INDIANA, Pa. – For the first time this season, the IUP football team dropped in both national polls following its first loss of the season against Lock Haven.

The Crimson Hawks fell to No. 19 in the latest AFCA Division II Coaches Poll and No. 23 in the D2Football.com Top 25.

IUP opened the season ranked No. 25 in the AFCA preseason poll before moving to No. 22 following the opening week. The Crimson Hawks had not been ranked outside the top 15 since those first two polls, climbing as high as No. 9 before last weekend's setback.

IUP now turns its attention to a top-20 matchup against No. 7 Slippery Rock on Saturday at George P. Miller Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

The last time a top-10 opponent visited Miller Stadium came against Slippery Rock in 2022. IUP knocked off the then-No. 8 Rock, 20-12, on Oct. 1, 2022, as part of a run to the PSAC championship.

The Crimson Hawks have shown an ability to respond following setbacks throughout head coach Paul Tortorella's tenure. IUP is 12-5 following a loss under Tortorella and has dropped consecutive games just four times in his previous eight-plus seasons at the helm.

IUP enters Saturday's rivalry matchup looking to bounce back from its first loss after opening the 2026 season with five consecutive victories.