A History of Eastern Washington Eagles Football
The Eastern Washington Eagles football team represents Eastern Washington University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. The program has a long and storied history, marked by changes in identity, conference affiliations, and notable achievements.
Early Years and Transition
Eastern Washington University began fielding a football team in 1901, when the school was known at the time as the 'State Normal School' and the team mascot was the 'Savages'. For many years, Eastern competed in the NAIA, showcasing its talent and building a foundation for future success. The school underwent numerous changes to its identity during this time period. The school name changed in 1937 to the 'Eastern Washington College of Education', then again in 1962 to 'Eastern Washington State College'.
In 1973, the student body voted to make Eastern's mascot the 'Eagles'. Shortly before that, the Eastern Board of Trustees declared 'Savages', its mascot through its first 92 years, no longer acceptable. This change reflected a broader societal shift and a commitment to inclusivity.
NAIA Success
Eastern competed in the NAIA until 1977, along the way advancing to the NAIA Football National Championship finals in 1967, losing to Fairmont State 28-21. Eastern Washington made one appearance in the NAIA playoffs in 1967. This appearance demonstrated the program's ability to compete at a national level and provided valuable experience for future endeavors.
Move to I-AA/FCS
In 1984, Eastern Washington made the move up to the I-AA division, now known as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). This transition marked a significant step forward for the program, as it joined a more competitive landscape and gained greater national exposure.
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Eastern Washington has fifteen appearances in the I-AA/FCS playoffs since moving up to the division in 1984, with an overall record of 20-14 (.588). Their first appearance occurred the next year, when they advanced to the quarterfinals as an independent. This consistent presence in the playoffs demonstrates the program's sustained success at the FCS level.
The 2010 Season: A Turning Point
The 2010 season marked a number of firsts for Eastern Washington's football program. It was a season of innovation, excitement, and ultimately, triumph.
The offseason saw a highly publicized move to install a red turf playing surface, the first of its kind in the country. This bold decision generated significant buzz and helped to put Eastern Washington on the map.
The 2010 season concluded with Eastern Washington's first appearance in the FCS Championship Game. This accomplishment was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, and staff.
Roos Field and The Inferno
The EWU football team plays at Roos Field, opened in 1967 and recently expanded and renovated in 2004 and 2010 to seat 11,702. The stadium was originally named Woodward Field in honor of former Eagles head football and basketball coach Arthur C. Woodward. On February 26, 2010, ESPN reported that Eastern Washington planned to remove the natural grass surface at Woodward Field and replace it with red SprinTurf, the first of its kind, at any level of American football.
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Eastern Washington's red playing surface is known as The Inferno. Voting began on August 4, 2010 and allowed fans to choose from seven proposed names: red sea, red zone, inferno, big red, red carpet, ring of fire and lava pit. The Inferno has become a recognizable symbol of Eastern Washington football, creating a unique and intimidating atmosphere for opponents.
Rivalries
The EWU-UM Governors Cup is the game against conference rival Montana, usually played in mid-season in October, alternating between Roos Field in Cheney and Washington-Grizzly Stadium in Missoula. The Eagles currently trail in the overall series with 18 wins, 30 losses, and a tie; it became the Governors Cup in 1998 for the 25th meeting and Montana also leads that series at 13-8 (.619), through 2017. This rivalry is a highly anticipated event each year, with passionate fans on both sides.
The Eagles also have a new rivalry with the Portland State Vikings in all sports, starting in 2010 called The Dam Cup. Eastern football won the first rivalry match between the two schools in 2010 with a score of 55-17. The purpose of the Dam Cup is to create a rivalry between Portland State University and Eastern Washington University and provide a sense of pride between alumni in the Portland and Spokane areas. These rivalries add excitement and intensity to the Eastern Washington football experience.
Recent Successes of Eastern University Football Team
Eastern University is proud to announce that the school's Football Team has claimed the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship in just its third official season of play and advanced to Round 3 in the NCAA Tournament. To win the MAC Championship, the Eagles defeated Stevenson University with a 16-10 victory on November 15, marking a historic milestone for the young program. After earning a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament, they defeated Franklin & Marshall 28-24 in Round 2, before falling to Susquehanna in Round 3 on December 6.
“This team has shown extraordinary grit all season,” says Billy Crocker, Head Coach. “To accomplish something this significant in just our third year speaks volumes about our student-athletes’ commitment, passion, and belief in one another.”
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“Our football program continues to embody the spirit of perseverance and excellence that defines our community," says Brian Bingaman, Interim Athletic Director. The Eagles entered the MAC Championship matchup having already clinched at least a share of the conference title with the previous week’s win over FDU-Florham. With two conference contenders close behind, Eastern needed a victory against Stevenson University to secure the championship outright. With a stingy defense allowing just one touchdown and a disciplined, ball-control offense the Eagles delivered to stand alone atop the MAC standings.
Quarterback Brett Nabb ran for 104 yards, threw for 137, and delivered two touchdowns to lead the Eastern offense. After trailing 7-3 at halftime, Eastern surged ahead in the third quarter, as Nabb connected with Izayah Guy-Bruton for a 14-yard touchdown. The Eagles’ defense was dynamic throughout. Jason Bateman and Eric Wilson both delivered interceptions, and a stout front-seven eliminated the Stevenson running game.
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