(Posted November 6, 2004)

Huntingdon, Pa. ? An overwhelming rushing performance from All-Conference running back Richard Jackson was too much for the Juniata College football team as the Eagles dropped a 48-10 Middle Atlantic contest at Knox Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Juniata fell to 1-8 overall and 1-7 in MAC play with the set-back, while King?s improved to 4-5 on the year and evened its MAC record to 4-4.

Jackson rushed for 170 yards and equaled his own school-record of five touchdowns. King?s finished the game with 216 rushing yards in the game. Jackson moved into ninth place all-time in NCAA Division III history with 5,212 yards. He equaled his own school-record of five touchdowns set two weeks ago in a 49-35 victory over Susquehanna University He also broke his own single-season school record with his 20th touchdown, surpassing his previous best of 18 set in 2003.

Juniata got another strong rushing effort from sophomore back Duane Ehredt Jr. (Bellwood-Antis/Tyrone) who came just one yard shy of reaching 100 rushing yards for the third time this season.

Despite his rushing performance, the Eagles hurt themselves with untimely turnovers. The Eagles turned the ball over five times in the game, providing King?s with extra offensive chances.

King?s would establish itself on the opening possession as the Monarchs mounted a seven-play 65-yard drive for the opening score. Jackson capped the drive with a nine-yard scoring run. Bobby Nawrocki?s conversion kick was good as King?s took a 7-0 lead with 12:47 remaining in the first quarter.

The Monarchs would strike again on their next possession. This time it took King?s 11 plays to cover 57 yards before Jackson would run off right tackle and into the end zone for another touchdown. Nawrocki added the point-after to give King?s a 14-0 lead with 6:28 remaining in the first quarter.

The Eagles moved the ball into King?s territory on the next possession, with quarterback Corey Doyle (Southern Huntingdon/Orbisonia) hitting Jason Koch (Kutztown/Kutztown) to move the ball to the King?s 36. But the Eagle drive stalled, and King?s took over on the turnover on downs. King?s would take advantage, moving 65-yards for the team?s third score of the game. The score game with Chris Barnic hitting Jackson with a screen pass and the senior rumbled 25 yards for his third score. The point-after was successful again, giving King?s a 21-0 lead with 9:51 remaining in the half.

Following a punt, Juniata assumed possession at its own 20 and would look to answer. Two runs by Ehredt gained 10 yards before Doyle hit Paul Kozick (Trinity/Dillsburg) for a 12-yard gain. Two plays later, Doyle and Kozick hooked up for 10-yards followed by a roughing the passer call on the Monarch defense which moved the ball to the King?s 26. Doyle then found Koch for 22 yards at the Monarch two. Two plays later, Doyle found Koch alone in the end zone for a Juniata touchdown. Dan Heinlen?s (Bishop Carroll/Ebensburg) extra-point kick brought the Eagles to within 21-7 with 5:08 left in the half.

The turnover bug then began to bight Juniata. After forcing a King?s punt, the Eagles fumbled on the return, giving King?s at the Eagle 19 with 4:04 left in the half. Three plays later, Jackson ran off left tackle and into the end zone for a score. Nawrocki?s conversion upped the Monarch lead to 28-7 with 2:50 on the clock.

On the ensuing possession, turnovers were again a factor as Geoff Ashton intercepted Doyle at midfield and returned the ball 18 yards to the Eagle 32. On the next play, Barnic found Matt Nicodemus at the two and the Monarch junior tight end burrowed over a Juniata defender and into the end zone. The point after increased the King?s lead to 35-7 with 1:39 remaining in the half.

Juniata cut into the lead early in the second half. Several strong runs from Ehredt Jr. helped move the ball to the King?s 11. Juniata was unable to sustain the drive, but Heinlein kicked a 25-yard field goal to bring the score to 35-10 with 2:27 remaining in the third quarter.

King?s would promptly answer when the Monarchs took over at its own 34 following the kickoff. Jackson would race off left tackle and broke a pair of tackles before finding the end zone to complete a 22-yard touchdown scamper on his fifth touchdown of the day to cap a five-play 66-yard drive. Nawrocki?s kick pushed the led to 42-10 with 0:22 remaining in the third quarter.

Juniata put together another strong drive midway through the fourth. Juniata began the drive on its own 49-yard line. Doyle found Kozick for 10 yards to the King?s 41. Two short runs would force a third-and-eight play where Doyle connected with Lance Tippett (Altoona/Altoona) for seven yards. On fourth-and-one from the 32 Doyle picked up seven on a quarterback sneak to give the Eagles a first down at the Monarch 25. After two incomplete passes and a one-yard run, Heinlein would attempt a 41-yard field goal but a high snap from center was fumbled and Monarch defender Craig Haywood scooped up the loose ball and raced off to a 57-yard touchdown return. The conversion kick was wide as the Monarchs assumed the final winning margin of 48-10.

Doyle finished the game 14-for-30 for 113 yards and a score. Koch led the Eagle receiving corps with eight catches for 72 yards.

Barnic was 10-for-22 for 156 yards and two touchdowns on the game. Blake Letchford caught a team-high five passed for 59 yards for the Monarchs.

Defensively, Troy Beaver (Bellwood-Antis/Tyrone) led the Eagles with 12 tackles. Matt Schmidt (South Western/Spring Grove) added nine stops, while Frederick Wall (Big Spring/Newville) posted two tackles for a loss and a sack on the game.

Tore Alaimo was the top tackler for the King?s defense as he posted 12 stops and added an interception. Casey Meehan added eight tackles, an interception and a pass breakup.
Juniata will close out its regular season next Saturday when the Eagles host MAC foe FDU-Florham in a 1pm kick-off. King?s will wrap-up its campaign against cross-town rival Wilkes University.

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.