VALPARIASO, Ind. - The Dolphins (2-7, 1-6) played their final road game of the year on a chilly afternoon in Valparaiso, Ind. On Senior Day at Brown Field, the Crusaders jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on the first play from scrimmage, and never trailed en route to a 48-30 win.

Jacksonville trailed 21-0 early in the second quarter, but on its first drive of the second quarter it got on the scoreboard with a touchdown. Calvin Turner Jr., Garnett Nicolas and Irvin Riley had a combined five carries for 58 yards, capped off by a Turner touchdown from two yards out. The Dolphins defense then created a stop to give the offense the ball back. The next drive featured a 62-yard rush by the fabulous freshman Nicolas, which later set up a Javier Arce-Ramirez 31-yard field goal to make it a 21-10 Crusader lead.

The defense then held Crusaders to a field goal in the red zone. With time winding down in the first half, Jacksonville was marching down the field once again. Turner Jr. completed a pass inside the Valpo 10, but it was fumbled and recovered by Valpo in the end zone. 

The tide turned the game, and although the Dolphin rushing attack managed three touchdowns in the second half, it wouldn't get within single digits. Valpo's defense started the third quarter with a stop, and marched down the field for touchdowns on back-to-back drives to extend its lead 41-17.

Nicolas scored twice for the Dolphins in the second half, and extended two impressive season streaks. He has now had six consecutive games with a touchdown as well as three straight games with more than 100 yards on the ground. The freshman ended the day with a team-high 165 rushing yards. Riley also punched in a touchdown on a three yard run. The junior went over the century mark for the second straight game, finishing with 128 yards on 17 carries.

After his second touchdown to start the fourth quarter, Jacksonville's defense stopped Valpo on fourth down at the JU 30. On the next play, the Dolphins threw an interception, and three plays later the Crusaders turned the takeaway into a touchdown. 

JU had one more touchdown drive before the final. The nations second leading rusher, Turner Jr. finished below 100 yards for just the second time this year. He ran the ball 18 times for 87 yards. 

Jacksonville returns home for the season finale next week against Dayton. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.