ANNVILLE, Pa.– Every first-year football program can expect to have some challenging days. Going up against a deep and experienced Lebanon Valley College team, today was one of those days for Eastern University Football. With bad weather from Tropical Storm Ophelia reaching Central Pennsyvania, the Eagles had some early miscues on offense and were not able to recover.

Down 3-0, the Eagles had a drive stall at the 25, and an errant snap on a punt attempt gave the host Dutchmen a chance to punch in a TD front he 1-yard line. LVC converted the TD and the kick to go up 10-0 only ten minutes into the game.

The Eagles moved the ball on the first three plays of the next drive, but an overthrown pass on second down found an LVC defender. A 60-yard return turned into the fourth LVC defensive touchdown of the year and a 17-0 lead for the hosts.

After earning a first down, the Eagles had another turnover on a fumble on a play that looked like it might have been an incomplete pass. LVC recovered the ball at the 32. The Eastern defense stood its ground with a three-and-out and the two teams exchanged possessions until an LVC drive to close out the half put the hosts up 24-0.

The Dutchmen scored an early touchdown in the second half after a muffed kickoff return. LVC put together another drive lat in the third for a 38-0 lead.

The Eagles finally found the end zone on a 13-yard catch by Elijah Knowles on a pass from Brett Nabb.

With a host of juniors, seniors, and graduate students on their depth chart, LVC had only 73 yards passing in the game, but with the short fields and the early leads, the Dutchmen did not need to throw in the wet conditions.

Gashawn Moody led the Eastern defense with 12 tackles.

No MAC teams are playing next weekend. The Eagles (1-3, 1-2 MAC) are back in action at Misericordia on Oct. 7. The Cougars earned a 35-15 home win over Alvernia today.