Brandon Kaufman named top 10 FCS wide receiver

Last week I told you about how The Sports Network named Eastern Washington University defensive back Matt Johnson as one of the top 10 defensive backs in the FCS.

Today they named EWU's Brandon Kaufman as one of the top 10 FCS wide receivers.

Here's what The Sports Network had to say about Kaufman:

Brandon Kaufman, Eastern Washington, Jr., 6-5, 205 - With star tailback Taiwan Jones sidelined for the FCS semifinals and championship game last season, Kaufman took his play to an elite level, catching a combined 17 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns for the national champion Eagles. He finished the season with 76 receptions for 1,214 yards and 15 touchdowns in 15 games, and was the first EWU player to score on the new red turf at Roos Field. He uses his big body to be physical in traffic and long legs to get behind the secondary.

Looks like the team is already getting tons of national exposure!

Kaufman also has the distinction of being the first Eagle to score a touchdown on the red turf. I was there as he scored. Fast forward to 2:05 I'm the guy in the number 8 Eastern jersey jumping and screaming.

Central Arkansas to install purple-and-gray artificial turf

Taking a page out of the Eastern Washington University playbook, the University of Central Arkansas is installing colored turf.

But not just one color. Instead they are opting for a purple and gray turf.


And after seeing the Eagles of Eastern Washington go undefeated at 8-0 on "The Inferno" of Roos Field and then ride that momentum onto a National Championship it's no surprise that Central Arkansas is making this move.

Central Arkansas also plays at the FCS level in football as part of the Southland Conference. Last season the Bears finished 4-3 in conference play and 7-4 overall.

Eastern Washington vs. Delaware - National Championship Prom

One of the sweetest videos that I have seen in a while.

A promo for the FCS National Championship game.

If this doesn't get you pumped for the game then you are not a true Eagles fan.

See Red! Be Red!

We must defend the Red Turf!

Here's what I'd assume will be Coach Baldwin's pregame speech: "Eagles! Prepare for glory! Eagles never retreat! Eagles never surrender! Go spread the word. Let every American assembled know the truth of this. No retreat, no surrender; that is Eastern law. And by Eastern law we will stand and fight. A new age has begun. An age of Red Turf, and all will know, that 300 Eagles gave their last breath to defend it!"

Eastern Washington featured in Sports Illustrated

When I first heard that Eastern Washington University was going to be installing red turf, I thought it was the coolest idea ever.

The reason being that I knew that tiny Eastern Washington would get national exposure for really doing nothing.

And sure enough that's what is happening.

The first big splash made by the red turf was the first game ever played on it. The rival Montana Grizzlies came into Cheney and became the first victims of "The Inferno." We of course were there to document the historic event.

A few weeks later the red turf gained national exposure on ESPN during the Boise State vs. Oregon State primetime game in September. If you missed the feature on the red turf, or want to watch it again, you still can by going here.

Now the red turf of The Inferno is at it again. Each week Sports Illustrated has a feature called "Leading Off: Pictures of the Week." In this section the magazine runs a number of photos from the week in sports.

This week picture number one is the Eastern Washington Eagles on the red turf against North Dakota State from this past weekend. (I didn't run the photo as I didn't have permission too, but check it out, it's pretty darn sweet)

The photo that did run is one that I snapped when we were over in Cheney for the Montana game.

Basically this has been just a dream season for the Eastern Washington University football program. A great team that wins at home on the red turf, national exposure for the program and an ever growing fan base.

The Eagles are currently 7-0 on The Inferno. And hopefully this Friday evening when Villanova comes to town the Red Turf will claim another victim and send the Eagles to their first ever National Championship game. By the way, the game is on ESPN2 which means more national exposure.

Many people say that they "bleed" their school colors. Well at Just South of North that statement is absolutely true. Around here we bleed red. But not just any red, Inferno Red.

Eastern Washington University red turf

When Eastern Washington University decided to replace the grass of Woodward Field with a red artificial turf one thing was certain, that the University would get a lot of national attention.

But another, and perhaps more important, item was that the red turf would provide a home-field advantage never before seen in Cheney, Washington.

The most popular colored turf is the blue turf of Boise State University. The Broncos installed their blue turf in 1986 and have dominated at home since then.

1986: 4-2 1987: 5-2 1988: 5-2 1989: 5-2 1990: 7-1 1991: 7-0 1992: 3-3 1993: 3-4 1994: 10-0

1995: 5-2 1996: 1-6 1997: 3-2 1998: 4-3 1999: 8-0 2000: 6-0 2001: 5-1 2002: 7-0 2003: 6-0

2004: 7-0 2005: 6-1 2006: 6-0 2007: 7-0 2008: 6-0 2009: 7-0 2010: 2-0 Total: 135-31

Take a look at the Broncos' home records each season since the blue turf went in.

*NOTE: Boise State went 10-0 in the 1994 season while competing in the FCS regular season and playoffs when they were members of the Big Sky.












Now that is home field advantage!

Well yesterday the red turf of Roos Field, or the Inferno as it's called, claimed another victim. The Sacramento State Hornets lost in the final seconds to Eastern 28-24.

Eastern improves to 3-0 on the red and 6-2 on the season (5-1 Big Sky).

The home field advantage is starting!

And if you missed the feature on the red turf that ESPN ran before the Boise State/Oregon State football game a few weeks ago, here it is:

Eastern Washington University football uniforms

This season it appears that the Eastern Washington University football program is taking a page out of the Oregon Ducks playbook.

Five games, five different uniform combination.

The Eagles have yet to wear the same uniform in any of their games yet. Except for their trademark red helmets there have been no continuity.

Here's a look at what the team has taken the field in:

At Nevada: White jerseys and red pants.

In Seattle vs. Central Washington: Black jerseys and black pants.

Vs. Montana on the red turf: Red jerseys and red pants.

At Montana State: White jerseys and white pants.

At Weber State: White jerseys and black pants. (as pictured above)

Now the real question is that this will be the second game on the red turf of Roos Field and will the Eagles wear their all red uniforms again?

I sure hope so because it only makes sense. Red on red.

Eastern Washington beats Montana and history is made

Last night was nothing short of legendary.

It was the greatest moment in the history of the sporting world that I have ever had.

When I first heard that Eastern was putting in red turf I hoped I could be at the first game there. When I heard that the Eagles would be playing the rival Montana Grizzlies I knew I HAD to be there.

And there I was.

Our seats were in the front row of the endzone. I was so close that on the FIRST ever Eastern touchdown on the red turf of Roos Field I was right there. And on every replay.

I get a text from Brandon, "I just saw you on TV! You're part of Eastern history now! Every replay shows you!"

Here's the only video I could find of the touchdown. No Spokane station had it on their sites. Nice work Spokane media. Nice work.

Fast forward to 2:05. I'm the guy in the number 8 Eastern jersey jumping and screaming.



Where we were sitting we were surrounded by Montana fans. And I knew that I didn't like the Griz, but I must say that they have some of the most annoying fans I have ever met. From the drunk woman next to me who kept yelling "You're turf is pink! You're turf is pink!" to the guy who kept trying to rhyme insults with Inferno (the nickname of the red turf). He came up with such things as "Craperno." "Suckiterno." and even "Grizerno." Yeah, his IQ was off the charts.

As for the game the Eagles won. Staked claim to their new red turf. Introduced Roos Field the correct way with a win. And beat the hated Grizzlies for the first time in Cheney since 1991. That loss also was the first back-to-back losses in the regular season since 2002 for the Griz. Now Montana will only be able to watch as Eastern is sitting pretty for the rest of the Big Sky season.

At the end of the game, Montana had tried to lateral for a miracle. Once the play ended everyone stormed the field. We jumped on the Eagle logo in the middle of the field and chanted "Roos! Roos! Roos!"
I'd seen other university students around the nation be able to rush the fields of their schools but never thought I'd be able to be a part of it. Until last night.

The fans on the field got an unsportsmanlike conduct call which gave Montana another play. The cocky Griz fans still had something to talk about. Until the play happened. This play resulted in their quarterback getting killed and coughing up the ball. The defense scooped up the ball and scored for a final of 36-27.

Griz nation was stunned.

The fans rushed the field again.

It was everything that sports is meant to be. Two teams putting their hearts and souls into a game. One team winning. And history being made.

I'm glad I got to be a part of that history. Eastern Eagles!

Here's some pictures from the game:

Nickname for Eastern's Red Turf

Eastern Athletics are running a fan vote contest to help find a nickname for the new red turf the debuts this fall.

And I must say. All the choices are terrible. Just awful.

Now I'm a huge fan of the red turf. I think it will be sweet. But these nicknames are just horrible.

Here's the list and why each choice is bad:

Red Sea - Red Sea, Sea of Red. These are Nebraska. Everyone knows that. Don't use it.

Red Zone - No. This is from the 20 yard-line to the goal line. Not a nickname for a field.

Inferno - Really?!?! I didn't know we were choosing a nickname for a WNBA team.

Big Red - Like the gum.

"So kiss a little longer, Make it last a little longer, Longer with Big Red! That Big Red freshness lasts right through it, Your fresh breath goes on and on, While you chew it! So say goodbye a little longer, Make it last a little longer, Give your breath long lasting freshness with Big Red!"

Red Carpet - Please tell me you're not serious! Can you say bad porno.

Ring of Fire - Like Johnny Cash. I went down, down, down into a burning ring of fire...or bad nicknames.

Lava Pit - Look out for dinosaurs!!!

You can vote at goeags.com.

I hope none of these win. I'd rather see Grizzly Blood Rug.

At the time I wrote this there were 31 total votes with Ring of Fire in first with 10, Red Zone with 7, and Inferno and Big Red tied with 5.