Coming off a hard-fought 17-10 home win over Albright, Eastern University Football (5–1, 4–1 MAC) travels to Dallas, Pa., this Saturday for a clash with the first-place Misericordia University Cougars (5–1, 5–0 MAC). The upstart Cougars, picked eighth in the Preseason Coaches poll after going 2-7 in the league last fall, have won five-straight and are riding high after winning two-consecutive road games on the final play of the game. 

At Lebanon Valley two weeks ago, Misericordia scored on fourth-and-1 with no time on the clock to cap a 12-play 53 yard drive over the final 4:50 of the game to win 23-21 and spoil the LVC Homecoming. Last week the Cougars trailed 28-21 late at Stevenson. A Mustang fumble near midfield gave the Cougars the ball with 4:21 on the clock. Ten plays later, the Cougars capped a 51-yard drive with a touchdown on fourth-and-2 as the horn sounded. Down a point, the Cougars went for two and converted for the win. The 29-28 win kept the Cougars unbeaten in the league and spoiled Stevenson's Homecoming. 

The Eagles sit in a tie for second with Lebanon Valley. The Dutchmen, also 4-1 in the MAC, handed the Eagles their only loss this year. LVC hit a field goal on the final play of the game to earn a 24-21 win. While all the teams still have three games after this weekend, the winner of today's game in Dallas could be well-positioned for a MAC Championship run. 

Eastern's success this season has been powered by a stout defense and a relentless ground game. The Eagles lead the MAC in rushing at 252.3 yards per game. Jeremiah Avrilien and Brett Nabb both average over 100 yards per game and average more than six yards a carry. In Eastern's 31-10 win over Misericordia last season, the Duo each ran for 134 yards. Avrilien scored twice and Nabb ran in one. Curtis Johnson also scored as the Eagles ran for 309 yards. Avrilien has 10 touchdowns on the ground this fall. 
 
That formula was tested last week. Albright limited Eastern to 199 total yards — its lowest output of the year — and just three third-down conversions. Despite the offensive struggles, the Eagles found ways to win with defense, field position, and poise down the stretch. Albright's lone touchdown came on a two-yard drive after an Eastern fumble. The Lions came into the game with one of the top offenses in the MAC but finished with only 168 yards. The bulk of those yards came on a 21-play 69-yard drive that chewed up nearly the entire third quarter. The Eastern defense overcame a pair of tough penalties on the drive and held the Lions to a field goal. 

Misericordia quarterback Jacob Hunter has been the catalyst. The junior has 1,547 yards and 16 touchdowns through six games. Running back Angelo Fluri (278 yards, 7 TDs) anchors the ground game, while receivers Anthony Rucci (333 yards) and Jacob Hoy (303 yards, 6 TDs) stretch the field. The Cougars average 345 yards and 29.5 points per game and are 83 percent in the red-zone rate.

The Misericordia  defense has been just as pivotal. MAC Defensive Player of the Week Gavin Morris posted nine tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in last week's win. Misericordia has forced 11 turnovers, including eight interceptions, while holding opponents to 19.7 points per game. 

The Eastern defense allows just 18.7 points per game and 3.2 yards per rush, ranking among the MAC's best in run defense. Linebacker Jason Bateman leads the front seven, while Wayne Clark and Salif Nikiema supply edge pressure.

Gashawn Moody Sr. continues to anchor the secondary with range, leadership, and consistency. The two-time All-MAC Performer has lower numbers for total tackles than he did in his first two seasons in large part because the guys closer to the line of scrimmage are making more tackles. He leads an experienced  secondary that has playmakers at all four spots. 

After getting beat on a couple big plays by King's and Delaware Valley, the Eagles did not allow Albright to make a 20-yard gain. They will want to do the same against Misericordia while still applying pressure on Hunter in the backfield. The Eagles had a season-high five sacks last week. 

If neither team turns the ball over, special teams could become very important. John Westfield and John Nolek earned back-to-back MAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Nolek has hit 6-of-8 field-goal attempts, giving Eastern reliable points in close games, and Westfield can flip the field with big punts or pin teams in with accuracy to the corners. The Cougars have only attempted two field goals this year. Hunter is also their punter. 

While there are still a lot of football games to be played in the MAC after this weekend, tomorrow's slate has the top six teams in the league playing each other. Results from the day could begin to provide some clarity to the MAC Championship and Bowl Series picture. LVC (4-1)  is hosting King's (3-2) and Stevenson (3-2) is at Delaware Valley (3-2).