By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata College football held on for the 17-10 win over Centennial Conference rival Susquehanna University Saturday afternoon in the annual Battle for the Goal Post game in Knox Stadium. Susquehanna (1-9, 1-8 Centennial) leads the all-time series 38-33-3, but Juniata has won two straight at home against the Crusaders. The Eagles 7-3 overall record ties them for the most wins since 1990. And this is the first time they have finished the regular season third in the Centennial and are tied with two other teams at 6-3 in league play.
"We sure hope that Juniata football is back," said head coach Tim Launtz of the Eagles turnaround season. "What it will take is the next group of leaders to step up and a good off-season and continue to do the things that we need to do."
Sophomore Charles Sweigert (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) scored the game winning touchdown towards the end of the third quarter. After the Crusaders made a goal line stand to earn the ball back on downs, Sweigert snatched a pass from Mark Rosenbaum on second and 12 and ran it 34 yards through the Susquehanna offense to the end zone. Juniata's defense dominated Susquehanna for most of the contest, holding the Crusaders to just 159 total yards, including only 54 on the ground.
"To make a play, you got to be in the right place and that pick-six was a heck of an effort by Charles," added Launtz. "He was in the right place and, I mean, the effort that he displayed on that return, wow. Our defense just played so focused, their discipline to execute, and today they read their keys. They played so well as a unit. And when I talk about defense, I mean defensive staff, and just all those guys. It was outstanding how well we played today."
The win meant the coveted Goal Post trophy was coming back to Huntingdon for the second time in three years. It was also senior day for the Eagles who graduate 11 from this 2013 roster. This Eagle senior class has made the second biggest turnaround in program history during their career. Only one other class has gone from a winless season, to one of such success in their four years. They will graduate with at least 11 wins under their belt, more than any class since 2004.
"They have been through a lot in the last four years," said Launtz of the group. "I can't say enough about those 11 Juniata men. The trust and respect they showed this program, and for themselves and their teammates, are just beyond belief. It really is."
Susquehanna jumped on the board first. Spencer Hotaling hit a 28-yard field goal with five minutes left in the first quarter to give the Crusaders the 3-0 lead.
The Eagles responded on their next drive, pushing 58 yards to the Susquehanna 8-yard line. Junior Ken Kysor (Port Allegany, Pa./Port Allegany) tied it up with a 25-yard boot of his own. Juniata's defense then stepped up and made a stop to give the Eagles the ball back after a Crusader punt.
On first and 10 from the Juniata 37, Udinski completed a 38–yard pass to O'Brien. After a one-yard rush by sophomore Deonte Alston (Bel Air, Md./Patterson Mill), Udinski hit him for a 10-yard gain, putting the Eagles in the red zone.
Udinski looked to throw on the next play but found some running room on the outside. He broke through a few tackles and high stepped over the line for a 14-yard touchdown.
Juniata's defense came back onto the field on fire and forced three-and-out's on the Crusaders remaining possessions through the end of the first half and into the first two possessions of the second half.
They held Susquehanna deep into their own territory late in the third quarter when Sweigert earned his pick six to put Juniata up 17-3.
After allowing the field goal late in the quarter, the Eagles defense held Susquehanna scoreless for over 35 minutes of game play. It took until 3:30 minutes into the fourth quarter for the Crusaders to earn a touchdown. Susquehanna quarterback Mark Rosenbaum found Will Howell for a 29-yard touchdown. But the Eagles defense shut them back down to help the team regain the Goal Post Trophy.
Juniata now waits to see if they will be selected for postseason play.
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