OGDEN, Utah (November 19, 2016) - The Eastern Washington Eagles entered Portland State's Providence Park, with the goals of being an undefeated #BigSkyFB co-champion firmly in their sights.
The Eagles leave Portland State as victors, 35-28, in their final regular season game, ensuring the program's first #BigSkyFB title since 2014, and the first time the program has gone undefeated in league play since 2013.
The game did not start easily for the Eagles, who fell to the Vikings in "the Dam Cup" game last season. Portland State took an early 14-0 lead, before Eastern Washington receiver Nic Splendorio caught a 46-yard scoring pass from quarterback Gage Gubrud.
The programs would trade scores throughout the third quarter, entering the final period with Portland State leading, 28-21. However, the Eagles proved their resolve in the final period, scoring 14 unanswered points. First, Tamarick Pierce scored on a six-yard run, then Kendrick Bourne caught a ten-yard pass from Gubrud, giving Eastern Washington its first lead.
Gubrud finished the game with 304 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Eagles finished with 442 yards. Eastern Washington receiver Cooper Kupp missed much of the game with a shoulder injury.
Portland State quarterback Alex Kuresa, the 2015 Big Sky Newcomer of the Year, finished his collegiate career with 252 passing yards, and 93 rushing yards.
With the win, the Eagles tied for the Big Sky title, with North Dakota, at 8-0. Eastern Washington is in line to earn the Big Sky's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs, due to the program's higher Sagarin Rating, which is the Big Sky's fourth tiebreaker.
Both Eastern Washington and North Dakota will find out their seeding in the FCS playoffs Sunday morning, at 9 a.m. MST, when the FCS playoff selection show is aired on ESPNU.