CALIFORNIA, Pa. – The Crimson Hawks scored the game's first 17 points, but a second quarter momentum change was too much as IUP fell to rival California (Pa.) 44-23 in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs Saturday afternoon at Adamson Stadium.
The Vulcans (11-0) scored on three second quarter drives, and four straight overall, to reverse that early 17-0 hole and take an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter. Cal made it a 35-17 game on the first play of the fourth quarter to put the game nearly out of reach.
IUP (10-2) did threaten late, with a 14-yard scoring toss from sophomore quarterback
Mike Pietropola to graduate receiver
Chris Wuestner narrowing the deficit to 12 with just over six minutes to play. It was a one-handed, falling down grab by Wuestner, who finished with four catches for 102 yards and a pair of scores.
The Crimson Hawks then attempted a string of onside kicks – two of which they recovered – however, several penalties negated both successful conversions. A third onside kick, which was attempted from IUP's own 10-yard line, was covered up by the Vulcans, who scored four plays later to end any thoughts of a comeback attempt.
The loss ends the season and the playoff run for the Crimson Hawks, who tallied the 11th 10-win season in program history. It was IUP's 17th all-time NCAA playoff appearance, the sixth-most in Division II history, and third under head coach
Curt Cignetti since 2012.
IUP did dominate in the early going, using junior running back
Chris Temple out of the Wildcat formation to set up a 40-yard touchdown pass from Pietropola to Wuestner on the game's opening drive. Senior kicker
Ryan Stewart drilled a 35-yard field goal and freshman back
Samir Bullock scampered 31 yards on the next two possessions to give the Crimson Hawks a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The IUP defense also asserted itself, harassing Cal quarterback Michael Kier and giving up a total of 23 yards in the Vulcans' first two possessions.
The turning point in the game came midway through the second quarter with IUP holding a 17-7 lead. An IUP fumble on a reverse, followed by a blocked punt, led to a 12-yard touchdown run by Jalen Bell. IUP committed a pair of false start penalties on its next possession before giving the ball back to the Vulcans, who scored with 19 seconds left in the half to take a 21-17 lead into the locker room.
Cal's momentum continued in the second half, as IUP aided the Vulcans with a series of penalties.
Kier rebounded from his early struggles to complete 23-of-28 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns. PSAC West Athlete of the Year Garry Brown caught 11 passes for 219 yards and two of those scores.
Temple left the game in the third quarter with an injury, finishing with 78 yards on 21 carries. Pietropola went 8-of-17 for 132 yards and two touchdowns through the air, adding 47 rushing yards on seven carries. Junior receiver
Walt Pegues extended his personal streak to 33 straight games with a reception, catching two passes for 12 yards while rushing three times for 35 yards.
Senior linebacker
Kevin Clarke had a team-high nine tackles for IUP. He was one of four players to get to Kier in the backfield with a sack. Sophomore end
Deandre Easterling tallied two sacks while classmates
Jordan Diven and
Diamond Jones combined for two more.
IUP limited Cal to 364 yards of total offense, but failed to intercept a pass or force a turnover for the first time this season. The Crimson Hawks committed 11 penalties and converted just 4-of-12 third down conversions.
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