Eastern Washington Eagles football

Eastern Washington Eagles
2016 Eastern Washington Eagles football team
First season 1901
Head coach Beau Baldwin
8th year, 7330 (.709)
Stadium Roos Field
Field The Inferno
Year built 1967
Seating capacity 8,600
Field surface Red SprinTurf
Location Cheney, Washington
NCAA division NCAA Division I (FCS)
Conference Big Sky Conference
All-time record 52241023 (.559)
Bowl record 00 (–)
Playoff appearances 11
Playoff record 14-10
Claimed nat'l titles 1
Conference titles 24
Colors Red and White[1]
         
Fight song Go, Eagles, Go
Mascot Swoop
Marching band Eagles Marching Band
Outfitter Adidas
Rivals Montana Grizzlies
Portland State Vikings
Website GoEags.com

The Eastern Washington Eagles football team represents Eastern Washington University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision. The Eastern Eagles are members of the Big Sky Conference and play at Roos Field, which is known for being the only stadium in college football with a red playing surface.

History

Conference Affiliations
Independent 1901-19
Tri-Normal League 1920-37
Independent 1938
Washington Intercollegiate Conference 1939-47
Evergreen Conference 1948-79
Div. II Independent 1980-83
Div. I-AA Independent 1984–86
Big Sky Conference 1987–present

Beginning & NAIA era

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'. Eastern's first national affiliation came with joining the NAIA.

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. This marked Eastern Washington's first appearance in a national championship game at any level of competition.

Identity changes

During this time period, the school would undergo numerous changes to its identity. The school name would change in 1937 to the 'Eastern Washington College of Education', then again shortly after World War II to the 'Eastern Washington State College'. The final change to the school name came in 1977 when the school was renamed 'Eastern Washington University'.

In 1973, the student body voted to make Eastern’s mascot the 'Eagles'.[2][3] Shortly before that, the Eastern Board of Trustees declared 'Savages', its mascot through its first 92 years, no longer acceptable. Eagles are native to eastern Washington and thus a logical choice for a replacement.

Transition to NCAA and Big Sky

Eastern joined the NCAA in 1978, participating at the NCAA Division II level as an independent. The Eagles stayed at the Division II level until 1983, when the Eagles moved up to Division I-AA (now known as the FCS) as an Independent.

In 1987, Eastern was extended an invitation to and joined the Big Sky Conference. Eastern continues to participate in the Big Sky to this day and is now the sixth-most tenured member of the conference.

Red Turf and National Championship

The 2010 season would mark a number of firsts for Eastern Washington's football program. The offseason would see a highly publicized move to install a red turf playing surface, the first of its kind in the country. Eastern would utilize the excitement and energy surrounding the program to complete its finest season of competition in the program's history.

The 2010 season concluded with Eastern Washington's first appearance in the FCS Championship Game. The Eagles defeated the Delaware Blue Hens 20-19 in Frisco, Texas to win the school's first national championship in football.

Home stadium

Main article: Roos Field
Roos Field with red turf installed in 2010

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. It replaced the original Woodward Field, which was located near the present JFK Library.[4]

Red turf installation and name change

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. A funding drive was initiated in late January 2010, with EWU alumnus Michael Roos donating $500,000 toward the installation costs, and fellow alumnus and ESPN personality Colin Cowherd also making a donation.[5]

On May 20, 2010 the Eastern Washington Board of Trustees approved a name change to Roos Field, scheduled for the 2010 season, upon the successful completion of the project.[6] Installation of the red synthetic turf was completed in September 2010, in time for the first home game of the 2010 season against Montana.

The Inferno

Eastern Washington's red playing surface is known as The Inferno. The nickname was chosen through a vote conducted by Eastern on its athletic website, goeags.com. 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. Inferno finished as the top choice and the nickname was revealed at the first home game with the new field on September 18, 2010.

Rivalries

Montana Grizzlies

The EWU-UM Governors Cup is the annual college football game between the Montana Grizzlies and the Eastern Eagles. Traditionally, it is in the middle of the regular season, played on the Saturday alternating between Roos Field and Washington-Grizzly Stadium each year. The Eagles currently trail in the series with 15 wins and 27 losses.

Portland State Vikings

See also: The Dam Cup

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. Other goals include increasing attendance at events between both schools and building school spirit among each institutions' student body.

Rivalry summaries

Team Rivalry name Trophy Games played First meeting Last meeting EWU win EWU loss Ties Win %
Montana Grizzlies The EWU-UM Governors Cup Governors Cup 42 1938 2015, Lost 16-57 15 27 1 .360
Portland State Vikings The Dam Cup Dam Cup 37 1986* 2015, Lost 34-31 17 20 1 .461

* The Dam Cup rivalry with Portland State was officially established in 2010, but both teams have played against each other since the date listed above.

Championships

National championships

Eastern Washington has won one national championship in the NCAA Division I FCS.

Year Coach Selector Record Score Opponent
2010 Beau Baldwin NCAA 20 Team Playoff 13–2 20–19 Delaware Blue Hens

Conference championships

Eastern Washington has won 24 conference championships since 1901, including eight in the Big Sky Conference.

Year Conference Overall Record Conference Record Coach
1921 Tri-Normal League 3-3-0 3-0-0 A.A. Eustis
1923♦ Tri-Normal League 5-2-0 4-1-0 A.A. Eustis
1925 Tri-Normal League 6-3-0 5-0-0 A.A. Eustis
1934 Tri-Normal League 6-1-0 2-0-0 W.B. Reese
1935 Tri-Normal League 4-2-1 1-0-1 W.B. Reese
1936 Tri-Normal League 7-1-0 2-0-0 W.B. Reese
1937 Tri-Normal League 6-1-0 2-0-0 W.B. Reese
1939♦ Washington Intercollegiate Conference 5-3-0 2-0-0 W.B. Reese
1947♦ Washington Intercollegiate Conference 6-1-1 4-0-1 A.H. Poffenroth
1948♦ Evergreen Conference 8-1-0 5-1-0 A.H. Poffenroth
1949♦ Evergreen Conference 7-2-0 5-1-0 A.H. Poffenroth
1950 Evergreen Conference 8-2-0 5-1-0 A.H. Poffenroth
1965 Evergreen Conference 8-1-0 4-1-0 Dave Holmes
1966 Evergreen Conference 7-1-1 4-1-1 Dave Holmes
1967 Evergreen Conference 11-1-0 6-0-0 Dave Holmes
1969♦ Evergreen Conference 4-5-0 4-2-0 Brent Wooten
1992♦ Big Sky Conference 7-4-0 6-1-0 Dick Zornes
1997 Big Sky Conference 12-2-0 7-1-0 Mike Kramer
2004♦ Big Sky Conference 9-4 6-1 Paul Wulff
2005♦ Big Sky Conference 7-5 5-2 Paul Wulff
2010♦ Big Sky Conference 13-2 7–1 Beau Baldwin
2012 ♦ Big Sky Conference 11-3 7-1 Beau Baldwin
2013 Big Sky Conference 12-3 8-0 Beau Baldwin
2014 Big Sky Conference 11-3 7-1 Beau Baldwin
Total 24
Denotes a tie for first place and conference co-champion

Playoff appearances

NAIA Playoffs

Eastern Washington made one appearance in the NAIA playoffs in 1967. They advanced to the NAIA Champions Bowl, where they lost to Fairmont State.

Year Round Opponent Result Coach
1967 Semifinals
Champions Bowl
New Mexico Highlands
Fairmont State
W 28–14
L 21–28
Dave Holmes
NAIA Playoff Record 1–1

Division I-AA/FCS Playoffs

Eastern Washington has participated eleven times in the I-AA/FCS playoffs since 1978. Their first appearance occurred during the 1985 season, when they advanced to the quarterfinals. The Eagles' best finish came during the 2010 season, when they won the national championship.

Year Round Opponent Result Coach
1985 First Round
Quarterfinals
Idaho
Northern Iowa
W 42–38
L 14–17
Dick Zornes
1992 First Round Northern Iowa L 14–17 Dick Zornes
1997 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Northwestern State
WKU
Youngstown State
W 40–10
W 38–21
L 14–25
Mike Kramer
2004 First Round
Quarterfinals
Southern Illinois
Sam Houston State
W 35–31
L 34–35
Paul Wulff
2005 First Round Northern Iowa L 38–41 Paul Wulff
2007 First Roun
Quarterfinals
McNeese State
Appalachian State
W 44–15
L 35–38
Paul Wulff
2009 First Round Stephen F. Austin L 33–44 Beau Baldwin
2010 First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
National Championship Game
Missouri State
North Dakota State
Villanova
Delaware
W 37–17
W 38–31
W 41–31
W 20–19
Beau Baldwin
2012 Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Wagner
Illinois State
Sam Houston State
W 29–19
W 51–35
L 42–45
Beau Baldwin
2013 Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
South Dakota State
Jacksonville State
Towson
W 41–17
W 35–24
L 31–35
Beau Baldwin
2014 Second Round
Quarterfinals
Montana
Illinois State
W 37–20
L 46–59
Beau Baldwin
I-AA/FCS Playoff Record 14–10

Season and coaching history

Coach Years Seasons Record Pct. Conf. Champs Bowl Games National Titles
Unknown 1901-02 2 3-3-2 --
Claude Arthur 1903 1 3-2-2 .571
H.E. Smith 1904-05 2 5-9-0 .357
O.P. Lienau 1906-07 2 8-5-0 .615
Nick Hinch 1908/1912 2 2-4-0 .333
Harry Goldsworthy 1909 1 0-2-0 .000
Albert Fertsch 1913-16 4 4-9-0 .308
A.A. Eustis 1920-26 7 24-25-1 .490 3
Arthur Woodward 1927-28 2 7-8-0 .467
G.M. Johnson 1929 1 4-4-0 .500
W.B. Reese 1930-41/1946 13 66-26-9 .698 5
Ralph Peterson 1942 1 3-4-0 .429
A.H. Poffenroth 1947–52 6 32–19–1 .625 4
Ed Chissus 1953–62 10 29-52-4 .365
Dave Holmes 1963–67 5 34-13-1 .719 3
Brent Wooten 1968-70 3 11-18-0 .379 1
John Massengale 1971-78 8 35-39-1 .473
Dick Zornes 1979–93 15 89-66-2 .573 1
Mike Kramer 1994-99 6 37-32-0 .536 1
Paul Wulff 2000-07 8 53-40-0 .570 2
Beau Baldwin 2008–present 8 73-30-0 .709 4 1
Totals 1901–present 107 522–410–23 .559 24 0 1
Note: Eastern Washington did not field teams from 1910-11, 1917-19 & 1943-45.

Current coaching staff

Name Position Alma Mater Season at
EWU
Beau Baldwin Head Coach Central Washington (1996) 9th
John Graham Associate Head Coach
Tight Ends
Camp Coordinator
Travel Coordinator
Central Washington (1992) 9th
Aaron Best Running Game Coordinator
Offensive Line
Academic Coordinator
Eastern Washington (2001) 16th
Jeff Schmedding Defensive Coordinator
Safeties
Eastern Washington (2002) 13th
Eti Ena Defensive Front Coordinator
Defensive Ends
Eastern Washington (2005) 1st
Troy Taylor Passing Game Coordinator
Quarterbacks
California (1990) 1st
Josh Fetter Linebackers
Pro Liaison
Idaho (1996) 6th
Brian Strandley Defensive Line Idaho (1995) 6th
Cherokee Valeria Cornerbacks
Recruiting Coordinator
Central Washington (1999) 5th
Kiel McDonald Running Backs
Video Coordinator
Sacramento State (2006) 5th
Nicholas Edwards Wide Receivers Eastern Washington (2012) 3rd
Amir Owens Assistant Athletic Director of Athletic Performance Idaho State (2010) 4th
Reference: goeags.com[7]

Individual award winners

National award winners - players

National Defensive Player of the Year
2008: Greg Peach
2010: J. C. Sherritt
National Freshman Player of the Year
2013: Cooper Kupp

National Offensive Player of the Year
2005: Erik Meyer
2011: Bo Levi Mitchell
2015: Cooper Kupp

Big Sky Conference honors

  • Offensive Player of the Year
1997: Harry Leons, QB
2001: Jesse Chatman, RB
2002: Josh Blankenship, QB
2004: Erik Meyer, QB
2005: Erik Meyer, QB
2007: Matt Nichols, QB
2009: Matt Nichols, QB
2010: Taiwan Jones, RB
2011: Bo Levi Mitchell, QB
2013: Vernon Adams, QB
2014: Vernon Adams, QB
2015: Cooper Kupp, WR
  • Defensive Player of the Year
1993: Jason Marsh, LB
1997: Chris Scott, DT
2005: Joey Cwik, LB
2008: Greg Peach, DE
2010: J. C. Sherritt, LB

  • Freshman of the Year
2013: Cooper Kupp, WR
  • Newcomer of the Year
1990: Harold Wright, RB
2002: Josh Blankenship, QB
2004: Rocky Hanni, OG
  • Coach of the Year
1992: Dick Zornes
1997: Mike Kramer
2001: Paul Wulff
2004: Paul Wulff
2005: Paul Wulff
2012: Beau Baldwin
2013: Beau Baldwin

All-time NFL Draft selections

NFL Draft Selections (16)
# Year Round Pick Overall Name Team Position
1 1959 18 1 205 Dick Nearents Green Bay Packers Offensive tackle
2 1969 11 21 281 Dave Svendsen Los Angeles Rams Wide receiver
3 1973 6 2 132 Bob Picard Philadelphia Eagles Wide receiver
4 1974 7 23 179 Scott Garske Pittsburgh Steelers Tight end
5 1987 11 19 298 Craig Richardson Kansas City Chiefs Wide receiver
6 1987 6 24 164 Simmons, EdEd Simmons Washington Redskins Offensive tackle
7 1989 6 24 163 Jeff Mickel Minnesota Vikings Offensive tackle
8 1992 7 27 195 Schulz, KurtKurt Schulz Buffalo Bills Defensive back
9 1994 5 1 132 Trent Pollard Cincinnati Bengals Offensive tackle
10 1996 5 13 145 Ackerman, TomTom Ackerman New Orleans Saints Offensive guard
11 2002 6 23 195 Brightful, LamontLamont Brightful Baltimore Ravens Wide receiver
12 2003 5 13 148 Curley, DanDan Curley St. Louis Rams Tight end
13 2005 2 9 41 Roos, MichaelMichael Roos Tennessee Titans Offensive tackle
14 2011 4 28 125 Jones, TaiwanTaiwan Jones Oakland Raiders Running back
15 2012 4 40 135 Matt Johnson Dallas Cowboys Safety
16 2015 7 8 225 Jake Rodgers Atlanta Falcons Offensive guard

Eagles in the pros

The following former Eastern Washington players are currently playing in one of the three professional football leagues listed below.

  • National Football League
Player Position Team
Clay DeBord Offensive tackle Arizona Cardinals
Taiwan Jones Running back Oakland Raiders
Tevin McDonald Safety Oakland Raiders
Aaron Neary Offensive guard Denver Broncos
Jake Rodgers Offensive tackle New York Giants
  • Canadian Football League
Player Position Team
T. J. Lee Cornerback BC Lions
Bo Levi Mitchell Quarterback Calgary Stampeders
Matt Nichols Quarterback Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Greg Peach Defensive end Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Ryan Phillips Cornerback BC Lions
J. C. Sherritt Linebacker Edmonton Eskimos

Retired jerseys

Michael Roos - OT (2001-04)
Retired Jerseys
Number Player Year
84 Bob Picard (1968–69, 1971–72) 2003
71 Michael Roos (2001–04) 2009

Future non-conference opponents

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
@ Washington State @ Texas Tech @ Washington State @ Washington
@ North Dakota State North Dakota State
Northern Iowa

Source:[8]

References

  1. EWU Identity Standards (PDF). Retrieved 2016-03-29.
  2. Palm Beach Post - School selects eagle as mascot - United Press International - 1973-07-13 - p.D5
  3. Ellensburg Daily Record - 'Cats lead only one statistic - 1973-10-11 - p.6
  4. goeags.cstv.com/facilities/ewas-woodward.html
  5. sports.espn.go.com
  6. http://goeags.com/genrel/releases/10atMay20RoosField
  7. "Eastern Washington Football Coaches". Eastern Washington University Athletics, Accessed: April 17, 2014.
  8. "Eastern Will Visit Huskies For a Third Time in 2019". goeags.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, May 02, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.