Undefeated and No. 3-ranked IUP travels to Clarion for a noon kickoff Saturday with the Golden Eagles.
The game will be broadcast starting at 11:30 am on U92.5 and U92radio.com.
Game storyline and notes from IUP Sports Information
THE GAME
The 3rd-ranked Crimson Hawks are on the road for the second straight week when they head to Clarion this Saturday to battle the Golden Eagles. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium is scheduled for noon. IUP looks to continue its momentum from back-to-back ranked rivalry wins, including last week’s 34-17 at 9th-ranked Slippery Rock. The Crimson Hawks are the only undefeated PSAC squad and one of only 12 in Division II. Clarion nearly knocked off California, rallying from three touchdowns down in a 21-19 loss last week. The CU offense is on a little bit of a roll, averaging 26 points in its last two outings.
The game will be broadcast on WQMU 92.5 FM with the voice of IUP Athletics, Jack Benedict, calling the action. You can also listen on u92radio.com and on the u92radio app on your smartphone.
STORYLINES
• This game marks the first back-to-back road swing of the season for the Crimson Hawks; IUP finishes up with four road contests in its last five regular season games
• IUP is looking for its fifth 8-0 start in program history, and the first since the 2001 season
• IUP has dominated this series, especially during this millenium with 14 wins in 16 games since 2001; IUP has won the last six straight by an average score of 37.6 to 8.7 with two shutouts
• The IUP defense has been at its best of late, giving up a combined 27 points to ranked rivals California and Slippery Rock over the last two weeks; Each team brought 40-point scoring averages into their matchup with IUP
• The Clarion offense has posted above average outings the last two weeks, averaging 417 yards and 26 points against Seton Hill and Cal
• CU QB Asiantii Woulard threw for 267 yards and 2 TDs vs. Seton Hill, but was just 3-11 for 23 yards last week; Jeff Clemens led the comeback going 8-14 for 117 yards, one TD and 40 yards rushing
• IUP is fifth in Division II in rushing offense at 282.7 yards per game, going for more than 300 three times this year; In its last two meetings with CU, IUP has rushed for 747 yards and 8 TDs
• IUP QB Lenny Williams is one of the most efficient (178.7 effic) and accurate (69.8 pct) passers in Division II; The Clarion defense gives up over 240 passing yards per game with 14 TDs
• In its last three games, the IUP offense is averaging 564.7 yards – including 330 on the ground – and has scored 16 total touchdowns
NOTEBOOK
COACH TORTORELLA’S 7-0 RECORD IS BEST SEVEN-GAME START IN PROGRAM HISTORY
With seven wins in his first seven games, Coach Tortorella is off to the best start by a first year head coach in program history. The previous seven-game mark was 6-1, which was equaled by four different coaches. After IUP’s week four win, he joined Chuck Klausing (1964) as the only first year coaches to start 4-0, and was one of only four coaches who began with unblemished records after three games.
IUP SEEKING FIFTH 8-0 START IN PROGRAM HISTORY; FIRST SINCE 2001
A win over Clarion would give IUP its fifth 8-0 start in its illustrious history, and the first time since the 2001 season. IUP’s other 8-0 starts have come in 1968, 1991, 1993 and 2001.
IUP RANKED IN THE TOP THREE OF BOTH DIVISION II POLLS
After their week seven win, the Crimson Hawks remained steady in both national polls, and head into Saturday at No. 3 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 2 in the D2Football.com Media Poll. The No. 2 ranking in the media poll is the highest overall for the program since earning the same ranking by the AFCA back on Nov. 6, 2001. See page three of the game notes for more information.
IUP IS PSAC WEST’s WINNINGEST TEAM SINCE 1986
Since 1986, IUP has the most overall wins and divisional wins of any team in the PSAC West. The program owns an overall record of 273-86-1 (.760) along with a conference record of 163-38-1 (.809) during that span. IUP clinched a share of the division 2015 division crown, the program’s 16th in 30 years.
IUP SPREAD OFFENSE ONCE AGAIN DOMINANT UNDER COACH GREGORY
The Crimson Hawks have entered their third year of the spread offense, although a new face is calling the plays with the addition of Coach Gregory from Charleston. It might be a new coach, but the IUP offense is already rolling as the Crimson Hawks rank in the top three in the PSAC and among the best in Division II in scoring, total yards, rushing yards, rushing and passing touchdowns, and passing efficiency.
CRIMSON HAWKS RANK IN THE TOP 15 OF DIVISION II IN SIX OFFENSIVE CATEGORIES
The diverse and well-rounded IUP offense is near the top of the NCAA rankings in six categories, including points per game (40.6, 13th), rushing offense (282.7, 5th), total offense (519.6, 4th), sacks allowed (3, 2nd), passing efficiency (176.65, 6th), and first downs (180, 7th). Thought of as just a running team just two years ago, IUP’s spread offense has hurt opponents on the ground and in the air.
IUP’s “SPLASH PLAYS” BIG PART OF OFFENSE; HAS SCORED 15 TOUCHDOWNS OF 20-PLUS YARDS
IUP has produced 40 “splash plays” – a play of 20-plus yards – through seven games this season. With 500 total plays, the Crimson Hawks go for 20-yards or more every 12.5 offensive plays on average. The Crimson Hawks’ two biggest plays of the year both came in the week seven win, as Soph. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) had an 84-yard run and Fr. RB Justice Evans(Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) had a 72-yard burst. Of IUP’s 40 splash plays, nine have gone for touchdowns, including a 25-yarder to Sr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) last week. See page 12 of the game notes for more information.
18 OFFENSIVE SCORING DRIVES HAVE BEEN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES
IUP’s big play, speedy offense has produced 18 (of 42) scoring drives that have spanned two minutes or less this season. Four of those drives have needed just one or two plays to get in the endzone. Through seven games IUP’s average offensive scoring drive is 6.9 plays, 63.8 yards, and 2:37.
IUP IS 47-8 SINCE 2011 WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS IN A GAME
Soph. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) ran for 168 yards in the week seven win at Slippery Rock, as IUP improved to 47-8 since 2011 when a player rushes for at least 100 yards. IUP has four active players on the roster with a 100-yard game to his credit: R-Jr. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) has nine, Bullock has eight, Fr. RB Justice Evans (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) has two, and Fr. RB Duane Brown (Spring Church, Pa./Apollo-Ridge) has one.
CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 76-5 SINCE 2003 WHEN RUSHING FOR 200 YARDS AS A TEAM
Five different players in week seven combined rush for 384 on 48 carries, marking the 81st time since 2003 that IUP has rushed for at least 200 yards in a game. The Crimson Hawks are 76-5 in those games, including a 23-3 record since 2015 and 6-0 this year. IUP’s season-high of 431 yards in the week five win at Seton Hill are the fourth most in program history.
SAMIR BULLOCK AMONG NATION’S TOP RUSHERS DESPITE PLAYING JUST ONE FULL GAME
Due mostly to large second half leads, Bullock has played in just one full game – week one against Ashland. Despite this, he’s still third in the PSAC and ninth in Division II with 876 rushing yards. Bullock has rushed for 200 yards twice this year, including a career-high 263 in less than three quarters against Seton Hill in week five.
LENNY WILLIAMS IS 24-3 AS IUP STARTING QB; ALREADY ONE OF BEST IN PROGRAM HISTORY
R-Jr. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) is in his third year as the IUP starter, carrying a 24-3 record into week eight. A two-time Harlon Hill Award nominee as the best player in Division II, Williams can already be listed as one of the top quarterbacks in IUP history. Williams owns several single game and season IUP records, but his name is also at or near the top in several career categories, including completion percentage, passer efficiency, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total offense, and touchdowns responsible for.
WILLIAMS HAS BACK-TO-BACK 100-YARD RUSHING GAMES AGAINST CLARION
Williams has put up more big plays running the ball in his career against the Golden Eagles, averaging nearly 125 rushing yards and an 8.0 per carry average in two games against Clarion. He was one of three IUP 100-yard rushers in last year’s 42-17 victory.
WILLIAMS RANKS IN TOP 15 IN COUNTRY IN FOUR CATEGORIES
Williams again finds himself near the top of the Division II rankings this season, ranking sixth in passer efficiency (178.7), sixth in completion percentage (69.8), seventh in yards per attempt (9.64), and 15th in passing touchdowns (17). Last season, the signal caller finished as the Division II leader in passer efficiency (214.0), yards per completion (19.70), and yards per attempt (13.47).
NEW OFFENSIVE LINE QUICKLY PROVING TO BE ONE OF BEST IN NATION UNDER COACH CAMPOLO
Under the direction of Coach Campolo, the Crimson Hawks boast one of the top offensive line units in Division II. That group has led the way for a ground game that ranks fifth in the country with 282.7 yards, and has given up just three sacks in seven games. R-Soph. OC Jeff Arnold (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brashear) anchors the line and has started 19 consecutive games. R-Sr. RT Jerron Searles (Atlantic City, N.J./Atlantic City) has made a seamless transition after transfering from Delaware State, and is the most experienced of the group with 38 career starts.
CRIMSON HAWKS SHOWING INCREDIBLE DEPTH AT RECEIVER
Already a talented position group, the return of Sr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) gives the Crimson Hawks arguably one of the deepest receiving groups in the country. Seven IUP receivers this year, including Pegues, have combined to catch 105 passes for 1,535 yards (14.6 ypc) and 16 touchdowns. Sr. WR Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) leads IUP with 37 catches and 462 yards; R-Soph. WR Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King) averages a team-best 20.0 yards per reception; and R-Soph. WR JoJo Gause (Rochester, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) has a team-high four touchdowns.
WALT PEGUES AMONG BEST RECEIVERS IN IUP HISTORY
With two catches for 39 yards last week, Pegues extended his streak to 35 straight games with a reception, tallying at least one catch in every game he’s played. One of the best receivers in program history, he’s currently ranked third in IUP history with 2,362 receiving yards and fourth with 148 receptions.
CRIMSON HAWKS ARE TIED FOR EIGHTH IN DIVISION II WITH +9 TURNOVER MARGIN
IUP rebounded froma poor performance in week six to snag two interceptions against Slippery Rock, bettering its turnover margin to +9, which is second in the PSAC and tied for eighth in Division II. The Crimson Hawks have a PSAC-high 14 interceptions and have recovered four fumbles in seven games, while giving away four interceptions and five fumbles offensively.
IUP DEFENSE ONE OF THE BEST IN THE NATION UNDER COACH SMITH
Through seven weeks, the IUP defense is again asserting itself as one of the best in the nation under first year defensive coordinator Coach Smith. The Crimson Hawks’ defense ranks in the top 30 in Division II in interceptions (14, 2nd), rushing (78.4, 9th), scoring (14.4, 10th), pass efficiency (96.05, 13th), red zone (63.5%, 13th) and total yards allowed (307.7, 29th).
IUP HAS THREE DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS THIS YEAR; 18-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN THE DEFENSE SCORES
IUP is tied for 10th in Division II with three defensive touchdowns this year, including two in week three against Cheyney. They were the 22nd and 23rd defensive scores for IUP since the start of 2011, as the program improved to 18-1 during that span when the defense creates a touchdown.
THE IUP DEFENSE HAS GIVEN UP 21 SECOND HALF POINTS, NONE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER
That stiffling defense has been even better in the second half, allowing a combined 750 yards (125.0 avg) and three touchdowns to seven opponents in the final 30 minutes of games. Even better, none of IUP’S seven opponents have scored at all in the fourth quarter. Opponents are completing 51.5 percent (68-132) of their second half passes, have converted 30.0 percent (15-50) third down chances, and are averaging just 2.4 (105-255) yards per rush against the Crimson Hawks in the second half.
IUP DEFENSE HASN’T ALLOWED 100 RUSHING YARDS IN LAST FIVE GAMES
Led by a dominant defensive line, the Crimson Hawks have not allowed an opponent to rush for 100 yards in a game since week two. Since then, IUP’s five opponents have totaled 249 yards and three touchdowns on 136 carries, an average of just 1.83 yards per rush. The Crimson Hawks have 30.0 tackles-for-loss in those five games, including 8.0 from Soph. DE Dondrea Tillman (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls), the team-leader. Sr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) is second with 7.0 TFLs, while 13 other players have at least one.
LINEBACKERS AMENDOLA AND LLOYD AMONG TEAM DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Soph. LBs Nick Amendola (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) and Damon Lloyd (Bel Air, Md./John Carroll) have excelled as first year starters. Amendola has a team-high 49 total tackles, while his two fumble recoveries is tied for first in the PSAC and 13th in Division II. Lloyd is IUP’s second leading tackler with 46 stops, and has two interceptions and two passes broken up.
IUP’s BALL-HAWKING DEFENSE TIED FOR SECOND IN DIVISION II WITH 14 INTECEPTIONS
The Crimson Hawks are tied for the PSAC lead and for 10th in the country with 14 interceptions, picking off at least two in four of their last five games. They’ve broken up another 36 passes this year for 50 total passes defensed in seven games (7.14/game). Sr. SS Max Redfield (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) and R-Soph. CB JR Stevens (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) lead the team with 10 total passes defensed, while R-Jr. CB Anthony Davis (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) joins them with a team-high three interceptions apiece.
CRIMSON HAWKS’ FIVE BLOCKED KICKS TIED FOR THIRD IN DIVISION II
The IUP special teams is back at it this year with five blocked kicks in seven games, which is tied for fifth in Division II. Averette has two of those – one point after, one field goal – and Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King)’s punt block he returned himself 15 yards for a touchdown against Cheyney.
