Eagles suffer close loss in season opener

CHENEY — The Eastern Washington Eagles (0-1) suffered their first loss of the season and in conference play after a comeback by the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 34-27, according to a statement by EWU Athletics.  

The Eagles scored first and built a sizable lead in the first half. After leading 7-3, the Eagles scored 17 unanswered points to go up 24-3 in the second quarter. 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. 

“I'm really proud of this football team,” said Lumberjacks Head Coach Brian Wright in press release by NAU Athletics. “It was a hard-fought game and I thought Eastern Washington had a great gameplan. We hung in there and showed resilience. It was a quality team win. It took everyone. It took some tough rushing yards, some big plays in the passing game and a couple of big defensive stands.” 

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. 

“We needed a spark and Lindsey gave us that,” said Jacks’ Jeter Purdy, who led the Lumberjacks with a career-best seven receptions for 105 yards. “We never got down. We knew we were going to come back, but Lindsey popped it off and it kickstarted it. The defense got a stop, we score a touchdown and we're back in the ball game.” 

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. 

Nate Bell got the call at quarterback and had a career game to open the season. Bell completed 30-of-47 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.  

The Eagles had a 429 to 365 advantage in total yards, along with a 26 to 22 first down advantage. Jaxon Branch had seven catches for 88 yards and one touchdown, while Drew Carlson had nine catches for 75 yards.  

    Jeter Purdy (left) outruns an Eagles defender (right) for an NAU touchdown, Saturday. Purdy had seven catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.