Audio (Jim Zauzig on play-by-play)
HUNTINGDON, Pa.- Coming off its bye week, the Juniata football team returns to the gridiron this coming Saturday. The Eagles travel to Collegeville to take on Ursinus. Kickoff from Peterson Field will be at 12 p.m.
JC is 1-4 overall and is still seeking its first win in the Centennial Conference. In its last game on October 3rd at Knox Stadium, the Eagles were defeated by then #8 Johns Hopkins 41-5. On offense, quarterback Hank Coyne finished with 128 yards passing, was only sacked one time, and did not throw an interception. Hunter Phillips caught a season-high six passes for 59 yards. Kirby Breault added three catches for 48 yards. David Vidovic led in rushing with 45 yards on 13 attempts. Defensively, Ryan Bologa led the way with 14 tackles and also picked up a sack. It was the first sack that the Blue Jays had surrendered this season. Demetrius Floyd added 12 stops with Jake Diviney, Plymire, and Donovan Cobb chipping in seven.
Ursinus is 2-3 on the season and 1-3 in the conference. The Bears lost to Moravian 31-3 in their last game. Ursinus' lone score came in the third quarter when kicker Eric Boyer made a 36-yard field goal with 8:57 left to cut the deficit to 17-3. Quarterback James Emmett threw for 178 yards on 18-of-38 passing in relief of Sal Bello who left the game due to injury. Running back Corey Kelly had ten catches for 61 yards, while wide out Matthew Raymond had a team-high 74 yards on six catches. Defensively, linebacker James Roccograndi had 11 tackles, with defensive back Prince Patterson and linebacker Timothy Rafter each having ten stops. Defensive end Steve Ambs had two forced fumbles, with defensive back Dysean Alexander and defensive lineman Shawn Hartigan each having a fumble recovery.
Saturday is the 21st meeting between the two schools with the Eagles holding a 12-8 advantage in the series. Juniata won nine in a row from 1947 to 1978 before the Bears took six straight from 2007-2012. The Eagles have won the last two games by a combined score of 66-17.
