HUNTINGDON, Pa.- The Juniata football team fell to #9 Muhlenberg, 42-5, Saturday afternoon at Knox Stadium.
Juniata elected to receive to start the game, and Austin Montgomery (Bedford, Pa. / Bedford Area HS) hit Ben Lauver (Mifflintown, Pa. / Juniata H.S.) for an eight-yard gain before Calvin Bembry II (Hagerstown, Md. / North Hagerstown) got the first down on the ground. The Eagles were forced to punt from there.
The Mules went 67 yards on seven plays as Mike Hnatkowsky threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to put the visitors ahead. Juniata went three and out, but the defense quickly got the ball back. On third and five from the JC 46, Jamel Foster (York, Pa. / Red Lion Area Senior H.S.) punched the ball out of the quarterback's hands and Josh Parson (Port Royal, Pa. / Juniata H.S.) (Kutztown) fell on the ball.
Starting at the Muhlenberg 48, Montgomery lobbed the ball down the right sideline and Shaheed Ross (Philadelphia, Pa. / Delaware Valley Charter HS) came down with the ball. The drive went south from there as the Eagles couldn't manage to score. Muhlenberg countered by going 74 yards in two and a half minutes as they doubled their lead with a 23-yard touchdown through the air.
The second quarter opened with the next Juniata drive stalling, and Muhlenberg managed to capitalize again as they drove down the field to the JC 14. The Mules executed a running back pass for 14 yards and another TD to go up 21-0.
The teams traded empty drives, with the Mules missing a field goal from 34 yards. Juniata took over at their own 20 and used a big play to get in field goal range. On third and 11, Montgomery hit Sean Owens (Schwenksville, Pa. / Perkiomen Valley HS) for a 51-yard gain, with a penalty moving the ball all the way to the Mules 14. Juniata couldn't punch it in, however, so Sam Craig (Mullica Hill, N.J. / Kingsway Regional HS) booted a 25-yard field goal to get the Eagles on the board.
The Eagle defense managed to stand strong again, forcing Muhlenberg to punt from their own 27. The ball was snapped over the punters head and he kicked the ball out of the back of the end zone for a safety.
Following another JC punt, the Eagle defense managed to force another turnover. Six plays into the drive, Joshua Singleton (Philadelphia, Pa. / Olney HS West) forced a fumble and Adam Kipp (Mt. Wolf, Pa. / Northeastern) managed to recover it. Juniata couldn't get moving and punted again. Muhlenberg kneeled to end the half.
The lone score of the third quarter came from Muhlenberg from their second play of the quarter after their kick returner took the kickoff back 73 yards to the Eagle 25. Hnatkowsky threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to make it 28-5.
The Mules tacked on two more scores in the fourth to win 42-5.
The Eagles will travel to McDaniel, Saturday at 1:00.
