CHENEY, wash. – The calendar has changed to September and Eastern Washington‘s teams are already well into their seasons. Football travels for a primetime FCS matchup against boise State on Friday Night Lights. Soccer looks to build a winning streak with two more home matches on Thursday and Sunday. volleyball gets back on the road for the second tournament of the season in Portland with three matches on the schedule.

Football – at Boise State (Friday, Sep. 5 at 6 p.m. Pacific Time / 7 p.m. Mountain time)

The road trip continues for Eastern Washington this week as they make the cross-state flight to Idaho to play Boise State on Friday. the game will be broadcast live in primetime on Fox Sports 1. The game can also be heard live on 700 ESPN with the voices of the Eagles, Larry Weir and Paul Sorensen.

Eastern opened the 2025 season last week against No. 4/5 Incarnate Word,falling to the Cardinals,31-21. The Cardinals led 7-0 after the first quarter and extended their advantage to 14-0 in the second. Jared Taylor then carried the ball and found Marceese Yetts with a perfect pitch on the option play that cued a 26-yard touchdown run.UIW countered with a quick 75-yard touchdown strike to go back up by 14 points.Following a muffed punt by the Cardinals, Eastern was set up at the UIW six-yard line. Two plays later, Taylor carried the ball into the endzone and the score was 21-14. A stop from the Eagle defence gave EWU the ball back with six minutes remaining in the half. The Taylor-to-Yetts option combo worked again, with Yetts going in for his second touchdown, 24 yards out to tie the game at 21. A late field goal gave UIW the lead at half. 

In the second half, Eastern’s offense could not put together a drive to tie the game. The Cardinals used a late fourth-quarter, five-minute drive to burn the clock and extend the lead to 31-21, securing the home win. 

Yetts finished the game with 122 all-purpose yards and two scores, while Taylor had 183 yards through

Eastern Washington Volleyball Seeks Turnaround at Portland Tournament

After a challenging opening weekend, the Eastern Washington Eagles volleyball team aims to rebound at the University of Portland Tournament. They will face CSUN and Colorado State on Thursday, September 4th, at 12 p.m.and 5 p.m. respectively, concluding the tournament against host Portland on Friday, September 5th, at 5 p.m.

Recent Performance and Challenges

EWU enters the portland Tournament following an 0-3 performance at the UC San Diego Tournament. They faced tough competition, falling to New Mexico State (3-1), UC san Diego (3-0), and Northwestern (3-0). While the results weren’t favorable, these early-season matches provide valuable experience and identify areas for advancement.

Analyzing the Losses

the losses highlight the need for adjustments in several key areas. The match against New Mexico State, though a 3-1 defeat, suggests potential for competitive play. However, the straight-set losses to UC San Diego and Northwestern indicate a need to strengthen defensive strategies and offensive consistency. Specifically, improving hitting efficiency and reducing unforced errors will be crucial for success.

tournament Schedule and Opponents

The Portland Tournament presents a new set of opportunities for the Eagles to test their skills and build momentum.

Thursday, September 4th

• 12:00 PM: vs. CSUN
• 5:00 PM: vs. Colorado state

Friday, September 5th

• 5:00 PM: vs. Portland

Opponent Overview

Each opponent brings a unique challenge. CSUN and colorado State are both programs with established volleyball traditions. Portland, as the host, will have a home-court advantage and a motivated team. Success will depend on EWU’s ability to adapt to different playing styles and execute their game plan effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Eastern Washington is looking to secure their first win of the season at the Portland Tournament.
• The team is coming off a difficult opening weekend at the UC San Diego Tournament.
• The tournament schedule includes matches against CSUN, Colorado State, and host Portland.
• Improving hitting efficiency and reducing errors are key areas for improvement.

The Portland Tournament represents a crucial opportunity for Eastern Washington to regroup, refine their strategies, and build confidence as they navigate the early stages of the volleyball season. The team’s performance will be a key indicator of their potential for success throughout the year.