KUTZTOWN, Pa. – The IUP football team clinched its spot in the PSAC Championship Game after a 45-42 shootout victory over Clarion and will now face undefeated Kutztown.

The Golden Bears, led by head coach Jim Clements, are riding a 10-game winning streak. Clements recently notched his 100th career win at Kutztown as the team looks to complete a PSAC title three-peat.

IUP, seeking its first conference championship since 2022, put on an offensive showcase against Clarion. Quarterback Matthew Rueve threw for all six of the Crimson Hawks' touchdowns, completing 30 passes for 355 yards.

Tight end Connor Shamany hauled in three of Rueve's touchdown passes, finishing with six catches for 98 yards. Wide receiver Devin Whitlock led the team with 11 receptions for 143 yards.

On defense, Randy Okungu made a major impact with 2.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Kutztown remained unbeaten after a 35-28 win over Bloomsburg. Running back Jaedyn Stewart scored twice on the ground, while quarterback Judd Novak completed 19 of 25 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown to receiver Jaimen Bryant.

The PSAC Championship Game is set to feature two of the conference's most balanced and explosive teams as IUP looks to reclaim its title and Kutztown aims to continue its dominance.

Quick Notes / Story Lines

• IUP closes the 2025-26 regular season in the PSAC championship game on the road against 10-0, consensus top-five Kutztown.

• IUP has won the only game played between the two schools since Paul Tortorella was named head coach, a 29-26 home victory in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

• IUP holds a 10-2-1 all-time record against Kutztown. The first meeting in program history ended in a 13-13 tie.

• Quarterback Matthew Rueve continues to post historic numbers. His six passing touchdowns against Clarion marked the second time this season he has thrown for six scores in a game. Rueve leads the PSAC in passing touchdowns with 28, four ahead of Bloomsburg's KJ Riley.

• Appearing in the championship game for the first time since 2022, IUP looks to capture its eighth conference title in program history. Kutztown aims for its fourth title in the past five seasons.

• Tortorella and the Crimson Hawks seek their first victory over a top-25 opponent this season.

• IUP features two of the PSAC's top five receivers. Maurice Massey (81.8) and Devin Whitlock (80.7) rank third and fourth, respectively, in receiving yards per game.

• IUP ranks second in the PSAC in both scoring offense (36.9) and scoring defense (20.0), trailing only Kutztown in both categories.

• IUP leads the PSAC in passing offense, averaging 330.1 yards per game and scoring 30 touchdowns through the air. Kutztown leads the conference in passing defense, allowing just eight passing touchdowns and 162.4 yards per game.

• Kutztown has excelled in the running game, scoring 36 rushing touchdowns and averaging 217.7 yards per game.

• IUP has struggled to establish the run, ranking last in the PSAC at 61.3 rushing yards per game.
  
  Notebook

  Keep Slinging It
  Graduate quarterback Matthew Rueve leads the PSAC in touchdown passes (28), passing yards (2,812) and completion percentage (70.5). He ranks second in efficiency (174.2). Under first-year offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr., Rueve has powered the league's top passing attack, averaging 312.4 total yards per game. He is the only quarterback in the PSAC to average more than 300 yards per game through the air.

  Big-Time Receivers Make Big-Time Plays
  Wide receivers Maurice Massey and Devin Whitlock combine for 173.7 receiving yards per game. The duo, a nightmare for any opposing secondary, has accounted for 13 of IUP's 30 passing touchdowns.

  The Lifeguard of the Deep End
  Redshirt junior safety Noah Johnston anchors the defense with a team-high 71 tackles. He also has 1.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery and two quarterback hurries, setting career highs in sacks and tackles for loss.

  Splash Plays a Plenty
  There has been no shortage of big plays by the IUP offense and special teams. Sixteen of IUP's scoring plays have gone for at least 20 yards. The lone special teams touchdown, a punt return by Kalen Frazier, went 60 yards against Lock Haven. It was the first punt return touchdown for IUP since 2014.

  Generational Defense
  While the offense grabs headlines, the Crimson Hawk defense has been making historic numbers quietly. IUP ranks second in the PSAC in total defense and first in rushing and passing defense. The team allows an average of 261.6 yards per game, including 89.0 rushing yards and 172.6 passing yards. IUP has given up just 180 points this season, second in the PSAC.

  The defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 31 times for a loss of 226 yards. Overall, IUP ranks in the top 10 nationally in Division II total defense. Coach Curt Cignetti is aiming to surpass the program's best defensive season in 2012, when the Crimson Hawks allowed just 257.9 yards per game.

  You Are About to Be on an Island
  IUP's veteran secondary has allowed just six passing touchdowns through nine games this season.

  It's in the Genes
  Rueve comes from a long line of quarterbacks, most notably his cousin, former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. Rueve followed his uncle's footsteps to Boston College to start his collegiate career after being a three-star recruit and the No. 1 pro-style passing prospect in Ohio's Class of 2020. Rueve's cousin Matt's son, Henry Hasselbeck, is a quarterback at UCLA. Rueve spent last season at the University of Findlay, earning second-team all-conference honors while passing for 2,646 yards and 26 touchdowns.

  Familiar Faces
  IUP offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. recruited Rueve to Boston College. Rueve spent two seasons in Cignetti's offense before Cignetti moved to the University of Pittsburgh. The duo now reunites at IUP, carrying on the legacy of Cignetti's father and IUP great, Frank Cignetti Sr.

  We Score, You Don't
  The Crimson Hawks average 36.9 points per game while allowing 20.0, ranking second in the conference in scoring defense behind No. 4 Kutztown and third in scoring offense. The Golden Bears are averaging 43.1 points per game while allowing just 9.2.

  Depth at Receiver
  The Crimson Hawks have one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the PSAC and Division II.

  Player	GP	Yards	Yards/Game	TD	Avg/Game	Notes
  Maurice Massey	8	681	18.92	8	85.13	All-PSAC West First Team (2024)
  Devin Whitlock	8	583	11.00	5	72.88	Five games with 50+ receiving yards
  Jeremiah Coleman	6	378	25.20	6	63.00	Two TD performances in Weeks 1 and 2
  Cyair Clark	8	84	9.33	3	10.50	All-PSAC West Second Team kick returner (2024)

  Nine different Crimson Hawks have caught touchdown passes this season. Maurice Massey leads the team with eight scores on 41 receptions. Freshman Jeremiah Coleman has caught six touchdown passes on 18 receptions, including a 72-yard bomb for a score.

  Mr. 600
  The longtime voice of IUP Athletics, Jack Benedict, will call his 600th game this week in the team's PSAC championship. Known for his signature "Major League Life" calls, Benedict has been a staple of IUP Athletics for decades. Congratulations, Jack, and thank you for everything you have done for IUP Athletics.