Eagles Hold Pacific To 233 Yards, But Fall Short

Pacific only needed three big plays from Matt Strong Friday night, while everything in between was stymied by a Sullivan defense that put together one of its best games of the season.

Sullivan held Pacific to a season-low 233 yards, but the resurgent Indians limited Sullivan to just 142 yards and won 20-0.

The Eagles (1-4) gave up two big runs and a screen pass to Strong, who was coming off a game against Union in Week 4 where he racked up 247 rushing yards, 96 receiving yards and tallied six touchdowns.

Pacific scored 47, 53 and 49 points in their three previous games.

Friday’s game was a rebound for Sullivan’s defense after allowing 47 and 49 points in games against Union and St. Clair. They recovered three fumbles and won the turnover battle 3-2.

To contain the Four Rivers Conference’s most potent offense, Sullivan countered by running the ball over and over again. The Eagles rushed the ball 46 times, but gained just 100 yards.

Balor Bartolotta had 39 yards on seven carries and his 20-yard gain in the third quarter put Sullivan deep in Pacific territory. The drive would stall and Sullivan couldn’t get any closer.

Strong did all the damage Pacific would need. On the first play of the game, he ran through Sullivan’s defense for a 68-yard touchdown.

On the next drive, he had a touchdown run called back on a holding penalty, the first of six Pacific would commit.

Pacific got the ball down to the Sullivan 12 on their next drive, but two straight penalties and two straight incompletions from Jobe Courtney forced the Indians to punt the ball away.

Sullivan took over at their own 13 and put together one of their strongest drives. They picked up a first down on an encroachment penalty on 3rd-and-4. Blaine Blankenship had three straight carries for another first down. The Eagles advanced the ball into Pacific territory, but would end up punting away.

Both teams struggled to hang onto the ball late in the half. Pacific fumbled, Sullivan fumbled and Pacific fumbled again on three straight drives.

The Indians would score again with 21 seconds remaining when Strong took a screen pass for a touchdown, good for a 13-0 lead at the half.

Pacific scored again on their first drive of the third quarter. Strong’s 23-yard touchdown run, plus the extra point, gave the Indians a 20-0 lead.