SPOKANE, Wash. — Eastern Washington football brought its red turf to Spokane Thursday night, giving fans a first look at the Eagles as they prepare for the 2026 season.
The Red Turf Takeover at ONE Spokane Stadium returned for a second straight year, with EWU holding its first scrimmage of fall camp in front of fans in the heart of Spokane. The event has quickly become a way for the Eagles to connect with the community beyond their Cheney campus.
For head coach Aaron Best, the night was about more than simply getting another practice in.
‘Hopefully those folks that were affected by the fires had an hour and a half, two hours to kind of enjoy some sport as football is upon us and bring some joy to the fans and the community,’ Best said.
On the field, Best said the Eagles got plenty of work accomplished, running 92 total snaps, including special teams work.
The offense found the end zone multiple times, while the running game showed signs of improvement. Eastern’s running backs combined for a productive night, giving Best an early indication that the ground attack could be more consistent this season.
‘123 yards a game is not going to get it done,” Best said. ‘We’ve got to be more productive this year.’
Quarterback Nate Bell Jr. helped lead two touchdown drives, crediting the offensive line and the running game for helping the Eagles move the ball.
‘Winning one-on-one matchups,’ Bell Jr. said. ‘Obviously shout out to the O-line. The run game was phenomenal today.’
Jackson Branch continued his strong stretch dating back to the spring, including two touchdown catches. Bell Jr. said Branch’s confidence has continued to grow.
But the night wasn’t perfect.
Best said the defense struggled with tackling, particularly as the scrimmage went on, and the Eagles gave up several explosive plays in the second half.
‘The tackling took a step back,’ Best said.
Cornerback Jo-Jo Maxey-Johnson Jr. had a similar focus heading into the scrimmage. He wanted to see himself make plays on the ball, but ultimately felt good about his tackling.
‘I feel like I did exactly what I need to do,’ Maxey-Johnson Jr. said. ‘Every time the ball came to me and I got my hands on a guy, I got him down.’
The Eagles have had an unusual preseason, with practices affected by conditions in the Spokane area and time split between indoor and outdoor facilities.
Maxey-Johnson Jr. said the constant adjustments have actually helped prepare the team.
‘I think it’s just made us a lot stronger, a lot better and just ready for whatever comes,’ he said.
For Best, adaptability has become part of the job.
‘Abnormal is normal,’ Best said.
After a night where the Eagles were able to get nearly 100 snaps in, Best called the scrimmage productive — and especially valuable because the team came out of it without a significant injury.
Now, Eastern turns its attention toward the next stage of fall camp and the season opener.
But if Best gets his way, the Red Turf Takeover won’t end with two appearances.
‘I’d be very, very interested in bringing it back for a third year in 2027,’ Best said.
For the Eagles, what began last season as a new way to take Eastern Washington football into Spokane is already starting to look like a tradition.
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