But it wasn't that easy the rest of the way in EWU's 35–14 non-conference college football victory against Western Oregon Saturday (September 5) at Woodward Field in Cheney, Washington The Eagles, ranked 18th in the preseason NCAA Football Championship Subdivision rankings, scored 14 fourth-quarter points on a pair of Matt Nichols-to-Nathan Overbay touchdown passes as they survived for the win over the NCAA Division II Wolves.

Heisman Trophy candidate Jahvid Best rushed for 144 yards on 17 carries and scored twice for the Golden Bears, who are now 2–0.

[5] The defense forced four turnovers and was equally effective on fourth down as Eastern Washington University shut-out Northern Colorado 16–0 Saturday (September 19) in the Big Sky Conference football opener for both schools at Woodward Field in Cheney, Washington The Eagles recovered three fumbles and had an interception in Eastern's first shutout at Woodward Field since 1983.

The 19th-ranked Eagles scored 35 first-half points and went on to hold-off Sacramento State 56–30 Saturday (September 26) in sweltering heat at Hornet Stadium in Sacramento, California The win puts the Eastern Washington Eagles in first place in the Big Sky Conference, and also makes a statement in FCS play as EWU is now ranks #17.

Running back Taiwan Jones had another big day, but so did quarterback Matt Nichols and wide receiver Aaron Boyce as Eastern Washington remained unbeaten in the Big Sky Conference football standings with a 38–3 victory over Idaho State Saturday (Oct. 3) at Holt Arena in Pocatello, Idaho.

Eastern, which entered the game ranked 17th in the Sports Network NCAA Football Championship Subdivision poll, is now 4–1 overall, and has its third 3–0 start in Big Sky history (1992, 2004).