Eagles Fall to Colonels on the Road

EDWARDSVILLE, PA- Juniata football came out of their bye week and traveled to face Wilkes University on Saturday, falling by a final score of 38-7.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Eagles began the match with a strong drive. Juniata drove down to the Wilkes 14-yard line, reaching a 4th & 8, where the Eagles went for it but did not convert. The drive ended after 11 plays and 63 yards. The Colonels then shocked the Eagles with a 90-yard rush to the house on the next play, their first from scrimmage. So, the Eagles were right back on offense- and they picked up right where they left off. Another strong drive of consistent gains and first downs included 11 plays and 74 yards, and one key face mask penalty on the Colonels. The drive was capped off with a seven-yard touchdown rush by Alex Eaton, and the Eagles tied the game 7-7.

The Colonels ended the first quarter with a successful field goal attempt after a nice stop by the defense. Wilkes led 10-7.

Juniata carried a drive over from the end of the first quarter into the second which ended in a turnover on downs, after a 4th & 6 incompletion, their second of the day. As a result, Wilkes took advantage of the short field and drove down the field again, extending their lead to ten, 17-7. After punting, the Eagles defense came back out on the field, and quickly found themselves on their own one-yard line after a couple long plays from the Colonels. 1st & goal eventually became 4th & goal on the one-yard line, and the Colonels went for it, but the Eagles defense held strong, keeping the deficit at 10. From there, the Eagles had taken it from their own one-yard line all the way to the Wilkes 29-yard line, but went for it on another 4th & 10 play, unable to convert. Neither team scored in the half and the Eagles went into halftime down 7-17,

The Colonels opened third quarter with a touchdown drive, making it 24-7 as the Eagles went back on offense. A punt was followed by a Wilkes drive that was quickly approaching the endzone, but was stopped by a Tucker Lowery interception. Afterward, the Eagles offense was unable to convert, and punted away. The Colonels made three quick plays at the end of the third quarter that totaled 56 yards, and set them up for a 17-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth.

Down 31-7, the Eagles were unable to put any more points on the board. Wilkes scored once more and the Eagles punted and turned the ball over on downs in their last two drives on offense, ending the game 38-7.

Ethan Eisenberg threw for 132 yards passing, and Carter Marr caught seven passes for 60 yards. On the ground, Ivan Foreman totaled 89 yards rushing. Dillon Wakefield led with a match-high 11 total tackles on defense, Lowery adding the interception.

Now 2-6, the Eagles will return home for their final two games of the season, hosting Moravian University on November eighth at noon and Lycoming University on November 15 at 1:00 p.m.