Nate Bell wins Eastern Washington’s opening quarterback job
Bell will start at Northern Arizona after leading the Eagles in rushing last season, but Jake Schakel’s passing production keeps the competition active behind him.
AUG 29, 2026
Eastern Washington has named redshirt junior Nate Bell its starting quarterback for the season opener at Northern Arizona, with Jake Schakel still in the mix behind him.
Bell won the job after spring ball and preseason camp. He led the Eagles with 663 rushing yards last season while completing 94 of 175 passes (53.7%) for 1,003 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions.
Schakel’s four appearances produced 997 passing yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions on 105-of-152 passing (69%). Coach Aaron Best did not frame Bell’s place atop the depth chart as a finished quarterback decision beyond the current assignment. “We feel good about both (Bell and Schakel), but right now Nate would (get) the nod,” Best said.
The Eagles open at Northern Arizona’s Skydome, 6,880 feet above sea level, in the fourth Big Sky season opener in program history. Eastern lost 30-18 there in 2024, though five current defensive starters and senior kicker Soren McKee played in that game. McKee called the altitude a factor: “It’s a factor. It’s going to play.”
Ball security will matter against a Northern Arizona team that had only 10 turnovers and finished plus-3 in turnover margin last season. Eastern had 22 takeaways and 18 turnovers, and is 77-10 since 2010 when it wins the turnover margin.