INDIANA, Pa. – The Crimson Hawks scored two early touchdowns and led by 14 in the third quarter, but were forced to hang on after a comeback attempt by Gannon as the 25th-ranked IUP football team defeated the Golden Knights 28-23 on a Homecoming Saturday at George P. Miller Stadium.
 
Nearly 5,400 in attendance saw the Crimson Hawks win their second straight game over a divisional opponent to improve to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the PSAC West.
 
The game came down to the final Gannon drive as IUP punted the ball to the Golden Knights with just over three minutes left. The defense forced two straight incompletions before a short gain on third down, leading to another incomplete pass as defensive end Tyrone Fowler, Jr. hurried Knight QB Kory Curtis.
 
The Crimson Hawks started out hot, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives to get out to a 14-0 lead. Quarterback Harry Woodbery connected with receiver Irvin Charles for a 47-yard score just minutes into the game before finding tight end Grant Smith in the middle of the field for a 10-yard score midway through the first.
 
That start slowed down with five punts to end the half as Gannon scored a second quarter touchdown to make it a 14-7 game at the break.
 
IUP opened up the second half with a touchdown, as Woodbery found receiver Duane Brown for a 31-yard score on their first third quarter possession. Gannon later added a field goal to make it a 21-10 game heading into the final quarter.
 
The Golden Knights (2-3, 1-1) closed the gap with a touchdown on their first fourth quarter possession but the Hawks blocked the point after, with Gregory Moore getting his hand on it after busting up the middle of the Gannon line. Nazir Streater picked the ball up at the 11-yard line and raced down the left sideline, but was tracked down just five yards short of the 2-point conversion.
 
IUP used the momentum to score on its next possession, with Woodbery pulling on a zone read and running into the end zone from eight yards out with 5:37 left to play.
 
Gannon answered just 1:42 later, using a 47-yard pass play to set up a 1-yard rushing score with just under four minutes to play. That led to an IUP drive that stalled out before the Hawks defense forced the stop at the end.
 
Up next
The Crimson Hawks look for their third straight win as they hit the road next week to face Clarion. The Golden Eagles are 0-5 on the year and are coming off a 75-0 loss to Slippery Rock.
 
Notes
The Crimson Hawks entered the week ranked No. 25 in the AFCA coaches' poll and not ranked in the D2football.com media poll … IUP is now 21-5 against Erie teams since 2008 when Gannon and Mercyhurst joined the PSAC … The Hawks are 11-2 in October under head coach Paul Tortorella … Woodbery finished 18-32 for 220 yards and three touchdowns, adding a rushing score … Woodbery has nine total TDs (seven pass, two rush) and no turnovers in his first two games in an IUP uniform .. Charles has caught a TD pass in each of the four games this season … Brown finished with eight catches for 101 yards and a touchdown … Connor Kelly led IUP with 10 total tackles … Bryce Gibson broke up two passes and recovered a fumble.
 
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