Eastern University Football will head to Doylestown this Saturday for a critical early-season match-up with the Delaware Valley University Aggies. The teams finished in the top two spots in the league last year, were picked to finish atop the league, and come into the contest with 2-0 marks in the MAC.

With a six-year unbeaten stretch between 2017 and 2023, Delaware Valley dominated the league. While the Aggies have been in the mix the last two seasons, they have had to win close games to finish near the top of the table.

This year's group has played in three one-possession games. DelVal lost its opener at Ursinus by three points before beating Lebanon valley and Albright in close battles. The Aggies trailed LVC in the second half before scoring the final 15 points of the game to earn an 18-17 win in Annville.

Last week, the Del Val defense stood strong down the stretch to keep Albright out of field goal range late and preserve 24-21 home win. The Aggies scored 14 first-quarter points and never trailed.

The Aggies have earned 27 first downs rushing and 27 passing and are balanced in terms of attempts. Quarterback Mike Galasso has thrown for 593 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Justin Brown is averaging over 100 yards per game on the ground. Galasso has also run for a pair of scores. The senior quarterback threw for 24 touchdowns and ran for three in 2025.

Through three games, the Aggies have run 40 more plays than their opponents (194-156) and have amassed yards at a nearly identical rate. Opponents have run for 142 yards but only thrown for 129. Wyatt Younes and Thomas Arcaroli lead the Aggies in tackles and Kimir Stephenson has a pair of interceptions.

On most days, the Aggies would have a massive edge in special teams. Younes and Joel Perez are both threats to run back any kick, and Jovan Tyrell has a 53-yard punt return. Younes had a 100-yard kickoff return against Albright and Perez was a preseason All-American as a returner.

The Eagles will look to equalize that edge with good coverage and their own return-weapon in Chris Rivera. Jon Nolek missed most of the game against LVC with injury, but Luke Wheeler put four kicks into the end zone. Curtis Jones has been solid as a punter, but the Eagles will want to stay ahead of the sticks to avoid giving return opportunities.

While Eastern's offense has been very run-heavy, last week's game had a few big plays that were needed to keep safeties honest. Rivera and Devon Johnson both had big catches to extend drives and open up the box for running. Brett Nabb is completing 56 percent of his passes but has yet to throw for a score.

Jeremiah Avrilien has six touchdowns in the last two weeks and went over 2500 yards for his career. The senior from Miami Gardens is averaging a league-best eight yards per carry with 53 attempts. Eric Smith scored his first career touchdown against LVC.

The Eastern defense recorded a shutout against LVC without picking up a sack. After recording nine games with multiple sacks last year, the Eagles are still looking for their first one this year. Chris Forte did pick up an interception after pressure from Jaeshaun Johnson, and the defensive line spent a decent amount of time in the backfield against Misericordia. With Jason Bateman still out, the defense will need to continue to have each guy doing his job and bring numbers to the ball for every tackle. DonJuan Clark III and Sam Scell each posted nine tackles last week.

Last fall, Eastern trailed 13-10 after the Aggies scored with 28 seconds left in the first half. After a short kickoff, the Eagles took advantage of a penalty, and Nolek hit a 45-yard field goal to tie the game at halftime. Eastern scored the first 24 points of the second half on the way to a 37-20 win.  Avrilien ran for three touchdowns and Nabb threw for one. Brown finished with 172 yards and two scores.

Delaware Valley won the first two games between the two sides. In other games this weekend, King's (0-2)will host Widener (0-2), Albright (1-1) hosts Misericordia (1-1), Alvernia (1-1) is at home against LVC (0-2), and FDU-Florham (0-2)  is at Stevenson (1-1).