Northwest Notes Sept. 21, 2021

Montana-EWU Big Sky foootball game elevated to ESPN2

The Montana at Eastern Washington football game on Oct. 2 will now be carried nationally on ESPN2.

The scheduled 7:30 p.m. contest was originally set to air on ESPNU. The matchup will mark the first regular-season game for the Big Sky Conference to air on ESPN2.

Both squads are currently undefeated on the year, and are on a collision course for a potential Top 5 matchup on Oct. 2. Montana was ranked fourth in both the AFCA Coaches Top 25 and the Stats Perform Top 25, while EWU was slotted at sixth in both polls.

EWU has won 18 straight games at home, which is the second-longest active streak in the FCS. The Eagles are 61-10 overall since the red turf made its debut at Roos Field in 2010. EWU's last home loss came on Nov. 4, 2017, versus Weber State.

EWU holds a 7-3 advantage against Montana in the last 10 meetings, but the Griz won the last contest 34-17 in 2019 at Missoula.

EWU's Barriere earns conference, national honors

After a record-setting performance over the weekend, Eastern Washington University senior quarterback Eric Barriere was named the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the eighth time in his career, and second time this season, the conference announced Monday.

Barriere is also the College Football Performance Association FCS National Performer of the Week and the College Sports Madness National Offensive and Big Sky Player of the Week.

Barriere helped the Eagles defeat Missouri Valley Football Conference member Western Illinois 62-56 on the road in the first meeting between the schools. Eastern Washington is now 3-0 for the first time since 2007 and the fifth time since becoming members of FCS.

Barriere completed 31 of his 45 passes for 542 yards and six touchdowns, and also rushed for 20 yards. His 562 yards of total offense set a school record, passing Gage Gubrud's mark of 560 at Montana back in 2016. Barriere broke the record on his final rush of the game, a 10-yard scamper for a first down facing third and 7 that helped the Eagles secure the win.

Barriere also made his mark in the FCS record book as well, as 487 of his 542 passing yards came in the first half, which is the most-ever by an FCS quarterback in one half of play. His 542 passing yards were just seven yards short of a school record as well.

The senior from La Habra, Calif., also moved into second all-time in EWU history in pass attempts (1,186), third in career touchdowns (87) and completions (726). Additionally, he passed the 11,000 career yard mark for total offense and now has 11,206, which ranks him third as well.

His six touchdown passes were one shy of his own school record of seven.