Game Day Central
The Sixth Annual Coal Bowl
IUP Crimson Hawks (5-1, 4-1 PSAC) 
at No. 25 Cal Vulcans (5-1, 4-1 PSAC)
Saturday, October 18, 2014 | 1:00 p.m.
Adamson Stadium | California, Pa.

Watch: CalU-TV | AmericaOneSports.com
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com 
Live Stats: CalVulcans.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats

THE GAME
The Crimson Hawks hit the road for their biggest game thus far, facing rival California (PA) in the sixth edition of the Coal Bowl. Both teams enter this matchup on 4-game winning streaks, with IUP coming off of an exciting 51-28 win over Seton Hill on Homecoming. The Vulcans are also flying high, defeating then-19th ranked Slippery Rock 48-26 at home last weekend. 

The game will be broadcast on WQMU 92.5 FM with the voice of IUP Athletics, Jack Benedict, calling the action. 

RANKINGS
The Crimson Hawks are one of 14 schools receiving votes in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 and are not ranked in the D2Football.com Media Poll. Cal appears at No. 25 in the media poll and is 17 points outside of the AFCA top 25.

THE SERIES
This will be the 82nd all-time meeting between these two rivals, with IUP holding a 56-23-2 advantage. Cal has had the success in recent years, winning 6 in a row from 2007-12, with IUP getting a 20-7 win a season ago. 

SETON HILL LEFTOVERS
• With 6 made extra points, Sr. K Brett Ullman (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) broke the IUP career record with 156 extra points. Adding a field goal, he also moved into 2nd place all time with 279 career points.  
• Fr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) broke an IUP record with a 96-yard PR for a TD in the 1st quarter. It was also the 4th longest play in program history (Charles Peoples, 98 KOR TD, 1990; Tink Stennett, 98 KOR, 2000; Brian Eyerman-Greg Dorsey, 98 Pass TD, 1999).
• Seton Hill QB Drew Jackson completed 44-of-71 passes for 440 yards, all IUP opponent single game records. 

LOOKING AHEAD
The Crimson Hawks face another big rival when they host Slippery Rock on Oct. 25. IUP will be looking for revenge after a 41-16 loss at SRU a season ago. 

AGAINST THE PSAC WEST 
IUP has perennially been the best team in the PSAC West, boasting a 144-32-1 (.816) record against division foes since 1986. The Crimson Hawks are 19-5 (.792) in the West in three-plus years under HC Curt Cignetti, including a 6-1 season in 2012. 

THE COAL BOWL
The Coal Bowl began in 2009 when brothers Bob (Cal, '66) and Barry (IUP, '67) Lippencott established football scholarships for their respective universities. As part of their initiatives, the family has donated a "Coal Pail" trophy that is presented to the winner of the rivarly game. Originally from Brownsville, Pa., the Lippencott family has a long history in the coal industry.
 
WILL FLAGS FLY OVER CAL?
The Crimson Hawks and Vulcans are two of the three most penalized teams in the PSAC in terms of yardage this season. Cal gives up an average of 91.0 yards per game (1st) on 57 total penalties while IUP averages 85.7 yards (3rd) on 50 fouls this season. 

ABOUT CAL
The Vulcans represent the toughest challenge for the Crimson Hawks this season, especially after last week's 48-26 win over previously undefeated Slippery Rock. 

A majority of the Cal offense comes from the arm of QB James Harris, who's completing 59.5 pct of his passes for almost 292 yards per game with 13 TDs and just 3 ints. His main targets are WRs Garry Brown (35 catches, 4 TDs) and Kowan Scott (27 catches, 6 TDs). Cal has a two-headed running attack with RBs Nick Grissom (85 ypg) and Terrell Roberson (67.5 ypg), who've combined for 13 rushing TDs. The Vulcans are averaging 37.2 ppg, scoring at least 31 points in 5 of their 6 games this season.

The Cal defense enters the matchup giving up just 79.5 rushing yards, 2nd only to IUP in the PSAC. The Vulcans made a statement on Saturday, limiting SRU RB Shemar Greene - the PSACs leading rusher - to 55 yards on 13 carries. The unit features several playmakers, including LB Jeff Knox, Jr. (3 sacks, 4 FF), DE Kenny Wilkins (8.5 TFLs) and DB Chaz Veal (35 tackles, 2 ints). 

Cal also has possibly the top special teams in the PSAC, including PK Cody Nuzzo and P Andrew Cerett. Nuzzo has made 11-13 FGs this year, including a long of 50, and Cerett is 12th in Division II with a 42.8 average on 30 punts. Roberson excells in the return game, ranking 4th in the NCAA with a 34.6 KOR average. CB Aaron Terry has a 10.4 PR average, including a long of 38. 

LUIGI TIME!
Fr. RB Luigi Lista-Brinza (McKees Rocks, Pa. /Central Catholic) continues to assert himself as one of the best backs in the PSAC, posting his 5th 100-yard rushing game of the season with 108 yards on 24 carries against Seton Hill. The starter for all 6 games this season, Lista-Brinza leads the Crimson Hawks and is 3rd in the conference with 97.0 ypg and is tied for 2nd in the PSAC with 9 rushing TDs. Two weeks ago against Mercyhurst, he posted 103 yards and 3 TDs all came in the first half alone. 

I'M-A LUIGI, NUMBER ONE!
Lista-Brinza's 97.0 ypg leads the PSAC and is 2nd in Division II among freshman running backs. His closest competition in the league comes from Clarion's Delrece Williams with 50.4 ypg, while Humboldt State's Ja'Quan Bennett averages 98.8 ypg to lead all D2 freshman running backs. Check out the box to the right for the full list.  

BUBBA BRADLEY
So. RB Darian Bradley (Midland, Pa./Beaver) busted onto the scene against Seton Hill, setting career-highs with 92 yards and 4 TDs on just 14 carries. He's been Lista-Brinza's primary backup the last three weeks, rushing for 219 yards on 43 carries (5.1 ypc). "Bubba" is 2nd on the team with 251 yards and has also caught 4 passes out of the backfield for 33 yards.

KEEP THEM COMING
Also seeing carries this year is Fr. RB Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley), who's 3rd on the team with 155 yards on 39 carries. His season-high came at Lock Haven with 16 carries for 74 yards and he scored his first TD against Mercyhurst, adding 38 yards on the ground. 

So. RB Izzy Green (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) has been limited this year, rushing for 76 yards on 8 carries (9.5 ypc) in 5 quarters of work. 

RUNNING GAMES
The Crimson Hawks had a season-high 224 rushing yards and 5 TDs against Seton Hill, the 2nd time in 3 games they've gone for over 200. IUP is averaging 207 yards on its current 4-game winning streak, scoring 11 TDs in that span. Since the loss at Kutztown, IUP has gone from 8th in the PSAC and 106th in Division II to 5th and 53rd, respectively, in the last 4 games.

ALL ABOUT THAT CHASE
Gr. QB Chase Haslett (Clayton, Mo./Clayton) had his 1st career 200-yard passing game against Seton Hill, going 14-23 for 225 yards and a TD. His best game of the season came against Mercyhurst, completing 12-15 passes (80 pct) for 157 yards and 2 TDs, putting up a pass efficiency of 211.92. On IUP's current 4-game winning streak, he's completing 67.1 pct of his passes for 715 yards (178.8 ypg), 5 TDs and 2 ints. 

SO GOES THE TEAM?
Haslett has performed markedly better in the Crimson Hawks' victories this year compared to the lone loss. In IUP's 5 wins, Haslett has completed 67-99 (67.7 pct) for 891 yards, 8 TDs and 3 Ints. In the loss at Kutztown, Haslett was 10-32 (31.2 pct) for 98 yards and 2 Ints. 

HOLDING THAT LINE
The Crimson Hawks seem to have settled in on an offensive line unit, a group that has helped IUP rush for 207 ypg and given up 5 sacks in the last 3 games. 

The most seasoned is Sr. C Matt Sasson, who has 24 career starts. R-Sr. LT Bruce Atkins (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) (9 career starts), So. LG Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) (9) and R-Sr. RT Jorge Vicioso (Passaic, N.J./Passaic) (16) have started all 6 games this year. Fr. RG Dan Charmo (Hamilton, Va./Loundon Valley) stepped in for injured R-So. Tony Morgante (Mountain Top, Pa. /Crestwood) in the 3rd game, giving IUP a pair of offensive line lineups so far this season. Altogether, the starting group has 62 career starts under their belts. 

In 11 games a season ago, IUP had six different offensive line combinations, including four in the first five games. 

ALL'S WELL THAT CARSWELL
Haslett's favorite target this year has been R-Sr. WR Drew Carswell (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Sto-Rox), who leads the team with 28 catches, 465 yards and 5 TDs. His 16.6 ypc is also the best on the team, as he's reeled in 2 passes of 44 yards. He set career-highs with 7 catches for 131 yards against Seton Hill, and is averaging 6 catches for 96 yards and a TD on IUP's current 4-game win streak. 

3RD DOWN? NO PROBLEM
The Crimson Hawks have been very successful this year converting 3rd downs, currently leading the PSAC and ranking 5th in Division II at 53.8 pct (43-80). IUP converted 47 pct in 2003 and 2013, the previous highs in the last decade-plus. 

CONVERTING IN THE RED ZONE
IUP is tied for 16th in Division II with a red zone conversion rate of 89.7 pct, scoring on 26 of 29 chances. The Crimson Hawks scored on their 1st 11 red zone tries of the season and have 22 TDs (14 rush) and 4 FGs in the red zone thru 6 games. 

KEEPING THE TIME
After keeping the ball for an average of just 27:03 in the opening 2 games, the Crimson Hawks have flipped the script the last 4 contests, boasting a time of possession of 34:57. They now lead the PSAC and rank 26th in Division II with an average time of possession this season of 32:20. 

LOADS OF TACKLES
R-So. LB Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin) has been a success in his 1st year as a starter, leading the team with 61 tackles, and is currently tied for 3rd in the PSAC with 10.2 total tackles per game. He started off the year with 13 stops in the opener and followed that with 19 against Kutztown, still tied for the highest total in the PSAC this year. 

He's also shown the ability to make plays with an interception returned for 21 yards against Seton Hill. He's tied for 8th in the PSAC with 7.5 TFLs and also has 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.  

TOP 'BACKERS
Clarke is just one of several talented linebackers for the Crimson Hawks, a group that goes a total of four deep at two spots. 

R-Sr. LBs Alexander Berdahl (Ashburn, Va./Bishop O'Connell) and Dorian Lane (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Woodland Hills) are both former All-PSAC selections who have had injury problems this year, leaving room for Clarke and So. LB Myles Catlin (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Obama) to step up. Catlin has started 2 games with 18 tackles, 2 TFLs, and 2 passes broken up this year.   

GREAT WALL OF INDIANA
The Crimson Hawks' defensive line has been leading the charge on their current 4-game winning streak, giving up just 84 yards (21 ypg) on 94 carries. Included in that total is the -6 net yards by Edinboro, aided by IUP's 10 sacks, to which defensive linemen contributed a combined 6.5 sacks. 

WATT DID HE DO?
R-Sr. DE Shane Meisner (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield ) might be trumping for a move to offense - like Houston Texans DE J.J. Watt - after his one-handed interception in the 4th quarter against Seton Hill. The pick came with just under 5 minutes to go in the game, leading to a TD and helping IUP clinch the win. 

GETTING "GIBBED"
The interior of IUP's defensive line includes a pair of transfers in Gr. DT Bryce Gilbert (Brookfield, Wis./Central) and Jr. NG Karon Gibson (Sicklerville, N.J./Woodbury). Both have been terrors to opposing offenses, as they've combined for 43 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks. 

CORNERING THE MARKET
R-Sr. CB Jerell McFadden (Manassas, Va./Osbourn) is the most experienced player on the IUP roster and quite possibly has the most starts of any defensive back in the PSAC. The All-PSAC performer has 38 career starts, including 27 in a row. 

For his career, McFadden has 214 total tackles, 4 interceptions and 27 more passes broken up. 

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO
IUP is 4th in the PSAC with 29 passes defensed (INTs plus passes broken up) this year, trailing SRU (47), Cal (34) and West Chester (32). McFadden is tied for the league-lead with 8 passes defensed and 8 passes broken up.  

WRIGHT STUFF
Fr. CB Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) took advantage of the Seton Hill offensive strategy, making a team-high 11 tackles, including 10 solo stops. He even made some quick stops in the backfield, finishing with 3 TFLs. Wright has started each of the last 3 games at field corner and has 21 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup this year.

DO THE SAFETY DANCE
IUP's safety duo of Fr. FS Takhi Turner (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Twp.) and R-So. SS Steve Franco (Tyrone, Pa. /Tyrone ) have improved each week and are 3rd and 4th on the team in tackles with 28 and 26 stops, respectively. 

Turner has an interception and 4 passes broken up this year while Franco has broken up 2 passes and recovered 2 fumbles. 

MOVING UP THE RECORD BOOKS
Sr. K Brett Ullman (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) entered this season on pace to break three career IUP scoring records, including points scored, field goals made, and extra points made. 

He broke the all-time extra points record against Seton Hill, and is 33 points and 6 field goals away from tying those respective school records. 

GOOD RETURNS
Fr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) set a school record against Seton Hill with a 96-yard PR for a TD, racing untouched down the left sideline. For the year he's averaging 34.0 yards on 3 PRs and 23.1 yards on 14 KRs, including returns of 50 and 43 yards. 

Fellow Fr. WR Tristan Davis (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) has also seen touches in the return game, averaging 9.5 yards on 6 PRs and 25.3 yards on 6 KRs. He has a PR long of 24 and a KR long of 47.

ODDS AND ENDS

PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS
Sr. PK Brett Ullman (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) received preseason All-American honors by both the Beyond Sports Network (BSN) and by the Collegiate Development Football League (CDFL). Sr. DE Shane Meisner (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield ) was also selected by the CDFL. 

FRED MITCHELL WATCH LIST
Ullman is one of 36 kickers from the FCS, Division II, III, the NAIA and the NJCAA to land on the Fred Mitchell Watch List. The award honors kickers at each of those levels who excel on the football field and in the community. Ullman is one of 12 kickers from Division II.

IUP AGAINST THE PSAC EAST
Since 2006, IUP has an incredible 24-5 (.828) record against teams from the PSAC East. This includes a seven-game winning streak that dated back to the 34-7 win over West Chester in 2011 and ended last week. IUP is 5-1 vs. Millersville, 4-0 vs. East Stroudsburg and Cheyney, and 3-0 vs. West Chester. 

SUCCESS IN THE PSAC
The Crimson Hawks are one of the most successful teams in the PSAC, and the winningest in the West since Curt Cignetti took over in 2011. IUP is second to only Bloomsburg with 28 wins (the Huskies have 29). Both schools have won the last two conference championships.

COACHING CONTINUITY
The 10 total coaches on the staff this season have combined to coach 83 seasons at IUP, with four coaches boasting at least 12 years of experience at the school. ST coordinator/DEs coach Bernie McQuown will enter his 28th year on the sidelines with IUP, tops amongst the staff. DC Paul Tortorella has coached 20 years while LBs coach Jim Smith has put in 15 years and OL coach Mike Campolo has logged 12. 

Cignetti and WRs coach Rod Rutherford each have three years while RBs coach Jim Chapin has two, and OC Tyler Haines has one. CBs coach Johnny Franco and DTs coach Bryant Haines are in their first years on staff. 

A FAMILY AFFAIR
The 2014 Crimson Hawks feature two pairs of brothers in OC Tyler Haines & DT coach Bryant Haines and CB coach Johnny Franco and R-So. SS Steve Franco (Tyrone, Pa. /Tyrone ). The elder Haines took over as the offensive playcaller and QBs coach last year while his younger brother joined the coaching staff this year. Johnny was a three-year starter in the Crimson Hawks' defensive backfield before Steve transferred to IUP from Akron in 2013. He began as a QB before moving to the defensive side this spring and hopes to fill his older brother's shoes in 2014.

DIVISION OPENERS
IUP is now 30-2 in its last 32 PSAC West openers, dating back to 1983. The only two losses during that time were to Slippery Rock (20-6 in 2011) and Mercyhurst (20-16 in 2009).