Eastern plays Villanova on Friday at Roos

The Eastern Washington University football team, coming off a 38-31 overtime triumph over North Dakota State on Saturday at Roos Field, will play host to Villanova on Friday on ESPN2 in the semifinals of the NCAA Football Championship Playoffs. Kickoff at Roos Field in Cheney, will be 5 p.m. Pacific time. Tickets for the game will be available later today via TicketsWest.com and 1-800-325-7328. “It’s awesome,” Eastern head coach Beau Baldwin said of playing a third-straight playoff game at home. “Anytime you play at home it’s a great thing. It’s great for the community, Eastern Washington, the fans and our players. We are familiar with our surroundings when we get to stay at home instead of going on the road.” Because the Eagles are seeded fifth, Eastern received another home game in the semifinals against unseeded Villanova, a 42-24 winner Saturday over No. 1 seeded Appalachian State. The Eagles, ranked No.1 to end the regular season in The Sports Network/Fathead.com Top 25 NCAA Football Championship Subdivision poll, enter the game with an 11-2 record and riding a nine-game winning streak. Villanova, ranked 10th to end the regular season, is 9-4 and knocked off Montana in last year’s FCS title game. The other semifinal pits Georgia Southern (10-4) at third-seeded Delaware (11-2). The Georgia Southern Eagles ended the regular season ranked 20th and have won three-straight playoff games. The Blue Hens, who received a first-round bye, were ranked fifth to end the regular season.