INDIANA, Pa. – No. 19 IUP battled back from a 21-point first-half deficit, pulling within three points entering the fourth quarter before No. 7 Slippery Rock pulled away for a 42-26 victory Saturday afternoon at George P. Miller Stadium.
The Crimson Hawks dropped to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in PSAC West play, while Slippery Rock remained unbeaten at 7-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play.
Slippery Rock jumped out to a 21-0 advantage before IUP found a spark from Leon Parson midway through the second quarter. The sophomore broke free for a 47-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 21-7 with 7:59 remaining in the half.
IUP continued to chip away before halftime. Preston Rathway connected on a 50-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Crimson Hawks into the locker room trailing 21-10.
The IUP defense kept Slippery Rock off the scoreboard throughout the third quarter, giving the offense an opportunity to make it a one-possession game. The Crimson Hawks capitalized late in the quarter when Mason Maggs connected with Jeremiah Coleman for a 22-yard touchdown. Parson hauled in the ensuing two-point conversion to pull IUP within three at 21-18 entering the fourth.
Slippery Rock responded in the final quarter, scoring three touchdowns in a span of less than four minutes to regain control. The Rock pushed the lead to 28-18 before adding another rushing touchdown and an interception return for a score to stretch the advantage to 42-18.
IUP closed the scoring with 2:47 remaining when Maggs found Landyn Moore for a 7-yard touchdown. Maggs converted the two-point attempt on the ground for the final points of the afternoon.
Parson provided the spark for the IUP offense, rushing 17 times for 115 yards and a touchdown while averaging 6.8 yards per carry. It marked his second 100-yard rushing performance of the season. IUP finished with 167 rushing yards on 33 attempts.
Maggs completed 14 of 30 passes for 129 yards and two touchdowns. D'Avay Johnson led the Crimson Hawks with five receptions for 40 yards, while Coleman finished with four catches for 31 yards and a touchdown. Moore added the other receiving score.
Defensively, Devon Bertrand and Noah Johnston tied for the team lead with nine tackles apiece. Tasso Whipple added seven tackles and recovered a fumble, while Mysir Mayo forced a fumble and recorded a tackle for loss.
Gavin Mentzer continued his strong season in the punting game, averaging 46 yards on six punts with a long of 54 yards. Two of his punts traveled at least 50 yards and two were downed inside the 20-yard line.
IUP finished with 296 yards of total offense, while Slippery Rock recorded 435. The Crimson Hawks controlled the ball for 30:27 but were limited to 3-of-11 on third down.
