PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – On a day when its offense was able to move the ball, a pair of big-plays and a late interception proved to be the difference as Eastern University Football dropped a gut-wrenching 24-19 decision to the visiting FDU-Florham Devils. With temperatures in the 80's and bright sun, the weather for Eastern's home finale felt more like a season-opener. 

With just over eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Eagles (2-6, 2-5) got the ball at their own 15-yard line after an FDU punt. With a well-mixed group of plays, the Eastern offense burned through clock and moved deep into FDU territory. After 15 plays and 68 yards, the Eagles reached the FDU 17. The Devils brought pressure and made a leaping interception to stop the Eastern drive. 

Even stopped, the Eagles had three timeouts left and a chance to get the ball back, but a first-down carry on the Devils' second play effectively ended the game. 

Eastern ran more plays than the Devils, and the two sides posted relatively close yardage and first down numbers. FDU had a 204-136 advantage in rushing yards, and the Eagles had a 199-144 edge through the air. FDU converted 20 first downs to Eastern's 19.

The two sides traded big play scores in the first quarter. On their first drive, the Devils scored on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Ryon Thomas to Aidan Clowry. On the eight play of the next Eastern drive, Jeremiah Avrilien answered. The first year running back got good blocks on the edge and downfield from his receivers and ran for a 53-yard score, the longest rushing touchdown in program history. 

Neither team did much offensively in the second quarter, but the visitors gradually gained ground in the field position game before getting the ball near midfield with 3:41 on the clock. The Eastern defense stiffened near the goal line to stop the FDU 10-play drive. The Devils kicked a short field goal to take a lead to the locker rooms. 

Out of the half, both teams put together long touchdown drives. The Devils capped theirs with a 12-yard run from Justin Malak.  The Eagles answered with a 15-play drive that finished with Brett Nabb catching a 3-yard touchdown from Elijah Knowles on fourth and goal. The trick play had Nabb wide open in the right corner of the end zone. 

After a bobbled snap on the try, the Eagles trailed 17-13. On the next drive, Thomas put the Devils up 11 with a 26-yard run that looked like it was going to be a sack. The Devil quarterback went from sideline to sideline and dove across the line to put the visitors up two scores. 

The Eagles answered with a 12-play 72-yard drive. Avrilien punched in another rushing score on a 4th and 1 play. The two-point conversion did not work, and the Eagles would need a touchdown to win. 

The defense came up with a stop near midfield to force the FDU punt.

Sabor Stevens threw for 141 yards, and Nabb threw for 55. Eddie Swinton caught five balls for 92 yards. Nassik Smith and Izayah Guy-Bruton each caught three balls, and Knowles had two catches. Nine Eastern players caught passes. Avrilien led the Eagles with 82 yards rushing. Nayson Brown led the Devils with 121 yards on the ground. 

Gashawn Moody had 14 tackles and Andrew Campbell and Dry Beckford each had seven. Campbell had two sacks.

The Eagles will play at Widener next Saturday.