Eastern Eagles Hand Misericordia First MAC Loss of the Season

On October 25, 2025, the Misericordia Cougars experienced their first loss in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) this season, falling to the Eastern Eagles 28-21 at Mangelsdorf Field. The defeat halted Misericordia’s five-game conference winning streak, leaving them with a record of 5-2 overall and 5-1 in the MAC. Meanwhile, Eastern improved to 6-1 overall and matched Misericordia’s conference record, holding the tiebreaker advantage.

The Cougars faced a challenging situation in the final minutes, trailing by seven points with just 3:44 remaining in the game. They advanced the ball into Eastern territory but were thwarted by a critical turnover. A fumble, resulting from defensive pressure, allowed the Eagles to regain possession. Eastern used the remaining time to secure their victory, kneeling out the final 1:22 of the game.

Misericordia’s first-year head coach, Steve Cushing, acknowledged the competitive nature of the matchup, stating, “We knew this was going to be a really good game. It was a tight game, and they just made one more play than us.”

Both teams entered the contest with strong offensive capabilities. Eastern averaged 30.3 points per game, while Misericordia’s defense had only allowed 20.9 points per game. The Cougars began the game with a promising drive, moving deep into Eastern territory on their opening possession. However, a penalty nullified a potential touchdown pass from quarterback Jacob Hunter, and the Cougars attempted a field goal that missed.

The Eagles quickly capitalized on the momentum shift, with quarterback Brett Nabb leading a drive that culminated in a 1-yard touchdown run from Jeremiah Avrilien, giving Eastern a 7-0 lead. The Cougars responded effectively, with Hunter tying the game at 7-7 on a 6-yard touchdown run following a 75-yard drive.

As the first half progressed, both teams faced moments that tested their resolve. After blocking a 37-yard field goal attempt, Misericordia had another opportunity to take the lead but failed to convert on fourth down. Eastern capitalized on this, with Nabb throwing a 31-yard touchdown pass just before halftime, extending their lead to 14-7.

The second half saw Eastern maintain their control, with Nabb scoring another touchdown to push the lead to 21-7. Despite a valiant effort by Misericordia, which included a 10-yard touchdown run from Hunter, the Eagles extended their lead again with a halfback option pass for a 28-14 score.

Misericordia managed to narrow the gap with a touchdown from Kasiah Poole, but it was not enough. Cushing emphasized the importance of moving forward, stating, “The big message is to come back next week and stay inspired. We have to continue to pay attention to detail.”

Looking ahead, the Cougars will face FDU-Florham next week, followed by home games against Delaware Valley and King’s. Cushing expressed pride in his team’s progress, noting the significant improvements from the previous year. “We just want to go 1-0 every week and we have to continue to do that,” he said.

As the season progresses, both teams remain in contention within the MAC, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the year.