Final Stats

IUP posted its second consecutive shutout for the first time in almost two decades and rode a dominant ground game highlighted by a 168-yard effort by Harvie Tuck (Akron, OH/St. Vincent-St. Mary) in an 18-0 win over host Edinboro on a rainy Saturday night at Sox Harrison Stadium.

The Crimson Hawks improved to 4-1 and joined California as the only undefeated teams in the PSAC West after the first two weeks of division play. Edinboro lost for the first time in five games and is 1-1 in the PSAC West.

IUP, which defeated Slippery Rock 17-0 a week ago, last had back-to-back shutouts in 1991 and blanked the Fighting Scots for the first time since a 27-0 win in 1969. Edinboro entered the game ranked No. 12 in the American Football Coaches Association national poll.

The Crimson Hawks have surrendered only three touchdowns and 23 points in their four victories this season.

Tuck led a rushing attack that piled up 303 yards against one of the stingiest run defenses in the nation. Going into the game, Edinboro had allowed only 92.8 yards per game on the ground to rank second in the PSAC and 28th in the nation, but the Crimson Hawks more than eclipsed that in the first half alone with 144, including 61 by Tuck.

Tuck carried a total of 32 times and had 10 attempts for 63 yards on IUP's first drive of the third quarter that ended with a 31-yard field goal by Craig Burgess (Medina, Ohio/Highland) that boosted the Crimson Hawk lead to 12-0. Teddy Blakeman (Penn Hills/Penn Hills) added 17 carries for 75 yards.

Tuck was making his return to the lineup after missing all but the first series vs. Bloomsburg two weeks ago and the entire game last week vs. Slippery Rock with a foot injury.

With the running attack working so efficiently, quarterback Bo Napoleon (Carson, Calif./Carson) did not throw a pass in the second half and finished the night 4 of 11 for 64 yards. The only time Napoleon even dropped back to throw came at the end of the third quarter scoring drive and was sacked.

Edinboro mustered only 179 yards of total offense in being shut out for the first time since 2006. Cody Harris completed just 7 of 27 passes for 79 yards and hit on only three passes for 19 yards after halftime. Michael Battles rushed 12 times for 65 yards but was held to five yards in the second half.

IUP took the lead in the first quarter, taking advantage of an Edinboro lost fumble at its 35. Roy-al Edwards, making his first appearance since the season opener with an ankle injury, took a reverse 22 yards to the 13, and Tuck covered the rest of the distance on two runs, scoring from 6 yards out with 8:01 left in the period.

Burgess had his extra point blocked, snapping his streak of consecutive PATS made at 98. He also missed on IUP's second touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter.

Both teams missed field goals into the wind on their next drive. The Crimson Hawks were able to add to their lead before halftime, however, driving from their 35 to the Edinboro 9 before settling for a 26-yard field goal by Burgess. Edwards had a 15-yard run on another reverse and Tuck galloped 27 yards to spark the scoring drive.

The Fighting Scots nearly broke through before the half, marching 52 yards to reach the IUP 28. But an Alex Romanias field goal attempt from 45 yards out was well short as the first half ended. The drive was one of only two on the night for Edinboro that covered more than 18 yards.

After Burgess made it 12-0 with his 42nd career field goal, the Crimson Hawks had a chance to put the game away when Blakeman and Tuck combined for 47 yards to reach the Edinboro 8. But Tuck fumbled on the first play of the fourth quarter and Edinboro recovered.

IUP did get on the board on more time after Harris fumbled and Johnny Franco (Altoona/Tyrone) recovered for the Crimson Hawks at the Edinboro 20. Blakeman scored four plays later with 11:26 remaining in the game.

Zach Severance (Columbus, OH/Reynoldsburg) led IUP with seven tackles and Nate George (Derry, Pa./Derry) added five along with the only sack of the game for the Crimson Hawks. Ben Swank had 13 tackles and Dan Skelton had 12 for the Fighting Scots.

IUP begins a two-game homestand next Saturday when Mercyhurst visits Miller Stadium for Homecoming. Game time is 2 p.m.