WEST CHESTER, Pa. – No. 14 IUP survived a wild fourth-quarter rally from West Chester and made one final defensive stand in overtime to secure a 27-21 road victory Saturday.
The Crimson Hawks scored touchdowns on their first two possessions before going scoreless over the majority of the inal three quarters of regulation. West Chester erased the 14-point deficit in the final 10 minutes without its offense finding the end zone, returning an interception and a blocked field goal for touchdowns to force overtime tied at 14.
Both teams found the end zone in the first overtime period before IUP struck again to begin the second overtime. Mason Maggs connected with junior tight end Connor Shamany for his second touchdown of the game, putting the Crimson Hawks ahead, 27-21.
The IUP defense then finished the job.
West Chester advanced inside the IUP 10-yard line before senior defensive lineman Quadir Jacobs dropped the Golden Rams' running back in the backfield on first-and-goal, pushing the ball back to the 13.
The Crimson Hawks eventually forced fourth-and-goal from the 13 and kept West Chester out of the end zone to secure their second road victory of the season.
IUP's defense did not surrender a point during regulation despite West Chester running 18 more plays. The Crimson Hawks forced three turnovers, including two interceptions, and repeatedly turned away the Golden Rams in critical situations.
One of the biggest defensive plays came early in the contest. West Chester put together a 15-play, 76-yard drive before Justin Bennin recovered a fumble at the IUP 1-yard line.
Maggs and the Crimson Hawks responded by going the length of the field, engineering a 99-yard touchdown drive capped by a scoring connection with Shamany.
Shamany remained one of Maggs' favorite targets throughout the afternoon, finishing with seven receptions for 98 yards and two touchdowns, including the eventual game-winner in overtime.
Maggs completed 19 passes for 228 yards and four touchdowns. Through his first two starts as a Crimson Hawk, he has thrown six touchdown passes against just one interception.
Mysir Mayo paced the defense with nine tackles and three tackles for loss. Seven IUP defenders finished with at least five tackles.
Defensive backs Noah Johnston and Keyshawn McCaskill combined for 13 solo tackles, with Johnston leading IUP with seven. Defensive linemen Naim Dominique and Braeden Walker also recorded multiple tackles for loss.
The teams each averaged 3.2 yards per carry, with IUP holding a 113-93 advantage on the ground. Despite West Chester's advantage in total plays, the Crimson Hawks outgained the Golden Rams, 343-322.
Up Next
IUP continues its season-opening road swing Saturday, Sept. 19, traveling to Shippensburg for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Raiders.
