Eastern football to open spring practice on March 31

Eastern Washington will kick off spring football on March 31, coach Beau Baldwin announced Tuesday.

Over the next 29 days, the Eagles will hold 14 practices as they try to take another step toward improving on last year’s non-playoff season.

Most practices will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with scrimmages on Saturdays; all are open to the public. The highlight of spring ball will be the Red-White Spring Game, scheduled for April 23 at Roos Field. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m.

The spring game is held before the 34th Annual Killin Dinner, Dance and Auction.

The Eagles will follow the spring game with two more practices the following week.

Baldwin, entering his ninth season in Cheney, expects at least 54 returning letterwinners and 90 players at Roos Field next week.

That includes five starters back on offense and nine on defense, with three-time All-America wide receiver Cooper Kupp among the five returning All-Big Sky Conference honorees.

Last year, Eastern finished 5-3 in the Big Sky and 6-5 overall, missing the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Eastern recently completed its winter conditioning program. Spring quarter classes start on March 28, and spring ball begins three days later.