INDIANA, Pa. – For the second consecutive week, Gannon kicker Eric Scarpino drilled a game-winning field goal as time expired, this one a record 51-yard kick that deflected in off the right upright and secured a 16-15 win for Gannon against the IUP football program on Saturday at Miller Stadium.
IUP drops to 4-5 on the season with two games remaining. One of the most consistent programs in the conference, IUP is now in danger of just its third losing season since 1982 with the other coming in 2009.
Meanwhile, Gannon used 13 unanswered points to close out the victory, moving to 5-4 on the year and 5-1 in the PSAC West.
IUP mustered 73 yards offensively and five first downs in the second half, continually calling on a defense that employed a bend but don't break approach for much of the game. Scarpino kicked the game-winner for the Golden Knights last week at Mercyhurst, now a perfect 14-for-14 on field goal attempts this season (37-for-37 on kicks) and matched a school-record with a 51 yard boot.
IUP led 15-6 at halftime but was stuffed on a fourth down and short two situation in the fourth quarter. The defensive stand gave Gannon the ball back with 1:42 remaining and no timeouts. On third down, Gannon converted a sideline route to KeJohn Batiste, putting the Knights in position kick the game-winner from 51 yards out.
Drew DiNunzio-Biss flew around on Senior Day, posting 14 total tackles with a sack and pass breakup.
Jaheim Howard added nine stops (six solo) in the IUP secondary, while
Jay Holmes and
Darius Bruce posted interceptions for the IUP defense. Defensively, IUP added a safety in the first quarter with Holmes shooting the gap to get IUP on the scoreboard, trailing 3-2.
Dayjure Stewart paced the IUP ground game with 86 yards and a touchdown, while
Nico Marchitelli capped a pedestrian day through the air with 79 passing yards and 76 rushing yards. Marchitelli broke free for a 61-yard scamper down the left sideline in the second quarter, setting up IUP's second touchdown of the contest in the second.
IUP had an extra point blocked after a 17-yard touchdown strike to
Quinn Zinobile in the second quarter, which loomed large throughout the game in a one-point loss. Gannon racked up 202 yards on the ground, with 126 coming in timely situations in the second half.
Jayden Whitaker, the freshman QB for Gannon making his first collegiate start, powered in from four yards out early in the fourth quarter for a 15-13 advantage. Whitaker finished with 129 passing yards and two picks with both sides struggling to move the ball through the air.
The Knights spiked the ball with 16 seconds left before converting the sideline rout to Batiste, setting up the Scarpino field goal.Whitaker orchestrated a pair of game-winning drives in as many weeks for Gannon, which moves to 11-0 against the PSAC West against teams other than Slippery Rock.
Up Next
IUP finishes out the regular season on the road for the final two weeks, beginning next week with a matchup at Clarion on November 4 at noon.
Follow
For coverage of the IUP football program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPfootball and online at IUPAthletics.com.
