Tailgating the Northwest
- Experience college football up close. By Colin
- Sep 16, 2015
- 3 min read
Fall means football, and there’s no shortage of great action in the Northwest. We have many beautiful campuses, unique stadiums with red and blue turf, tailgating by boat, former national champions, and a whole lot more. There’s nothing like the buzz around a college campus on a crisp fall Saturday afternoon. And even if your alma mater might be across country, there’s no shame in rooting for another regional team, rivalries withstanding! Just taking in the sites of game day is a blast, and we are fortunate to have some of the most interesting stadiums in the country close by.
Eastern Washington University
Location: Cheney, Washington
Stadium: Roos Field
Capacity: 8,600
Home Schedule: 9/19 vs. Montana State, 10/10 vs. Cal Poly, 10/31 vs. Weber State, 11/7 vs. Northern Arizona, 11/21 vs. Portland State
About the Team: The question for all Eastern Eagle fans is whether or not their high power aerial attack will continue without quarterback Vernon Adams. “Big Play” VA transferred to Pac 12 power Oregon for his senior season, however star receivers Cooper Kupp and Shaq Hill are back. Head coach Beau Baldwin has turned Eastern into a power at the FCS level with a National Championship in 2010 and Big Sky Championships in 2012, 2013, 2014.
Did you Know: Eastern Washington installed it’s now famous red turf nicknamed ‘The Inferno’ in 2010 thanks in a large part to a $500,00 donation from Eastern Alum and NFL offensive lineman Michael Roos.
Washington State University
Location: Pullman, Washington
Stadium: Martin Stadium
Capacity: 35,117
Home Schedule: 9/5 vs. Portland State, 9/19 vs. Wyoming, 10/17 vs. Oregon State, 10/31 vs. Stanford, 11/7 vs. Arizona State, 11/21 vs. Colorado
About the Team: The Cougars are looking to put it all together this year under Coach Mike Leach and his air-raid offense. It’s been a struggle for the Cougs in recent history and with most pundits calling the Pac-12 a top three conference in the nation this year, it’s not getting any easier for them. Look for WR Gabe Marks to step up big in the passing game.
Did you know: A fire at Martin Stadium on April 4, 1970 destroyed nearly 6,000 seats and the press box, forcing the Cougars to play their next two seasons an hour and a half away at Spokane’s Joe Albi Stadium.
University of Idaho
Location: Moscow, Idaho
Stadium: Kibbie Dome
Capacity: 16,000
Home Schedule: 9/3 vs. Ohio, 9/19 vs. Wofford, 9/26 vs. Georgia Southern, 10/24 vs. Louisiana-Monroe, 11/14 vs. Appalachian State, 11/28 vs. Texas Southern
About the Team: Third year Coach Paul Petrino says this is the best his team has looked since taking over the job. The Vandals will definitely be tested this year facing off against perennial powers Auburn and USC. They will also rack up plenty of frequent flier miles with trips to southern states Alabama, Arkansas and New Mexico. Junior Austin Rehkow might be the best punter in the nation, and becoming bowl game eligible is the goal for this program.
Did you know? The Kibbie Dome is also home to one of the premiere Jazz festivals in the U.S. The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival began in 1967 and has seen the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Wynton Marsalis. Students from all over the country attend for concerts, clinics, judged performances and workshops.
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