Box Score

INDIANA, PA – Despite Harvie Tuck (Akron, OH/St. Vincent-St. Mary)'s 119 yards on the ground and IUP's defense holding the nation's fourth-leading rush offense to just 76 yards on 32 attempts, the Crimson Hawks fell victim to big plays and lost their upset bid in a 20-16 loss to No. 8 Bloomsburg in a nationally-televised Thursday night Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) crossover matchup.

The game, broadcast live on television on CBS Sports Network and online at NCAA.com, drew a crowd of 5,679, the largest attendance at George P. Miller Stadium since the 6,216 that saw IUP beat Slippery Rock 23-16 in overtime back in 2008.

The Crimson Hawks (1-1) limited Bloomsburg running backs Franklyn Quiteh (129 yards per game) and Eddie Mateo (109 yards per game) to a combined 74 yards rushing on 23 carries. Mateo had a long rush of 35 yards, but gained negative-four yards total on his other seven carries. Quiteh averaged only 2.9 yards per rush on his 15 totes, with a long of just eight yards.

IUP tried to set the tone early with a 16-play, 71-yard drive to open the game, stalling on the nine-yard line before a Brett Ullman (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) field goal from 26 yards out. The game's opening drive took 8:50, and included 10 rushes by the Hawks.

The Huskies (3-0) responded on their first drive with a 51-yard strike from quarterback Pat Carey to receiver Kyle Fisher, setting Bloomsburg up with a first-and-10 at the IUP 11-yard line. After gaining just five yards on three carries, the Huskies settled for a field goal to tie the game at 3-3.

Not wanting to be outdone with the big play, Jerrell McFadden returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown as IUP took a 10-3 lead into the second quarter.

The Crimson Hawks continued to attack the Bloomsburg running game, but two more big plays – a 55-yard pass from Carey to Fisher and a 42-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Dickerson – allowed the Huskies to tie the game once again.

The rest of the first half included six drives, none going for more than 29 yards as the score remained tied at 10-apiece at the break.

The third quarter belonged to Bloomsburg, getting a 27-yard field goal from Dan Fisher and a seven-yard touchdown pass from Carey to Kyle Fisher – which was preceded by a 45-yard bomb between the same two – as the Huskies took a 20-10 lead into the fourth quarter.

IUP didn't let the Huskies gain too much momentum, as the Hawks put together a dominant 14-play, 85-yard touchdown drive that ended with a James Johnson (Philadelphia/Glen Mills) one-yard plunge with 12:15 left. The ensuing extra point wasn't converted, as IUP trailed now just 20-16 after the 5:51-long drive.

The Crimson Hawks defense really turned up the heat in the fourth quarter, forcing Bloomsburg into three-straight three-and-outs, as the Huskies totaled negative-nine yards.

IUP would get its last shot with 2:40 left, taking over at its own 41-yard line. After an eight-yard run by Tuck, Pat Smith (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg) hooked up with Evan Battalio for nine-yards on a third-and-two, extending the drive into Bloomsburg territory.

After an IUP penalty and a three-yard loss took the Hawks back to their own 45-yard line, Tuck took a dump off pass eight yards to set up a third-and-15 from the Bloomsburg 47-yard line. The Hawks then failed on successful attempts, as Smith tried to connect with receiver Pat Brewer (Coatesville/Coatesville), including a fourth down incompletion with 1:00 left on the clock.

IUP topped Bloomsburg in most of the important statistical categories, outrushing the Huskies 144-76; doubling up their first downs, 20-10; and owning the clock, keeping the ball for 33:43 compared to Bloomsburg's 26-17.

However it was the four big plays in the passing game for Bloomsburg – which covered 193 yards – that sealed the win.

Carey completed just 9-of-18 passes, but finished with 235 yards and two scores, getting sacked twice and throwing an interception. Fisher grabbed five balls for 171 yards and a score, while Jarrett Pidgeon led the Huskies defensive effort with 15 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and two pass breakups.

Tuck gained his 119 yards on 22 carries and also caught a team-high five passes for an additional 27 yards through the air.

Smith finished 19-of-38 for 169 yards and a pick, getting sacked four times by the Bloomsburg defense. Matt Plautz (Cranberry Township/Seneca Valley) caught four passes for 57 yards while Terrill Barnes (Gettysburg/Gettysburg) had three for 20 yards. Brewer, Battalio, and Ben Sasu (Gaithersburg, MD/Quince Orchard) each caught two passes.

Defensively for the Crimson Hawks, Andre Henderson (Erie/Strong Vincent) led IUP with seven tackles while Mark Jackson (Canton, OH/McKinley) had six, adding a second quarter interception that was returned 37 yards. Johnny Franco (Altoona/Tyrone), Alex Berdahl and Stephen Meadows (Spotsylvania/James Monroe) each had five tackles, with Meadows getting his first sack of the season.

The Crimson Hawks hit the road for the first time next week as they travel to take on undefeated Slippery Rock in another game underneath the lights. The kickoff from N. Kerr Thompson Stadium will be at 7:00 p.m.