Lions Top Eagles

EWING, NJ- The Juniata football team traveled to Ewing, New Jersey to face The College of New Jersey Lions on Saturday afternoon and lost by a final score of 35-0.

After winning and deferring the coin toss, the Eagles began the game with stellar defense. An interception from Tucker Lowery gave the Eagles an extra possession on the opening drive of the game. A quick three and out saw the Lions regain possession though, and they capitalized on their opportunity starting the drive on Juniata's 41-yard line. In five plays they had rushed one in, and took a 0-7 lead over the Eagles. The Eagles struggled on offense again, and the defense, with little time off the field, couldn't keep the Lions out. Despite bringing TCNJ to a fourth down, the Lions went 14 plays in over eight minutes and took a 0-14 lead into the second quarter.

The scoring from the first quarter was replicated in the second, as two Juniata turnovers cost the Eagles two more touchdowns on the scoreboard. One turnover came on downs, and the other was through the air after the Eagles had made it to the Lions 35-yard line. The Eagles trailed 0-28 at halftime.

After punting just short of midfield on their first drive of the second half, the Eagles got things going on their second drive. Consistent gains were put together in a drive which the Eagles converted three key third down plays. Ultimatley though, the drive led to an unsuccessful field goal attempt from 34 yards away.

Hope for a comeback was dimished after the Lions carried a drive over from the third quarter into the fourth, and found the endzone again with just about 12 minutes left on the game clock. The Eagles threatened to score again though, this time taking the ball as closes as the two-yard line of the Lions after a pass interference on 4th & 13 gave them a fresh set of downs. A penalty of their own set them back on 1st & goal, and from eight yards away the Eagles couldn't find an opening in the Lions defense. The drive ended in a turnover on downs. Traded punts gave the Lions the ball back with two minutes remaining, and they were able to run the clock out and end the game, 0-35.

Ethan Eisenberg added 130 yards through the air on the day. JJ Asante led in receiving with 58 yards from five catches and Ivan Foreman totaled 35 yards in the run game. Ethan Shank led on defense with 15 total tackles with Sam Gunning adding a sack alongside Lowery's interception.

Now 2-2, the Eagles will rest up and prepare for their home game next Saturday against Western Connecticut State University. The matchup is the first between the two teams as Landmark Conference opponents.