(STATS) – Of all the FCS teams with extra motivation in 2019, Eastern Washington may be at the top of the list.
The Eagles had only one more step to climb last season before it fell to North Dakota State in the national championship game.
As it seeks to build on the 12-3 season, Eastern Washington will take the field again on Tuesday with the start of spring practice.
“Our returning players will be hungry to get back to that stage, and we’re going to get after it,” third-year coach Aaron Best said.
Best and his staff, which includes four new coaches, have plenty of work ahead. EWU returns only nine starters – five on offense and four on defense – after losing 25 seniors. But some players who were expected starters suffered season-ending injuries, so the Eagles have 48 returning letter-winners.
Leading the Big Sky Conference power are junior quarterback Eric Barriere, a veteran offensive line and defensive standouts Chris Ojoh, a linebacker, Mitchell Johnson, a defensive end, and Dehonta Hayes, a safety.
“Every day is a new challenge and I look forward to challenges to come,” Best said. “We will look back and revel in the 2018 campaign because it was one of the most special years in Eastern Washington football history.”
The Eagles will conclude spring practices with their annual Red-White spring game April 27 at Roos Field.
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