FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — It was a battle until the end in the 2026 season opener for Eastern Washington football and the team fell just short of a road upset. Eastern fell to No. 24/25 Northern Arizona, 34-27 on Saturday afternoon, dropping the first conference matchup of the season.
EWU scored first and built a sizable lead in the first half. After leading 7-3, the Eagles scored 17 unanswered points to go up three possessions in the second quarter.
The Eagles had a 429 to 365 advantage in total yards, along with a 26 to 22 first down advantage.
Momentum then swung back to the Lumberjacks following a 100-yard kickoff return. They followed with 17 points to take the lead into the fourth quarter, part of 24 straight points from the NAU.
Eastern managed to tie the game late in the fourth, but the 'Jacks managed to score a game-winning touchdown with under five minutes to play.
EWU had a chance to tie the game again, driving into the NAU redzone. The team was not able to convert on fourth down and the 'Jacks held on for the home win.
Nate Bell got the call at quarterback and had a career game to open the season. Bell completed 30-of-47(63.8%) passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. The redshirt-junior added one score on the ground and 21 yards on six carries.
Jaxon Branch had seven catches for 88 yards and one touchdown, while Drew Carlson had nine catches for 75 yards.
Scoring Summary
Eastern moved the ball down the field on the opening drive, as Bell went 6-for-6 on passes for 72 yards. After key catches from Jaxon Branch (17 yards) and Jamai East (20 yards), EWU was in the redzone. Bell rolled to the left and fired a pass at Ryan Johnson, who bobbled the ball, but it was then caught by Wesley Garrett for a three-yard score. Eastern was up 7-0 with 10:22 on the clock
NAU converted a 24-yard field goal after an Eagle muffed punt set the 'Jacks up in Eastern territory. EWU led 7-3 with 5:47 remaining on the clock.
The Eagles responded with another long drive, with 12 plays that set up Soren McKee for a 53-yard field goal. McKee converted the kick in the 39-yard drive. EWU was now up 10-3 with 1:28 left in the first.
Bell continued to move the offense in the second quarter, driving 86 yards on the team's next drive. Bell then called his own number and rushed 12 yards for the touchdown. Eastern's lead grew to 17-3 at the 6:13 mark of the quarter.
Following a Jaylon Jenkins interception, the Eagles started at the NAU 27-yard line. Bell would again roll out of the pocket and find Jaxon Branch in the back of the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown strike. With 2:57 remaining in the half, EWU opened a 24-3 lead.
The 'Jacks struck back with 14 straight points, starting with a 100-yard touchdown return. After an Eagle interception, NAU scored again on a 6-play, 33-yard drive, punctuated by a 2-yard touchdown run.
Opening up the second half, the 'Jacks burned the clock with a nearly eight-minute drive going 67 yards in 14 plays, resulting in a 25-yard field goal. Eastern remained in front, 24-20 at the 7:08 point of the third quarter.
NAU then drove 83 yards on 9 plays on their next possession and took the lead on a 30-yard touchdown pass from Ty Pennington. They were up 27-24 with 12:46 remaining in the game.
Eastern stopped the bleeding on its next possession, as Soren McKee connected from 37 yards. The drive went 55 yards in 8 plays. The score was tied at 27 with 10:03 on the clock.
The Jacks then took the lead after scoring a 2-yard touchdown pass on fourth down, part of an 11-play, 75-yard drive. They led 34-27 with 3:54 left in the fourth.
Eag Notes
- Wesley Garrett scored his 3rd career touchdown. Garrett finished with 7 catches for 56 yards
- Soren McKee set a new career-best with his 53-yard field goal. His previous long was 51 yards against Sacramento State last season. It was also McKee's 10th career game with 2+ made field goals.
- Nate Bell scored his 8th career rushing touchdown against the Lumberjacks and now has 9 career passing TDs.
- Myles Mayovsky cleared his career-best in tackles with ease, registering 18 total, with his previous best of 11.
- Jaylon Jenkins intercepted his 6th career pass and finished with 2 tackles.
- Jaxon Branch caught his 3rd career touchdown pass, while posting career-bests in receiving yards (88) and receptions (7). Drew Carlson also had career bests in yards (75) and receptions (9).
- Bryce Smith recorded a new career-best in tackles, finishing with 14, with 10 being his previous high. McKel Broussard finished with 12 tackels, surpassing his previous best by 4. Samarai Anderson notched 9 tackles, 1 more than his career best.
- JoJo Maxey-Johnson recorded his first career sack.
- Malik Dotson and Kevin Allen III each rushed for 48 yards, with Dotson carrying the ball 13 times and Allen carrying 8 times.
- Northern Arizona won the turnover battle, 2 to 1, with one interception and one muffed punt recovery.
2026 EWU football season tickets are now on sale! Join Spokane County's team for six home games at Roos Field in Cheney starting as low as $99. 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.
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