HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata football team looks to start a winning streak as it hosts Muhlenberg on Saturday in a key Centennial Conference matchup. It is also the team's annual Pink Game. Kickoff from Goodman Field at Knox Stadium will be at 12 p.m.
The Eagles returned from their bye last Saturday and responded with a 21-17 victory at Ursinus. Nick Bonavita's interception with 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter stopped an Ursinus threat to secure the win for Juniata. Hank Coyne completed 16 out of 31 passes for 218 yards and threw two touchdown passes. Aaron O'Brien caught a season-high seven passes for 129 yards and both scores. Kirby Breault added three grabs for 47 yards. Hunter Phillips snagged four balls for 37 yards. The Eagles gained 114 net rushing yards led by Matt Lehr's 80 yards on 19 attempts. Breault picked up 23 yards on six rushes. The defense totaled four sacks and had seven tackles for losses. Donovan Cobb led in tackles with six and also had a sack. Mitchell Shober and Demetrius Floyd chipped in five tackles each with Shober also breaking up two passes.
The Mules rolled past previously unbeaten Gettysburg last week, 41-13. Wide receiver Nick Lamb caught 11 passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns while the defense recorded eight sacks. Linebacker Mike Luby led the defense with 3½ sacks, while defensive end Ronald Christian added 1½ and forced a fumble. Cornerback Khiry Hughes made a team-leading nine tackles. Quarterback Nick Palladino completed 25 of 35 passes for 255 yards and the three touchdowns to Lamb. Nick Savant rushed 15 times for 75 yards and a touchdown, and Max Cepeda also ran for a score.
Saturday will be the 11th meeting between Juniata and Muhlenberg with the Mules winning all 10 games in the series. Muhlenberg won last year in Allentown, 42-13.
