INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP football team honored its 12 graduating seniors Saturday afternoon at George P. Miller Stadium but fell to Clarion, 31-21, suffering its third home loss of the season.
The loss dropped IUP to 6-4 overall and 3-4 in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West play, while Clarion improved to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in conference action.
IUP opened the afternoon with a defensive touchdown just 52 seconds into the contest. Devon Bertrand recovered a Clarion fumble and returned it 27 yards for a score, giving the Crimson Hawks an early 7-0 advantage.
Clarion responded with 17 unanswered points before halftime. Quarterback Jase Ferguson connected with Kooper Kamberis for a 7-yard touchdown to even the score before finding Davon Jones for a 67-yard touchdown later in the opening quarter. Keith Baker added a 33-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, sending the Golden Eagles into the locker room with a 17-7 advantage.
The Crimson Hawks began their comeback in the third quarter behind sophomore running back Leon Parson. IUP put together a five-play, 75-yard scoring drive, capped by Parson's 2-yard touchdown run with 3:36 remaining in the period to cut the deficit to 17-14.
Clarion answered with an eight-play, 77-yard drive that extended into the fourth quarter. Ferguson finished the possession with a 4-yard touchdown run, pushing the Golden Eagles' lead to 24-14 with 14:15 remaining.
IUP refused to go away, responding with another 75-yard scoring drive. The Crimson Hawks marched down the field in nine plays before Eric Doerue punched in a 2-yard touchdown run. Preston Rathway's extra point pulled IUP within three, 24-21, with 9:04 left in regulation.
The Golden Eagles answered with a lengthy possession that ultimately put the game out of reach. Clarion went 76 yards in 13 plays, taking more than six minutes off the clock before Ferguson connected with Tsirell Curry for an 8-yard touchdown with 2:34 remaining.
Parson led the Crimson Hawks offensively, rushing for 129 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries while adding six receptions for 64 yards. The sophomore finished with 193 yards from scrimmage, averaging 6.1 yards per rushing attempt.
Quarterback Mason Maggs completed 16 of 23 passes for 167 yards without an interception. Connor Shamany hauled in six receptions for 46 yards, while Brennan Holmes added a 52-yard reception. Doerue contributed 34 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
IUP finished with 338 yards of total offense, including 157 on the ground and 181 through the air. The Crimson Hawks converted six of 13 third-down opportunities but were limited to one conversion on four fourth-down attempts.
Clarion totaled 370 yards of offense, including 211 passing yards and 159 rushing yards. Ferguson completed 15 of 19 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns, while Tyreeck Hall led the Golden Eagles' rushing attack with 113 yards on 21 carries.
Penalties proved costly for IUP, which was flagged 12 times for 120 yards compared to five penalties for 55 yards against Clarion.
The Crimson Hawks will conclude the regular season Saturday, Nov. 14, when they host Shepherd at George P. Miller Stadium.
