The Eastern Washington University (EWU) Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets were out once again supporting the home football team during its quarterfinal game against University of California-Davis (UC-Davis) today at Roos Field. The two Big Sky Conference foes had played just a month earlier at Roos Field with Eastern winning by a score of 59-20. This game would prove to me much different. One of the differences was the weather which was much colder than the last time these two teams met. Throughout the day the temperatures remained below freezing with a thin layer of frost covering everything around the stadium. Despite the cold conditions the EWU ROTC Cannon Crew was ready to support the home team with our historic World War II era howitzer:
After a quick first touchdown by EWU the first half began to be controlled by UC-Davis by going up 14-7 before EWU made it a 14-14 tie game capped by an incredible defensive stand at the goal line just before halftime.
Cadet Polello fires the EWU ROTC howitzer after a home team touchdown.
Cadet Smart fires the EWU ROTC howitzer after a home team touchdown.
In the second half the sun went down making the temperatures even colder. However, our Cannon Crew was ready with a small fire to keep warm around:
The more the temperatures dropped though the more the game seemed heat up as Eastern and UC-Davis traded touchdowns.
Cadet Beier fires the historic EWU ROTC howitzer after a second half touchdown.
After UC-Davis went up by a score of 29-28 after a successful two point conversion with 1:13 left in the fourth quarter, prospects for the home team were not looking good. However, the resilient Eagles football team fought back to score a touchdown to win the game with :26 seconds left on the clock by a score of 34-29.
Cadet Beier fires the historic EWU ROTC howitzer after the final home team touchdown to win the game.
Congratulations to the EWU football team for an incredible win. The football team will be in action next weekend in the FCS Semifinals against the University of Maine. Since EWU is the higher ranked seed in the playoffs, they will host the playoff game at Roos Field in what will be the first ever meeting between the two teams. The EWU Color Guard and Cannon Crew teams will both be at the game supporting the football team. We look forward to welcoming Maine to Roos Field with the sound of our howitzer.
Go Cannon Crew! Go Fighting Eags!
It is a 75pack howitzer used by the 10th Mountain Division in Italy during WW2. It breaks down into loads suitable to be carried on a mule.
Mr. Irvin yes you are correct. If you haven’t already I recommend you read this posting that discusses the history of our historic EWU ROTC pack howitzer.
Sir:
You may need to opt for a heavier round or borrow a larger piece during playoffs. I was in Section C and never heard one report because of our enthusiastic fans. I hope the Department has a rag top, side curtains and a few extra G I cans to get the jeep and piece to Frisco and back.
Mr. Thompson, the crowd must have been pretty loud for good reason because it was quite an exciting game. We are actually using the heaviest round we can fire in the cannon right now. I wish we could bring the Jeep and howitzer to Frisco, it would be a lot of fun!