FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Eastern Washington built a 21-point lead in the first half but could not complete a potential game-tying drive in the final minutes, falling 34-27 to Northern Arizona in Saturday night’s Big Sky and season opener.
EWU came out firing as Nate Bell threw for 2 passing touchdowns and ran one in during the first half. The Eagles led 24-3 in the second quarter before Lindsey Graves returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for Northern Arizona. The Lumberjacks gained further momentum after an interception, driving 33 yards for Quran Gossett’s 2-yard touchdown run to cut Eastern Washington’s lead to 24-17 at halftime.
Northern Arizona opened the second half with a short field goal, then moved ahead for the first time when Ty Pennington hit Jeter Purdy for a 30-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
Eastern Washington answered. Soren McKee made a 37-yard field goal with 10 minutes remaining to tie the game at 27.
But Northern Arizona regained the lead on Pennington’s 2-yard fourth-and-goal touchdown pass to Nassim Isaac.
The Eagles had one final opportunity after getting the ball at their 20-yard line with 1:52 remaining. Eastern Washington drove to the Northern Arizona 8-yard line, but the Lumberjacks forced incompletions on third and fourth down to end the threat.
Nate Bell threw for 307 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for Eastern Washington. Pennington threw for 164 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for Northern Arizona. Gossett rushed for 103 yards, and Purdy finished with 105 receiving yards.
Eastern Washington will look to rebound next Saturday when it hosts Northern Iowa.
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
