INDIANA, Pa. – The Crimson Hawks scored 17 straight second half points, but the deficit was already too deep for IUP football as the visiting West Florida Argonauts advanced to the NCAA Division II national title game with a 27-17 semifinal win Saturday at George P. Miller Stadium.
The loss ends the dream season for the Crimson Hawks, who tied a program mark for the best single season record at 13-1.
West Florida (11-3) will play Texas A&M-Commerce (13-1) next Saturday for the 2017 NCAA Division II Championship next Saturday in Kansas City, Kan.
The Crimson Hawks dug a hole in the first half, gaining just 60 yards with three turnovers as West Florida took a 17-0 lead into the locker room.
West Florida owned a 19:43-10:17 advantage in time of possession, running 42 total plays while using most of the play clock before several of those snaps.
The Argonauts capitalized on an IUP botched punt snap to start the third quarter, scoring their third touchdown on a 15-yard pass play. That score did come with a bit of controversy, however, as West Florida's Kevin Grant appeared to step out of bounds prior to catching the ball in bounds. But after video review, the play was upheld and IUP trailed 24-0.
The comeback
The Crimson Hawks responded with a furious effort, using 10 straight rushing plays to fly down the field and get on the board with a one-yard touchdown run by sophomore
Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan). Those 10 runs covered 66 yards in 2:48, as Bullock totaled 34 yards on the last four plays of the drive.
The IUP defense fed off of that momentum, forcing West Florida into a three-and-out capped off by a third down tackle-for-loss by senior safety
Takhi Turner (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Twp.).
The ensuing IUP possession covered 56 yards in 10 plays and resulted in another touchdown, this time a 20-yard pass from redshirt junior quarterback
Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) to graduate receiver
Chris Wuestner (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle). The defense forced another three-and-out, and IUP went into the final quarter trailing 24-14.
The final quarter
The Crimson Hawks' offense received great field position at the West Florida 49 after the punt was shanked out-of-bounds. IUP used a pair of Argonauts penalties to get down to their six yard line, but the drive stalled at the 2-yard line before sophomore kicker
Dillon Sarka (Lebanon, Ohio/Waynesville) made it a one-score game with a 19-yard field goal.
However, West Florida regained its momentum, putting together a 13-play, 73-yard drive that took up 7:39 and resulted in a 25-yard field goal to take a 27-17 lead with 4:37 remaining. IUP would only get as far as the Argos' 35 on its final two drives as the comeback fell short.
Notes
IUP was looking for its third national title game appearance and first since 1993 … IUP is now 2-5 all-time in national semifinals … IUP made its 18th all-time NCAA Division II playoff appearance this season … The Crimson Hawks outgained West Florida 182-155 in the second half, running 41 plays to the Argos 29 … With three catches, senior receiver
Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) broke the IUP single season record with 76 receptions, surpassing Len Pesotini's 74 in 1975 … Bullock finished with a team-high 108 rushing yards on 21 carries … Freshman back
Justice Evans (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) went over 1,000 rushing yards on the year with 42 yards on Saturday … Evans (1,011) and Bullock (1,252) each hit that milestone in 2017 … Sophomore linebacker
Damon Lloyd (Bel Air, Md./John Carroll) had a career-high 17 tackles and finished the year with a team-best 116 stops … Junior safety
Mike Pietropola (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) also had a career-high with 13 tackles Saturday … West Florida running back Chris Schwarz ran for 175 yards and the team totaled 224, the most for an IUP opponent and opposing player this season … Williams' 31 passing touchdowns this year are the second most in single season IUP history … Senior receiver
Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) ended his career by tallying a catch in all 39 games played.
Follow
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