HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Wilkes University football team opened conference play on the road Friday night, cruising to a 54-7 win over Juniata College.

The Colonels improve to 3-2 with the victory and pick up their first win against Landmark Conference opposition, while the Eagles fall to 1-4 and 0-1 in conference play.

Wilkes' special teams unit opened the game with a fumble recovery by Daniel Pigga (Dunmore, PA/Dunmore) at the Eagles 11 yard line that Elijah Jules (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) punched in on the very next play. A two-point conversion by Tyler Wetzel (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge) made it 8-0 early for the Colonels.

On the next drive, Juju Fears (Easton, PA/Easton Area) blocked the Juniata punt and set the Colonels up at the Eagle 20. This time Janas Simms (York, PA/William Penn) punched in the Colonel touchdown on the ensuing play, and after a Nick Volpone (Delco, PA/Ridley) PAT the scoreboard read 15-0 Wilkes.

With just seconds remaining in the first quarter, Xavier Powell (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington) uncorked a 42-yard pass right into the hands of a wide-open Jimmy Johnson (Fallston, MD/Fallston) to bring the Colonel lead to 23-0 after another Wetzel two-point conversion.

Jesse Addesso (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph's by the Sea) ended the next Eagle possession with a forced fumble, recovered by Leroy Marshall (Cambria Heights, NY/Christ the King) in Colonel territory. Wilkes then drove down the field before fumbling themselves in the Juniata redzone. On the Colonels next trip to the redzone, Powell was intercepted by Logan Williams, but the defense held the ensuing drive to a punt.

Powell made up for the mistake on his next possession, breaking a quiet second quarter with a massive 58-yard run to paydirt to make the score 30-0 with less than a minute remaining in the half, taking a commanding lead into the halftime break.

The Colonels opened the second half with a long drive deep into Juniata territory, punctuated by Jules' second rushing touchdown of the day to make it a 37-0 game after the Volpone PAT.

The hosts scored their first points of the day halfway through the third quarter, a 48-yard reception by Sean Hakanson to make the score 37-7. Powell and the Colonel offense answered the Eagles' touchdown drive with one of their own, dropping a 28-yard pass right into the breadbasket of Zane Grover (East Stroudsburg, PA/Stroudsburg) for another Colonel score to make it a 44-7 game.

Wilkes rested their starters for the fourth quarter and the game finished 54-7 after another Volpone field goal and a touchdown by Leo Egbe Jr. (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown Area)

Powell led the Colonel offense with 145 yards passing and three touchdowns, adding 69 on the ground with a rushing touchdown. Jules was the top Colonel rusher with 140 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson was the leading receiver with 42 yards on his lone touchdown catch.

Junior linebacker Travis Shaver (Massapequa, NY/Plainedge) led the Colonel defense with seven tackles while the unit held the nation's leading rusher Hunter Wolfley to only 35 yards rushing on the day.

Calvin German led the Juniata offense with 198 yards passing and one touchdown. Wolfley was the team's leading rusher with 35 yards, while Hakanson was the leading receiver with 112 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Gunner Lesher led the team with 14 tackles.

The Colonels return to action next Saturday, October 12 as they welcome Lycoming College to Schmidt Stadium for a 12:00 p.m. matchup with the Warriors.