Eastern Washington football fans will get to watch the Eagles battle against Sam Houston State on ESPN and the University of Washington for the second time next season, as well as again in 2019.

EWU will kick off ESPN’s 2014 college football coverage next season as they face off against Sam Houston State. “It’s arguable that Aug. 23 could be the biggest day in athletic history,” director of athletics Bill Chaves said.

“We’ve been on ESPN2. We’ve been on ESPNU. We’ve been on ESPN3. But we’ve never been on ESPN,” Chaves said.

Chaves also mentioned the excitement behind Eastern being represented on ESPN. “Even though the number of homes it penetrates is the same as ESPN2, there’s something distinct about being on their major network,” Chaves said. “For us to kick off college football, it’s the first and only game on Aug. 23.”

According to wide receiver coach Nicholas Edwards, playing on ESPN benefits Eastern athletics “It’s a good opportunity for us to showcase our talent,” Edwards said. “Recruits see us and that gets our name out there and helps out the university.”

In addition to competing on ESPN next season, EWU football will battle against Pac-12 school University of Washington this year on Sept. 6 and in 2019. According to goeags.com, this will be the second and third meeting between the Eagles and the Huskies. In their first meeting, Eastern lost by a narrow margin of 30-27 in 2011 at Husky Stadium.

“I think it gives us the ability to tell Eastern’s story on a greater visibility and publicity platform,” Chaves said. “Just because more folks are watching, hearing, listening, it just gives you a chance to promote Eastern in a very visible way.”

According to goeags.com, the Eagles will also compete against the University of Oregon in 2015 and Washington State University in 2016. This will give EWU six years worth of games against Pac-12 schools.

Chaves explained how coaches usually prepare their teams when playing on a big stage. “In the sport of football you only have one [game] a week,” Chaves said. “I think there’s a preparation level that’s consistent week to week. When we go play [the University of Washington] on Sept. 6, certainly our guys are going to feel the largeness of the game.”

Edwards mentioned how coaches keep players from being distracted when playing in a popular game during the season. “I think the kids don’t get too distracted, they just focus on day-to-day activity,” Edwards said. “Our guys do a good job of buying into coach Baldwin’s product.”

“We change our game plan for whoever we face against, but we don’t do anything different,” Edwards said. “Another opponent is another opponent so, we’re going to attack them the best way we feel like we need to.”

Chaves mentioned that prior to 2011, University of Washington never played an FCS school. Eastern was the first FCS school the Huskies went up against. “They had a scheduling philosophy that they would never play an FCS school,” Chaves said. “Then that changed, and then they opened the door.”

According to Chaves, fans have not reacted to the upcoming football schedule yet with the football season being months away. “The media has picked up on it a little bit, it is a little bit early, it’s still only April.”

“I think as we get closer, especially past July 4, I think people will start really gearing up and missing college football.”