PHILADELPHIA– In its first game against the defending MAC Champion Delaware Valley Aggies, Eastern University Football dropped a 29-6 decision at Franklin Field. The Eagles (1-2, 1-1 MAC) led 3-0 early, and trailed just 6-3 at the start of the second quarter, but the Aggie running game created one score and Del Val scored a second on a busted play on third-and-long that turned into a 56 yard touchdown. John Nolek made a pair of 37-yard field goals for the Eagles.

On the opening possession the Eastern defense forced a three-and-out, and gave the offense a short field. Jeremiah Avrilien ran for 30 of his team-high 75 yards on the opening drive and the Eagles had 3rd-and-goal at the one. A mishandled snap led to a big loss and the Eagles had to settle for three.

The Eastern defense forced another punt, but the stout Aggie defense stood strong and Del Val took over in Eastern territory with two and a half minutes left in the period. After a ten-yard gain on first, Aggie running back Jay White turned the corner on the left side and ran in for a 35 yard score.

The Eagles made only three first downs in what turned out to be the decisive second quarter. The Aggies got an 18-yard rushing score from White with 5:39 left to go up ten and then after a Jeremy Brooks sack and an incompletion put the Aggies in third-and-long, the Eastern defensive line got good pressure and forced a downfield heave. White somehow emerged with the ball and ran another 20 yards for a 56-yard score. With 196 yards rushing and another 53 in the air, White accounted for over 70 percent of the Delaware Valley offense.

The Eagles pieced together short drive before halftime for a second Nolek field goal. The Aggies (2-1, 2-0 MAC) their final score of the day on White's third TD with 2:38 left in the third.

Against pressure from the veteran Aggie defense, the Eagles completed only four passes all day. They had and failed on a fourth-and-short deep in Aggie territory and ended the game in Aggie territory as well.

Gashawn Moody led the Eagles with 12 tackles. Chris Forte and Salif Nikiema each had five.

The Eagles will look to bounce back for a road test at Lebanon Valley College next week.