CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — There was no quit in the Eagles on Saturday evening, but the team just missed the opportunity to complete a comeback. Eastern Washington football fell to Northern Iowa, 17-14, to finish its three-game road trip. EWU's record drops to 0-3, while the Panthers improved to 2-1.
"Coming into this game, we knew Northern Iowa wasn't going to beat itself; we would have to beat them," head coach Aaron Best said. "We didn't have much in the first half. Redzone defense and special teams were our lean-ons that gave us a chance out of half. We lost the first half, but won the second half. There was a tone of fight and it put us in a position to kick a game-tying field goal. It's about the kids that put so much effort and hours into their full games. We've come up short, but it hasn't taken the wind out of their sails. That's a testament to their character."
Eastern trailed 10-0 at halftime, but the defense remained disciplined to keep the team in the game. UNI added a touchdown in the third quarter to extend the advantage to three possessions.
Nate Bell then jumpstarted the offense with a long touchdown drive, as the redshirt-sophomore carried the ball into the endzone from 15 yards out. He followed up the touchdown drive with another master-class rushing effort, scrambling a 40 yards for his second touchdown of the day.
Despite cutting the lead down to three, Eastern was unable to tie or take the lead and the Panthers held on for the win.
UNI recorded 495 yards of total as Eastern had 276. EWU rushed for 117 yards on 25 attempts.
Bell rushed for 89 yards on 14 carries - 6.4 per carry - and two touchdowns. He completed 21-for-35(60%) for 159 yards.
Scoring Summary
Northern Iowa had a quick score to open the game, completing a 79-yard pass to jump ahead 7-0.
Late in the second quarter, the Panthers were driving, going 88 yards in 10 plays and into redzone. UNI converted a 28-yard field goal as the clock expired and EWU trailed 10-0 at the half.
In the third quarter, the Panthers found another big play, with Ayden Pierce catching a 63-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Scheecklman with 7:18 on the clock.
Eastern had the ball to start the fourth quarter and Nate Bell found Marceese Yetts to convert a third-and-long play. A horse collar tackle by the Panthers tacked on 15 yards to the play and the Eagles moved the ball into the UNI redzone. Bell carried the ball up the middle then flew left, scampering for 15 yards and the touchdown. EWU was on the board and cut the lead down to 17-7 with 9:04 left in the game.
Following a blocked punt by Bryce Smith, the Eastern offense had good field position at their own 45 yard line. Bell connected with Noah Cronquist for 14 yards and into UNI territory. Two plays later, Bell dropped back, but saw an opening and rushed up the middle, before bouncing outside to the left. Bell then bolted down the field - 40 yards - for the touchdown. EWU reduced the deficit to a possession at 14-17 and 8:30 on the clock.
Eag Notes
- Jaylon Jenkins made his first career interception in the second quarter, picking off Matthew Schecklman in the endzone.
- Nate Bell posted career-bests in rush attempts, rush yards, rush touchdowns, passing completions, passing attempts and passing yards.
- Eastern won the turnover battle 2-0, grabbing an interception and one fumble.
- Bryce Smith set a new career-best in tackles with 10 - 6 solo -, including his first career 0.5 sack. He added his first career punt block to his career day.
- Read Sunn improved his career-best in tackles for the third consecutive game, finishing with 7, including 6 solo. Myles Mayovsky matched his career-best with 8 tackles, making 7 solo.
- Samarai Anderson recovered his first career fumble, while Ambrose Marsh forced his first career fumble.
- Eastern has now blocked a kick in three consecutive games.
- Isaac Redford made his first career tackles, finishing with 4.
2025 EWU football tickets are now on sale! Join Spokane County's team for all five home games at Roos Field in Cheney starting as low as $99. Group tickets, fundraising options and single game tickets are also available. For more info, visit goeags.com/fbtickets or contact the EWU Ticket Office at 509-359-6059 or tickets@ewu.edu.
Join the Eagle Athletic Fund for as low as $50 per year! Support Eagle student-athletes on and off the field while enjoying exclusive EAF perks such as season ticket and tailgating priority, invitations to special events, exclusive access, and more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for more information.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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