RADNOR, Pa. - Eastern University Football executed in the final stages of the fourth quarter to claim a 24-14 win over the visiting Stevenson University Mustangs on Saturday afternoon. A perfectly run fake field goal on a 4th-and-5 put the Eagles just outside the red zone, and a 20-yard touchdown run from Brett Nabb with 1:47 remaining lifted the Eagles to its finest win in program history, and the first win at the Radnor Street Road Pavilion.
Up 17-14, the Eagles lined up to take a 49-yard field goal. Nabb, the holder, took the snap, spun away from pressure, and scampered for 11 yards for the first down. Two plays later, the Avalon, N.J. native took up the gut from 20 yards out for his second touchdown to give the Eagles a two-score advantage and essentially seal the win.
The Eastern defense excelled for the second weekend in a row. They allowed one 28-yard completion on the first play of Stevenson's final drive, but then, allowed just three more yards. Tahjere Jackson-Alston broke up a pass on 4th-and-7 to put the contest on ice.
"This is a signature win for our young program," Eastern Head Coach Billy Crocker said. "We have been close all season and finally got over the hump. Our kids believe they can play with anyone in our league. They come to work every day with great attitudes and have stayed the course."
Eastern held the Mustangs to just 99 yards on 31 carries and a measly 3.2 yards per rush. The Eagles forced four turnovers. Gashawn Moody and Jason Bateman forced fumbles and Ronald Jones and Dru Beckford grabbed interceptions to end Mustang drives.
Moody led the Eagles with 13 tackles. Bateman finished with 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack, and Jones had a tackle for loss in addition to his first career interception.
Nabb ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Jeremiah Avrillien added 49 yards on the ground, while Justin Nikolopoulos caught a pair of passes for 56 yards.
Eastern's defense set the tone early. With the Mustangs driving, Jason Bateman punched the ball free, and Jackson-Alston recovered it at the 15 yard line to end the Mustangs' scoring threat. After an Eastern punt, the Mustangs struck first on a 14-play, 89-yard drive. Nyaire Wilson threw a 14-yard strike to Johnson for the score. Wilson completed 22 of his 42 passes for 261 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Chris Rivera helped the Eagles to respond quickly with a 61-yard return to the Stevenson 34-yard line to spark Eastern's first scoring drive. Seven plays later, The sophomore receiver capped off the drive before with an eight-yard touchdown reception, his second of the season. The
The Mustangs threatened a few more times in the second quarter, but the Eastern defense stood firm. Ronald Jones ended one drive with a 23-yard interception return, while another ended on a turnover on downs thanks to another pass breakup from Jackson-Alston. The two teams went to the break tied at 7-7.
The Eagles grabbed the lead for good for with an efficient five-play, 75-yard drive to begin the second half. Nabb's 46-yard touchdown scramble made up much of the drive.
Jones came through again for the Eastern defense on Stevenson's next possession. The sophomore linebacker sacked Wilson on third down to force a punt.
Justin Nikolopoulos turned a screen pass into a 49-yard gain to put the Eagles in the red zone again. The Stevenson defense stiffened, and the Eagles had to settle for a field goal attempt. John Nolek's 29-yard attempt cut through the wind and banged off the post for a 17-7 lead.
Stevenson pulled within three on Wilson's 27-yard pass to Deion Richardson. On the Mustangs' last four drives, the Eagles forced a pair of punts, a fumble, and a turnover on downs.
Eastern (3-4, 3-3) will play in its final home game of the season next Saturday, Nov. 2 against Misericordia. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 noon.