Misericordia University Athletics

The Misericordia University football team dropped its MAC opener in a hard-fought contest at Eastern, 27-21, Saturday afternoon.
 
The Cougars scored the game-tying touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but Eastern answered on their second play from scrimmage to go ahead for good.
 
Angelo Fluri scored two touchdowns Jordan Alston added a touchdown reception and 75 yards receiving.
 
Jacob Hunter was 5-6 for 79 yards and a touchdown.
 
Austin Lyons had a team-high 14 tackles.
 
Eastern took the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards in five minutes to take a 7-0 lead.
 
The Cougars answered with a 75-yard scoring drive of their own on the ensuing possession.
 
Hunter connected with Jassan Whittaker over the middle for a 26-yard gain on third down to get into Eastern territory.
 
Hunter hit Anthony Rucci for 16 yards on another third-down conversion to get to the Eastern 25.
 
After three straight runs by Amir Major set up a first-and-goal, Hunter hit Alston over the middle for a touchdown with 4:12 to go in the first quarter.  The PAT failed and MU trailed 7-6.
 
MU forced a punt to regain possession at their own 44 with 3:07 to go in the first quarter.
 
Alston's 13-yard catch over the middle converted a third down at the Eastern 43.  Alston added a 15-yard reception to the Eastern 24 and an offside penalty moved it to the 19 to end the first quarter.
 
Two plays later, Fluri went off left tackle for 15 yards and a score to give MU a 13-7 lead less than a minute into the second quarter.
 
Eastern went back in front on the ensuing possession and made it 21-13 with a score with 1:20 to go before halftime.
 
After a scoreless third quarter, MU marched 88 yards to pull even early in the fourth quarter.
 
A pass interference penalty moved the Cougars across midfield and Ronnie Borden hit Alston for 25 yards to convert a fourth-and-10 to the Eastern 17.
 
Two plays later, Fluri went 14 yards up the middle for a TD.
 
Borden connected with Alston on the two-point conversion to tie the game, 21-21, with 10:12 to play.
 
Eastern went back in front in just two plays on the ensuing drive.
 
MU held the ball for more than five minutes and moved into Eastern territory, but the drive stalled at the Eastern 42.
 
Eastern ran the final 3:42 off the clock to secure the win.