Let's be real for a second. If you just glance at the final ewu eagles football score from the 2025 season finale—a 43-34 loss to Cal Poly—you’d probably think it was just another rough day at the office. But honestly, that game was a microcosm of a season that was way more of a rollercoaster than the 5-7 record suggests.
The Eagles finished 4-4 in Big Sky play. Mediocre? Maybe on paper. But when you consider they were basically playing musical chairs at the quarterback position by the end of November, it’s kinda impressive they stayed in the hunt as long as they did.
What Really Happened with the EWU Eagles Football Score This Season
The season started in the brutal 102°F heat of San Antonio against Incarnate Word. It was a 31-21 loss that set a frustrating tone: Eastern would move the ball, but they couldn't always finish. Then came the "paycheck game" against Boise State. Look, nobody expected a win on the blue turf, and the 51-14 score reflected that. But it was the mid-season stretch where things got interesting.
People keep talking about the "Red Inferno" magic. It definitely showed up during a three-game winning streak in October. They knocked off Portland State (35-27), stunned No. 24 Idaho (21-14) in a defensive battle that felt nothing like typical Big Sky track meets, and then escaped Ogden with a 23-20 win over Weber State.
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By the time they hit November, the injury bug wasn't just biting; it was devouring the roster.
The Quarterback Carousel
- Jared Taylor: Started the year, but injuries limited him to just six games.
- Nate Bell: The redshirt sophomore was a spark plug, leading the team in rushing with 663 yards and 7 TDs before he went down.
- Jake Schakel: The redshirt freshman had a "welcome to the big leagues" moment against No. 2 Montana, taking eight sacks in a heartbreaking 29-24 loss.
- Kaden Rolfsness: He ended up being the guy in the finale. In that Cal Poly game, he actually threw for a TD and ran for three more.
Breaking Down the 2025 Stats
If you're a bettor or just a die-hard fan looking at the ewu eagles football score trends, the defense was actually the surprising story. Jaylon Jenkins was a total ballhawk, leading the Big Sky in interceptions and earning First Team All-Big Sky honors.
The offense averaged 23.4 points per game, which is a bit low for the historic "Air Raid" expectations in Cheney. They were much more reliant on the ground game this year, averaging 122 rushing yards per contest. Nate Bell was the engine there. When he was healthy, the Eagles were a completely different team.
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Isaiah Perez also deserves a shoutout. He broke the school record with four blocked kicks. It's those weird, gritty stats that kept Eastern in games where they were statistically outmatched.
Notable 2025 Results
- The High Point: The 21-14 win over Idaho. Rivalry games hits different, and holding the Vandals to 14 points was the defensive statement of the year.
- The Low Point: A 57-3 blowout at Montana State. Just a total system failure in Bozeman.
- The Heartbreaker: The 29-24 loss to Montana. Being 15 feet away from a win in Missoula is the kind of thing that keeps coaches up at night.
Why the Future Might Be Brighter Than the Record
Coach Aaron Best is heading into his tenth season in 2026, and despite the 5-7 finish, the vibe in the locker room is surprisingly positive. Nolan Ulm called this the "closest team" he's ever been on. That matters in the era of the transfer portal where everyone leaves at the first sign of trouble.
Speaking of the portal, Eastern already lost seven players in the December window, including their leading receiver. It’s the new reality of FCS football. But they signed 14 new players in the early period, mostly high school seniors. Best is clearly trying to build from the ground up rather than just renting talent.
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If you’re tracking the ewu eagles football score for next year, the big question is health. If Nate Bell or a healthy Jared Taylor can take 100% of the snaps, this is an 8-win team. If they’re back to using their fourth-string QB by week nine, it’s going to be another long winter in Cheney.
Actionable Next Steps for Eagles Fans:
- Watch the Spring Game: Keep an eye on the QB battle between Schakel and any incoming transfers; that’s where the 2026 season will be won or lost.
- Monitor the Portal: Follow the "Eagles Report" or local Cheney sports news through February to see if they land a veteran wideout to replace the production they just lost.
- Check the 2026 Schedule: The Big Sky is rotating again, and missing a powerhouse like Montana State could be the swing factor needed for a playoff return.