Box Score

INDIANA, PA – A 27-yard “Hail Mary” from Cal's Peter Lalich to Josh Gumbert at the end of the first half broke the game wide open as the IUP football team fell to the Vulcans 28-10 in the third annual Coal Bowl at snow-covered Miller Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Lalich, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player for his efforts, threw for three touchdowns in the first half, but none was bigger than his heave to Gumbert as time expired in the second quarter. Several Crimson Hawks defenders deflected the ball in the end zone but Gumbert managed to secure it as he was trailing the play and gave Cal a 21-10 lead at the break.

IUP took an early advantage midway through the first quarter when Pat Smith (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg) hit Terrill Barnes (Gettysburg/Gettysburg) in stride for 35 yards down to the Cal nine-yard line. Three runs by Harvie Tuck (Akron, OH/St. Vincent-St. Mary) netted just three yards and a holding penalty set the Crimson Hawks back to the Cal 20, where Brett Ullman (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) would line up a 37-yard field goal. Despite heavy snowfall and a slick playing surface, Ullman's kick was true, giving IUP a 3-0 lead with 6:45 to play in the first quarter.

The Vulcans would have a chance to answer on their next possession, moving the ball into IUP territory thanks to a 36-yard run by Jeff Knox, but a 40-yard field goal attempt by Cody Nuzzo sailed wide left, returning possession to the Crimson Hawks.

The game would remain tied heading into the second quarter, but not for long. Cal's Lamont Smith had a 23-yard run to start the drive, and Lalich hit Mario Washington for 17 yards and another Vulcans first down. After a pair of rushes from Smith and Knox put the ball on the IUP 44, Lalich hooked up with Thomas Mayo, who shed a pair of IUP tacklers and darted 44 yards for the score. Nuzzo would add the extra point to give Cal a 7-3 lead with 10:17 to play in the second.

Cal would waste no time adding more points after an IUP three-and-out gave the Vulcans the ball back at their own 45. Three rushing plays by Smith and Knox put the Vulcans on IUP's 41, when Lalich hit Chedrick Cherry down the sideline for a 41-yard touchdown.

IUP would respond on its next possession, gaining big chunks of yardage through the air. Smith hit Barnes for 13 yards and a first down, and later hit Pat Brewer (Coatesville/Coatesville) for 27 yards down to the Cal eight-yard line. Three plays later Smith used his legs to punch in the score and pull the Crimson Hawks within four late in the first half.

The Crimson Hawks looked set to head into the half trailing just 14-10, as Cal took over on their own 49-yard line with just 10 seconds left in the half, but a 24-yard completion to Blake Williamson with five seconds to play gave the Vulcans a chance to add more points before the half. Gumbert came away with the jump ball as time expired to give Cal a 21-10 lead heading into the locker room.

Cal put together another scoring drive in the third when Lalich took to the air, as both Cherry and Mayo hauled in 28-yard receptions. Knox would pound in the touchdown from a yard out to give Cal a 28-10 lead with 4:34 to play in the quarter.

IUP had six possessions in the second half, but all ended in either a punt or turnover on downs. The inclement weather conditions had an effect on the Crimson Hawks passing game, as Smith ended the day 5-for-17 for 90 yards but was only able to complete one pass in the second half. Tuck had 19 carries for 84 yards, and James Johnson (Philadelphia/Glen Mills) rushed for 59 yards on 13 carries.

Mark Jackson (Canton, OH/McKinley) led the Crimson Hawks defense with 13 tackles, while Jerrell McFadden added 11 stops. Terrell Washington had nine tackles and a fumble recovery, and Carl Thornton (Beaver Falls/Beaver Falls) had eight stop and a tackle for loss.

Lalich was 9-for-17 for 224 yards and three scores through the air, while Knox and Smith split the work on the ground. Smith had 24 carries for 147 yards, while Knox had 106 and a touchdown on 25 carries. Mayo caught two passes for 72 yards and a score, and Cherry finished with two catches for 69 yards and a touchdown.

With the loss the Crimson Hawks are now 5-3, 4-2 in the PSAC West. IUP will look to rebound next Saturday, November 5, when they travel to Lock Haven in search of win number 500 in program history. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m.