HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata football team lost to visiting Moravian University, 44-13, on Saturday afternoon at Knox Stadium on Homecoming.
The opening Greyhound drive stalled out around midfield, and their punter booted the ball into the turf. Michael Grapin scooped the ball up and took it seven yards to the Moravian 42.
A 10-yard run on an option by Noah Wright, along with completions to Reed Knapper and Austin Nash, got the ball down into the red zone. Junseo Deckard eventually was called upon to attempt a 33-yard field goal that went wide right.
Moravian went 85 yards in 11 plays, capping the drive with a 23-yard touchdown on the ground to open the scoring. They converted a two-point conversion to lead 8-0.
On the next drive on third and 10, Joey Menke got a screen pass on the left side and eluded several defenders as he scampered down the left sideline. He cut back and ran to the right to elude the final defenders for the 75-yard touchdown.
The next Moravian drive was stonewalled when Sam Gunning broke into the backfield and sacked the quarterback for a 15-yard loss.
Early in the second quarter, Moravian had third and nine from their 47. Ian Brunner batted the pass into the air, and Dontey Rogan caught it, with the Eagles taking over at the Greyhound 36.
Wright found Nash for a 10-yard gain, Hunter Wolfley for a three-yard gain, and Chris Mignanelli over the middle for a 14-yard gain. The Greyhounds called timeout, and on the next play from scrimmage, Wright found Quintin Stephens in the back of the endzone, who made an outstanding leaping catch to put Juniata ahead. The extra point made it 13-8.
A 43-yard completion on the next Greyhound drive helped them move down the field. Moravian punched it in two plays later on a 22-yard rushing touchdown, with the extra point making it 15-13.
The Greyhounds finished the final seven minutes of the half scoring 14 points, with the 26-yard passing touchdown the second to last play of the half as the Eagles trailed 29-13.
Moravian scored 15 points in the second half to wrap up the scoring.
Wright was 17-34 for 202 yards and two touchdowns, while Menke did his damage on the ground and catching the ball. He ran five times for 62 yards while catching the ball twice for 85 yards and a touchdown. Grapin led the defense in total tackles with 10.
At halftime, we celebrated the 50th reunion of the 1973 Stagg Bowl team, who played in the first-ever NCAA Division III Football National championship game.
Juniata will travel to take on Lycoming next Saturday at 1:00.
