Eagles Bested by Cardinals to Close the Season

HUNTINDGDON, PA- The Juniata football team hosted the Catholic University Cardinals on Saturday in their final match of the season, honoring their 11 seniors who played their final game in blue and gold. The Cardinals triumphed by a final score of 56-22.

The Cardinals struck first on their opening drive, slowly driving down the field in 15 plays and 67 yards, taking 5:20 off of the clock. Juniata responded promptly though, taking their opening drive an equally impressive 78 yards on 14 plays over 4:06. Ivan Foreman capped off the drive with a five-yard touchdown rush to bring the score to 7-6 after Juniata's PAT failed.

Catholic then went on to score four unanswered touchdowns in a period of the game that tilted heavily in their favor. Juniata's next three offensive drives resulted in two punts, and one turnover on downs. Carter Sauer was able to convert a 39 yard field goal try on the Eagles' final drive of the half, bringing the score to 35-9 before Catholic snuck in a quick long score in the final 30 seconds of the half to make it 42-9 heading into the locker room.

After the Eagles' opening drive of the second half resulted in a punt, the Catholic scoring continued. Later on, the Eagles got the ball back with 3:38 left in the third quarter. A 68 yard completion from Calvin German to Isaiah Huffstutler during that drive sprung the Eagles into Catholic territory and put them in position to score. And score they did, as Carter Marr caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from German, bringing the score to 56-15.

In the fourth quarter the Eagles played great team defense, keeping the Cardinals scoreless and forcing a turnover on an interception by Cole Claycomb. The Eagles punted twice, but on their final drive of the game German connected with Marr on a 43-yard strike. That completion put them well into Cardinals territory where the Eagles converted two key fourth down plays to keep the drive going. Hunter Wolfley would take it to the house on a 20-yard rush to score what would be the final points of the contest.

Wolfley's rushing touchdown came on 97 yards from 23 attempts, while Huffstutler led the team in receiving with 101 yards on three receptions. Marr also added 73 yards on five catches, including the touchdown from German, who threw for 247 yards on the day. Ethan Shank led on defense with 21 total tackles.

The loss closes the Eagles' 2024 season at 2-8 overall and 1-5 in conference play.