Eastern Washington Eagles Nsimba Webster scores a touchdown against Maine during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Nsimba Webster smiles for the camera after scoring a touchdown against Maine during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Mitchell Johnson (94) and Jonah Jordan (91) sack Maine's quaterback Chris Ferguson during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Josh Lewis (1) runs the ball after intersepting Maine's quarterback during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Terence Grady (11)runs the ball against Maine during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Sam McPherson (20) runs the ball against Maine during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Sam McPherson (20) runs the ball against Maine during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. 28-0 Eastern at the half. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles QB Eric Barriere throws the ball against Maine during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. 28-0 Eastern at the half. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles QB Eric Barriere runs the ball against Maine during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles QB Eric Barriere is swarmed on the feild after the 50-19 win against Maine on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Nsimba Webster (5) gets a hug after the win against Maine on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. 28-0 Eastern at the half. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Nsimba Webster (5), left and QB Eric Barriere celebrate after the 50-19 win against Maine on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Antoine Custer Jr. (28) runs the ball against Maine during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles QB Eric Barriere runs the ball against Maine during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. 28-0 Eastern at the half. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles QB Eric Barriere throws the ball against Maine during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Nsimba Webster (5) runs the ball against Maine during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles QB Eric Barriere hands the ball to Sam McPherson (20) against Maine during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Sam McPherson (20) runs the ball against Maine during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles QB Eric Barriere celebrates a touchdown with Jayce Gilder (89) during against Maine during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Jayce Gilder (89) and Jayson Williams (2) celebrate a touchdown during against Maine during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
The Eastern Washington band plays after a touchdown during against Maine during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles head coach Aaron Best argues with the referees during the game against Maine during the second half on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Caleb Davis (60) celebrates after his fumble recovery during against Maine during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington Eagles Tamarick Pierce runs (24) the ball against Maine during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at Roos Field in Cheney, Wash. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)
Eastern Washington University plays the University of Maine in the FCS semifinals on Roos Field in Cheney on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.
Eastern Washington’s veteran offensive front wasn’t fazed in Saturday’s semifinal by Maine, which came to Cheney leading the country in run defense and was second in sacks.
But in the long run, the progression of Eric Barriere – still just a redshirt sophomore – is going to pay off big time for the Eastern Washington football team.
Barriere completed 21 of 30 passes for 352 yards and a seven touchdowns for the Eagles (12-2), who will face top-ranked North Dakota State (14-0) on January 5, 2019 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.