September 3rd, 2026 8:00pm
ASHLAND, Ohio – For the second consecutive season, IUP took a lead into halftime against Ashland. This time, the Crimson Hawks finished the job.
No. 22 IUP opened the 2026 season with a statement road victory Thursday night, taking down No. 12 Ashland, 34-24, at Jack Miller Stadium.
After an Ashland field goal on its opening possession and a stalled IUP drive, the Crimson Hawks found their first touchdown of the season on defense. Long snapper Everett Olson downed a Gavin Mentzer punt at the 1-yard line before Mysir Mayo recovered a fumble in the end zone to give IUP its first lead.
The touchdown was the first of Mayo's career and marked IUP's first defensive score since Terell Williams returned a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown against Edinboro last season.
With Mayo and the defense setting the tone, quarterback Mason Maggs and running back Leon Parson took over offensively.
Maggs completed 12 of 16 passes for 165 yards in the opening half, highlighted by a 40-yard screen pass to Parson that went for a touchdown. Parson was all over the field in the first half, scoring once through the air and once on the ground while also contributing in the return game.
IUP took a 21-10 advantage into halftime and maintained the lead throughout the second half.
Ashland cut the deficit to seven late in the fourth quarter, but true freshman kicker Preston Rathway delivered with less than two minutes remaining. Rathway connected on a 34-yard field goal to extend IUP's advantage to 34-24 and make it a two-possession game. The freshman finished 2-for-2 on field-goal attempts in his collegiate debut, with both makes coming from beyond 30 yards.
The IUP defense delivered one final blow when Tai'Don Strickland tipped a second-down pass into the hands of defensive lineman Braden Walker for an interception, effectively sealing the victory. IUP's defensive line finished the night responsible for both a fumble recovery and an interception.
Running back Eric Doerue provided a spark for the Crimson Hawks in the second half, finishing as IUP's leading rusher with 52 yards, with the majority of his production coming after halftime.
JC Wilson led IUP in receiving with six catches for 69 yards, while D'Avay Johnson hauled in four passes for 59 yards and a touchdown.
Maggs finished his IUP debut completing 25 of 36 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. The Crimson Hawks recorded 21 first downs, with 15 coming through the air.
Defensively, IUP slowed an Ashland rushing attack that entered the season as one of the Eagles' biggest strengths. Ashland led the G-MAC and ranked among the top 45 teams nationally in rushing last season, averaging more than 188 yards per game. The Crimson Hawks limited the Eagles to just 64 rushing yards Thursday, with all three Ashland touchdowns coming through the air.
IUP also controlled the pace of the game, possessing the ball for 14 minutes longer than Ashland and running more than 20 additional plays.
The victory marks IUP's first win over a nationally ranked opponent since defeating Ashland in the 2023 season opener.
The Crimson Hawks return to action Saturday, Sept. 12, traveling to West Chester for a PSAC crossover matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.