On September 1, the Eastern Washington Eagles opened their season with a heartbreaking 34-27 loss to the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in Cheney, marking both their first defeat of the season and their initial setback in conference play. The game showcased a dramatic shift in momentum, as the Eagles initially built a commanding lead before the Lumberjacks mounted a comeback.
The Eagles struck first, taking an early lead with a touchdown. After leading 7-3, Eastern Washington scored 17 consecutive points, pushing their advantage to 24-3 in the second quarter. However, the tide turned when Northern Arizona executed a stunning 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, igniting a rally that saw them score 24 unanswered points.
Despite a valiant effort from the Eagles to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, the Lumberjacks managed to secure the victory with a game-winning touchdown with less than five minutes remaining. "I’m really proud of this football team," remarked Lumberjacks Head Coach Brian Wright. He praised his team’s resilience and highlighted the collective effort that led to the win, noting the importance of tough rushing yards and crucial defensive plays.
The Eagles opened the game with an impressive offensive drive, as quarterback Nate Bell completed all six of his passes for 72 yards, culminating in a three-yard touchdown pass to Wesley Garrett. This early score set the tone for Eastern Washington, who led 7-0 at the 10:22 mark of the first quarter. Following a muffed punt by the Eagles, Northern Arizona capitalized with a 24-yard field goal, narrowing the score to 7-3.
Eastern Washington responded with a lengthy drive that concluded with a 53-yard field goal from Soren McKee, extending their lead to 10-3. Bell continued to display his offensive prowess, rushing for a 12-yard touchdown and later connecting with Jaxon Branch for a 14-yard touchdown pass, giving the Eagles a 24-3 lead before halftime.
However, the Lumberjacks were not deterred. They quickly shifted momentum with a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown, followed by a touchdown drive that cut the deficit significantly. Jeter Purdy, a standout for NAU, expressed the team's determination, stating, "We never got down. We knew we were going to come back." His performance included a career-high seven receptions for 105 yards.
The second half saw Northern Arizona continue their resurgence, beginning with a methodical 14-play drive that resulted in a field goal, narrowing the Eagles' lead to 24-20. The Lumberjacks then took the lead for the first time in the game with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Ty Pennington, making the score 27-24.
Eastern Washington managed to tie the game again with another field goal from McKee, but the Lumberjacks responded with a decisive touchdown on fourth down, sealing the game at 34-27. Despite the loss, Nate Bell had a standout performance, completing 30 of 47 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, along with a rushing touchdown.
Overall, the Eagles outgained the Lumberjacks in total yards, 429 to 365, and had a slight edge in first downs, 26 to 22. Jaxon Branch was a key target for Bell, finishing with seven receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown, while Drew Carlson contributed with nine catches for 75 yards. The close contest highlights the competitive nature of the Big Sky Conference as both teams look to build momentum in the upcoming weeks.
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