(Posted September 24, 2005)

Moravian 49, Juniata 14

Bethlehem, Pa. ? Another huge rushing day for Juniata College junior tailback Duane J. Ehredt Jr. (Bellwood-Antis/Tyron) was not enough to overcome a slew of big plays from Moravian College as Juniata suffered a 49-14 set-back in Middle Atlantic Conference action Saturday at Rocco Calvo Field.

Moravian improved to 3-1 overall and in conference play, while Juniata dropped to 0-4 on the season, and 0-3 in the MAC.

Ehredt Jr. reached the 200-yard plateau for the second-consecutive week as he gained exactly 200 yards on a school-record 45 carries. It marked the fifth time in the history of the Juniata program that a back has run for 200 yards in one game. His 200-yard effort is the fifth-highest single-game total in school history, tying him with Dennis DeRenzo who rushed for 200 in a game against Widener in 1990. But the majority of the damage came after the Greyhounds had jumped to a 28-0 first-quarter lead on the strength of several big plays.

Moravian had two touchdown runs, one scoring pass, an interception return for a touchdown and a kick return all for more than 40 yards to put points on the board quickly.

Juniata held the ball for more than 15 minutes more than the home team and got a solid effort from freshman quarterback Pat Buchler (Mount Saint Joseph/Ellicot City, Md.) who was 5-for-6 for 63 yards after coming on in the second half. But Juniata was unable to overcome early mistakes on offense and defense that led to big plays from the Greyhounds.

Chris Jacoubs finished with 164 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns for the home team, and Jerry Venturino was 5-for-9 for 143 yards and three scores.

The Greyhounds wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Juniata fumbled on its third play from scrimmage, turning the ball over deep in its own territory. Three plays later, Venturino found Kris Bisci in the end zone for the game?s first touchdown. Brian Reckenbeil added the point after to put the home team in front 7-0.

The home team added to its lead on Juniata?s next series as Tyler Chomik picked off a Jay Leonard (Big Spring/Newville) pass and returned it 42-yards for a touchdown. Another successful point after made the score 14-0 in favor of the Greyhounds with 11:25 still left on the first quarter clock.

The first quarter troubles continued for the Eagles as Moravian took possession and marched downfield for its third score. A long third-down pass from Venturino to Bisci moved the ball into the Juniata half of the field. Then on a fourth-and-four Venturino found Shawn Martell down the left sideline for a 31-yard scoring hookup. The point after put Moravian on top 21-0 with just over four minutes remaining in the quarter.

The Eagles got its fist sustained drive on the ensuing possession, helped by the running of Ehredt Jr.) and a rouging the passer penalty which extended the drive. But Juniata was unable to come away with points as a 38-yard field goal attempt from Dan Heinlein (Bishop Carroll/Ebensburg) missed wide right.

Moravian was not done its first-quarter scoring as two plays after the miss Jacoubs broke free for a 69-yard scoring rush with just 23 seconds remaining in the quarter. Reckenboil nailed his fourth point-after of the period to push the lead to 28-0 in favor of the home team.

It appeared as though Juniata?s defense began to find its rhythm after forcing a Moravian punt on the home team?s first possession of the second quarter, and then forcing a third-and-10 on the next series, but Moravian converted the first down and got more as Ben Hawkins caught a jump ball downfield and continued to the end zone to complete a 66-yard scoring pass. The point after with 6:43 remaining in the half made the score 35-0 Moravian.

The two teams exchanged defensive stops and punts the rest of the quarter and the Eagles went into halftime trailing 35-0.

The big plays continued for the Moravian offense as Jacoubs took the first carry off the half and broke it 65 yards for his second touchdown of the game. The touchdown tied the Moravian record for career touchdowns and career points with 32 touchdowns and 192 points. The point after put the Greyhounds in front 42-0.

Juniata?s offense followed the score by putting together its first scoring drive of the game. Ehredt Jr. broke off a 34-yard rush, and a fourth-down completion from Buchler to John Boyer (Indian Valley/Belleville) to move deep into Greyhound territory. Ehredt Jr. capped the drive with a five-yard scoring plunge to put Juniata on the board. Heinlein?s kick made it 42-7.

The ensuing kick-off return proved to be another big play for Moravian as Tyler Chomik broke a 74-yard return to the Juniata three yard line. Marc Panepinto followed with a two-yard scoring run two plays later to push the lead to 48-7 with the successful kick making it 49-7 for the home squad.

With the game moving into the fourth quarter, Juniata put together a methodical seven minute drive. The drive saw Ehredt Jr. establish a new school record for rushing attempts in a game, and Buchler convert several third-down conversions with his arm. The drive ended with Ehredt Jr. diving home from two yards out to give the Eagles their second score of the day. A Heinlein kick made the score 49-14 in favor of the Greyhounds which would be the final score on the day.

Boyer led the Eagles? receiving corps on the day with two catches for 27 yards. No Greyhound had more than two catches on the day.

Defensively Juniata was led by Matt Schmidt (South Western/Hanover) who recorded eight stops. Justin Armbruster (Conrad Weiser/Stouchsburg) added seven tackles and Peter Thomas (Mechanicsburg/Mechanicsburg) and P.J. Keith (Moshannon Valley/Morann) each had five.

Mike Prata led the home team with nine stops, while Chad DiFelice finished with seven tackles, a sack and a pass defended.

Juniata returns to action next Saturday when the Eagles host Albright. Moravian will travel to play Widener in an MAC contest.

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