HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Juniata football team suffered a 57-12 loss to visiting Muhlenberg Saturday afternoon at Knox Stadium.
JR Harrison led all players with 12 total tackles and added two pass breakups; Dontey Rogan tallied 11 tackles to go with an interception, while Quintin Stephens had nine total tackles and an interception. Stephens then added a reception for 55 yards and a touchdown. Julian Jackson had six receptions for 43 yards, while Michael Grapin had ten total tackles and a forced fumble.
Juniata started with the ball but struggled to get going and had to punt, with Wyatt Buell's punt starting the Mule's offense around the 50. It took the Mules five plays as they struck via a 32-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0.
The Eagles punted, and on the ensuing drive, the Eagle defense came up huge on third and four from the JC 37 as Rogan made a diving interception near the 20. Noah Wright started the next drive off strong as he found Jackson for a 12-yard gain and scampered for an 11-yard gain with his legs to get JC to the 41. A Hunter Wolfley carry of eight yards got JC to the 41. Facing fourth and seven from the Muhlenberg 46, Juniata elected to go for it, but Wright's pass fell incomplete.
Rogan with the diving interception! #WingsUp #GoEagles #TakingFlight pic.twitter.com/588mW62lsy
— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) October 22, 2022
The JC defense again stood tall as they forced a three and out, with the Mule's ensuing punt taking a visitor-friendly bounce and going out at the JC three-yard line. Wolfley toted the ball for 11 yards to give JC some breathing room, but the Eagles eventually would punt, and it was a short one as the Mules took over at the Eagle 42.
The Mules drove 40 yards in five plays down to the Eagle three. One first and goal, Grapin made a stop at the two, while on second and goal, Rogan and Max Locke combined to make the tackle. Locke made the solo stop on third down and made the Mules make a choice. The visitors elected to go for it, and Stephens made them pay as he intercepted the ball in the endzone to give the ball back to the Eagles.
Stephens with the second INT for the defense #WingsUp #GoEagles #TakingFlight pic.twitter.com/lNhVdesGA6
— Juniata Athletics (@JuniataEagles) October 22, 2022
Juniata couldn't get going on offense, and Buell boomed a punt 46 yards as the Mules took over at their own 45.
Muhlenberg scored on their next two drives, with an Eagle interception sandwiched in-between to make it 21-0 with just over six minutes left in the half.
On the ensuing kickoff, Dawson Booher returned it to the JC 26 but had the ball knocked out. Nigel Robertson scooped the ball up and did the rest, going 74 yards to the endzone to put the Eagles on the board.
Muhlenberg tacked one final touchdown before the half ended, as they went 52 yards in the last minute of the half as Juniata went into the half down 35-6.
The visitors won the second half 22 to six, with the bright spot coming when Wright found Stephens down the right sideline for a 55-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
Juniata will travel to take on Dickinson next Saturday at 1:00.
