Stubbs comes up with a pick six versus Moravian, but Eagles fall to Hounds 28-7

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Juniata College freshman cornerback Nicholas Stubbs (Hagerstown, Md./South Hagerstown) completed a season triple crown on touchdown returns, but the Eagles committed five turnovers leading to 21 Moravian College points and dropped a 28-7 Centennial Conference football loss to the Greyhounds, Saturday afternoon at Rocco Calvo Field.

Stubbs intercepted Moravian quarterback Robbie Moyer's pass at the Greyhounds' 30-yard line, returning it 30 yards for the touchdown to give Juniata a 7-0 lead at the 4:28 mark of the first quarter.

Stubbs had already recorded a kickoff return for a touchdown as well as a punt return for a TD, both of those coming in Juniata's loss at Franklin & Marshall on September 24.

The "pick six" from Stubbs came at the tail-end of a wild first quarter, in which both the Eagles and the Greyhounds had opportunities to get some early momentum.

After receiving the opening kickoff, Moravian's Moyer fumbled on the Hounds' third play from scrimmage, giving Juniata possession at its own 40. After holding the Eagles to three-and-out, a seven-play Moravian drive was squelched with an interception by Juniata's Keith Stewart (Havertown, Pa./Haverford Township) at the Eagles' 39-yard line.

The Eagles were again unable to get a first down and were forced to punt, but Moravian's Travis King fumbled on the return and Juniata took over at the Greyhounds' 20.

Three plays later, Udinski's throw into the endzone was picked off by Moravian's Brandon Lesko. Moravian took over at its own 20-yard line, and three plays later Stubbs scored the game's first points with his interception return.

The Greyhounds eventually evened up the game at 7-7 with 7:24 left in the second quarter, following a Ward Udinski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) fumble at the Juniata three-yard line. Moyer broke the plane two plays later on a one-yard scoring rush. Neither squad had much success moving the ball over the remainder of the second quarter, and the teams went into halftime still tied at 7-7.

After holding Juniata to three-and-out to start the second half, Moravian marched downfield on a seven-play, 72-yard drive capped by C.J. Billera's seven-yard scoring run at the 10:00 mark of the third quarter.

The Greyhounds added a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Moravian quarterback Matt Johnson hit Mike Zanoni in the end zone on a 12-yard pass play just seven seconds into the frame, extending the Greyhounds' lead to 21-7.  The drive began on a Moravian interception at its own 40 by King, launching the 11-play, nearly five-and-a-half minute drive.

Moravian capped the scoring with Douglas DiMattia's 50-yard interception return off a Udinski plass on a 4th-and-13 play, with 1:36 showing on the game clock.

Juniata (0-9, 0-8 Centennial) finished with 83 yards of total offense and four first downs. Udinski finished the game 13-of-26 passing for 59 yards with four interceptions, and carried 11 times for -21 yards. He was sacked a total of four times for 31 yards on the afternoon.

Wide receiver Julian Valdiserri (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon) hauled in three passes for 19 yards, while Quadir Christian (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown) had a pair of catches for 12 yards.  Zach McCaulley led the ground game with eight carries for 33 yards.

Defensively, linebacker Kevin Gorman (Waverly, N.Y./Waverly Central) paced Juniata with 11 total tackles, including five solo stops, with one sack for a yard.  Rookie linebacker Ethan Wilt (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area) logged eight tackles while linebacker Noah Walstrom (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area) had seven tackles.

Moravian finished the day with 280 yards offensively, with Johnson completing nine of his 10 pass attempts for 122 yards and rushing nine times for 23 yards. Moyer connected on eight passes for 46 yards, and gained 26 yards on the ground.

The Hounds' rushing attack was led by Billera with 42 yards on 18 carries. Zanoni led the receiving corps with seven catches for 78 yards, while Billera hauled in four receptions for 34 yards.

Juniata closes out the 2011 season at home next Saturday, Nov. 12, as the Eagles host Susquehanna University in the annual "Goalpost Game".

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