Matthew Rueve set a school record with six touchdown passes, including four to Maurice Massey, to lead IUP to a 70-24 demolition of Millersville on Saturday at George P. Miller Stadium.
Rueve, who tied the school record for touchdown passes in a game last week against Lock Haven, broke the mark that he had shared with Harry Woodbery (2021) and Brian Eyerman (twice in 2002). He completed 19 of 22 attempts for 443 yards and six scores without a turnover. With Rueve in the game, IUP had eight possessions and scored eight touchdowns.
“I think the biggest part is seeing these guys excited,” Rueve said. “I’ve been in college football for a long time, and one of the best feelings is going out there, having fun, and winning with your teammates.”
Massey, who caught six passes for 173 yards and four touchdowns, tied the school record for touchdown receptions in a game, set by Jim Spence (1983) and Jai Hill (1990). The Millersville defense spent a lot of time protecting against the run, which left the passing game open for IUP.
“The plan was really just to take whatever they were going to give us,” Massey said, “and that’s what they gave us. So we just took it.”
Rueve tossed touchdowns to Massey (9, 42, 21, and 27 yards), Jeremiah Coleman (66), and Tavion Banks (60). Backup Zayd Etheridge came into the game in the third quarter and completed 11 of 13 passes for 154 yards and two scores, to Coleman (57 yards) and Parker Gregg (5). Leon Parson (6 yards) and Banks (4) added rushing touchdowns in the first half.
“You know, we got really good players,” said offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. “We had a great week of preparation; a great week of practice. We got the ball in our playmakers’ hands, and they make things happen. Rueve made great decisions throwing the ball, and he had great accuracy.”
The Crimson Hawks (2-1) rolled up 721 yards of offense, the second-most in program history, trailing only the 789 yards IUP gained against East Stroudsburg in 2016. Millersville gained 302 yards, but most of that was accumulated in the second half against the IUP second- and third-string defense.
The Crimson Hawks visit Seton Hill on Saturday.
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