2014 Preseason Information
PSAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
Media Guide
Schedule
Roster

INDIANA, PA - The excitement is back for another season of IUP football as the Crimson Hawks return 10 starters, and 10 more with starting experience, from last year's 9-2 team. The defense will again be the strong side of the ball with six starters back from a unit that finished fifth in Division II with 15.4 points given up per game. IUP posted two shutouts last season and gave up 14 or less points four additional times. Head coach Curt Cignetti believes that this year's Crimson Hawks' defense could be the best he's seen during his time at IUP.
 
The offense returns just two full-time starters from a year ago, but boasts several other players with experience at all positions. The skill positions boast a mix of experience and young talent. A quarterback competition will highlight fall camp, but plenty of other positional battles will also take place. Four players with starting experience return on the offensive line, which looks to be very deep.
 
The Crimson Hawks hope to have one of the top kicking units in the PSAC as both come back this season. Several players could make the kick return game an exciting one this season.
 
Quarterbacks
 
Cignetti looks forward to a very rewarding competition in camp to see who will take the first snap against Saint Augustine's on Sept. 6. The head coach is pleased with the development of sophomore Logan Weaver (Indiana, Pa. /Indiana) and redshirt freshman Eddie Stockett (Dravosburg, Pa. /McKeesport) during spring practice, and looks forward to adding Illinois transfer Chase Haslett (Clayton, Mo./Clayton) to the mix in August.
 
Although all talented, the three don't have too much experience, with Weaver playing in four games and completing 3-of-7 passes for 42 yards a season ago. Stockett is a big (6-4, 220) passer who was considered a top 50 recruit in Pennsylvania after his senior season at McKeesport High School. Haslett – son of former IUP linebacker, College Football Hall of Famer, and current Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Jim – will have two years remaining and will look to develop this fall.
 
Running Backs
 
Sophomore Izzy Green (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) returns in the backfield for the Crimson Hawks after rushing for 336 yards and three touchdowns as the third string runner in 2013. A highly productive high school player from the state of Ohio, Cignetti likes the way the second year player stepped up in the spring and looks for even more development in fall camp.
 
Looking for playing time, along with Green, are a slew of talented newcomers. Cignetti is excited with the addition of Donte Harrell (Downingtown, Pa. /Francis Howell (MO)), a redshirt freshman transfer from Tennessee-Martin with excellent vision. Luigi Lista-Brinza (McKees Rocks, Pa. /Central Catholic), a true freshman from McKees Rocks, had a highly productive high school career and is a very decisive runner.
 
Other first year players who will fight for time include Shannon Jackson (Fairview, Pa. /Fairview) and Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley), who at 5-11 and 225 pounds could also see time at fullback.
 
Nick Dubowski (Erie, Pa. /Cathedral Prep) looks to take up the starting fullback mantle after earning starts at the end of last season. Redshirt freshman Rex Pearce (McKeesport, Pa. /Elizabeth Forward) had a good spring and will add depth.
 
Wide Receivers
 
The receiver group is one of the deepest on the team and also one that shows an incredible amount of promise for the upcoming season. Three players return with experience in the system, including senior Drew Carswell (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Sto-Rox) and junior Sean McVay (Miami, Fla./Miramar), who are the top two returning pass catchers from 2013. In his first year at IUP after transferring from Pitt, Carswell established himself as a big play threat with a 16.4 yard average and a pair of touchdowns on 24 receptions. McVay is excellent out of the slot, snagging 18 passes and three touchdowns a season ago.
 
Senior Salath Williams (Harrisburg, Pa. /Bishop McDevitt) returns to the field after missing nearly all of last year with an injury. He was a big play contributor to the 2012 playoff team when he averaged 18.0 yards on 14 catches.
 
A host of newcomers will also play a role in the IUP passing attack this year, a talented group that features a mix of small and big bodies. Jordan Brown (Chambersburg, Pa. /Chambersburg Area) (5-9, 185), Tristan Davis (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) (5-9, 151) and Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) (5-10, 160) are all true freshmen who will provide speed and quickness to the offense. Miles Williamson (Houston, Pa. /Chartiers-Houston) (6-4, 195) and Swahneek Brown (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) (6-3, 186) are tall receivers who should mix in well with their fellow freshmen. Manny Mendez (Landsdale/Hempfield) (6-3, 205) walked on this spring and will also fight for playing time.
 
Tight Ends
 
Kevin Edwards (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny) is the most experienced returning tight end after earning increased playing time and seeing action in all 11 games as a true freshman last year. His big game came against Gannon, catching 42 yards worth of passes with two touchdowns, the first of his career. Cignetti likes Edwards' tough, hardnosed play.
 
C.J. Jackson (Gibsonia, Pa. /Pine-Richland), who also saw action as a true freshman a year ago, had a good spring and will look for increased playing time. Cignetti will also look for contributions from Brock DeCicco (Jefferson Hills, Pa. /Thomas Jefferson), a graduate transfer from Wisconsin. He played in 27 games in two years with the Badgers after starting his career at Pitt. Originally from Jefferson Hills, Pa., DeCicco was ranked as one of the top tight ends in the 2009 recruiting class.
 
Offensive Line
 
The offensive line starts with senior Matt Sasson, who leads a group that has combined for 83 career games and 34 starts. He earned valuable playing time upon stepping on campus, starting at center as a freshman and as 31 career games under his belt. He has also seen time at guard and is versatile enough to play tight end in short yardage situations, but will be counted on as group leader back at his natural center position this fall.
 
Fellow senior Jorge Vicioso (Passaic, N.J./Passaic) started 10 games for the Crimson Hawks last year after transferring from Rutgers in the summer. He'll be penciled in as IUP's starting right tackle again this year.
 
Other linemen with starting experience include senior Bruce Atkins (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) and sophomores Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) and Tony Morgante (Mountain Top, Pa. /Crestwood). Atkins has seen time at both tackle spots and has played in 23 career games. Both Cooper and Morgante have seen starts at guard.
 
Newcomer Dan Charmo (Hamilton, Va./Loundon Valley), brother of former IUP offensive lineman Mike, arrived in the spring and Cignetti was excited with his progression. Sophomores Ed Bier (Philadelphia, Pa. /Archbishop Ryan) and Matt Reams (Swoyersville, Pa. /Wyoming Valley West) are improving while true freshmen Jason Inks (Jefferson Hills, Pa. /Jefferson Hills), Alec Petrillo (Glenmoore, Pa. /Downingtown East) and Kidus Woldeyes (Lorton, Va. /South Country) will fight for playing time.
 
Defensive Line
 
Cignetti is pleased with the development of his defensive line this spring and even looks for a big upgrade over last year's talented unit. Senior Shane Meisner (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield ) leads the group from his rush end position, putting up consistent numbers (27 TFL, 13.5 sacks) in his two years with the Crimson Hawks after transferring from Rutgers. There will be a battle for playing time on the opposite side, with graduate Ali Muhammad (Kingston, Pa. /Wyoming Valley West) and junior Jordan Batts (Homestead, Pa. /Jeannette) both to see action. The duo combined for five sacks a year ago.
 
Matthew Mowad (Easton, Pa. /Easton) – a redshirt freshman who moved over from tight end in the spring – and Buffalo transfer Waylon Fink (Greensburg, Pa. /Greensburg Salem), will add depth at both end positions.
 
Several players are looking for starting spots on the interior, highlighted by a pair of transfers in Bryce Gilbert (Brookfield, Wis./Central) (Wisconsin) and Karon Gibson (Sicklerville, N.J./Woodbury) (Delaware). Jeff Palmer (Cranberry Twp., Pa. /Seneca Valley), a former transfer himself who's now in his third year in the program, improved in the spring and brings experience.
 
Sophomore Derrick Turner (York, Pa. /Northeastern), a former walk-on, and freshmen Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) and Justin Weldon (Easton, Pa. /Easton Area) will also battle for playing time.
 
Linebackers
 
Perhaps the strongest linebacking unit in the PSAC is led by seniors Alex Berdahl and Dorian Lane (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Woodland Hills). Berdahl returns to the field after missing all but one game in 2013. He was a first team all-region pick in 2012, when he led the Crimson Hawks with 103 tackles in 14 starts as IUP boasted arguably the top defense in the nation.
 
Lane benefited from the Berdahl injury, starting 10 games in his place and earning All-PSAC West honors with 69 tackles and 8.5 tackles-for-loss, in addition to a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown. The two have combined for nearly 300 tackles and 60 games in their careers.
 
First off the bench will be sophomore Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin), who also gained valuable experience last year and will push both Berdahl and Lane for playing time. Cignetti will also make sure that freshmen Diamond Jones (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) and Cameron Casciole (Easton, Pa. /Easton Area) are thrown into the mix in camp.
 
Defensive Backs
 
Senior Jerell McFadden (Manassas, Va./Osbourn) returns to his boundary corner spot, having started 32 games in his IUP career. The veteran is excellent against both the run and the pass, totaling 181 tackles and four interceptions, with an addition 19 pass breakups in three seasons.
 
Cignetti was impressed with the freshman season that Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School) turned in last year, and thinks he can become a very good PSAC corner as he'll look to return to the starting lineup at the field spot.
 
Junior Ackeno Robertson (Philadelphia, Pa. /Parkway Northwest) will look to fill the role of IUP's "Star" position in its 4-2-5 alignment after earning valuable playing time a season ago. Steve Franco (Tyrone, Pa. /Tyrone ), who transferred from Akron as a quarterback a season ago, made the move to safety in the spring and impressed. He'll look to play either the free or strong position with junior Jake Campbell (Sarver, Pa. /Freeport), sophomore Andrew DeGol (Bellwood, Pa. /Bellwood-Antis), and freshmen Kyler Smith (Camp Hill, Pa. /Cedar Cliff), Tahki Turner and Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) competing for time at the other safety spot.
 
Freshmen Chris David (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Woodland Hills) and Eric Doe (Darby, Pa. /Academy Prep) could also see playing time in the defensive backfield.
 
Special Teams
 
The special teams are another strong element for the Crimson Hawks. Both kickers return, including senior placekicker Brett Ullman (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall), who enters the season with a strong shot to break three IUP career records: Points (246, record is 312), field goals (37, record is 47) and extra points (135, record is 155). He's a three-time All-PSAC West pick and earned 2014 preseason All-American honors.
 
Junior Matt Spegal (Bethel Park, Pa. /Bethel Park) returns for his second year as IUP's full-time punter, finishing last season with a 38.9 yard average on 41 kicks. He booted seven more than 50 yards while 11 of his punts landed inside the opponents' 20-yard line and seven were fair catches.
 
Several players have a shot to contribute in the return game, with McVay seeing time on punt returns in 2013 (9.4 yard average) and McFadden showing explosiveness on kickoff returns in 2011 (27.4 average, one touchdown). Jordan Brown (Chambersburg, Pa. /Chambersburg Area), Swahneek Brown (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) and Pegues each had exciting returns in high school and could see time as freshmen this year.