HUNTINGDON, Pa.- Juniata's football team hosted the Wilkes University Colonels in their Landmark Conference opener on Friday night and lost by a final score of 54-7.

After an early fumble was converted into eight points, Wilkes controlled the scoring. The Eagles were held to 14 yards on their first three drives, and on their fourth drive they seemed to be building momentum until a fumble gave the ball back to Wilkes. By the end of the first quarter the Colonels led 23-0.

Both defenses played well and scoring lulled in the second quarter as a result. The Eagles turned the Colonels over twice in the second quarter, once on an interception, and later on downs. The Colonels were able to score a 58-yard touchdown late in the first half to extend their lead to 30-0 heading into the halftime break.

The Eagles got some offense going in the third quarter on a six play, 75-yard drive which was capped off by a 48-yard touchdown pass from Calvin German to Sean Hakanson. 

The Hakanson touchdown was enclosed by two Wilkes touchdowns though, and the Colonels led 44-7 heading into the fourth quarter, where the Colonels tacked on 10 more points to extend their lead to 54-7.

German threw for 198 yards and one touchdown to Hakanson on the day, who totaled 112 yards receiving on seven catches. Hunter Wolfley carried the ball nine times for 35 yards and Gunner Lesher led on defense with 14 total tackles.

The Eagles will move to 1-4 and 0-1 in conference. They will look to bounce back on the road next Saturday, October 19, after a week off against another Landmark Conference opponent in the #10 Susquehanna River Hawks.