IUP Pulls Away in Clash of D2 Powers
IUP Pulls Away in Clash of D2 Powers
In probably the highest,profile Men's D2 college game of the weekend, IUP rode a torrid second half to pull away from Grand Valley State 48-19.
While this was not a conference game for either team, it mattered in terms of how they might be seeded if these teams make the NCR D2 playoffs, which they are expected to do.
The Lakers and the Crimson Hawks were very tight in the first half, and the teams changed ends with IUP leading 14-12.
IUP lost captain and flyhalf Santino Fischio to an injury fairly early in the game and that upset their attack. "We survived until we had time to talk about it," said IUP Head Coach Seth Erwin.
That IUP confusion opened up some chances fo the Lakers.
"We probably led 10 points on the field," lamented Head Coach John Mullett. Certainly they would have liked to have put more scoreboard pressure on their opponents.
Down a man due to a yellow card IUP were backed up to their goalline but were able to hold GVSU out and eventually get down to the other end and score.
That halftime discussion for IUP turned the tide. They adjusted to finding ways to get fullback Dylan Deasy into space and bring outside center Malcolm Johnson to accompany him in support.
In addition, Erwin challenged his forwards to ramp up their game because they all knew that the GVSU forwards were strong.
The result? The IUP forwards were very good over the ball.
"Their forwards controlled the game in a way I did not expect against my pack," said Mullett. "Credit to IUP."
Meanwhile, Deasy and Johnson combined for all five second-half tries for IUP. And GVSU helped them along with three yellow cards, two which were at virtually the same time. All were for high tackles.
"There was no way we could come back from those mistakes," said Mullett.
Next up IUP visits a very good John Carroll side, while Calvin College visits Grand Valley State.
