CHENEY, Wash. — It's November now, and that means it's time for the battle for the Che-Scow Cup. Eastern Washington football drives south to face Idaho on Saturday, Nov. 7, kicking off at 2 p.m. Pacific Time.
The game is broadcast live on SWX and streamed live on ESPN+. Listen live to every play on 700 ESPN and The Varsity App with the voices of the Eagles, Larry Weir and Paul Sorensen.
Last Time Out
Eastern Washington hosted 14th-ranked Montana on Halloween, but lost to the Grizzlies in a competitive battle. The Griz struck on the first play of the game with a 75-yard touchdown reception from Brooks Davis. The Eagles answered the score with a 50-yard field goal from Soren McKee. UM continued the scoring in the second quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run from Eli Gillman. Eastern responded with 10 straight points, getting a 24-yard TD pass from Nate Bell to Drew Carlson and a 24-yard field goal from McKee. The Griz scored as time expired in the half on a 51-yard hail mary pass to lead 21-13. Wesley Garrett caught a 29-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to start the third quarter. Gillman scored his second TD off a one-yard reception to answer the Eagles' score. To close out the third, Bell rushed for a 4-yard score and brought the score down to 28-27. Gillman scored his third touchdown to start the fourth quarter, but the Eagles answered with a 28-yard TD reception from Jaxon Branch. Davis closed the game out for Eastern with a 61-yard touchdown catch.
Bell threw three passing touchdowns and rushed for one, his second game this season with four total touchdowns. The Brentwood, Calif. Native passed for 269 yards on 19-of-33(57.6%), while throwing three interceptions. The teams combined for five interceptions in the game.
Che-Scow Cup Up for Grabs
Eastern Washington renews its rivalry against Idaho this weekend with a trip down to Moscow. In the series history, the Vandals lead 20-10, going 12-4 at home. The Eagles won the most recent matchup last season, 21-14 at Roos Field. EWU built a 13-7 halftime lead over the Vandals, behind a 9-yard touchdown pass from Nate Bell to Miles Williams, along with two Soren McKee field goals. Williams caught his second touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the team up 21-7. A late Idaho score cut the lead to seven points, but Eastern held off any rallies to secure the home win. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak to the Vandals. The teams last played in Moscow in 2024, with Idaho winning 38-28. The score was close in the first half, but the Vandals separated in the second half to protect their home field. Michael Wortham had a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown, and McKel Broussard made his first career interception.
Idaho is 4-2 in the Big Sky this season and 4-5 overall. They have won three straight games, including knocking off No. 7 Montana in Missoula. The Vandals also handed defending champions Montana State its first loss of the season, 35-34 in Moscow. Idaho quarterback Joshua Wood has 2492 passing yards, with 17 touchdown passes, adding 438 yards on the ground and 9 TDs.
Mayo Classic
Myles Mayovsky is the lynch pin of the Eagle defense, leading the team and ranking 2nd in the Big Sky with 82 tackles, making 34 solo. He has 2.5 for a loss and 3 pass breakups. The redshirt-senior had 13 tackles, including 7 solo against Montana. Mayovsky has 5 games this season with 10+ tackles. Mayovsky is tied for the team lead with 5 pass breakups and adds 2 quarterback hurries. He posted a career-best 18 tackles in the season opener against Northern Arizona. With 13 tackles against the Griz, Mayovsky has 209 career tackles as an Eagle in 44 games played.
Lacking in Penalties
Eastern averages 40.1 penalties yard per game and has 45 total penalties this season. The team ranks 2nd in the Big Sky in penalty yards and is 6th in total penalties. EWU ranks 13th in the FCS in penalty yards, 12th in penalty yards per game, and 8th in penalty yards per game. This past game, EWU had 3 penalties for 22 yards. The Griz had 6 penalties for 39 yards.
Branch-In
Jaxon Branch returned to the Eastern's lineup against Montana and had a career game. Branch caught 7 passes for 131 yards and 1 touchdown. The redshirt-sophomore caught a 28-yard score in the 4th quarter against the Griz. It was Branch's 5th career touchdown catch. The 131 receiving yards were a career best, and his total included a career-long 43-yard catch. Branch has 16 receptions for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns this season. He ranks 5th on the team in yards and tied for 2nd in touchdowns.
1st Career Pick
Ben Voigtlaender waited for his senior season to make his first career interception. Voigtlaender made the interception in the 3rd quarter against Montana. This season, Voigtlaender has 26 tackles, 9th on the team, and has 3.0 for a loss, ranking 4th on the team. Voigtlaender has appeared in 46 games, making 10 starts. He has made 79 total tackles with 8.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks. Earlier this season, Voigtlaender was nominated for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
Last Ride for IP
Isaiah Perez is down to his final games as an Eagle after spending four years in Cheney. Perez has played in 44 games and made 29 starts, with all 9 games this season included. Perez has 110 career tackles, with 19 for loss and 7.5 sacks. He has 5 blocked kicks, currently ranking 2nd all-time in program history. He broke the EWU single-season blocked kick record last season with 4, blocking 3 field goals and 1 extra point. Perez is in his 2nd season as captain and is wearing the No. 4 jersey for the Eagles as the defensive captain of the team. This season, Perez is 10th with 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks, while leading the team with 7.0 tackles for loss - tying for 8th in the Big Sky. He adds 3 pass breakups.
Experience Across the O-Line
The 2026 offensive line is one of the most experienced units on the roster. Mark Johnson and Gavin Allen return after both starting all 12 games last season, with Johnson at center and Allen at guard. Allen is two seasons removed from switching positions from tight end. Eastern's group of Johnson, Allen, and Gabriel Rzany has started every game this season, with Johnson taking over center responsibilities against Montana. Michael Gradle started the first 5 games of the season at right guard, with Kyle Stahlecker taking over the spot against Northern Colorado. Cole McGovern has now started at right guard against MSU and UM. Gradle returned to the lineup against the Griz as well at left guard.
2026 EWU football tickets are on sale! Join Spokane County's team for its two remaining home games on Oct. 31 vs. Montana and Nov. 21 vs. Portland State. 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 tickets 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.
FOLLOW THE EAGLES
SOCIAL: Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram
