CHENEY, Wash. — Eastern Washington football heads back on the road with momentum after its 34-24 home win over Northern Iowa, a victory built on quarterback Nate Bell’s five-touchdown performance and a decisive defensive turnaround in the second half.
The Eagles (1-1) erased a 24-20 halftime deficit by holding Northern Iowa scoreless over the final two quarters. Eastern reclaimed the lead in the third quarter and added a fourth-quarter touchdown to close out the win at Roos Field.
For Bell, the approach has stayed simple.
“I just been trying to preach to myself to just do my job, not try to be a hero,” Bell said. “Obviously have the most trust in my guys around me — linemen up front. So just doing my job and everything will work out.”
Bell accounted for five touchdowns against the Panthers, throwing for 257 yards and two scores while adding 94 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. The redshirt junior was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week, an honor he said caught him by surprise.
“I went in to watch film yesterday, and I hadn’t seen anything,” Bell said. “Coach Anderson told me, like, congrats. And I was like, ‘Oh, shoot.’ … I was pumped after I saw it. It’s a super, super rewarding feeling.”
Head coach Aaron Best said Bell’s steady demeanor has stood out throughout the first two games.
“Poise comes to mind,” Best said. “There’s not one moment too big. He really trusts the 10 other guys around him on the field at that time.”
Best also praised Bell’s ability to remain calm no matter the circumstances.
“He doesn’t blink,” Best said. “He’s kind of almost unfazed. … He’s played really well at a high level.”
Eastern’s offense was productive throughout the win, but Best pointed to the defense as the difference after halftime. The Eagles gave up 24 first-half points before limiting Northern Iowa to zero over the final 30 minutes.
“I thought offensively we were pretty consistent from start to finish,” Best said. “But certainly on defense, it was a true tale of two halves.”
Best said the turnaround was not the result of a dramatic halftime overhaul.
“There’s no magic,” Best said. “We decided to do it with way more intention, way more physicality, and [that] provided us a better chance to win the game.”
Sophomore defensive back Bryce Smith said the Eagles simply settled in, communicated more effectively and executed the plan.
“Really no adjustments at all,” Smith said. “We just did what we knew that we could do and just executed on everything.”
Smith said communication was a point of emphasis entering the week and became especially important as the game moved into the second half.
“The better, the more we communicate, the faster we play,” Smith said. “It gives us flow and we can all play faster together.”
The victory also showed Eastern’s depth. With players stepping into expanded roles, Bell said the Eagles had confidence in the next group to contribute.
“We have the most trust in our guys,” Bell said. “Obviously super unfortunate that people get hurt, and that’s part of the game. But just being ready for your opportunity to step up — and that’s what they did.”
Smith echoed that belief.
“We have depth at every position,” Smith said. “I believe that that’s one of our greatest strengths on offense and on defense.”
Best said those contributions are significant as the season progresses.
“Some of those guys are carving out little niches of more reps as they go forward,” Best said. “That’s only going to build more competitive depth for us.”
Eastern will face a challenging South Dakota team Saturday before traveling to Washington the following weekend. Bell described South Dakota as a disciplined and physical opponent.
“They’re a very well-coached team,” Bell said. “They execute their game plan very well. They’re a physical group, so we have to go out and play our game.”
Smith said the Eagles have confidence that can travel with them.
“It most definitely gives us some confidence going into a tough opponent in South Dakota,” Smith said. “But we believe in each other and we believe that we can go anywhere and beat anybody.”
Best said the Eagles want to earn their success through a difficult nonconference schedule.
“We don’t want easy. We don’t want handouts,” Best said. “We want to earn it, and we’re going to have to earn it.”
Eastern will also move forward without captain LB Samurai Anderson, who Best said will miss the remainder of the season with a lower-body injury. Best called the news “very unfortunate,” while emphasizing the team’s support for the veteran leader.
“He’s a guy a lot of us lean on — not just players, but coaches,” Best said. “He’s got a great foundation, resources and teammates and friends and coaches on this team and in this community to help him through.”
For the Eagles, the formula entering the road stretch is clear: build on the win, stay grounded and get back to work.
“You can enjoy your win and then back to it the next week,” Bell said. “We have a little 24-hour rule.”
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