Weekend College Football
HERALD SPORTS STAFF | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 11 months AGO
EWU (1-3) vs No. 8/9 Montana (3-1), 5 p.m. Saturday
The Eagles enter Saturday’s Big Sky opener against the defending national runner-up Montana Grizzlies coming off a loss to FBS Nevada last week, falling 49-26 to the Wolfpack on the road. Eastern is amid a three-game losing streak, having lost 35-32 to Drake and 28-24 to Southeastern Louisiana before last week’s loss to Nevada.
On the other sideline, Montana comes into the game at 3-1 and fresh off a 17-point comeback win over No. 24 Western Carolina last week.
The two teams are tied at 11 in the all-time series in Cheney, with Eastern winning the previous six games on its red turf.
No. 13 CWU (2-1, 1-0 LSC) vs Western New Mexico (2-2, 0-2 LSC), 6 p.m. Saturday
After opening Lone Star Conference play last week with a 45-3 road win over West Texas A&M, the Wildcats will play the first of back-to-back games against teams from the Land of Enchantment, hosting Western New Mexico on Saturday at 6 p.m.
CWU put up 24 points in the first half last Saturday against the Buffaloes, with 2023 LSC Offensive Back of the Year Tyler Flanagan finishing the game with three touchdowns and 104 yards on 21 carries in the win. Defensive back Tanner Volk also returned an interception 76 yards for a touchdown in the first half.
WNM suffered its second conference loss of the season, falling 21-0 at home to Angelo State while mustering up just 159 yards of total offense in the game. The Mustangs also lost at then-No. 21 Texas Permian Basin to open the season Aug. 31.
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Wildcats Begin New Era with Championship Expectations
ELLENSBURG — As the Central Washington Wildcats enter fall camp, they also embark on the beginning of a new chapter, according to CWU Athletics. After winning the 2025 GNAC championship and reaching the NCAA West Regional semifinals, the Wildcats enter the 2026 season with a roster loaded with experience, talent and championship aspirations. Lauren Herseth takes over as head coach after serving as the program's associate head coach for the last five seasons, following the departure of Mario Andaya to become CWU's Deputy Director of Athletics. Herseth will be joined by assistant coach Hannah Stires, a former standout Wildcat player who returns to the Wildcats.
Miconi’s Late Strike Lifts Eagles Past Bucknell, 1-0
CHENEY — Eastern Washington earned its second straight win to open the season, defeating Bucknell 1-0 behind a late goal from Mia Miconi and another standout performance in goal from Payton Hyde, according to a statement by EWU Athletics. The Eagles recorded 11 shots in the match, while Bucknell finished with 21. Despite consistent pressure from the Bison, Eastern's defense held strong to secure its second consecutive shutout.