EWING, N. J. – After two years of waiting, Eastern Football stepped into the world of Division III Football with a hard-fought 41-21 loss at The College of New Jersey. The young Eagles held an early 7-3 lead and were within a score with the ball in the fourth quarter, but a TCNJ stop on fourth down and a pair of big plays late opened the final score up for the hosts. Izayah Guy-Bruton, Kamar Cosby, and Eddie Swinton each scored touchdowns in the loss.

Down 27-21, the Eagles started the fourth quarter with the ball. The Eastern drive stalled out at the TCNJ 41 yard line and the Eagles were forced to punt. The TCNJ offense put together its best drive of the day against an Eastern defense that had been on the field for a huge volume of plays in the 90-plus degree heat.

Trailing 34-21, the Eagles needed a big play to close the gap. They were not able to beat the sagging coverage and a late interception and long return gave the Lions a short field for the final score of the game.

In years to come, Guy-Bruton will be an answer to an Eastern Football trivia question as the first player to score. Early in the second quarter, the sophomore from Chichester won on his route in the flat, caught an eight-yard pass from Sabor Stevens  and earned the end-zone with a strong run after catch to put the Eagles up 7-3. The opportunity came after an interception and run-back by Gashawn Moody. Stevens finished the day with 143 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns.

The Lions responded with a pair of scores in quick succession to build a 17-7 lead with eight minutes left in the half.

Cosby then came into the game to change the look for the Eastern offense. His mobility made a difference almost instantly with a 21-yard carry. A Stevens pass to Guy-Bruton and a big run from Josh Barlow put the Eagles into a goal-to-go situation. Cosby finished the drive with a nine-yard touchdown run.

The Lions, however, had another drive, and they took advantage of a fatigued Eastern defense to score with 15 seconds remaining in the half.

TCNJ made a field goal for the first score of the second half, but the Eagles answered right back. Stevens found Swinton on a crossing route and the sophomore receiver did the rest with 67-yard touchdown.

The Eagles out-rushed TCNJ 171-114, but the Lions put the ball in the air 55 times for 405 yards.

Vaughn Highland played a huge role in an early goal-line stand to hold the Lions to a field goal. The sophomore nose tackle also had a first-quarter interception.

Not one for moral victories, Head Coach Billy Crocker saw room for improvement and a couple big plays that could have made a difference. Even so, he was pleased with the way his team competed in its debut.

"We had a bunch of young kids playing in their first real game, in this heat, against a bigger, physical opponent. But those kids came out and played hard today," Crocker said. "I'm proud of what they did today, and I am proud of their effort."

Next Saturday evening, the Eagles will play in another historic game when they host Alvernia at Franklin Field for the first home game and first conference game in program history.

Check back midweek for information on tickets, parking, and the rest of the game day information.