CHENEY -- Despite starting the year banned from postseason play, Eastern Washington has been selected to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
The Eagles (8-3) will travel to Nagodoches, Texas, to play Stephen F. Austin (9-2) on Saturday.
The NCAA ban was lifted late last month, after the university appealed. The Eagles won their last four games to finish tied with Weber State for second in the Big Sky Conference.
That late surge likely persuaded the NCAA committee to give them one of eight at-large berths.
"Words can't really describe how we're all feeling right now," senior linebacker Makai Borden said. "It's just amazing, especially when you consider how we went from such a low to such a high."
Last winter, the NCAA slapped EWU with a one-year postseason ban after uncovering a series of minor infractions that had occurred under the watch of former coach Paul Wulff.
Eastern is one of three Big Sky teams competing in the postseason.
Unbeaten conference champion Montana (11-0) was awarded the No. 1 overall seed and will host South Dakota State (8-3) on Saturday.
Weber State (7-4) will play at William & Mary (9-2) on Saturday.
Eastern last made the playoffs in 2007, beating McNeese State in the opening round before losing to eventual national champion Appalachian State.
Eastern also made the playoffs in 1985, 1992, 1997, 2004 and 2005.
Similar stories:
NCAA puts BSU on probation
NCAA puts BSU on probation
BOISE -- The NCAA placed Boise State on probation for three years and imposed other sanctions Tuesday for major violations by the football program and other sports.
The sanctions included a public reprimand, a one-year postseason ban for women's tennis and recruiting restrictions and scholarship reductions. Some of the penalties had previously been self-imposed by the university.
Boise State's football program will be able to offer three fewer scholarships each year, from 85 to 82, through the 2013-14 season. The football team also will be allowed fewer contact practices during spring training for three years.
Univ. of ND will use Fighting Sioux nickname
Univ. of ND will use Fighting Sioux nickname
The University of North Dakota resumed using its contentious Fighting Sioux nickname Wednesday even though it triggered NCAA sanctions, leaving some fans weary of the seven-year fight over a moniker that critics believe is demeaning.
FOOTBALL: Wulff likely out as Cougars coach (w/ gallery)
FOOTBALL: Wulff likely out as Cougars coach (w/ gallery)
SEATTLE -- Paul Wulff has likely coached his last football game at Washington State.
Sources close to the situation say Wulff, whose Cougars lost 38-21 to Washington on Saturday at CenturyLink Field, will be dismissed after a meeting with athletic director Bill Moos, barring a last-minute change of direction by Moos. It could happen as early as today, possibly Monday.
A reversal of thinking is unlikely, and sources familiar with the process say the Cougars will have former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach at the top of their list of possible replacements. Leach has been out of coaching since 2009 after a controversial exit from Tech that resulted in him suing the school.
Tressel headed back to Akron in non-coaching role
Tressel headed back to Akron in non-coaching role
Former Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel has been hired at the University of Akron in an administrative role.
UConn names new athletics director
UConn names new athletics director
The University of Connecticut has named Warde Manuel as its new director of athletics.
Print
Email Story
