INDIANA, Pa.- The PSAC's top-ranked defense played as advertised, and IUP's offense was even more unstoppable in Saturday's 70-24 win over visiting Millersville.
The Crimson Hawks' quarterback Matthew Rueve completed his first 14 passes and led his team to touchdown drives on all eight series he played, gashing the Marauders for one explosive play after the other. IUP needed just 27 snaps to pile up 447 yards, 17 first downs and 49 first-half points, and it scored on the opening drive of the second half when Rueve tossed a 60-yard TD to Tavion Banks. Rueve threw for 366 yards and five touchdowns in the first half alone and finished the game with 443 yards and six touchdowns despite playing just one third quarter drive.
Maurice Massey hauled in six catches for 173 yards, and four touchdowns (all in the first half), including receptions of 68 and 42 yards. Jeremiah Coleman capped the first-half onslaught with a 66-yard touchdown catch. IUP totaled 10 plays of at least 30 yards.
"Sometimes we were out of position, sometimes we're there and can't make the play for various reasons," said Millersville head coach
J.C. Morgan. "Sometimes they schemed up a couple good ones, but just very disappointing to give up that many plays. Every problem has a solution. That's that's not even a football motto, that's my life motto. We got to take a look at what we're asking the guys do and who we're asking to do it. There's a lot of football left, and we are going to take a good, hard look at things."
Millersville entered the game leading the PSAC in total offense, but IUP's stingy defense provided a tough first test for redshirt freshman
Tommy Hunsicker, who started in place of the injured
Ryan Zeltt. Hunsicker totaled 203 yards on 21 of 37 passing.
"One thing we we were confident going in was that Tommy was going to battle, and yeah, it was a pretty good defense to get his first career start, but he's got that makeup," said Morgan. "I know a lot of the coaches and a lot of the guys had confidence in him going in. He did some good things. I think he learned some lessons along the way. I'm sure there's some good he can take away, and he can grow from."
He led four scoring drives, but Millersville already trailed 28-0 by the time
Isaiah Emmanuel scored on a nine-yard rush with 7:11 to play in the second quarter. The Marauders had a chance to score earlier but could not convert a field goal try.
"We got down early, and while we didn't get any points, we were able to stabilize the momentum. Once we got that drive going, it kind of led to some opportunities for us to move the ball throughout the rest of the day."
Jermaine Tillery set up Millersville's second touchdown with a 41-yard punt return in the fourth quarter. Emmanuel scored from one yard out on the next play. Tillery also made a 31-yard catch late that set up Hunsicker's first career TD pass. He connected with
Brady Russell from the 8.
NOTES
- IUP won its ninth consecutive game against the Marauders, improving to 17-5 since the first meeting in 1988. Millersville scored its most points against IUP since 2005.
- Emmanuel scored his second add third rushing touchdowns of the season, giving him 18 in his career.
- Siddiq Small recorded his first career interception.
UP NEXT
- Millersville is at home for its PSAC East opener against West Chester on Sept. 27.
