HELENA, Mont. — A new era of Eastern Oregon football is set to begin, as the Mountaineers were selected No. 5 in the Frontier Conference West Division Coaches' Preseason Poll, announced Tuesday afternoon.

Eastern Oregon finished 4-6 overall last season and went 3-3 in conference play to finish fourth in the West Division. The Mountaineers received 17 points in this year's preseason poll.

EOU returns several key contributors from last season, including First Team All-Conference and Champions of Character linebacker Nehemiah Medrano and First Team All-Conference and NAIA All-American punter Ethan Cutler. The Mountaineers also return Second Team All-Conference selections Tyler Creswick and Michael Lenke, along with All-Conference Honorable Mention selection Deacon Pace.

The Mountaineers bring back five offensive starters, six defensive starters and one returning kicker. EOU will look to replace six offensive starters and five defensive starters, including First Team All-Conference defensive back Jason Grant and defensive lineman Sam Cadenas, as well as All-Conference Honorable Mention selections Sosaia Raass at defensive back and Tyler Exline at defensive line.

Eastern Oregon enters the season with a new coaching staff led by first-year Head Coach Solo Taylor, alongside Defensive Coordinator Bryan Mills and Offensive Coordinator Miguel Avina. The new staff made an immediate impact on the recruiting trail, welcoming 46 freshmen and 17 transfers to the program.

Among the newcomers are wide receivers Coby Tanioka and Dylan Shipley, both transfers from Montana Western, along with quarterbacks Chase Nelson, a transfer from Colorado State University-Pueblo, and Kallen Gutridge, a transfer from Oregon State University.

The Mountaineers will open the 2026 season on Saturday, August 29, when they host College of Idaho in a non-conference matchup. The Yotes enter the season as the No. 1 pick in the Frontier West Division after capturing the 2025 Frontier West Division Championship and advancing to the NAIA Football Championship Series Semifinals last season.