Even in defeat, Eagle football is still moving upward

Right from the start, something didn't look right last Saturday at Roos Field.

Sitting in our season ticket seats for the Eastern Washington - Illinois State FCS quarterfinal playoff game, I felt something seemed a little out of whack, askew and even funky - not Earth, Wind and Fire funky - as the Eagles took the field. There didn't seem to be the same intensity and fire I have grown accustomed to seeing.

Not that it was physically evident. Players were sprinting out of the tunnel, exhorting fans to stand and let their Eagle spirit and pride ring out.

It was just this weird feeling. That feeli...