Seton Hill hosted Indiana (PA) in PSAC West action on Saturday afternoon at Offutt Field in Greensburg.
The Griffins won a back and forth battle with a late touchdown and an even later defensive stop as they defeated the Crimson Hawks by the score of 35-28. The Griffins improve to 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the west. IUP falls to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the west.
It is the first victory for the Griffins over IUP in the history of the program.
Both teams were forced to punt on their first possession. On the second IUP drive,
Demetri Whitehead intercepted a pass at the IUP 35 yard line. The Griffins took advantage of the short field and took a 7-0 lead on a 20 yard touchdown pass from
Hayden Teska to
Ky'Ron Craggette. The Griffins carried the 7-0 lead into the second quarter.
The Griffins marched 88 yards in 16 plays, using 6:45 off the clock as they increased their lead to 14-0 with 8:44 to play in the first half. Craggette scored from three yards out to push the SHU advantage to 14 midway through the quarter. IUP responded with a 40 yard field goal and a 17 yard touchdown pass to cut the Griffins lead to 14-10 at the halftime break.
Seton Hill took the opening kickoff of the second half and marched 70 yards in just five plays to extend their lead. Teska hit Mark Bails Jr on the first play of the drive for 28 yards. He capped the drive off with a 39 yard catch and run from
Ethan Fame to give SHU a 21-10 lead with 11:24 left in the quarter. IUP answered right back with a six play, 65 yard drive to trim the lead to 21-17 midway through the quarter. Late in the quarter, the Griffins went 74 yards in only five plays to extend their lead back to eleven. Teska connected with Bails Jr for a 42 yard pass to move to the 11 yard line and Craggette scored on the next play as SHU took a 28-17 lead.
The Crimson Hawks cut the Griffins lead to 28-25 with 6:05 left in the fourth on a one yard touchdown run. IUP then took advantage of a Griffin turnover on the following kickoff as they took over at the SHU 17 yard line. The Griffin defense made a stand and held IUP to a 34 yard field goal that tied the game at 28 with 5:10 left. That set up the final drive for the Griffins. Teska hit
Chris Cacace for 11 yards and a roughing the passer penalty pushed the ball to the IUP 47. After a few penalties, the Griffins faced a third and 28 from their own 38. Craggette then ran for 28 yards and a first down to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, Teska connected with
Cody Rubrecht for a 35 yard touchdown pass which gave the Griffins a 35-28 lead with 1:43 to play. IUP marched to the SHU 30 yard line but the Griffin defense got the final stop and Teska was able to take a knee and end the contest.
The Griffins finished with 24 first downs and 406 yards of total offense. SHU was also 4-8 on third downs while holding IUP to just 3 of 12 on third down.
Teska finished 14-22 for 259 yards and three touchdowns. Craggette ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He also had four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. Bails Jr finished with four catches for 99 yards.
Monte Pratt led the defense with 11 total tackles and two pass breakups.
David Awuah finished with nine tackles.
Musa Tama had eight total tackles including one for loss. He added two pass breakups and two QB hurries.
The Griffins will host Edinboro next Saturday afternoon at noon for Senior Day.
