EWU Eagles start practice for FCS Kickoff
7/30/2014 4:46:00 PM | Football
Eastern Washington, Sam Houston's opponent in the FCS Kickoff Classic on ESPN, becomes the second college football team to begin preseason camp Thursday.
The Bearkats and Eagles will meet the first college game on the year Saturday, August 23 in Cheney, Washington. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. (Central). The telecast is the only game to be played that day and marks the earliest season opener in both program's histories.
Sam Houston started its camp Monday to become the first team to start 2014 preseason drills.
Eastern head coach Beau Baldwin has a team picked by three national publications as the preseason No. 1 team in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. The Eagles are picked to repeat as Big Sky Conference Champions.
Eastern Washington advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs in 2012 and 2013 and have been to the playoffs in seven of the last 10 years. The Eagles fell to Sam Houston in the 2012 semis and to Towson last year.
EWU returns 45 lettermen from their 2013 team that put together a 13-2 season and the school's first-ever 8-0 Big Sky Conference finish in school history.
Among the returning lettermen are six starters on offense and five on defense, as well as the school's punter and long snapper.
Three All-Americans (quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., wide receiver Cooper Kupp and linebacker Ronnie Hamlin), lead the list of returning players. A total of 12 players who earned All-Big Sky Conference honors a year ago return, as well as Freshman All-American Samson Ebukam on the defensive line.
Sam Houston and Eastern Washington have met three times previously. Each time both teams were ranked. Two of the contests came in FCS playoff action. The Bearkats have won all three meetings.
Preparing for their fourth matchup with EWU, Sam Houston will practice Thursday, Friday and Sunday, then hold its first scrimmage Monday from 8 to 10 a.m. at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.
The Kats will open their five-game home schedule at Bowers on Saturday, August 30, against Alabama State.
Season tickets for SHSU's five home football games in Huntsville plus the “Battle of the Piney Woods” with SFA at NRG Stadium Nov. 1 in Houston are on sale now online at www.gobearkats.com and at the SHSU ticket office.
A special "Season Ticket Holder Pick-Up Party" will be held at Bowers on Saturday August 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Bearkat fans who already have ordered their season seats are invited to the event which will feature a complimentary breakfast in the Bearkat Lounge while watching the football team scrimmage.
Attendees may pick up their season tickets and their "Orange Out" t-shirt as well.
Reserved chair back season tickets are $250. The price includes midfield sideline tickets to the “Battle of the Piney Woods” at Reliant Stadium, one complimentary parking pass at Bowers Stadium, a $100 tax deductible donation to the Bearkat Champions Fund that helps support scholarships for student-athletes and a 2014 premium gift item.
Bleacher reserved season tickets are $100. The price includes lower corner tickets to the “Battle of the Piney Woods” and a 2014 premium gift item.
All season ticket holders earn priority points and access to exclusive events and priority towards purchasing tickets to premium away games, NCAA playoff contests and National Championship events.
Season tickets are on sale at the athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House and online at www.gobearkats.com . Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
Fans who purchase season tickets during the first week of preseason camp (July 28 – Aug 1) will be eligible for special prizes including two Piney Woods sidelines passes (Thursday) and K. C. Keeler autographed football (Friday).
