LHU football upsets No. 10 IUP, beats Crimson Hawks for first time since 1981
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INDIANA, Pa. - In one of the biggest victories in program history, the Lock Haven football team stunned nationally-ranked No. 10 Indiana (Pa.), 35-20, on the road Saturday afternoon, snapping a 37-game losing streak against the Crimson Hawks and remaining unbeaten in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division play.
The monumental victory marked Lock Haven’s first win over IUP since 1981 and improved the Bald Eagles to 4-2 overall and a perfect 3-0 in the PSAC West. IUP suffered its first loss of the season, falling to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
With the victory, Lock Haven remains tied with nationally-ranked Slippery Rock for first place in the PSAC Western Division standings, while holding a one-game advantage in the win column.
Quarterback Robert Footman Jr. delivered another outstanding performance, completing 20 of 27 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Bald Eagles to their historic road victory. The senior also added a touchdown with his legs
Mekhi Watson was nearly unstoppable in the passing game, hauling in a game-high 12 receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown. Jake Roberts added five catches for 66 yards and a score, while Cureem Hathcock and Jaiden Huntington each hauled in touchdown receptions.
The Bald Eagles’ defense was equally impressive, forcing five IUP turnovers, including three interceptions, to help secure the upset.
Lock Haven wasted little time making its presence felt, as Rocco Daugherty recovered an IUP fumble on the opening play from scrimmage to give the Bald Eagles possession at the Crimson Hawks’ 26-yard line.
Six plays later, Footman powered into the end zone from two yards out to give Lock Haven an early 7-0 advantage.
IUP responded with a touchdown to even the score at 7-7, but the Bald Eagles quickly regained momentum.
Footman Jr. connected with Hathcock for a 10-yard touchdown early in the second quarter to put The Haven back in front, 14-7.
Following an IUP field goal, Footman Jr. delivered one of the biggest plays of the first half, finding Roberts for a 38-yard touchdown strike to extend Lock Haven’s advantage to 21-10.
The Crimson Hawks added a late field goal, but Lock Haven carried a 21-13 lead into halftime.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, as the Bald Eagles controlled possession for more than 13 minutes of the period, keeping the nationally-ranked Crimson Hawks’ offense on the sidelines.
The fourth quarter belonged to the Bald Eagles.
With IUP threatening to cut into the deficit, David Montgomery intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards to the Crimson Hawks’ 30-yard line.
Four plays later, Footman Jr. connected with Watson for a 33-yard touchdown on second-and-23, extending Lock Haven’s lead to 28-13 with 8:51 remaining.
IUP refused to go away, answering with a touchdown to trim the deficit to 28-20 with 6:21 left.
However, the Bald Eagles’ defense and special teams came through with another game-changing play.
Connor Foltz recovered a muffed IUP punt at the Crimson Hawks’ 35-yard line with 4:20 remaining, giving Lock Haven another opportunity to put the game away.
After IUP intercepted a pass to regain possession, Daugherty immediately answered with an interception of his own, returning it six yards to the IUP 4-yard line.
On the very next play, Footman Jr. found Huntington for a four-yard touchdown with 2:06 remaining, pushing Lock Haven’s advantage to 35-20 and putting the finishing touches on the historic upset.
Rasu Wearing-Poindexter added one final interception in the closing seconds as Lock Haven celebrated its first victory over IUP in 45 years.
Daugherty was sensational defensively, recording six tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. Montgomery and Rasu Wearing-Poindexter also recorded interceptions, while Jaeion Perry led the defense with seven tackles.
Raheem Reid and LucRichard Rameau each added five tackles, while Rameau and Jeremiah Johnson combined for a sack.
Lock Haven finished with 316 yards of total offense, including 231 through the air, while limiting IUP to 71 rushing yards.
Ezequiel Johnson led the Bald Eagles’ ground attack with 42 yards on 10 carries, while McMillan added 30 yards and a touchdown.
The historic victory marked Lock Haven’s third consecutive conference win and further established the Bald Eagles as a contender in the PSAC Western Division race.
The Bald Eagles return home for a week six PSAC West showdown at Hubert Jack Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17 (1 p.m.) when Edinboro comes to town.