The Sam Houston State Bearkats had beaten the Eastern Washington University Eagles in their last two meetings. The Eagles were hoping to change the outcome this time, in a nationally televised game on ESPN at Roos Field. The first half of the first college football game of the season was a back and forth affair with both teams going into halftime tied at 21. But, four touchdowns in the second half gave the Eagles a 56-35 win in front of a sold out crowd of 10,310.
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23 year old Eastern Washington University senior Kimberly Duren, left, plays catch with her 20 year old sister Brianna, a junior, before the game.
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Eastern Washington University graduate student Brandon Kenworthy, center, cooks sausages as his wife Gabrielle, right,, also a graduate student, and John DeFord look on, before the game.
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15 month old Madison Maupin, center, walks in the parking lot with her father Jeramie, right, before the game.
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Eastern Washington fans cheer before the game.
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A member of West Plains Skydiving approaches Roos Field before the game.
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Eastern Washington mascot Swoop runs by fans before the game.
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Eastern Washington cheerleaders run in front of fans before the game.
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Eastern Washington players run out during introductions before the game.
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Eastern Washington fans cheer during the first half.
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Sam Houston State wide receiver Yedidiah Louis, left, is brought down by Eastern Washington defensive back Jake Hoffman (17) during the first half.
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Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp, left, is chased down by Sam Houston State safety Michael Wade (2) during the first half.
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Eastern Washington players run onto the field during the first half.
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Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp, top, is brought down by Sam Houston State safety Michael Wade (2) after a punt return during the first half.
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Sam Houston State running back Keshawn Hill, center, runs the ball during the first half.
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Eastern Washington cheerleaders perform during the first half.
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Eastern Washington running back Quincy Forte (22) runs the ball against Sam Houston State cornerback Tevin Creeks (17) during the first half.
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Eastern Washington head coach Beau Baldwin speaks with his team during the first half.
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Eastern Washington running back Jalen Moore (28) runs in for a touchdown during the first half.
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Eastern Washington linebacker Jordan Talley (20), left, and long snapper Cory Alcantar, right, bring down Sam Houston State cornerback Trenier Orr during the first half.
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Eastern Washington wide receiver Blair Bomber (23) and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (11) celebrate after Bomber catches a touchdown during the second half.
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Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) looks for a receiver during the second half.
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Eastern Washington defensive lineman Samson Ebukam, right, brings down Sam Houston State quarterback Jared Johnson during the second half.
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Eastern Washington tight end Zach Wimberly (9) celebrates after running in for a touchdown during the second half.
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Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) runs against Sam Houston State defensive lineman Gary Lorance (66) and defensive end P.J. Hall during the second half.
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Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp catches a pass for a touchdown against Sam Houston State safety Desmond Fite (21) during the second half.
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Eastern Washington offensive linesman Jake Rodgers, second from the left, lifts wide receiver Cooper Kupp, left, after Kupp receives a pass for a touchdown during the second half.
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Fans watch during the second half.
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An Eastern Washington fan cheers during the second half.
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Eastern Washington running back Jalen Moore, right, runs the ball against Sam Houston State cornerback Mikell Everette during the second half.
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Eastern Washington players celebrate after the game.