Seton Hill made the trip to Indiana, PA on Saturday afternoon for a PSAC West battle looking to knock the #8 ranked Crimson Hawks from the ranks of the unbeatens. For the game's first 34 minutes and 40 seconds it looked like the Griffins were going to do just that as they led 39-28 and were attempting an extra point after a touchdown. That PAT was blocked and returned for 2 points and IUP used that momentum and scored the final 17 points of the game for a 47-39 victory over the Griffins. SHU drops to 3-2 overall and 0-2 in PSAC West action while IUP is now 4-0 and 2-0 in PSAC play.
The Griffins took the opening kick and drove 55 yards in 16 plays to the IUP 10 yard line before having to settle for a 27 yard field from
Santiago Henao to take an early 3-0 lead. The Crimson Hawks responded right back with a 6 play, 67 yard drive to take a 7-3 lead with 7:27 to play in the first quarter. SHU answered right back with a 10 play, 80 yard drive capped by a
Christian Strong to
Michael Benton-Ferguson 22 yard touchdown pass as SHU led 10-7 with 4:14 to play in the first. IUP only needed 1:52 on the clock to retake the lead at 14-10 late in the first quarter.
IUP extended their lead to 21-10 on the first play of the second quarter on a 3 yard touchdown run. The Griffins cut the lead to 21-13 on a 23 yard field goal from Henao with 11:02 to play in the half. The big play of the drive was a 34 yard run by
Khalil Howard on the first play of the drive. The Griffin defense then forced an IUP punt and on the second play of their drive, Strong connected with
Norman Darden on a 52 yard bomb to cut the IUP lead to 21-20 with 8:23 left. On the first play of the next drive
Keyshawn Petit-Frere forced a fumble and
Nicholas Boynton recovered it at the IUP 15 yard line, giving the Griffins great field position. After a pass interference penalty,
Logan Carns found
Miles Sexton in the back of the endzone for a four yard TD reception to give SHU a 26-21 lead. The PAT was missed. The Griffin defense forced another turnover on the next IUP possession when
David Gutzmore stripped the IUP QB and Boynton recovered on the IUP 24 yard line. After a Strong 12 yard run on first down, Christian found Darden from 12 yards out for their second TD of the game. SHU led IUP 33-21 with 5:23 left in the quarter. IUP scored the final touchdown of the half with 2:07 to play and the Griffin enjoyed a 33-28 halftime lead.
Seton Hill forced a three and out on the first IUP drive of the second half. The Griffins then hit another long play, this time a 42 yard TD pass from Strong to
Michael Elardo that gave SHU a 39-28 lead with 10:20 left in the quarter. The PAT would be the turning point in the game. The extra point was blocked and returned for two points and SHU led 39-30 after the conversion was run back. The Griffins forced an IUP punt on their next possession but after SHU went three and out, the Crimson Hawks blocked the punt and got the ball at the SHU 22 yard line. IUP netted a 29 yard field goal to cut the lead to 39-33 with 3:57 to play. SHU took that 39-33 lead into the third quarter.
SHU drove to the IUP 20 yard line but an interception at the IUP 10 ended that Griffin drive. The Crimson Hawks then marched 92 yards to retake the lead at 40-39 with 10:28 to play in the ballgame. SHU again drove into IUP territory on their next drive but a second straight interception ended the Griffin drive in IUP territory. The Crimson Hawks took advantage of the turnover and converted it into points by taking a 47-39 lead with 2:22 to play. SHU took over at their own 29 yard line after the kickoff. Seton Hill converted a 3rd and 6 and 4th and 3 on the drive but a third straight interception ended the game and the Griffins chance at an upset of a top ten team.
The Griffins dominated the stats in the game. SHU had 28 first downs to 19 for IUP. The Griffins outgained the Crimson Hawks 536-416. SHU had the ball for 35:33 in time of possession. The Griffins rushed for 204 yards in the game.
Khalil Howard rushed for 170 yards on 31 carries.
Norman Darden had 5 catches for 91 yards and 2 TDs.
Michael Benton-Ferguson also had 5 catches for 69 yards and 1 touchdown.
Christian Strong was 20-41 for 328 yards with 4 touchdowns.
Travis Day led the defense with 8 tackles.
Fardan Allen added 7 tackles.
SHU returns to action next Saturday when they host Clarion in a noon kickoff.
