Eagles Grind Out Road Win With 24-16 Season-Ending Victory Over TIU

Deerfield, Ill. It was Judson University Football's debut on Leslie Frazier Field as the season finale commenced on Saturday. The Eagles did not disappoint as they won the contest 24-16.

Judson scored a touchdown in each of the four quarters. Late in the first quarter, Aubrey Williams found Jordan West from 14 yards to cap a six-play, 44-yard drive. After the Trojans began the second quarter with a score, Judson answered with a Williams three-yard pass to Michael Porter to complete another long drive and the Eagles held a 12-7 halftime lead. In the third quarter, Trinity International scored the next nine points on a touchdown and a safety. The Eagles then answered with a five-play, 63-yard drive that was capped with a 55-yard completion from Williams to O'Vauntay Vickers for the score. The only fourth-quarter score was Brandon Mackey scoring on a 10-yard run to end Judson's longest scoring drive of 82 yards (10 plays).

Williams had an impressive day in the air as he completed 29 of 38 attempts for 323 yards, three scores, and an interception. Brandon Mackey was the leading rusher with 87 net yards on the ground and a score. Four Eagles had over 30 yards receiving: Vickers (132), Jaquavious Wise (78), West (55), and Porter (35). Defensively, Caleb Williams led the team in tackles with eight (7-1), Franklin Sayers had seven (6-1). EJ Glover had a complete contest with 1.5 sacks, two tackles for a loss, and the game-sealing interception. Clifton Jimerson had four solo tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for a loss. Emmanuel White had a half-sack, and Randolph Britt had a tackle for a loss.

"That's a great way to end the season," said Head Coach Dan Paplaczyk. "I challenged the team this week to bounce back after the Missorui Baptist game. To lose the way we did could have easily led us to not work during this week of practice. The team responded and finished strong! It's a great foundation for the future of the program and everything else to come! I want to single out Vickers and Williams for leading us offensively. VTay went over 1100 yards and Aubrey was right at 2500. Our defense was a no-name defense. We had different guys contribute every game but Chance Cregeen was the one calling our defenses and checks all year. It is an honor to be the head coach of this team! I want to thank God and Dr. Crume for the this opportunity."

Judson has concluded its inaugural season and looks forward to future years of success.