Eastern Washington's running back carries the ball toward the line as receiver Freddie Roberson, right, looks for a way to slow down Tennessee State defenders Devoan Hawkins (55) and Boogie Trotter (23) in the non-conference game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Roos Field at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wasshington. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Eastern Washington's quarterback Gunner Talkington (2) scrambles and looks for receivers against Tennessee State in the non-conference game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Roos Field at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wasshington. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Eastern Washington's defensive back Demetrius Crosby (31) goes low to upend Tennessee State's ball-carrier Devon Starling in the non-conference game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Roos Field at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Eastern Washington's quarterback Gunner Talkington (2) scrambles between his own Luke Dahlgren (57) and Wyatt Musser (77) in the backfield as Tennessee State's manage to penetrate the pocket yet again in the non-conference game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Roos Field at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wasshington. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Eastern Washington's Freddie Roberson (1) scrambles near the endzone pursued by Tennessee State's Gleson Sprewell (3) and cornerback Jalen McClendon (28) in the non-conference game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Roos Field at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wasshington. Roberson was stopped short of the goal line but wide receiver Efton Chism pounded into the end zone a few minutes later. Behind Robersom is EWU tight end Blake Gobel (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Eastern Washington's Brock Harrison (44) gets a hand in front of a ball thrown by Tennessee State's quarterback Draylen Ellis (7) in the first quarter of the non-conference game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Roos Field at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wasshington. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Tennessee State quarterback Draylen Ellis, left, extricates his feet from the grasp of Eastern Washington's DB Tre Weed, on th turf, and grabs a few more yards in the non-conference game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Roos Field at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Tennessee State Head Coach Eddie George, a former NFL star, reacts to a penalty on his team in the non-conference game aganst Eastern Washinghton Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Roos Field at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Eastern Washington's tight end Blake Gobel, left, makes an over-the-shoulder catch for a touchdown as he steps into the endzone, even as Tennessee State's Bryce Phillips, right, tries to hold onto him in the non-conference game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Roos Field at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wasshington. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
Eastern Washington Robern Mason III (9), left, and Nolan Ulm (17) leap in celebration after Ulm's badk-of-the-end-zone catch for a touchdown in the non-conference game against Tennessee State Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022 at Roos Field at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wasshington. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW)
EWU football kicks off the season vs. Tennessee State at Roos Field
Eastern Washington lost twice on its famous red home turf a year ago, and in those games were two constants: a third-quarter drought from the Eagles’ offense, and an onslaught of rushing yards from their opponent.