Huntingdon, Pa.- Despite the 61-41 final on Saturday afternoon, the Juniata Football Eagles showed promising signs in their home opener for the 2024 season.

The Eagles got off to a hot start with four first-half rushing touchdowns from Hunter Wolfley. The first two gave the Eagles a 14-0 lead on their first two drives. The Eagles led 21-7 at the end of the first quarter after Wolfley ran in his third on a 10-yard dash. Wolfley's fourth score of the day made it 27-20 before the Bullets responded with a couple rushing touchdowns of their own to lead the Eagles 34-27 heading into the halftime break.

Gettysburg began to pull away in the second half, but a 12-yard touchdown reception by Quintin Stephens put the Eagles back in it down 41-34 mid-way through the third quarter.

Two early touchdowns for the Bullets made it difficult for the Eagles, and despite a late two-yard rushing touchdown from Daniel Smith, the Bullets held on in the end, scoring three crucial touchdowns in the fourth quarter. 

Calvin German threw for 216 yards and a touchdown, while Wolfley totaled 223 yards rushing with his four touchdowns. Stephens accumulated 99 yards on eight receptions, and Ethan Shank led with 11 tackles and one fumble recovery on the day. Alex Mullin converted 5/6 extra point attempts.

The Eagles will look to bounce back on the road facing Alfred University next Saturday September 14 at 1:00 p.m.