(Posted September 4, 2004)

Dickinson 49, Juniata 6

Carlisle, Pa.?Turnovers, penalties and field position are three aspects that can greatly impact the results of a College football game, and all three came into play as the Juniata College football team was handed a tough 49-6 loss at the hands of non-conference foe Dickinson at Biddle Field in Carlisle Saturday afternoon. The Red Devils controlled the season opener from the outset as they improved to 1-0, while Juniata dropped to 0-1.

The tone of the game was set in the first quarter as Juniata turned the ball over on each of its first three possessions leading to 14 Dickinson points as the Red Devils jumped in front 14-0 early. On Juniata?s first possession of the season Greg Troutman (Meyersdale/Meyersdale) had his first pass of the season picked off and returned 34 yards for a touchdown by Andrew Ackley.

Juniata?s second position ended in similar fashion. Todd Bagnull sacked Troutman for a seven-yard loss and forced a fumble which the Red Devils recovered. Two plays later, Dickinson struck again as Kevin Williams hit Gerald O?Hara with a 16-yard scoring strike to make the score 14-0 in favor of the home squad.

Juniata showed signs of a comeback late in the first quarter as the Eagles forced their first turnover of the season. Ackley picked off Troutman for the second time, giving Dickinson excellent field position again. But three plays later Steve Parsons (Blackhawk/Beaver Falls) forced a Dickinson fumble which was recovered by Peter Thomas (Mechanicsburg/Mechanicsburg).

Neither team would score through the rest of the first quarter, but penalties, and the relentless pressure of Dickinson?s defense eventually left the Eagles deep in their own territory. The pressure got to the senior Troutman as he was knocked from the game after being repeatedly hurried and knocked down. Left with possession deep in their own territory the Red Devils blocked Jesse Leonard?s (Shade/Johnstown) punt and recovered it in the end zone to push the lead to 21-0 with 10:53 left in the second quarter.

Dickinson continued to win the field position battle as several possessions later a 14-yard punt return from Jake Ramsey gave the Red Devils the ball at the Juniata 38. Williams promptly hit O?Hara for a 30-yard scoring pass to make the score 28-0 Dickinson.

Juniata looked like it might carry some momentum into halftime as back-up quarterback Jeffrey Hayes (Lewistown/Lewistown) led the team on its best drive of the first half. Hayes connected for a pair of completions to move the ball to the Red Devil 21-yard line. Dickinson responded as Todd Bagnull forced and recovered a fumble on the next play to kill the drive and send the team?s into the locker room with Dickinson leading 28-0.

Dickinson extended the lead further on its first drive of the second half as Williams tossed his third TD of the game, this time hitting Arwin Gbolie for 39 yards.
The Eagles continued to show flashes of offensive production as Duane Ehredt Jr. (Bellwood-Antis/Tyrone) began piling up some yards on the ground. But the Eagles would not be able to sustain the drives as Dickinson kept them off the scoreboard.

The Red Devils? running game provided the team?s fifth score by putting together a nine play, 74-yard drive which was capped by a Dwight Phyall 14-yard scoring scamper with 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Juniata broke through on its first possession of the final quarter as Hayes guided the team on a 15-play, 64-yard drive in which Juniata converted three third downs and one fourth down to get the score. Hayes finished the drive by hooking up with John Boyer (Indian Valley/Belleville) for his first career touchdown pass. Juniata missed the extra point but cut the lead to 42-6 with the score.

Following a Hayes interception Dickinson would cap the scoring as Cody Peer plunged home from one yard out to give the home team a 48-6 edge. The extra point gave Dickinson the winning margin of 49-6.

Despite the set-back, the game marked a relatively strong performance from the Juniata defense. The Eagles held Dickinson to 318 yards of total offense, and held the team?s normally potent rushing attack was held to 113 yards.

Parsons paced the defense eight tackles, including one for a loss while also defending a pass. Bryon Latterner (Penn Cambria/Gallitzin) added seven stops for the Blue and Gold.

Hayes finished his day going nine-for 24 in passing for 78 yards and a score. Jared Lucas (Upper Dauphin/Elizabethville) had a team-high three grabs for 34 yards. Ehredt finished as the team?s top runner with 24 yards.

Williams was an impressive 13-for-22 for 205 yards and three touchdowns. O?Hara finished with five catches for 79 yards and a pair of scored. Phyall led the rushers with 46 yards.

Juniata will open up its conference schedule next Saturday when the Eagles host Moravian.
Juniata College
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