Stephen F. Austin - L, 33-44 (First Round)
2007 – (ranked #14)
    at #15 Appalachian State - L, 35-38 (Quarterfinals)
    at #3/No. 2 seed McNeese State - W, 44-15 (First Round)
2005 – (ranked #15) -
    at #7 Northern Iowa - L, 38-41 (First Round)
2004 – (ranked #14)
    #9 Sam Houston State - L, 34-35 (Quarterfinals/Cheney)
    at #1/No. 1 seed Southern Illinois - W, 35-31 (First Round)
1997 – (No. 3 seed, ranked #4)
    #9/No. 8 seed Youngstown State - L, 14-25 (Semifinals/Spokane)
    #5/No. 5 seed Western Kentucky - W, 38-21 (Quarterfinals/Spokane)
    #17/No. 14 seed Northwestern State - W, 40-10 (First Round/Spokane)
1992 – (ranked/seeded #14)
    at #3 Northern Iowa - L, 14-17 (First Round)
1985 – (ranked/seeded #11)
    at #4 Northern Iowa - L, 14-17 (Quarterfinals)
    at #5 Idaho - W, 42-38 (First Round)
 
 
 

2018 Honors

 
 
Led by Five First Team Honors by Alcobendas, Total of Six Eagles Receive All-America Recognition
 
Sixth-year senior kicker Roldan Alcobendas was honored on five NCAA Football Championship Subdivision All-America teams as a first team selection, heading a list of six Eagles to earn All-America honors in the 2018 season. Alcobendas was honored by the American Football Coaches Association, the FCS Athletics Directors Association, Associated Press, STATS and Hero Sports. In being honored for his perfect season kicking field goals, he was one of just 11 players nationwide to be honored on the FCS ADA All-America squad. In addition, he was also named on Dec. 9 as the winner of the Fred Mitchell Award as the top place-kicker among FCS, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and NJCAA schools.
 
Senior nose tackle Jay-Tee Tiuli was as second team All-America selection by both STATS and Associated Press, and senior center Spencer Blackburn was on the AP second team and the STATS third squad. On Dec. 17, redshirt freshman defensive end Mitchell Johnson (first team) and redshirt freshman wide receiver Andrew Boston (honorable mention) were both selected to the Hero Sports Freshman All-America team, and the next day quarterback Eric Barriere was named to the Hero Sports Sophomore All-America team as an honorable mention pick.
 
Alcobendas is only the third All-America kicker in EWU's history as a member of FCS, and the first since Jimmy Pavel was honored as a first team All-American in 2012. The 2013 graduate of Camas (Wash.) High School earned first team All-Big Sky Conference honors as both a kicker and punter in the 2018 season.
 
Blackburn earned his All-America honors after earning second team All-Big Sky Conference honors three-straight seasons from 2016-18.  The Eagles have now had 23 offensive linemen earn All-America accolades in 35 years in FCS (1984-2018), including 14 first team All-Americans. They have combined for 73 honors (37 first team, 19 second team, 5 third team and 12 honorable mention).
 
Tiuli was the Big Sky Conference Defensive MVP in 2018 and earned first team All-Big Sky honors. This is also his first All-America honor, and he is the first interior defensive lineman (not including defensive ends) to earn All-America honors for the Eagles since Renard Williams earned honorable mention in 2011 and first team accolades in 2010.
 
 
Alcobendas Wins Fred Mitchell Award as Top Place-Kicker in the Nation
 
A national player of the year award was probably the furthest thing on the mind of Roldan Alcobendas when he was laying on a high school soccer field in the spring of 2013 and on the turf at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman, Mont., a year-and-a-half later.
 
But after two knee surgeries and more rehabilitation work than most people can endure, the sixth-year senior has been recognized for his perseverance and accuracy as the 2018 recipient of the Fred Mitchell Award. The announcement was made on Monday (Dec. 10), just a few days after Mitchell notified him he had won the award, presented for excellence on the football field and in the community.
 
"I'm a loss of words and was honestly speechless when Mr. Mitchell let me know," said Alcobendas, a 2013 graduate of Camas (Wash.) High School. "I'm very honored to be recognized with this award."
 
Alcobendas will receive the award in February at the National Football Foundation Chicago Metro Chapter Awards Ceremony at Halas Hall. The honor has been awarded since 2009, and is presented to the nation's top place-kicker in FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and NJCAA for excellence on the football field and in the community. Over 750 place-kickers are eligible. The honor has been awarded since 2009, and is presented to the nation's top place-kicker in FCS, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and NJCAA for excellence on the football field and in the community. Over 750 place-kickers are eligible.
 
His 113 kick-scoring points this season broke the school record of 103 and ranks fifth in Big Sky history, and his 314 career points are also a school record and rank sixth all-time in the league. His second extra point of the season was blocked, but he's made all 67 since then for a season total of 68-of-69 to break his own single season consecutive makes record of 63 set in 2016. He also owns the career record with 85-straight from 2016-2017.
 
"It's incredible, absolutely incredible," said Eastern head coach Aaron Best. "He came in wounded and worked his way back on the football field. He hurt his knee again in 2014 in Bozeman and came back again from that. The evaluative measure for a kicker is putting it between the pipes – it doesn't matter how long or how pretty, it matters if it gets done. Roldan got it done."
 
The Award is named for Fred Mitchell, an All-America place-kicker from Wittenberg University and 41-year sports columnist for the Chicago Tribune. Said Mitchell: "Roldan Alcobendas checks all the boxes when it comes to fulfilling the criteria for being the 2018 Fred Mitchell Award winner. His perseverance following a pair of devastating knee injuries has been remarkable.  And his commitment to community service is what we are all about.  We are proud to add him to our family of distinguished winners."
 
"I give all the credit to all 11 guys," he said. "Coach Best always says what matters is for everybody to do their job to make this operation work. I honestly wouldn't have been able to do this without them, including Curtis Billen who has been our snapper for the last four years. And I've had a few holders, but I have full trust that they are going to execute their job just like they think I'm going to execute mine."
 
As a bonus for his past suffering, Alcobendas received a sixth year to complete four years of eligibility because of injuries that cost him a pair of seasons. Alcobendas had to sit out both the 2013 and 2015 seasons because of knee injuries – one suffered while playing in his senior year of soccer.
 
"It was a very humbling experience," he said of the rehabilitation after the surgeries. "I took this year to really work on my craft. I'm very blessed to be in this situation."
 
Alcobendas is the only player in FCS (minimum of one attempt per game) to be perfect kicking field goals (15-of-15). Alcobendas is 11th in FCS in scoring overall and third in kick scoring (8.7 per game), and is 31st with an average of 1.15 field goals per game. His 44.9 punting average is second nationally, ranking only behind a punter who plays for a school in Florida (Chris Faddoul, Florida A&M, 46.8). The season (44.9) and career averages (44.8) for Alcobendas are both on pace to either tie or break school records of 44.9 and 43.8, respectively.
 
"It's a testament of how much hard work and effort I've put in to this point," he said of his accuracy. "Those previous years weren't up to my standards, so I truly took the time to improve."
 
The Eastern football program participate in numerous community service projects during the year, and Alcobendas participated in youth clinics, Cheney "Clean-Sweep" campus pick-up days, Special Olympics and the "Light the Way Dinner Auction" to help raise funds for the American Childhood Cancer Organization of the Inland Northwest.
 
Alcobendas earned Big Sky All-Academic honors in 2016 and 2017, and has a 3.23 GPA as a business administration marketing major with a minor in communications. He recently concluded coursework for his degree.
 
"He's a better person than he is a player," added Best. "He's persevered and come back, and had to have thoughts of whether this was really for him. He got his sixth year, and to he not only kicked and punted for us, but he was the best in the league in both. Now he is being recognized as best in the nation for what he does, both on and off the field. He has great parents and great structure, and I'm just proud and privileged to have been a part of his journey. I couldn't see a more deserving individual earning this award."
 
Earlier this season, Alcobendas moved past Troy Griggs (231 from 1998-01) and Mike Jarrett (236 from 2008-11) for the all-time EWU lead for kick scoring. Alcobendas has also established EWU career records for extra points made (209) and attempted (215), breaking the previous records held by Jarrett (2009-11) with 143 makes and 150 attempts. Alcobendas has made 35-of-46 field goals in his career to rank third in school history for field goals made and fifth in attempts. In his career, he has 108 kickoffs for a 57.4 average (6,198 total yards) with 17 touchbacks.
 
Alcobendas was rewarded three times this season (four in his career) with ROOT Sports Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors. His most recent honor came when he scored 11 points for the Eagles – just two from his career high – in EWU's 59-20 win over UC Davis on Nov. 10. He kicked a 24-yard field goal to remain perfect on the season at 13-for-13. He also converted all eight of his extra points and punted five times for a 39.8 average with four of his punts downed inside the UCD 20-yard line – three inside the 10. The average field position for UC Davis after his punts was their own 15-yard line, including the 5, 7, 9 and 19. Aside from two long touchdown runs of 46 and 69 yards, UCD got to EWU's red zone just once all day, and the Aggies had to settle for a field goal.
 
He also earned the honor after he kicked a pair of field goals in EWU's 14-6 loss at 13th-ranked Weber State on Oct. 13, and also added a punting record to his resume. He averaged 60.3 yards on seven punts in Eastern's defensive battle, including a school-record 78 yarder with the wind in the second quarter and another of 72 yards with the wind in the third. He also had a wind-aided punt of 63 yards, and a punt into the wind of 60. Two of his punts were downed inside the 10-yard line of Weber State. He now owns two of the top three punts in school history, with the previous record set by Jake Miller against Washington State on Sept. 8, 2012, with a punt of 74 yards. The 60.3 average for Alcobendas versus the Wildcats nearly broke the Big Sky record of 61.5 set by Eddie Johnson of Idaho State in 2002 versus Cal Poly. He kicked a 31-yard field goal in the second quarter and a 27-yarder in the third quarter to remain perfect on the season.
 
He originally broke the school record for career kick scoring against Montana State on Sept. 29 and received his second career ROOT Sports Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player award on Oct. 1 as a result. He suffered a knee injury in 2014 at Bobcat Stadium, then returned two years later and won his first Big Sky POW honor in 2016 after a performance in Bozeman. He scored 11 points in 2016 and had 10 more in this year's 34-17 victory. In 2018, he converted field goals of 24 and 25 yards versus the Bobcats, converted four extra points and punted four times for a 46.8 average with a long of 60. Three of his punts were downed inside the MSU 20-yard line, including a key 59-yarder in the fourth quarter. In all, the average field position for MSU after his punts was the 14-yard line.
 
"It was a proud, proud moment to watch him put the ball through the pipes and get the record," Best said of his 24-yarder that gave EWU a 17-10 second-quarter lead versus the Bobcats. "We didn't mention it before or during the game, but after the game we talked about that. What an accomplishment for him after everything he's overcome in six years here, but it feels like about 10 years."
 
 He finished the 2016 season 9-of-15 kicking field goals and made 73-of-74 extra points. He made his last 63 extra points in a row in 2016 to shatter the previous season record of 47. His 73 total extra points made in 2016 were one behind the Big Sky Conference record of 74 set by former Eagle Kevin Miller in 2013. He also averaged 54.6 yards on 44 kickoffs with seven touchbacks.
 
He missed his first extra point attempt of the game against UC Davis on Oct. 7, 2017, ending his school-record string of consecutive career extra points made at 85. In the 2017 season, he made 46-of-47 extra point attempts and 10-of-14 field goals. He also handled kickoff duties much of the season, and averaged 59.8 yards on 39 kicks in 2017 with seven touchbacks.
 
Returning to the venue he suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2014, Alcobendas made field goals of 48 and 31 yards and had a career-high 11 total points in EWU's 41-17 victory over Montana State in 2016 to earn Big Sky Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors. His 48-yarder was the best of his career, and equals the 23rd-longest in school history. He also had a 31-yarder blocked and made all five of his extra point attempts to account for 11 of EWU's points. In addition, he averaged 64.0 yards in three kickoffs, including one touchback.
 
 
Aaron Best is Fan Choice as FCS Coach of the Year to Go Along With Big Sky Conference co-Coach of the Year Accolades
 
The fans have spoken, and for guiding the Eastern Washington University football team to the NCAA Division I Championship game, they have voted Best as the best in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision.
 
With a late push of votes from Eagle Nation, EWU head coach Aaron Best was declared by Hero Sports as the FCS Coach of the Year in voting which concluded Dec. 21. Best received nearly 40 percent of the total votes cast, with a total of 2,078 to out-distance North Dakota State's Chris Klieman with 1,127.
 
The Eagles – which are 12-2 in Best's second year at the helm -- take on the Bison on Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas, for the championship EWU won in 2010 and NDSU has won six of the seven years since. His team advanced to Frisco with a 50-19 win over Maine on Dec. 15, and Best was quick to praise the EWU's fans for such a monumental achievement in Best's 22nd year as either an Eastern player or coach.
 
"The crowd was amazing – thank you all for coming out," he said in his post-game press conference. "There was a lot of support and people buying extra tickets to help others get into the stadium. It helped, and it's always helps this time of year when school is not in session and there aren't as many students. But it sounded like a mid-season game. I can't say enough."
 
Becoming the fifth different Eastern football head coach to win the honor, Best was selected on Nov. 21 as the Big Sky Conference co-Coach of the Year as selected by his peers in the league, sharing the honor with UC Davis head coach Dan Hawkins. Best guided Eastern to a 9-2 regular season record overall (now 12-2) and 7-1 mark in the Big Sky to share the league title with UC Davis and Weber State. In two years at the helm, he has compiled an 19-6 record overall and 13-3 mark in the league.
 
"This has everything to do with the people we are surrounded with daily, and the resources available to us," said Best. "I can't be happier for our 10 assistants and the people behind the scenes who are able to make the days happy and productive. You are only as good as your staff members and your supporting cast."
 
Beau Baldwin, Paul Wulff, Mike Kramer and Dick Zornes are the four coaches who came before him, and all were honored at least once. Best played for Kramer, who won in 1997, and then served as an assistant coach under Paul Wulff (2001, 2004, 2005) and Beau Baldwin (2012, 2013).
 
"I'm happy and thrilled for Aaron," said Baldwin, who left EWU two years ago to become offensive coordinator at Cal. "He's very deserving, and it's amazing what he's done after the change that occurred from 2016 to 2017 with the coaching staff. He still was able to do a great job in 2017 and back that up this year. It says a lot about his leadership and the guys 100 percent buying in."
 
"To be mentioned in the same breath as Coach B, Coach Wulff, Coach Kramer and Coach Zornes, there are very few words to be able to describe that," Best said. "I've never envisioned this. Obviously, you want your team to have success, and this is a coaching staff award that comes as a result."
 
Wulff also won the honor in his second year at the helm, while Kramer won in his fourth. Best's conference winning percentage of .813 is currently slightly better than Baldwin (.806), who won his first coach of the year honor in his fifth season at the helm. Overall, Best (.750) is just ahead of Baldwin (.726) and Dave Holmes (.719), who coached five seasons from 1963-67. Zornes, who coached 15 seasons from 1979-93, won his honor in EWU's sixth year in the league after joining the Big Sky in 1987. Zornes and Best are both graduates of Eastern as well.
 
"The award means a ton, but team awards and individual player awards trump the coach of the year award," Best added. "It's humbling to be recognized by your peers in anything, but especially as intense as college football head coaching is. I've only found that out in two years."
 
Best led guided Eastern to a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Football Championships -- his first playoff appearance as a head coach, but 10th overall. He was a player in 1997, then coached in 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and now 2018. The Eagles won three home playoff games to advance to the NCAA Division I Championship Game on Jan. 5, 2019, in Frisco, Texas.
 
"We are very proud of Coach Best for his leadership of our football program," praised EWU Director of Athletics Lynn Hickey. "He is a person of impact with his students, on our campus as a whole, and within the entire Cheney/Spokane community. He is an outstanding coach with a tireless work ethic -- but most importantly is a really good person who stands by his values.  He has guided his staff and team through a lot of adversity this year due to injuries, but has inspired them to move forward and leave no doubt that they were champions.  This is a very well-deserved honor for coach personally, but also for the excellent staff he has surrounded himself with."
 
The Eagles set school records offensively for total points (623) and most games of 50 points or more (6, tied with the 2014 team), and defensively have tied a school record with nine games of allowing 20 points or fewer (also in 1997, 1981, 1964 and 1949). Amazingly, the Eagles have done that without the services of a bevy of players lost because of injuries. In fact, EWU's starting lineup from its second game of the season versus Washington State was minus nine players -- three on offense and six on defense -- versus Maine in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs.
 
What the Eagles accomplished this season was not lost on Kramer himself, a former veteran coach in the Big Sky and now retired. Eastern lost All-America quarterback Gage Gubrud at mid-season, but have won their last seven games while out-scoring opponents 345-139 for an average score of 49-20 and a winning margin of 29.4 points.
 
 "Aaron and his staff weathered the loss of one of the iconic players in Big Sky history," said Kramer, who was also head coach at Montana State and Idaho State. "That is leadership. They never wavered and the best is still ahead of them in 2018."
 
"It's a sign of a very senior-laden team, and guys who don't flinch because they've experienced a ton of rocks on the windshield along their journey," explained Best. "It's great to connect and integrate former Eagles with our current Eagles, and coach Kramer talked to our team last summer. We are all connected in some way and know how special this place is, and he told the team three words that I'll never forget: 'Take the Candy.' He's had some very special teams along the way, and he felt like a couple of those teams didn't take the candy in terms of understanding how privileged they are, how well-equipped they are and how talented they are. Our team did that this year – they did take the candy and now it's time to take more candy."
 
Best has now been a part of 25 playoff games (17-8), with 22 as a coach (15-7) and three as a player (2-1). He has been involved in 21 of those games at home (15-6), just three on the road (1-2) and was offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 2010 when the Eagles won the NCAA Division I title with a 20-19 victory over Delaware on a neutral field in Frisco, Texas.
 
 Best himself is a product from the state of Washington, and that has long been a trademark of the Eagle program as "Washington's Team." The Eagles have 105 players in their program, and 82 of them – 78 percent – are from the state of Washington. Eastern's coaching staff is Washington-based as well, with eight of the team's 11 full-time coaches (73 percent) hailing from the Evergreen State. Best is a 1996 graduate of Curtis High School in Tacoma, Wash., and shares the same alma mater with Brian Strandley (1990) and Jay Dumas (1992).
 
Best made his head coaching debut versus Texas Tech in a 56-10 loss on Sept. 2, 2017 in Lubbock, Texas. It came versus the same team Baldwin made his EWU head coaching debut against back on Aug. 30, 2008, in a 49-24 Red Raider victory. Interestingly, Baldwin also graduated from Curtis, six years earlier than Best in 1990. Best was making his debut as Baldwin's offensive line coach in that 2008 game.
 
"The thing I like the most about coach Best is that he is authentically going to do it his way," added Baldwin. He's not going to do it like anyone else before him. It's what he believes in and it's rubbing through. The team sees that and respects that. The team and staff have bought into his vision and that's why they are in the position at the end of the regular season at 9-2 and a No. 3 seed nationally. It's all been earned, and I couldn't be happier with the job he's done since the moment he stepped in. I can't wait to watch the rest of the season unfold."
 
 
Freshman All-America Accolades Awarded to Mitchell Johnson and Andrew Boston
 
In a big year for the defense at Eastern Washington University, redshirt freshman Mitchell Johnson was awarded first team Freshman All-America honors on Dec. 17 from Hero Sports. In addition, fellow redshirt freshman Andrew Boston earned honorable mention as a wide receiver.
 
Mitchell burst on the scene in 2018 and responded with 27 tackles, a team-leading 4 1/2 sacks, a pair of interceptions, two passes broken up, a pair of quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. Johnson earned second-team All-Big Sky honors in his first season as an Eagle.
 
A 2017 graduate of West Linn (Ore.) High School, Johnson was EWU's Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year when he redshirted in 2017. He played in all 14 games as a backup, and had season highs of four tackles in three different games. He had four of his sacks in consecutive games versus Northern Arizona, Washington State and Cal Poly. Two of them came against the Cougars, and he also had a half-sack versus Maine on Dec. 15 to advance EWU to the NCAA Division I Championship Game on Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas. Mitchell also had interceptions against Southern Utah in the regular season and UC Davis in the playoffs. His fumble recovery came against Weber State on Oct. 13, but the Eagles have won seven games since then.
 
Boston enters the championship game second on the team with 43 receptions for 531 yards (12.3 per catch) and four touchdowns. He had a career-high nine catches versus Idaho on Oct. 27, and had five grabs for a season-high 89 yards and a TD against Nicholls in the first round of the FCS Playoffs on Dec. 1. He scored a touchdown versus Maine in the semifinals, and had scores against Washington State and Cal Poly in back-to-back games early in the season. He is from Puyallup, Wash., and is a 2017 graduate of Emerald Ridge High School. He was last year's co-Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year, sharing the honor with Marques Hampton Jr.
 
 
Led by Defensive MVP Jay-Tee Tiuli, Eagles Earn 23 Honors on All-Big Sky Conference Team
 
You can read between the lines with this highly-decorated list of Eastern all-stars. All 10 Eagle offensive and defensive linemen – including nose tackle Jay-Tee Tiuli as Defensive MVP – were among the 21 EWU players recognized with a total of 23 honors on the All-Big Sky Conference football team announced Nov. 20 by the league office.
 
Tiuli, a 6-foot- 4, 320-pound senior from Federal Way (Wash.) High School, was joined by 15 other Eastern seniors to be honored, including two-way first-team All-Big Sky performer Roldan Alcobendas as both a kicker and punter. Senior wide receiver Nsimba Webster and senior defensive end Keenan Williams joined Tiuli and Alcobendas as first-team performers.
 
Seven players earned second-team accolades, including senior center Spencer Blackburn for the third-straight year. Junior offensive tackle Chris Schlichting, senior offensive guard Kaleb Levao, running back Sam McPherson, senior linebacker Ketner Kupp, senior cornerback Josh Lewis and freshman redshirt defensive end Mitchell Johnson were also second teamers.
 
On the third team were senior offensive tackle Beau Byus, senior offensive guard Jack Hunter, sophomore quarterback Eric Barriere, senior safety Mitch Fettig, senior tight end Henderson Belk as a fullback and senior long snapper Curtis Billen as a special teams player. Four Eagles received honorable mention – junior running back Antoine Custer Jr., junior defensive tackle Dylan Ledbetter, senior cornerback D'londo Tucker and senior cornerback/nickel back Nzuzi Webster, who was recognized by the league at safety.
 
"We're very proud of these players, and it is very team driven," said Eastern head coach Aaron Best. "When you do well as a team on a particular side of the ball it's noticed by the league's coaches. We had an outstanding season in all three phases – offense, defense and special teams – and the all-league team reflects that."
 
Tiuli is just the sixth Eagle to earn player of the year honors on that side of the ball, joining J.C. Sherritt (2010), Greg Peach (2008), Joey Cwik (2005), Chris Scott (1997) and Jason Marsh (1993). Eastern has won 14 honors on offense, including the first co-MVP tandem in 2016 when Cooper Kupp and Gage Gubrud were honored. That capped a stretch in which EWU won the MVP honor on offense in 12 of 17 years.
 
"The league has spoken by naming him as the defensive MVP, and they certainly saw what we see every day at practice," Best said. "Congratulations goes to him, as well as his teammates because he makes a ton of those players on that side of the ball better. And that's why we are where we are defensively with a huge progression from where we were the last couple of years."
 
Tiuli is only the 10th Big Sky Conference interior lineman to win the defensive award since 1974 -- 45 years. He's only the second in the league since Scott from EWU won it in 1997.
 
"It's hard to do but it's well-earned," said Best. "He's a player we count on – he's our bell-cow. It shows his versatility in not only stopping the run, but getting to the quarterback."
 
Tiuli has been a dominant force in the middle, and in the 13 games he's played he has 38 tackles, four sacks, two passes broken up, a quarterback hurry, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He has started 24 of the 49 out of a possible 50 games he has played the last four seasons at EWU (he missed EWU's 2018 playoff game versus Maine for violation of team rules). He has had 115 total tackles with 12 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hurries, four passes deflected, a pair of forced fumbles and a fumble he recovered for a touchdown. He had to redshirt in 2017 because of an injury, but before the start of that season he earned third team preseason All-America honors from STATS.
 
"That redshirt year last year really vaulted him into the elite company of this league," Best said. "I have a lot of respect for the coaches around the league for selecting him."
 
Eastern finished as the Big Sky co-champions with a 7-1 record, and owned the best point differential in the league of 31.1 points per game. Eastern averaged 48.0 on offense and 16.9 on defense to lead the league in both categories, with UC Davis having the next-best margin at a plus 17.4 per game.
 
Eastern's offensive line was as veteran and experienced as any other position for the Eagles. Blackburn, a second-team All-Big Sky choice the last two seasons, has started 36 of the 38 games he has played as an Eagle, including the last 36. Schlichting has started all 39 games he has played.
 
In addition, Hunter has started 26 of 39 games played; Levao 17 of 37 games; and Byus 10 of 36, giving EWU a total 128 starts and 189 games played among that quintet (average of 26/38). And that doesn't even account for the contributions of Belk, who started 12 of 44 games thus far in his career.
 
 "Getting all five offensive lineman some sort of recognition is huge, and has been accomplished very few times here," Best said. "Kudos to (offensive line) coach Jase Butorac and company for getting that done."
 
The Eagles led the league in offense with an average of 557.4 yards per league game, and was also second in defense at 346.6. That average advantage of 210.8 was also the best in the league by more than triple that of UC Davis with an advantage of 66.7.
 
"We had a good mix, although I would have liked to see a few more on the first team offensively," added Best of the entire squad of honorees. "We did some really good things in the conference with our running game and ranked second in the country in total offense. Nsimba obviously represents us well at the wide receiver position."
 
"Defensively we were very decorated on the defensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary," Best said. "With Mitch on the list as a freshman and Keenan as a senior, we had bookend defensive ends honored, with the senior going out with a bang as a first team selection."
 
"We were happy to see on special teams Roldan earn first team as a kicker and then doubling as a punter, and Curtis Billen getting recognized for paying his dues for four years here as a long snapper," added Best, with Billen serving as EWU's long snapper for all 50 out of 50 games the last four years. "It's incredible because he's been as consistent as anybody, and this is a huge honor for a player not too many people know about in the world of long snapping."
 
 
Pair of Eagle Senior Co-Captains on Academic All-District 8 Squad
 
Eastern football senior co-captains Sam McPherson and Spencer Blackburn were selected in November to the Google Cloud Academic All-District 8 Football Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). They now advance to the national ballot to select Academic All-America honors.
 
Most recently, Cooper Kupp earned Academic All-America honors back-to-back in 2015 and 2016 for the Eagles, who have had eight different players win 12 Academic All-America honors since 1989. A total of 67 have now been honored since then on the All-District squad, which includes NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football players from schools in Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii and British Columbia.
 
McPherson is a running back with a 3.75 grade point average as a mechanical engineering major (through fall quarter of 2018), and Blackburn is a center with a 3.67 GPA in professional accounting. McPherson graduated from Bothell (Wash.) High School in 2015, and Blackburn graduated in 2014 from Meridian HS in Bellingham, Wash.
 
 
 

Player Notes

 
 
Barriere Leads EWU to Trio of Postseason Wins and is Now 8-1 as a Starter
 
Quarterback Eric Barriere took over as EWU's starter from the injured Gage Gubrud in Eastern's sixth game of the season, and has led EWU on a seven-game winning streak streak with a trio of playoff wins. Barriere is now 8-1 as a starter this season and 9-1 in his career, and was selected on Dec. 18 as an honorable mention Sophomore All-America selection by Hero Sports.
 
He has steadily been climbing the national rankings despite playing in three of EWU's first five games of the season as a backup to Gage Gubrud. He's 10th in FCS in passing efficiency (150.8), 39th for passing yards overall (2,252) and 13th in touchdown passes with 24 after setting school and FCS Playoff records with seven versus Maine on Dec. 15.
 
During the seven-game winning streak he's directed, the Eagles have out-scored opponents 345-139 for an average score of 49-20 and a winning margin of 29.4 points. So far in 13 games played in 2018, Barriere has completed 177-of-286 passes (61.9 percent) for 2,252 yards and 24 touchdowns, with 90 rushes for 603 yards (6.7 per carry) and seven scores. He is just three yards from Gubrud's single season record for rushing yards by a quarterback of 606 in 2016.
 
In his first postseason start against Nicholls on Dec. 1, Barriere accounted for 216 yards of offense. He was 17-of-29 passing for 162 yards and a touchdown, and added 54 yards on the ground. He followed that with a 21-of-25 (84.0 percent) passing performance against UC Davis and 278 total yards (235 passing, 43 rushing). His 29-yard scramble was the first play of a game-winning 75-yard driving in the final minute for the Eagles in the 34-29 quarterfinal victory.
 
His third playoff game featured a career-high 405 yards of total offense, with 352 passing and 53 rushing. He had seven touchdown passes to set new school and FCS Playoff records. He tied the EWU record of seven set by Vernon Adams Jr. versus Washington on Sept. 6, 2014, and broke the previous FCS Playoffs record of six held by five former players, including Eagles Kyle Padron and Adams in 2012.
 
Barriere certainly had the Midas touch to end the regular season on Nov. 16 in Hillsboro, Ore., and as a result earned a pair of player of the week honors. He was not only the Big Sky Conference co-Offensive Player of the week, but College Football Performance Awards named Barriere as its FCS National Player of the Week. He accounted for 40 points and 315 yards of offense in EWU's 74-23 victory at Portland State in directing EWU to its 10th Big Sky Conference football title in school history.
 
Barriere scored on a 66-yard touchdown on the game's third offensive play, setting the stage for what was to come for the Eagles. Including his six rushes for 99 yards and 15 pass completions for 216, he averaged 15.0 yards on those plays. with a touchdown every 3.5 times he rushed or completed a pass. He completed 15-of-27 passes for a career-high five touchdowns and an efficiency rating of 176.5. Including his rushing touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversion passes, he accounted for 40 points for the Eagles.
 
 "He's been awesome and his teammates trust him," said Eastern head coach Aaron Best on the injury replacement for All-American Gage Gubrud. "He prepares well and he's a playmaker. He may not be as fluid in the pass game and as concrete with certain things that Gage was exposed to, but he's definitely a dynamic playmaker."
 
In his 18-game career, he has completed 61.5 percent of his passes (192-of-312) for 2,390 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and has rushed 108 times for 651 yards and eight more TDs. He has a passing efficiency rating of 150.8 this season and 147.2 in his career.
 
"His leadership will continue to grow, but we didn't expect that as a sophomore in the shoes he's in," Best continued. "It's going to take time, and it took Gage some time. The thing I'm most impressed with by Eric is that he's very unflappable for the most part. No matter if he throws a good ball or a bad ball, he's very competitive and he expects a lot out of himself. A lot of times you wouldn't know that from his mannerisms because he always smiles. That what makes him who he is."
 
Gubrud started for the Eagles in the first five games before suffering a season-ending foot injury against Montana State on Sept. 29. Barriere took the reins in the nine games after that, and they've produced nearly identical total offense numbers as starters. Gubrud averaged 283.2 passing and 33.8 rushing for a total of 317.0 per game; Barriere has averaged 248.8 passing and 62.1 rushing for a 310.9 average. Gubrud accounted for 17 touchdowns (13 passing, 2 rushing), and Barriere has had 30 (23 passing, seven rushing).
 
"He came here because we win and he wanted to be a part of a highly-productive, quarter-back driven football team," added Best. "He just got the opportunity to have the keys thrown up to him a little sooner than expected. Why wouldn't you rev that thing up? We tell him to go warm-up the car and drive it."
 
Barriere guided a 59-20 victory over fourth-ranked UC Davis on Nov. 10, in which EWU scored 21-straight points to take the lead for good in the first half. He also engineered a 48-13 win at Northern Colorado on Nov. 3 in a game the Eagles took a 20-0 halftime line. One game earlier, he led the Eagles to a 31-0 halftime lead and 38-14 victory over Idaho on Oct. 27.
 
In the sixth start of his career, Barriere completed 16-of-30 passes for 285 yards and a score against UCD, and finished with 60 yards rushing to give him 345 yards of total offense. Versus UNC, Barriere accounted for 309 yards of total offense for EWU – 245 passing and 64 rushing. He completed 24-of-36 passes and TD passes of 4 and 19 yards, plus he scored runs of on 9 and 15 yards.
 
Against the Vandals, he completed 29-of-42 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns in his first 300-yard passing performance of his career. He also rushed for 70 yards and a TD, giving him a career-high 396 yards of total offense. His previous high was 331 versus Southern Utah on Oct. 6 in a 55-17 Eagle win. Barriere and the Eagles had a near-perfect first half versus UI, scoring 31 points and having a 364-129 advantage in total offense.
 
In a 55-17 win over Southern Utah on Oct. 6 in his first start this season, he passed for 233 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another 98 and two more TDs in just three quarters of action. He completed 13-of-21 passes and had his rushing yardage on five carries with no sacks. Making just his second career start, he completed a 48-yard pass on the first offensive play of the day for the Eagles, then later had an 85-yard rush for a touchdown – a school record for a quarterback and ninth-longest overall all-time -- to give the Eagles a 31-10 lead in the second quarter. He accounted for three of EWU's seven touchdowns, rushing for two scores and passing for another.
 
However, in a 14-6 loss at Weber State on Oct. 13, Eastern was held without a touchdown for the first time in 10 years. Barriere completed 19-of-42 passes for 185 yards and was intercepted twice in the fourth quarter to squelch Eagle drives. He had a net rushing gain of 18 yards despite getting sacked four times.
 
Barriere was also thrown to the fire during his redshirt freshman season when he made the first start of his career against North Dakota on Nov. 11, 2017, and led the Eagles to a 21-14 win. The 2016 graduate of La Habra (Calif.) High School had 185 yards of total offense, had a touchdown pass and scored once on the ground on a fourth down play to end the first half. He completed 13-of-23 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown, and rushed 15 times for 55 yards. He was sacked only once and had no turnovers. He rushed for a pair of first downs, and passed for another eight. Barriere helped Eastern to a turnoverless game, but had to recover his own fumble late in the game that was followed by a key 67-yard punt by Jordan Dascalo that was downed at the UND 3-yard line. Had Barriere not recovered the fumble, UND would have taken over at the EWU 31 trailing just 21-14.
 
By contrast, Vernon Adams Jr. – a former Eagle who Barriere draws comparisons to – had 75 yards passing (7-of-12) and 62 rushing (five carries) in his starting debut in 2012 at Weber State in a 32-26 victory. Before the UND game, Barriere had appeared in three games in 2017 and was 1-of-2 for 13 yards and an interception, all coming against Texas Tech on Sept. 2.
 
 
Junior Chris Schlichting Has Started All 39 Games in His Career
 
Second-team All-Big Sky junior offensive tackle Chris Schlichting has started in each of EWU's 39 games in his last two-plus seasons for the Eagles. He started all 14 games as a redshirt freshman in 2016, all 11 in 2017 and 14 thus far this season. Senior center Spencer Blackburn has a streak of 36 consecutive starts since taking over the position in the fourth game of the 2016 season. He's earned second-team All-Big Sky honors in each of the last three seasons.
 
Junior offensive tackle Tristen Taylor had started 28-of-28 games as an Eagle until a season-ending knee injury kept him out of the lineup on Sept. 22 versus Cal Poly. Safety Mitch Fettig, a third-team All-Big Sky selection in 2018, had started 33-straight games until sitting out the Northern Colorado game on Nov. 3
 
Eastern's offensive line entering the year boasted a starting five with 88 starts between them. Currently they have 146, including 39 by Schlichting; 36 by Blackburn; 28 by Taylor; 26 by Jack Hunter and 17 by Kaleb Levao. However, against Cal Poly and the team's subsequent games, Taylor was unavailable because of a season-ending knee injury and former tight end Beau Byus is now starting in his place. Converted guard Matt Meyer had to start at tackle in place of Byus on Oct. 13, then started instead of Levao on Nov. 10. Levao earned second-team All-Big Sky honors, Hunter was on the third team and Byus received honorable mention as all five Eagle offensive linemen received all-league accolades.
 
A total of 16 players have started at least 18 games. The others include Fettig (43 starts/44 played), linebacker Ketner Kupp (26/47), cornerback Josh Lewis (35/50), cornerback Nzuzi Webster (26/52), defensive end Keenan Williams (26/42), rover Cole Karstetter (25/35) and Kurt Calhoun (18/34) on defense; and quarterback Gage Gubrud (28/32), running back Antoine Custer Jr. (21/34), wide receiver Nsimba Webster (25/43) and guard Matt Meyer (18/34) on offense.
 
 
Kupp Up to 15th in School History in Tackles with 256
 
One of the team's co-captains, Ketner Kupp leads the Eagles in tackles with 104 to rank 27th in school history, and has also broke-up three passes and has five quarterback hurries. The second-team All-Big Sky Conference selection has 256 tackles in his career to rank 17th all-time at EWU, and has started 26 of the 46 games he's played in his career.
 
He had his eighth career double-figure tackling game against UC Davis on Dec. 8 in the FCS Playoffs, finishing with 16 to surpass his previous career high of 12. Against Nicholls on Dec. 1 he had 12 tackles and a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown, which ranks second in school history. The only return longer was a 96-yarder by Maurice Perigo versus Southwest Texas State on Sept. 21, 1996.
 
Kupp is the younger brother of four-time EWU FCS All-American Cooper Kupp, who now plays for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL. Interestingly, Cooper's longest plays as an Eagle were pass plays of 78 and 75 yards and a pair of 76-yard punt returns. Cooper is a third-generation NFL player from his family – his grandfather, Jake, played from 1964-75 as a guard with Dallas, the Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints. Cooper and Ketner's father, Craig, was a fifth-round draft pick by the New York Giants in 1990 and played in 1991 for the Phoenix Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys.
 
 
With Careers Nearing an End, Webster Twins Contribute Mightily in Late-Season Wins
 
The Webster twins are making their mark in Eastern history, and both had a huge game on Nov. 10 when EWU defeated fourth-ranked UC Davis 59-20. They now have 95 games played between them, with a collective total of 51 starts.
 
Nsimba Webster, a senior wide receiver who earned first team All-Big Sky honors in 2018, is coming off a record-setting performance in EWU's 50-19 win over Maine in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs. He had nine catches for 188 yards and four touchdowns, equaling EWU's school record shared by three other players and also tying the FCS Playoff record. It was his second-most yards in his career, ranking behind the 212 he had on 10 catches in EWU's 2018 opener versus Central Washington. He now has eight 100-yard performances in his career.
 
He is sixth in FCS receiving yards (1,287 to rank 10th in school history), 19th in receiving yards per game (91.9) and 25th in catches (5.7 per game with a total of 80 to rank as the 11th-most in all-time at EWU).  In his 43-game career (25 as a starter), he has caught 152 passes to rank 15th in school history, good for 2,141 yards to rank 18th and 18 touchdowns to equal the 16th-most all-time at EWU.
 
He caught three passes against UC Davis for 103 yards, including grabs of 32, 35 and 36 yards. He then followed that with five catches for 96 yards and a 68-yard score versus Portland State, plus had a 57-yard punt return in the win. He opened the 2018 season in blazing fashion with 10 catches, two touchdowns and a career-best 212 yards to rank as the ninth-most in school history. He followed that victory over Central Washington with two more touchdowns on seven catches for 176 yards in a win over nationally-ranked Northern Arizona.
 
Nzuzi Webster has 32 tackles with nine passes broken up and an interception he returned for key 45-yard touchdown in EWU's victory over UC Davis on Nov. 10. In his 52-game career (26 as a starter), he has 165 total tackles and a trio of interceptions. A third team selection as a sophomore in 2016 and honorable mention in 2018, he also has 31 passes broken up in his career to rank fourth in school history.
 
 Nzuzi's third career interception was returned 45 yards for a key touchdown in the third quarter versus UC Davis to give the Eagles a 28-17 lead. He also had three tackles and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter, and as a result earned ROOT Sports Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors.
 
The twins are from Antioch, Calif., and were 2014 graduates of Deer Valley High School where they helped the Wolverines to an 11-2 record and semifinal appearance in the 2013 CIF Division I North Coast Section Playoffs. They lost to eventual champion De La Salle 57-27, whose roster included future Eagle Antoine Custer Jr. (who rushed for 1,141 yards and 14 TDs as his team's Sophomore of the Year). Nsimba passed and ran for 50 touchdowns as a senior and Nzuzi contributed greatly on offense, defense and special teams. Former Eagle and current Buffalo Bill Taiwan Jones ('07) also attended Deer Valley High School.
 
 
Fettig's Career Ends Six Tackles Short From Record for Defensive Back
 
Senior co-captain Mitch Fettig started 43 of the 44 games he's played in his Eastern career, but an injury has ended his career just short of the school record for tackles by a defensive back. He finished with 282 tackles to rank 13th in school history – just six from the school record by a defensive back of 288 set by Julian Williams from 1997-00. He passed the 263 by cornerback T.J. Lee (2010-13), who now plays for the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League.
 
Fettig also had six interceptions and 17 passes broken up in his career – including three break-ups in EWU's 59-20 victory over UC Davis on Nov. 10. A 2014 graduate from Olympia HS, Fettig was a third team All-Big Sky selection as a senior and junior, and earned honorable mention in 2016. He missed a pair of games with injuries as a freshman in 2015, but played in every games possible after that until missing EWU's game in 2018 versus Northern Colorado. He started all 14 games in 2016, all 11 in 2017 and the first eight in 2018 for a streak of 33 Eagle games in a row which was ended Nov. 3 at UNC. He played and started his last game as an Eagle versus Portland State on Nov. 16.
 
 
More Player Notes & Superlatives on All-Big Sky Performers
 
A first-team All-Big Sky performer, senior Keenan Williams has 142 tackles, 8 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles in his 42-game career (26 as a starter). However, he suffered a late-season injury and is out for the rest of the year.
 
Senior cornerback Josh Lewis has started 35 out of the 50 games he's played as an Eagle, and has career totals of 146 tackles, 10 interceptions to rank tied for ninth in school history and 23 passes broken up to rank all-time at EWU. This season alone he has a team-high five interceptions and 12 passes broken up to go along with 57 tackles, a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry. He was a second-team All-Big Sky selection in 2018 and is expected to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on Jan. 19. Against Maine on Dec. 15 in the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs, he had a pair of interceptions, including one he returned 22 yards to Maine's 1-yard line and set-up EWU's first score in the 50-19 romp. He also had five tackles and three passes broken up as he has helped EWU establish a new season school record with 70 PBU's this season.
 
A sixth-year senior, D'londo Tucker has 103 tackles, seven interceptions and also has 19 PBUs in his 49-game career (22 as a starter) to rank 12th in school history. He has four interceptions to go along with his 46 tackles and seven pass breakups. He earned honorable mention All-Big Sky honors in 2018.
 
Honorable mention All-Big Sky defensive tackle Dylan Ledbetter has 8 1/2 sacks in his 39-game career (20 as a starter), with totals of 116 tackles, five passes broken up and four blocked kicks. His blocks in 2018 have come against Northern Arizona, Weber State and Nicholls in the FCS Playoffs. After falling behind 14-3 against Nicholls, sophomore Kedrick Johnson returned a blocked field goal by Ledbetter for a touchdown and start a run of 39 unanswered points in the 42-21 win. Ledbetter's father, Mark, played as a linebacker at Washington State and lettered from 1986-89. He played in the Aloha Bowl on Dec. 25, 1988 and had eight tackles with a sack. He went on the play in the World League after signing a free agent contract with New Orleans in the NFL, and then played in the Canadian Football League for Sacramento, Birmingham and Calgary.
 
 
Total of 64 Players Play in Opener, Including Debuts by 16
 
A total of 64 Eagles played in EWU's opener versus Central Washington, including 16 players making their debuts in an Eastern uniform. Of the newbies, redshirt freshman Andrew Boston received the first start of his career in his first game, and finished with one catch for 10 yards. He is from Puyallup, Wash., and is a 2017 graduate of Emerald Ridge High School. Tre Weed was the only true freshman to see action for the Eagles, and he ended up returning four punts for 43 yards with a long of 22.
 
 
78 Percent of EWU's Roster are Players from Washington
 
The Eagles have 105 players in their program, and 82 of them – 78 percent – are from the state of Washington. Eastern's coaching staff is Washington-based as well, with eight of the team's 11 full-time coaches (73 percent) hailing from the Evergreen State. Head coach Aaron Best is a 1996 graduate of Curtis High School in Tacoma, Wash., and shares the same alma mater with Brian Strandley (1990) and Jay Dumas (1992).
 
 
32-Game Career Ends for Gubrud With Impressive 21-7 Record as a Starter and Big Sky Total Offense Per Game Record
 
Eastern head coach Aaron Best announced after the Idaho game on Oct. 27 that All-America quarterback Gage Gubrud will be lost for the season with a lower leg injury which required surgery on Oct. 31. Gubrud suffered the injury late in the game versus Montana State on Sept. 29 and has been replaced ever since by sophomore Eric Barriere.
 
"Eric Barriere is our quarterback moving forward and Gage Gubrud will be shelved for the rest of the season," said Best after his team jumped out to a 31-0 halftime lead over Idaho and won 38-14. "Everybody has Gage's best interests in mind, and that's where we stand going forward."
 
Gubrud finished his career as the owner of 21 school records, eight Big Sky Conference marks and three in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, most coming in a sensational sophomore campaign in 2016. With 11,026 yards of total offense in his career, Gubrud averaged 344.6 yards of total offense per game to rank third all-time in FCS and break the Big Sky record of 328.9 set by Dave Dickenson of Montana with 11,513 yards in 35 games from 1992-95.
 
Gubrud went over the 10,000-yard mark in his career for total offense on Sept. 8 at Northern Arizona to become the fourth Eagle in school history to achieve that feat. He finished just 16 yards from joining those same three players in the 10,000-yard passing club, with a current total of 9,984 in his career. His average of 312.0 per game was a school record, and ranks third in Big Sky history and 20th in FCS.
 
His 11,026 yards of total offense ranks third in EWU history and 12th all-time in the Big Sky Conference. Gubrud also had 87 touchdown passes in his 32-game career to move into third in school history past Erik Meyer (2002-05) with 84. There are no official lists for TD passes in the 55-year history of the league, but it's believed he's tied for eighth.
 
At No. 4 in school history in career passing yards with 9,984, Gubrud ranks only behind 10,000-yard passers Matt Nichols (12,616, #1 in Big Sky), Vernon Adams Jr. (10,438, unranked) and Erik Meyer (10,261, unranked). He is also third in total offense with 11,026 yards, ranking behind Nichols (13,308, #1 in Big Sky) and Adams (11,670, #7), but surpassing Meyer (10,942, #13).
 
Finishing 21-7 in 28 games as a starter, he was also third in school history in completion percentage (.646), third in efficiency rating (155.8), third in touchdown passes (87), second in completions (753) and second in attempts (1,165).
 
Gubrud had a school-record 10 400-yard passing performances in his career, three more than Adams with seven. He had back-to-back-to-back 400-yard performances on three occasions, and Adams, Jordan West and Matt Nichols are the only other quarterbacks in EWU history to have accomplished that feat two games in a row. Gubrud's 19 300-yard passing performances are tied with Nichols (19) and are one behind Adams (20) for the school record.
 
Gubrud owns school records with 13 performances of at least 400 yards of total offense and six with at least 500. He owns eight of the top 10 single game total offense performances in school history (1-2-3-4-6-7-8-10), plus the Nos. 14, 20 and 29 performances. He owns nine of the top 19 passing performances (1-2-4-7-13-15-16-18-19), plus Nos. 23, 40 and 45.
 
"It's incredible – not just for this team but for this athletic department and university," said Best of Gubrud's contributions. "He came on campus without a scholarship, earned a scholarship and then caught fire his sophomore year. He had an amazing career in just three years – really 2 1/2 years. He's an incredible leader, captain and teammate, and I call him a dear friend. He's meant a ton for us and will continue to mean a ton because he'll be a very good mentor for Eric side-by-side in-game, out-of-game and in the meeting room. We could sit here for an hour-and-a-half in talking about the greatness and accolades he represents. He's a true EKG (Eastern Kind of Guy), and we highly respect his work. It's just unfortunate his career was cut short due to a physical ailment."
 
In five games in 2018, Gubrud had 1,585 yards of total offense – 1,416 through the air and 169 on the ground. He completed 61.9 percent of his passes (99-of-160) and had a 156.8 passing efficiency rating. Although he no longer meets the minimum number of games played to be ranked nationally, in FCS stats released on Oct. 7 he was 12th in average points responsible for (18.0), 15th in passing efficiency (156.8), ninth in total offense (317.0 per game) and 12th in passing (283.2 per game).
 
 
 

More 2018 Team Notes

 
Eagles Equal Their Highest Rankings of the Season at End of Regular Season
 
At the end of the regular season, Eastern held steady at fourth in the STATS NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Top 25 poll of sportswriters, broadcasters and sports information directors, and remained third by the American Football Coaches Association. Entering the postseason matching its highest rankings of the season, Eastern was also a high of third in the coaches poll and was fourth in the STATS ranking before a 14-6 loss at Weber State on Oct. 13. Eastern dropped five positions in each poll after that loss, but remained in the top 10 on Oct. 15.
 
Also ranked nationally from the Big Sky Conference to end the regular season were Weber State (3 STATS/4 AFCA), UC Davis (7/10) and Montana State (23/24). The Eagles beat UC Davis 59-20 on Nov. 10 in Cheney in in a key game for both schools with league championship and playoff implications. However, EWU suffered a 14-6 loss at Weber State on Oct. 13, allowing the Wildcats to earn the automatic berth in the FCS Playoffs. Eastern, which beat MSU 34-17 on the road back on Sept. 29, also pulled out a 31-26 victory on Sept. 8 at Northern Arizona, which at the time was ranked 18th by STATS and 20th by the AFCA.
 
In reaching its highest rankings of the season on Oct. 8 and again on Nov. 5, 12 and 19, the Eagles haven't been ranked third in the coaches poll since 2016, when EWU was also as high as third in the STATS rankings (to end the regular season). Eastern was as high as fourth in both polls in 2015, but in 2014 were ranked second for nine weeks in the coaches poll, plus were second for eight weeks by STATS after entering the preseason with the No. 1 ranking. Eastern also spent at least one week in the top spot in the STATS poll in 2012 and 2011, as well as in 2010 when EWU finished first in both polls after winning the NCAA Division I championship.
 
The Eastern and Weber State game on Oct. 13 was picked in the preseason by STATS as the most important Big Sky game of the season on its list of Pivotal FCS Conference Games in 2018. The Eagles were seventh and the Wildcats were eighth in the AFCA preseason poll, and WSU was one slot better than EWU in the STATS preseason poll (8th/9th). Eastern is picked to win the Big Sky Conference title by the league's head coaches and media with WSU second.
 
Eastern ranked as high as fourth nationally in rankings released by a trio of preseason publications. Hero Sports pegged the Eagles as the No. 4 team in FCS, ranking behind defending champion NDSU, JMU and Kennesaw State. Eastern was sixth in the Athlon Sports rankings, and is the top-ranked Big Sky team in both polls. Eastern was 14th in the Street & Smith's top 25.
 
EWU Outscores Last Seven Opponents 295-120, Averaging 555 Yards Per Game
 
A 345-139 advantage on the scoreboard – an average score of 49-20 and winning margin of 29.4 points – only scratches the surface of how dominating the Eagles have been during their seven-game winning streak. Most notably, Eastern is averaging 556.9 yards of offense, compared to 379.3 for opponents, including a 270.9 to 156.1 advantage in rushing. Eastern has a big advantage in turnovers forced (23-8) with 15 interceptions.
 
Sophomore quarterback Eric Barriere has averaged 260.1 passing and 63.3 rushing for an average of 323.4 yards of total offense per game. He's accounted for 27 touchdowns – 22 passing and another five rushing. Sam McPherson has averaged 95.6 yards on the ground with six touchdowns, and Antoine Custer Jr. has averaged 59.2, with the Eagles rushing for a total of 21 touchdowns. Barriere's favorite receivers have been Nsimba Webster (42-607-6td) and Andrew Boston (23-269-2td), with eight different Eagles catching the 22 TD receptions.
 
Defensively, Eastern has forced 23 turnovers while having just eight giveaways on offense. The Eagles have had 15 interceptions, and for the first time since at least 1987 had at least three in three-straight games (Nov. 3-16). The Eagle defense also has 18 sacks, 38 passes broken up and 21 quarterback hurries in just those seven games. Sophomore linebacker Chris Ojoh has started the last six games and leads the way during the winning streak with 58 tackles, a touchdown-saving interception, six quarterback hurries, a sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass broken up. Ketner Kupp and Nzuzi Webster both returned interceptions for touchdowns, and Nsimba Webster returned a punt for a score. Kupp has had 55 tackles and a pair of passes broken up in those seven outings, and cornerback Josh Lewis has four interceptions with one he returned to the Maine 1-yard line to set-up EWU's first score in the 50-19 rout. Lewis also has four passes broken up and a pair of sacks, and cornerback D'londo Tucker has three interceptions. Defensive end Jim Townsend has three of the team's sacks and 24 tackles, and tackle Keith Moore has four sacks and 14 total stops.
 
A trio of injury replacements have also produced impressive statistics. Safety Calin Criner has 36 tackles, five passes broken up and an interception; safety Dehonta Hayes has 41 tackles, three passes broken up and an interceptions; and rover Kedrick Johnson has 30 tackles with a pair of sacks, a pass broken up and a quarterback hurry.
 
In a 59-20 win over UC Davis on Nov. 10, the Eagles finished with their most passes broken up (13) – the second-most in school history behind the school-record 14 EWU had in 1984 versus Montana State. Eastern also equaled the most turnovers forced since 2010 with five against UCD. One game earlier in a 48-13 win at Northern Colorado, the Eagles finished with the rare combination of three interceptions and six sacks. Only one other time in EWU's recorded history has that happened, and the six sacks were the most in a league game since 2014. Eastern's three interceptions equaled the most since 2009, and D'londo Tucker was the first player to have two in the same game since 2014.
 
Eastern started the winning streak with a 38-14 victory over Idaho following a bye week. The Eagles jumped out to a 31-0 halftime lead and held the Vandals scoreless for the first 38:27 of the game. Eastern finished with five sacks, six quarterback hurries and broke up five passes in holding Idaho to 204 yards passing and 159 on the ground.
 
 
Eastern Honored Huge Class of 27 Seniors Versus UC Davis on Nov. 10
 
If the number 27 isn't monstrous enough, 1,066 and 482 is.
 
Eastern honored a large group of 27 seniors on Nov. 10 when the Eagles played UC Davis. Those 27 seniors now represent 1,066 games worth of experience and 482 career starts. Broken down, the list includes 13 seniors on defense who have a collective total of 554 games played and 269 starts; the offense has 12 players with 420 games worth of experience and 213 starts. In addition, kicker/punter Roldan Alcobendas and long snapper Curtis Billen have 42 and 50 games worth of experience, respectively, on special teams. The group of seniors won 33 of 40 Big Sky Conference games and 48 games overall in the last five years, starting in 2014 when many of the seniors were redshirts.
 
No. – Name – Position – Height – Weight – Year – Experience Entering 2018 – Hometown (High School) – Games/Starts
#37 - Roldan Alcobendas – Kicker/Punter - 6-0 - 170 - Sr. - 3L* - Camas, Wash. (Camas HS '13) – 42
#46 - Conner Baumann – Defensive End - 6-2 - 250 - Sr. - 3L* - Bellevue, Wash. (Newport HS '14) – 35/2
#85 - Henderson Belk – Tight End - 6-4 - 245 - Sr. - 3L* - Mukilteo, Wash. (Kamiak HS '14) – 44/12
#39 - Curtis Billen – Long Snapper - 6-2 - 215 - Sr. - 3L* - Everett, Wash. (Mariner HS '14) – 50
#74 - Beau Byus – Offensive Tackle - 6-5 - 265 - Sr. - 2L* - Spokane, Wash. (Central Valley HS '14) – 36/10
#59 - Kurt Calhoun - Linebacker - 6-2 - 235 - Sr. - 3L* - Zillah, Wash. (Zillah HS '14) – 34/18
#80 - Zach Eagle – Wide Receiver - 5-8 - 175 - Sr. - 2L* - Camas, Wash. (Camas HS '14) – 25/13
#35 - Roy Ebong – Wide Receiver - 5-8 - 175 - Sr. - SQ* - New York, N.Y. (Kingston HS '13) – 1/0
#92 - Nick Foerstel – Defensive End - 6-3 - 240 - Sr. - 3L* - Tumwater, Wash. (Tumwater HS '14) – 37/12
#11 - Terence Grady – Wide Receiver - 6-5 - 205 - Sr. - 3L* - Kent, Wash. (Kentwood HS '14) – 45/18
#63 - Jack Hunter – Offensive Guard - 6-4 - 295 - Sr. - 2L* - Spokane, Wash. (Gonzaga Prep HS '14) – 39/26
#91 - Jonah Jordan – Defensive Tackle - 6-1 - 265 - Sr. - 3L* - Spokane, Wash. (Mead HS '14) – 42/10
#33 - Cole Karstetter - Rover - 5-11 - 205 - Sr. - 3L* - Spokane, Wash. (Ferris HS '14) – 35/25
#66 - Kaleb Levao – Offensive Guard - 6-4 - 310 - Sr. - 2L* - Aberdeen, Wash. (Aberdeen HS '14) – 38/17
#1 - Josh Lewis - Cornerback - 6-0 - 190 - Sr. - 3L* - Lakewood, Wash. (Steilacoom HS '14) – 50/35
#70 - Matt Meyer – Offensive Guard - 6-5 - 315 - Sr. - 2L/TR* - Lynden, Wash. (Lynden HS '13 & Wash. St. Univ.) – 35/18
#31 - Brandon Montgomery - Cornerback - 5-10 - 185 - Sr. - 2L* - Tacoma, Wash. (Wilson HS '14) – 38/0
#99 - Jay-Tee Tiuli – Defensive Nose Tackle - 6-4 - 320 - Sr. - 3L* - Seattle, Wash. (Federal Way HS '14) – 49/24
#18 - D'londo Tucker - Cornerback - 6-0 - 180 - Sr. - 3L* - Federal Way, Wash. (Federal Way HS '13) – 49/22
#5 - Nsimba Webster – Wide Receiver - 5-10 - 180 - Sr. - 3L* - Antioch, Calif. (Deer Valley HS '14) – 43/25
#6 - Nzuzi Webster - Cornerback - 5-10 - 180 - Sr. - 3L* - Antioch, Calif. (Deer Valley HS '14) – 52/26
#90 - Keenan Williams – Defensive End - 6-3 - 265 - Sr. - 3L - Cheney, Wash. (Cheney HS '15) – 42/26
Senior Co-Captains . . .
#75 - Spencer Blackburn - Center - 6-2 - 290 - Sr. - 2L* - Bellingham, Wash. (Meridian HS '14) – 38/36
#4 - Mitch Fettig - Safety - 6-1 - 200 - Sr. - 3L* - Olympia, Wash. (Olympia HS '14) – 44/43
#8 - Gage Gubrud - Quarterback - 6-2 - 205 - Sr. - 3L* - McMinnville, Ore. (McMinnville HS '14) – 32/28
40 - Ketner Kupp - Linebacker - 6-0 - 225 - Sr. - 3L - Yakima, Wash. (Davis HS '15) – 47/26
#20 - Sam McPherson – Running Back - 5-10 - 200 - Sr. - 3L - Bothell, Wash. (Bothell 'HS '15) – 44/10
 
 
Eagles Now 52-10 on The Red Turf, Including 13-4 in the Playoffs
 
After winning all five of its regular season home games in 2018 and a trio of playoff games to extend its current home winning streak to nine, Eastern is now 52-10 (83.9 percent) overall at Roos Field since 2010. Eastern has lost just six regular season games at "The Inferno" – 39-6 (86.7 percent), plus are 13-4 (76.5 percent) in playoff games. The only regular season losses at home for EWU since then 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.
 
The stadium has been known as "Roos Field" since 2010 when a new red synthetic Sprinturf surface made its debut. Eastern finished a perfect 8-0 in its debut season at "The Inferno," including three playoff victories. Eastern has won 83.9 percent of its games since the red turf was installed in 2010 – including a 4-0 record versus rival Montana.
 
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 165-65 record (71.7 percent) in 230 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.
 
 
NCAA Passes Legislation to Allow True Freshmen to Play Four Games and Still Redshirt
 
The days of four years of eligibility are a thing of the past – now it's 4 1/2. The NCAA Division I Council passed a proposal in June of 2018 that will allow players to participate in any four games in a season and still use a redshirt that year. The change, not retroactive, took effect in 2018.
 
Eagle head coach Aaron Best and his coaching staff have made decisions on a game-by-game basis on which, if any, of the team's 23 true freshmen will play. The team has allowed selected "Eagle-Shirts" to suit up and play, but the No. 1 focus will be on making sure those players are physically and mentally ready to play Division I football. In Eastern's first two games, Tre Weed was the only true freshman among the 65 players who saw action. On Sept. 15, tight end Aiden Nellor saw action on special teams. Nellor played again on Sept. 22, and was joined by defensive lineman Joshua Jerome and running back Isaiah Lewis. Jerome had nine tackles in his debut, and Davis carried once for five yards. Weed, Nellor, Jerome and Lewis all played versus Southern Utah on Oct. 6. No true freshmen played at Weber State on Oct. 13, but Anthony Stell played in four-straight games from Nov. 3 against Northern Colorado to Dec. 1 versus Nicholls. Weed and Nellor played in their fourth games versus UC Davis in the regular season, and Jerome played in his fourth against Idaho. Zion Fa'aopega made his Eagle debut on Nov. 16 versus Portland State and saw action in the first two playoff games, and Darrien Sampson and Justin Patterson made their debuts versus Nicholls in the FCS Playoffs. Sampson and Lewis both played versus UC Davis in the playoffs, and Sampson also played against Maine.
 
 
Eagles Have Impressive 53-9 Big Sky Record Since 0-2 Start in 2011
 
The Eagles have won 53 of their last 62 Big Sky games since a 0-2 start in 2011. 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 55-year history of the league was Montana, which won 50 of 55 games from 1995-2002 and 46 of 51 from 2003-2009.
 
Including four non-conference victories (two versus MSU, and one each against Cal Poly and Northern Arizona) and a playoff win (Montana), the Eagles have won 53 of their last 61 versus conference foes (2012-2018), and are 58-9 since the 0-2 start in 2011. Including three wins at the end of the 2009 season, Eastern has a 63-12 record in league games since then.
 
What's perhaps most impressive is Eastern's ability to consistently win on the road versus conference foes, with records of 23-5 on the road, 25-3 at home and 48-8 overall in the last seven seasons since 2012. Since then, Eastern has 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 also lost at Weber State in 2018.
 
 
Eagles Continue Stretch of Success in FCS Statistics in Passing and Total Offense
 
In EWU's last 14 seasons (2004-2017), EWU has ranked in the top 10 in passing 12 times, total offense on 10 occasions and scoring five times. Eastern is poised to add to that with current rankings of No. 2 in total offense and No. 3 in scoring in FCS in 2018. In school history, EWU has won two FCS titles for total offense (2001, 1997), as well as three passing offense titles (2016, 2015, 2011) and two for scoring offense (2014, 2001).
 
In the 2017 season, Eastern was eighth in FCS in passing (320.5 per game) and fifth in total offense (476.7), and was also 14th in scoring (34.5) and 11th in third down conversions (46.1 percent).
 
Quarterback Gage Gubrud was second in FCS in total offense per game (357.8), and was fourth in passing yards per game (334.2), third in FCS in points responsible for per game (19.4), fourth in completions per game (26.1) and 13th in total passing touchdowns (26). In 2016 he led FCS in both passing and total offense (368.6 and 411.0, respectively).
 
 
Four Eagles Make NFL Rosters, Two as Starters With Rams
 
Four former Eagles were in uniform when the NFL regular season began in September, including a pair of starters with the Los Angeles Rams.
 
Cooper Kupp is a starting receiver for the Rams after bursting onto the scene last year with 62 catches for 869 yards and five touchdowns to earn All-Rookie honors by the Pro Football Writers Association. He and his wife, Anna, and their newborn son, Cooper Jamison, actually attended the MSU game on Sept. 29, 2018, to watch his brother Ketner Kupp play. Cooper returned to a venue he caught nine passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore in 2014, and 13 for 154 and a score in his senior year in 2016. In all, Kupp caught 42 passes for 617 yards and seven touchdowns in four victories versus the Bobcats. It was the first time in the last two years with the Rams that Kupp was able to see the Eagles play. Just two days prior to attending the EWU-MSU game, he caught nine passes for a career-high 162 yards and had the first two-touchdown day of his career versus Minnesota. He had a 70-yard TD reception in the 38-31 victory, giving him 24 catches for 348 yards and four touchdowns in the first four games – all wins – for the Rams.
 
Ebukam is a starter at outside linebacker after finishing with 31 tackles, a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in 16 games (two as a starter). Kendrick Bourne, also a rookie last year, is a backup wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers and had his first regular season touchdown in the NFL on Sept. 16, 2018. He had 16 receptions for 257 yards as a rookie, all coming in the last eight games of the season. Veteran running back Taiwan Jones remains on the Buffalo Bills roster as he enters his eighth season in the NFL.
 
Aaron Neary had spent his rookie season with the Rams, even starting once at center in the regular season, but was cut at the end of training camp in 2018. He was then with the Cleveland Browns for less than a week until being released before the team's regular season opener, then was picked back up by the Rams for their practice squad.
 
Veteran Jake Rodgers, who last played for EWU in 2014, was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and rookie Albert Havili was released by the Bills after starting the preseason with the San Diego Chargers. He is now on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad.
 
With Kupp, Ebukam, Bourne and Neary, Eastern had four rookies play in the regular season in the NFL in 2017 – certainly extremely rare if not unprecedented by a FCS school. As NFL 53-man rosters were announced for 2018, STATS reported there were 157 players from 71 different FCS schools on regular season rosters, but Eastern is the only Big Sky school with more than two. Eastern has the sixth-most in FCS, trailing only Harvard (8), North Dakota State (6), James Madison (6), Illinois State (6) and Delaware (6).
 
Eastern also has five Eagles active in the Canadian Football League, including quarterbacks Bo Levi Mitchell (Calgary), Matt Nichols (Winnipeg) and Vernon Adams Jr. (Montreal). Linebacker J.C. Sherritt (Edmonton) and T.J. Lee III (British Columbia). Released in 2018 were Victor Gamboa (Ottawa), Shaq Hill (Edmonton), Cassidy Curtis (British Columbia) and Tevin McDonald (British Columbia).
 
Mitchell led the Calgary to the 2018 Grey Cup title after leading the Stampeders to the title back in 2014. He was the CFL's Most Outstanding Player in 2018 after throwing a league-best 35 touchdowns passes. He was 24-of-36 passing for 253 yards and two TDs in a 27-16 victory over Ottawa in the Grey Cup on Nov. 25 in Edmonton, Alberta.
 
 
 
 

Series History & Notes

 
* Eastern is 1-2 all-time versus North Dakota State, falling 40-13 at home in 2017 in the second game of the head coaching career of Aaron Best. Eastern also lost 50-44 in overtime in Fargo in 2016 and won by a 38-31 score on Dec. 11, 2010, in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash.
 
 
Looking Back to 2017 . . . #2 North Dakota State 40, #7/6 Eastern Washington 13
 
After a close first half, Eastern suffered its second-straight defeat on the young season as second-ranked North Dakota State used a 31-3 scoring run and 375 rushing yards to roll past the No. 7/6 Eagles 40-13 at sold-out Roos Field in Cheney, Wash, on Sept. 9, 2017, in the 50th game on the famed red turf of Roos Field.
 
Eastern led in the second quarter 10-9, but the Bison scored the final 10 points of the half to lead 19-10 at intermission. An Eastern field goal early in the second half cut the advantage to 19-13, but NDSU scored on three-straight touchdown drives of 75, 72 and 40 yards to break the game open and take a 40-13 lead early in the fourth quarter.
 
Eastern was out-gained in total offense 532-204, including a 436-73 advantage after the first quarter when EWU led 131-96. North Dakota State had a 175-15 advantage in the second quarter and 261-58 in the second half. The Bison rushed for 375 and had 157 passing, while EWU finished with 134 through the air and had 70 on the ground. Eastern's defense, after allowing NDSU to convert just one of its first seven third downs, allowed the Bison to convert six of their last seven. The Bison finished 7-of-14 on third down, while EWU was 4-of-13.
 
Eastern scored on an eight-play, 75-yard drive in the first quarter, highlighted by a 50-yard passing connection from Gage Gubrud to Terence Grady. Gubrud also scored on a 2-yard rush. Roldan Alcobendas added field goals of 38 and 22 yards. Gubrud completed 10-of-30 passes for 134 yards and was intercepted twice. Senior wide receiver Nic Sblendorio caught four passes for 30 yards, and Grady had two for 66 yards. Running back Antoine Custer Jr. rushed 11 times for 48 yards.
 
Defensively, linebacker Jack Sendelbach, making his second start as an injury replacement for Ketner Kupp, had a career-high 13 tackles for the Eagles. He also had two fumble recoveries and contributed on a sack. Safety Mitch Fettig had 11 tackles, and broke up a pass, and linebacker Kurt Calhoun had nine tackles and a forced fumble.
 
In what was the and was a repeat match-up between top 10 ranked teams, a crowd of 10,231 were on hand for EWU's home opener. It was the 15th-most in school history as EWU now has had 21-straight regular season sellouts (crowd of 8,600 or more) and 33 overall.
 
 
Looking Back to 2016 . . . No. 1 North Dakota State 50, No. 8 Eastern Washington 44 (OT)
 
Top-ranked and five-time defending national champion North Dakota State rallied in the final minutes and beat No. 8 Eastern Washington University 50-44 on Sept. 10, 2016, in overtime in a thrilling showdown at the Fargodome in Fargo, N.D.
 
After trailing most of the game, Eastern had back-to-back scores to take a 44-41 lead with 4:32 to play after a 53-yard drive. Eastern's defense held NDSU to single scores in the third and fourth quarters to that point, but the Bison put together a 15-play, 71-yard drive to knot the score at 44 with a 28-yard field with 42 seconds remaining. Following a 35-yard pass play on EWU's next possession, Jordan Dascalo missed a 49-yarder that could have won it. After an EWU interception in overtime, a 25-yard run by Lance Dunn on the first play of the ensuing possession by the Bison ended the game.
 
Eastern had 556 yards of offense, and had scoring drives of 82, 75, 85, 75, 62 and 53 yards. Eastern had 450 passing yards, while the Bison finished with 280 on the ground and 257 through the air for a total of 537. Gage Gubrud passed for 450 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for 49 and a touchdown in a losing effort. He led the Eagles on four second-half scoring drives after Eastern lost senior wide receiver Cooper Kupp for the game with a shoulder injury.
 
In Kupp's place, Stu Stiles caught eight passes for 169 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne finished with eight receptions for 133 yards, while Kupp had a pair of touchdown catches in the first half and finished with five catches for 62 yards.
 
Senior safety Zach Bruce had a career-high 14 tackle. Linebackers Ketner Kupp and Kurt Calhoun were forced to start their first games of their careers because of a pair of injuries to EWU's starters. Kupp, brother of former Eastern senior receiver Cooper Kupp, finished with eight tackles. Calhoun, whose brother Tim was a tight end for the Eagles (2002-06), had 13.
 
 
Looking Back to 2010 . . . Eastern Washington 38, North Dakota State 31 (OT)
 
With their backs against the wall in a snowstorm, Eastern found a way to rally in the final minutes and upend North Dakota State 38-31 in overtime Dec. 11, 2010, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash., in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs.
 
Junior running All-America Taiwan Jones led the Eagles with a career-high 230 rushing yards, but 138 of those came on his first four carries of the game as EWU jumped out to a 14-0 lead. He had 203 yards in the first half alone, then suffered a season-ending foot injury early in the second half.
 
After North Dakota State took a 31-24 lead with 5:51 left, Eastern put together a 13-play, 90-yard drive to knot the game with 23 seconds to play on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Bo Levi Mitchell to Nicholas Edwards. Mitchell, who was 13-of-32 for 141 yards, two interceptions and three touchdowns in the game, had entered that drive with just 38 yards passing.
 
Tyler Hart gathered in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell on the first play of overtime, then linebacker J.C. Sherritt forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Zach Johnson to end the game with NDSU at the Eastern 1-yard line. Sherritt, an All-America senior linebacker who would go on to win the Buchanan Award, finished with a team-high 15 tackles to give him 406 in his career and break the school record.
 
With a steady snowfall in the second half and Jones out for the game, the Eagles had just 35 yards in the third quarter compared to just nine for the Bison. Eastern had 85 yards in the fourth and NDSU had 117 as EWU finished with 382 yards of offense to 316 for North Dakota State.
 
North Dakota started the second half with a kickoff return for a touchdown, the first one against the Eagles in 600 returns dating back more than 10 years to Sept. 25, 1999. But Eastern's Jesse Hoffman countered with one of his own on the ensuing kickoff, giving EWU a 24-17 advantage.
 
All-Big Sky Conference defensive tackle Renard Williams had two sacks and four total tackles for the Eagles, and Johnson finished with 12 tackles, a pair of passes broken up and a half-sack. His twin brother Matt Johnson chipped in 10 tackles, as did Tyler Washburn.
 
 
 
 

Recent Game Recap

Eagles Advance to National Championship Game With 50-19 Win!
 
For the first time in four tries in the semifinals since winning the 2010 NCAA Division I championship, the Eagles jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and were victorious in the semifinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs by routing Maine 50-19 on Dec. 15 at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. Sophomore quarterback Eric Barriere led the way for the Eagles with a career-high 405 yards of total offense, including 352 passing with seven touchdown passes to tie a school record and break the FCS Playoffs record. Wide receiver Nsimba Webster tied a school record and the playoffs record with four touchdown receptions, and finished with nine catches for 188 yards. Eastern also rushed for 216 yards against the top rushing defense in FCS, as EWU out-gained the Bears 568-479 in total offense. Senior Sam McPherson had 64 rushing yards, but three other players had at least 41. The Eagles didn't give up a sack versus a team ranked second in FCS with 47 total on the year. Junior safety Dehonta Hayes led Eastern defensively with a career-high 13 tackles, with EWU as a team forcing four turnovers, getting three sacks and finishing with eight passes broken up. Eastern now has 70 passes broken up this season to break the previous record of 67 set in 2010. Senior cornerback Josh Lewis intercepted a pass that set-up EWU's first score, then a strip-sack and fumble recovery by sophomore Keith Moore led to a second TD later in the quarter. Senior linebacker Ketner Kupp and sophomore linebacker Chris Ojoh each had eight tackles. Eastern led 28-0 at halftime and then scored 22 points in the second half to win its seventh-straight game. A week after forcing four turnovers in a quarterfinal win over UC Davis but not scoring any points off of them, EWU scored 14 quick points off turnovers in the first quarter. Josh Lewis had the first of his two interceptions early in the game at the Maine 22-yard line, and returned it to the 1 to set-up a TD pass from sophomore Eric Barriere to redshirt freshman Andrew Boston. Later in the quarter, after a strip-sack and recovery by sophomore Keith Moore, Barriere capped a 56-yard drive with a 3-yard TD pass to Jayce Gilder. Later in the quarter, Eastern went on a seven-play, 75-yard drive to take a 21-0 lead. That was capped by an 11-yard TD pass by Barriere to Nsimba Webster – the first of a school-record four Webster would have on the day. Eastern didn't allow a sack and rushed for 216 yards – 6.0 per rush – which played a big part in EWU scoring 50 points for the sixth time this season. Maine brought a defense to Cheney which led FCS in rushing defense and ranked ninth overall.
 
 
 

More Aaron Best Comments

 
On Depth of Defense Despite Missing Starters: "As long as we have players we have a chance. It starts with coaching, and then it relies on the belief of the players. After the belief it's the execution. We rotate and have rotated for years with a lot of players seeing action in a game on the defensive front. If you earn time you're going to get time. That is kind of our philosophy on defense. It's not as if we play 11 guys and if someone gets hurt then we play the 12th guy. We're playing 16 to 18 guys in a normal game anyways. It just so happens that some of those guys that were getting second string reps early in the season are now first string players. Some of the players that started third string are getting second team reps because they have earned it during the week of play. We can't say enough about those guys -- we only have who we have, and can only play with who we have. They are Eastern kind of guys -- that is why we recruited them and our DNA is going to stay that way for a long time."
 
On North Dakota State Program: "Coach Klieman is a great man. I met him last year when they came to Cheney in our second game. I have a high respect of him in what he does, what he presents, and the way he coaches. They are a well-coached outfit, they have a ton of wins under their belt, and they are the reigning champions. So, when you add all those things up, it's a great challenge in front of us."
 
On Maine Win: "It was a total team effort. I can't say enough to score 50 and allow only 19 in a semifinal against a very good Maine Black Bears team. That says something. Our team played very, very energized today and were very passionate. People wanted to know why we couldn't win in a semifinal on our home field since 2010, and here we are – we did it. This has taken a lot of time, effort, focus and energy to get to this point. But the journey doesn't end here. For three weeks we've been fortunate enough to knock off a league champion, and here we are playing against another."
 
On Challenge of Playoffs: "Our players are ready and our coaches are ready, and we don't flinch. That's a quality not a lot of people have. There is a lot of belief in the locker room and we carry that to the football field. We talk all the time about how the team is won from Sunday through Friday, and you have to put that on display on Saturday. We have to have our best preparation during the week – you aren't just going to wing it on Saturday. Our coaches have put players in positions to master what we are asking them to do on Saturday, and our guys are professional in their preparation. We lean on our 27 seniors, and some have had their careers cut short. But they are as important as any to get our younger players to get their eyes and minds in the right spot. Collectively we've done a great job to continue to be consistent in our approach in all three phases, and guys have been making plays. If we can continue to do that we always give ourselves a shot on Saturday."
 
On Playing a New Opponent: "We like preparing for opponents we haven't played against. Both teams are going lean on what has gotten us to this point, and each team will throw a few things at each other. When the bell rings it will be a matter of executing what we put in place during the week. It maybe leads to an exciting atmosphere because it's not a common opponent. It's fun to play a team from another conference, and, again, a conference champion for the third-straight week."
 
On Journey to Success Since Becoming Head Coach: "This 22-month journey has aged me about 20 years. The people in our program are amazing, as well as our administration. I'm an Eastern alum and my wife is an Eastern alum – I couldn't write this script. I want us to continue to create an unwritten script, because those are best scripts. This is truly authentic."
 
On Backups Getting Thrust Into Starting Roles: "It's who we are and how we do things. Eric is a backup and one of seven backups who have had to step into starting roles in the playoffs. It's incredible – we like to make it hard, but iron sharpens iron. I'm proud of this bunch and can't say enough about them."
 
On Injuries: "You go and play games with the players you have -- we just find a way. We've been healthy at some positions and that's helped us in certain areas. We don't worry about who we don't have, but it's unfortunate that a lot of the lost players are seniors. They've played their last football for us and their final season is shortened. I think there is a respect factor by the players filling in for seniors and getting the opportunity to play. They've done a marvelous job – closing the gap between starters and the next man up is our job as coaches to develop players and depth over time. This is selfless team which does selfless acts."
 
On Nicholls Victory: "It's incredible. We have a lot of grit and resilience – that's who we are at Eastern. You can hang around about 40 seconds and you'll understand. I'm proud of this team and it's awesome to come back from a 14-3 deficit and end up winning 42-21. When two champions get together, there are going to be punches thrown back and forth. They threw more way early on, but we absorbed the punches and got our own punch in when Dylan Ledbetter blocked that ball. The block was awesome, but the return by Kedrick was even more awesome. We could have had momentum at 14-3, but at 14-10 we had a ton of momentum."
 
On All-Big Sky Running Backs: "Seeing Sam as a second team running back was phenomenal after watching him become our first 1,000-yard rusher since Quincy Forte. It was great to see his teammate in the backfield, Antoine Custer Jr., get honorable mention too after being banged up early in the year."
 
On Emotions This Season Compared to Last Year: "The feelings were different. We knew we would be hearing our name this year, but we didn't know where we would be in the bracket. Last year we were hoping to see our name anywhere and we didn't, so it was a little more emotional last year than this year. It's great to see the Big Sky get three seeds in the top eight – really the top six. The Big Sky is well-represented with Montana State also getting a ticket. This conversation is more fun than the one we had 365 days ago."
 
On Seniors Embracing Leave No Doubt Mantra: "A lot of it has to do with our 27 seniors. A quarter of our team – 27 out of 105 – are seniors. They got stung as juniors, and it's a lot easier when you echo something when it's heard and driven home by a quarter of the team. It truly helps when you have that type of veteran leadership on both sides of the ball. We learned from going 7-4 – we said we needed to get to eight to give us a better chance and leave no doubt. We got to nine so we exceeded those expectations.
 
On Innovation & Depth on Offense: "We're not boring – we're among the national leaders in total offense for a reason. We're innovative and coach Bodie Reeder does a great job. Earlier this season everybody wanted to know what we were going to do without Gage Gubrud. I'm passionate when I say that it's the people in place – we have competitive depth here and when you miss a piece you don't have to reach very far. Eric Barriere has filled in amicably and he's only going to get better as his career goes on. It's fun to have trick plays and we practice and make them good during the week."
 
On Defense: "Our defense has been good from game one. We aren't with all of our starters and we continue to make strides. When you create turnovers, are decent on third down and when you stop a team and make them one-dimensional, it bodes well for us."
 
On Senior Day: "Having 27 seniors is a high number, but they have all those games under their belts too. We have a couple of sixth-year guys with a few more games than the average fifth-year senior would have. But it's an incredible group. To be able to rely on a quarter of your team to perform on and off the field is like having 27 other assistant coaches out there. We are very privileged and very thankful for everything they've done not only on the rectangle, but in the classroom, weight room and in the community. They mean a ton and Senior Day is a special day they will never forget the rest of their lives."
 
On Barriere: "He's not a veteran yet, but he's growing up in front of our eyes. I commend him 100 percent. He's a great man, his preparation was awesome and he's a great team player. Experience will allow you to grow. He's human, and he's going to make mistakes and he's going to take chances. He just needs to minimize those mistakes while still being aggressive."