The Eastern Washington Eagles used yet another second half comeback to defeat the Northern Colorado Bears, 43-41, in Greeley, Colorado, on Oct. 24. The win kept Eastern undefeated in Big Sky play, improving the seventh-ranked Eagles to 5-2 overall.

Late-game heroics were needed for the Eagles as Northern Colorado erased a 40-28 deficit late in the fourth quarter to take a 41-40 lead with 1:23 to go. A catch from sophomore Terence Grady and two receptions by junior wide receiver Cooper Kupp set up sophomore punter Jordan Dascalo – thrust into kicking duties due to injury – for the game-winning 44-yard field goal as time expired.

“It’s all between the ears. For him to go out there and hit it like he would at practice with no pressure, that takes a lot of guts,” said head coach Beau Baldwin.

The Eagles’ offense was fueled by the passing game, and yet another record-breaking day by Kupp. Junior quarterback Jordan West finished the day completing 38 of 59 passes for 428 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

Kupp added 20 catches for 275 receiving yards, both school records, while scoring three times. The running game added balance to the offense, as junior running back Jalen Moore carried the ball 23 times for 128 yards and a touchdown in his first career start.

Sophomore linebacker Jake Gall led the team in tackles for the second straight week with eight, while fellow linebacker junior Miquiyah Zamora added seven tackles of his own. Freshman defensive lineman Keenan Williams had his best game of the year, recording 2 of the 3 Eagles sacks on the day.

Baldwin is happy to return home after playing three of the last 4 games on the road. “There’s no question we’ll get that home field energy. It should have its advantages. But at the same time we still have to play a Weber State team who is playing well.”

EWU jumped to fifth in both the FCS STATS and coaches poll this weekend after its fifth consecutive win, their highest ranking of the season. The Eagles were ranked seventh following last week’s win over Idaho State.