Juniata College falls to Moravian in triple-overtime

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Marc Braxmeier's one-yard touchdown rush in the third overtime series lifted Moravian College to a 23-17 triple overtime win over Juniata College, in Centennial Conference football action on Saturday at Knox Stadium in Huntingdon, Pa.

Braxmeier completed a five-yard TD pass to Tyler Hersch with 1:21 showing in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 14-14 and forcing the OT. Moravian began the game-tying drive on the Juniata 41-yard line, after a fumble by the Eagles' Ryan Blanchette on his own 44. Braxmeier hit receiver Shawn Sylvanius with a 34-yard pass completion on the third play of the drive, which gave the Greyhounds a first-and-goal on the Eagle four-yard line. 

Juniata (1-7, 1-5 Centennial) had a 38-yard field goal attempt blocked in the first OT series, while the 25-yard field goal attempt by Moravian's Brian Reckenbeil was wide left. Reckenbeil redeemed himself with a 28-yarder to put Moravian in front 17-13, but Juniata's Tyler Thomas answered with a 27-yard field goal to force the third overtime series. 

The Eagles were unable to get a first down on their possession, and Thomas' 42-yard attempt was blocked. Moravian (6-2, 4-2 Centennial) moved the 25 yards for a touchdown on eight plays, capped by the Braxmeier TD rush to win the game. 

Juniata took a 14-7 lead in the third quarter, after a pair of Jay Leonard touchdown passes. Leonard connected with Matt Dunker on a three-yard TD strike with 12:10 remaining, then hit Chad Steiner on a 10-yard hookup with 6:23 left in the quarter. Steiner's touchdown catch was set-up by a 31-yard Leonard to Dunker pass on the previous play, giving the Eagles a first-and-goal at the Moravian 10. 

Leonard finished the day 20-of-52 for 180 yards passing, with two TDs and three interceptions. Steiner hauled in six catches for 37 yards, while Dunker had four receptions for 71 yards. Defensively, Josh Roy had a career-high 18 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles-for-loss. 

The Moravian offense was propelled by backup tailback Ryan Rempe, who carried a school record 51 times for 174 yards. Braxmeier was 16-of-31 through the air for 191 yards and one touchdown; his top target was Sylvanius, who had 11 receptions for 155 yards. 

Juniata is on the road next Saturday to face Johns Hopkins University in a Centennial Conference matchup, while Moravian will host Ursinus College in another Centennial clash.

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