By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
CARLISLE, Pa. – The Juniata College football team continued its stellar start to the 2013 season by earning a 37-14 win over Dickinson College Saturday afternoon on the road in their Centennial Conference opener. The Eagles posted over 500 yards of total offense while the defense held Dickinson to only 27 total yards in the first quarter to help build the lead. Juniata improved to 2-0 on the year, its first 2-0 start since 2002. Dickinson is now 0-2, 0-1 in the Centennial.
"Being the first game on the road, it's a very tough place to play," said head coach Tim Launtz of the Red Devils Biddle Field. "That's the third toughest place in the Centennial to play in the past 10 years. To start Centennial play with a victory, that's what we kind of challenged our players with, and they were up to the challenge."
The 2013 Eagles have averaged a 20+ point win margin in their first two games. There have only been five teams in the programs history to have such a strong start to the season: the 1938, and 1957-59 squads with the 1973 team coming in close behind.
"Coach Newton, in his first year as offensive coordinator, had a great game plan," said Launtz. "I think that some people overlook that our offensive line did a great job today. They were very dominant. And that means a lot to the offense and how successful we can be."
Because of veterans – senior Zach Doyle (Altoona, Pa./Bellwood-Antis), juniors Derek Schultz (Edinboro, Pa./General McLane) and Josh Gongloff (Tyrone, Pa./Bellwood-Antis), and sophomore Frank Marin (Whitestone, N.Y./Holy Cross) – along with freshman Michael Potkovac (Lansdale, Pa./North Penn) on the line, the Eagles offense was able to control the ball for over 38 minutes of play, putting up over 500 yards of total offense.
Juniata was led by senior Ward Udinski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West). The captain accounted for three of the Eagles four touchdowns for 348 total yards. Junior Hunter Phillips (Funkstown, Md./South Hagerstown) caught the first touchdown pass of his career on a 20-yard toss from Udinski that gave Juniata the 27-0 lead over the Red Devils.
On the ground, senior running back Zach McCaulley (Bellwood, Pa./Bellwood-Antis) earned his first six points of the season. He sprinted 12-yards to the end zone for his sixth career rushing touchdown.
"Big team, little me," started Launtz. "It's what it's about. This team understands the sum of the parts is greater than the individual."
Special teams contributed heavily to the Eagles win. Junior Ken Kysor (Port Alleghany, Pa./Port Alleghany) scored a career-best 13 points on a career-high three field goals. His longest of the day, a 38-yarder with 1:09 left in the first quarter, was also a career-best. He had two 35+ yard field goals in the win. And even booted a 56-yard punt, a career and game-high mark.
"Kenny is a weapon for us," said Launtz. "With his range, it benefits us extremely offensively. We always have an opportunity to score with Kenny."
Senior Greg Nixon (Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Poly) continued to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. The linebacker led the Eagles with a game-high 10 tackles, seven solo. This is his second-consecutive double-digit tackle performance.
"We made sure we kept the ball, our defense made some pretty good stops and played solid the entire day," added Launtz. "The defense gave the offense the opportunities with turnovers. We just capitalized on them."
Juniata's defense started the game on fire in the first quarter. They forced the Red Devils to turnover the ball on their first three possessions to help the offense build the lead.
The Eagles return home to host their first Centennial Conference game of the year against Gettysburg College on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. Juniata is 8-19 all-time against the Bullets in a rivalry that dates back to 1923. The teams played consistently until 1980 and then picked back up when the Eagles joined the Centennial in 2007. This will be their 28th meeting.
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