By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
Photo: JD Cavrich Photography
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata College football dropped its first home game of the season Saturday, 65-10, to Centennial Conference rival No. 14 Johns Hopkins University. The Eagles fell to 3-2 on the year, 2-2 in conference with the loss. Hopkins remains undefeated at 5-0, 4-0 in conference.
"Improve and don't give up," said head coach Tim Launtz to the team after the game. "We were just anxious and we didn't execute."
Juniata won the time of possession battle in the first quarter, but the Blue Jays defense stifled their production as the offense exploded for a season-high 601 yards.
Senior Ken Kysor (Port Allegheny, Pa./Port Allegheny) opened scoring for the Eagles in their initial drive with a 24-yard strike. He came into the game tied for the lead in the league in field goals per game and is 7-for-5 this season, 8-for-6 in his career.
Senior Ward Udinski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) found junior Kyle Schuck (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove) in the end zone for Juniata's lone touchdown. The bullet pass was squeezed in between three defenders and earned Schuck his second touchdown pass of the year, and marked Udinski's 11th of the season.
Defensive highlights for the game include a first quarter interception by senior Kevin Gorman (Waverly, N.Y./Waverly Central). On second and 10 from the Hopkins 39 yard line, quarterback Robbie Matey threw across the middle and found Gorman waiting for the pick. He caught it at the 45 and ran the ball back a career-long 20 yards, breaking tackles along the way. The grab was his fifth career pick and the play set up the Kyso field goal that got Juniata on the board.
Senior Brandon Felus (Columbia, Pa./Columbia) picked up his third blocked field goal of the season in the third quarter. The defensive lineman busted through on a PAT and sent the ball straight up in the air. Juniata landed on it, ending the try.
The Eagles have a bye next week, but then hit the road for their next conference game. Juniata travels to face Ursinus on Saturday, Oct. 19 at noon. The Eagles lead the all-time series 10-8 against the Bears.
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