CHENEY, Wash. — The trophy is back in Cheney as Eastern Washington Eagles football won back the Dam Cup tonight during the 2025 homecoming game. Eastern defeated Portland State, 35-27, at Roos Field for its first Big Sky win of the season behind a powerful running attack. EWU improves to 1-1 in the conference and 2-4 overall. Portland St. falls to 0-2 in the Big Sky and 0-6 overall.
“Nearly all our players are young, outside of the defensive line, everybody’s young. We have who we have, and we expect those guys to play to the highest of their capabilities,” head coach Aaron Best said. “We had the greatest week of practice from start to finish, in all three phases. I think that had a hand in the end result of these things.”
The Eagles took the lead early, but the Vikings stayed close until the end. EWU led by seven at halftime, with Portland St. pulling within one during the third quarter. 14-straight points from Eastern gave them the advantage they needed in the second half.
The run game for Eastern drove the victory, piling up 333 yards on 41 carries (8.1 per attempt).
Key game data
Nate Bell posted a career-best 175 yards on 17 carries – 10.3 average – and scored one touchdown. Marceese Yetts and Kevin Allen III formed a dynamic-duo in the backfield, each with 79 yards, both career-bests. Allen scored two touchdowns on six carries, with Yetts scored one touchdown on 13 carries.
“[Nate] has grown a ton. I’d like to allow him to grow more by protecting him more. He doesn’t want to run first, but we allow him to have to run first or run after his first read,” Best added. “That’s where I’d like him to be able to grow. There are times when he’s gonna have to be able to escape the pocket. He sees the role and he’s played well in the role.”
Up Next
Eastern Washington has its bye next week but stays at home the following Saturday (Oct. 18) to host Idaho at 4 p.m.