DALLAS, Pa. – In a steady rain at Misericordia, Eastern University Football spent much of the day trying overcome poor starting field position. The host Cougars used that advantage to record a pair of first-quarter safeties and build a 12-0 lead at halftime. The Eagles scored a third-quarter touchdown, but they missed opportunities to chip away further in a 25-8 loss.

The Eastern defense held solid in their first action of the day, but the Cougars used a 52-yard punt to put the Eagles on their own 1-yard line for their first possession. The Misericordia defensive line got a good push on the first play and recorded a safety with a tackle for loss.

On the next Misericordia possession, the Eastern defense forced a fumble, and the Eastern offense drove into Cougar territory. The Eagles had a chance to take the lead, but a 28-yard field goal attempt hit the right upright and caromed out.

The Eastern defense again stood strong, but another massive punt, put the Eagles deep in their own territory. After a pair of negative plays, Sabor Stevens tried to throw out of his own end zone. He was ruled down by contact and the Cougars recorded their second two-point score of the afternoon.

The Misericordia offense put together a 57-yard drive for a touchdown early in the second quarter, and then the two defenses took advantage of playbooks limited by bad weather to slow the game. Eastern had. 3-2 edge in second-quarter first downs, but neither team reached 40 yards of offense.

The Cougars had 94 rushing yards in the first half.

The Eagles moved the ball after halftime but had to punt. The Cougars took advantage of a penalty and a long completion to put together a long touchdown drive for an 18-0 lead with seven minutes left in the third.

The Eagles finally broke through on a 65-yard pass from Sabor Stevens to Eddie Swinton to close the gap to 10 points. Brett Nabb threw to Jamarr Williams for a two-point conversion.

The Eagles had a pair of possessions down ten. The Cougars pulled away with a touchdown following a big loss on a muffed snap on a punt.

Jeremiah Avrilien led Eastern rushers with 47 yards. Justin Nikolopoulos had three catches for 54 yards.

Kamare Watson had 15 tackles and Gashawn Moody had 11.

The Eagles (1-4, 1-3) will host Albright at Franklin Field next Saturday night.