Game Day Central
IUP Crimson Hawks (4-1, 3-1 PSAC) 
vs. Seton Hill Griffins (1-4, 1-3 PSAC)
Saturday, October 11, 2014 | 2:00 p.m.
George P. Miller Stadium @ Frank Cignetti Field | Indiana, Pa.

Watch: Innova TV Networks | innovatvnetworks.com (Pregame: 1:45PM)
Replay: IUP-TV Comcast Ch. 6 on Monday & Tuesday at 7PM & 10PM
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com (Pregame: 1:30PM)
Live Stats: IUPathletics.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats

THE GAME
It's Homecoming in Indiana as the Crimson Hawks bring their three-game winning streak to Miller Stadium and host Seton Hill on Saturday in a 2 p.m. kickoff. IUP is currently in a three-way tie for 2nd place in the PSAC West with a 3-1 conference record, and are coming off of an 18-8 win at Edinboro. Conversely, the Griffins have lost three straight and are 1-3 in the PSAC, although they gave California (PA) a tight game in a 31-21 home loss 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 that are outside of the AFCA Coaches Top 25 but still receiving votes in the poll. They are also not ranked in the D2Football.com Media Poll. Seton Hill is also unranked. 

THE SERIES
This will be just the second meeting in the series, with IUP winning last year's meeting in Greensburg by a score of 26-0. 

EDINBORO LEFTOVERS
• The 10 sacks at Edinboro on Saturday are tied for the 2nd highest total in the NCAA, regardless of division. The sack total is the most since 2003 and believed to be a new program record. 
• Sr. K Brett Ullman (Baltimore, Md./Perry Hall) kicked his first field goals of the year, going a perfect 3-3. Adding an extra point, he scored a total of 10 points on the day and moved to within 6 points of tying PK Craig Burgess for 2nd all-time in IUP history with 276. 
• With the help of those 10 sacks, the Crimson Hawks held Edinboro to -6 rushing yards. That's the lowest total since surrending -32 rushing yards against Lock Haven in 2009 and tied for the 9th lowest rushing yards given up in school history. 

LOOKING AHEAD
The Crimson Hawks start their back-to-back string of rivalry games as they head to Cal to face the Vulcans on Oct. 18. The 6th Annual Coal Bowl will kickoff at 1 PM. 

IUP ON HOMECOMING
IUP is 48-17-4 (.725) all-time in Homecoming games, including wins in each of the last three seasons against Millersville, Slippery Rock and Edinboro. Since 2000, IUP has an 11-3 (.786) record, with 3 of those wins coming against Slippery Rock. 

AGAINST THE PSAC WEST 
IUP has perennially been the best team in the PSAC West, boasting a 143-32-1 (.815) record against division foes since 1986. The Crimson Hawks are 18-5 in the West in three-plus years under HC Curt Cignetti, 
including a 6-1 season in 2012. 

HOT STARTS
IUP has gotten off to fast starts in its two big wins this year - 41-19 over St. Augustine's and 41-7 over Mercyhurst. In the 1st quarter against the Falcons, the Crimson Hawks scored 3 TDs to take a 20-0 lead. Against the Lakers, they scored 4 TDs to go into the 2nd quarter on top 27-0. 

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). 

ABOUT SETON HILL
The Griffins continue to improve under 2nd year HC Isaac Collins, picking up their 1st win in just the 2nd game of the season and playing with Cal in a tight 31-21 loss last Saturday. 

Seton Hill is yet another pass heavy team IUP will have to face, as the Griffins lead the PSAC with 245 attempts in 5 games this year. QB Drew Jackson returned to the lineup this year after missing all but 2 games a season ago, and is averaging 240 yards a game with 9 TDs. His top four targets all have size, including FJ Williams (6-3, 220), who has 30 catches and 2 TDs. Erik Kearns (6-2, 190), Eric Brown (6-3, 200), and Logan Carns (6-3, 200) have combined for 31 catches and 4 TDs. RB Brandon Stout is the main ball carrier with 261 yards and is also a target out of the backfield with 20 catches.

The Griffins defense is near the bottom in nearly every major category, giving up 42 points and 504 total yards per game. One of the lone bright spots has been DL Arthur Tsapdong, who 6 TFLs and 4.5 sacks this year. Seton Hill is also tied for 5th in the PSAC with 6 interceptions, with 2 coming from DB Josh Falatovich. 

The return game has shown some flashes, as three players each have KORs of over 41 yards, including a 72-yard by Malik Scott. Scott also has a 51-yard PR for a TD. PK Jesser Boulnemour has made 12-15 XPs and 1-2 FGs with a long of 43. William Hodge is averaging 34.9 yards on 44 punts.

OH YEAH, LUIGI LIKED THAT!
Fr. RB Luigi Lista-Brinza (McKees Rocks, Pa. /Central Catholic) posted his 4th 100-yard rushing game of the season against Edinboro, netting 118 yards on 24 carries. The starter for all 5 games this season, Lista-Brinza leads the Crimson Hawks and is 4th in the conference with 94.8 ypg and is tied for 3rd in the PSAC with 8 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 94.8 ypg leads the PSAC and is 3rd in Division II among freshmen running backs. His closest competition in the league comes from Clarion's Delrece Williams with 53.4 ypg, while Hillsdale's Bennett Lewis averages 98.0 ypg to lead all D2 freshmen running backs. Click on the PDF link above for more information. 

TEMPLE RUN
Seeing quality time in the backfield behind Lista-Brinza is fellow Fr. RB Chris Temple. After not playing in the season opener, Temple is IUP's 3rd leading rusher with 145 yards and a TD on 36 carries. His season-high came at Lock Haven when he carried 16 times for 74 yards. He scored his 1st career TD against Mercyhurst from 7 yards out, and totaled 38 yards on the ground for the game. 

KEEP THEM COMING
In addition to Lista-Brinza and Temple, the Crimson Hawks boast two more backs who have seen carries and playing time so far this fall. So. RB Darian Bradley (Midland, Pa./Beaver) is 2nd on the team with 159 yards this year, including a season-high 61 yards on 15 carries at Edinboro. He also has 4 catches out of the backfield. So. RB Izzy Green (Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood-Madison) has also flashed some big play ability with 76 yards and 1 TD on just 8 carries (9.5 ypc), although he's only played in 5 quarters due to an injury. 

RUNNING GAMES
After averaging just 129.5 rushing yards in the first two games, IUP has run for 604 yards (201 ypg) in wins over Lock Haven, Mercyhurst and Edinboro. Other per game averages up since the opening 2 games is TDs (2 to 3), carries (33 to 46), and yards per carry average (3.9 to 4.3). IUP has also gone from 8th in the PSAC and 106th in Division II to 6th and 60th, respectively, in the last 3 games.

HASLETT HAS IT
Gr. QB Chase Haslett (Clayton, Mo./Clayton) had his best game of the year against Mercyhurst, going 12-15 (80 pct) for 157 yards and 2 TDs, putting up a pass efficiency rating of 211.92. In his last 3 games he's completing 69.6 pct of his passes for 490 yards and 4 TDs, with 2 completions of 44 yards. 

SO GOES THE TEAM?
Haslett has performed markedly better in the Crimson Hawks' victories this year compared to the lone loss. In IUP's 4 wins, Haslett has completed 53-76 (69.7 pct) for 666 yards, 7 TDs and 3 Ints. In the loss at Kutztown, Haslett was 10-32 (31.2 pct) for 98 yards and 2 Ints. Click on the PDF link above for more information. 

HOLDING THAT LINE
The Crimson Hawks seem to have settled in on an offensive line unit, a group that has helped IUP rush for 201 ypg and given up 3 sacks in the last 3 games. 

The most seasoned is Sr. C Matt Sasson, who has 23 career starts. R-Sr. LT Bruce Atkins (Pittsburgh, Pa./Woodland Hills) (8 career starts), So. LG Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) (8) and R-Sr. RT Jorge Vicioso (Passaic, N.J./Passaic) (15) have started all 5 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 57 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. 

3RD DOWN? NO PROBLEM
The Crimson Hawks have been very successful this year converting 3rd downs, currently ranking 2nd in the PSAC and 11th in Division II at 52.3 pct (34-65). IUP converted 47 pct in 2003 and 2013, the previous highs in the last decade-plus. 

CONVERTING IN THE RED ZONE
IUP is 15th in Division II with a red zone conversion rate of 90.5 pct, scoring on 19 of 21 chances. The Crimson Hawks scored on their 1st 11 red zone tries of the season and have 16 TDs (9 rush) and 3 FGs in the red zone thru 5 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 21 catches, 334 yards and 4 TDs. His 15.9 ypc is also the best on the team, as he's reeled in a pair of 44-yard receptions this season. In the last 3 games he's averaging 5 catches for 83 yards and a TD. 

SPREADING THE WORTH
10 Crimson Hawks have caught passes this season, including five WRs, three RBs and two TEs. In addition to Carswell, Fr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) is 2nd on the team with 15 receptions, while Gr. TE Brock DeCicco (Jefferson Hills, Pa. /Thomas Jefferson) and Fr. WR Tristan Davis (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) each have 6 receptions.  

BIGGER EXPLOSIONS
The Crimson Hawks have had 14 explosive plays (20 yards or more) this season, with 5 coming in the opener but no more than 3 in a game since. They've been getting bigger bang for their buck, however, in the last 3 games, with a pair of pass plays that went for 44 yards to go along with a 41-yard running play. 

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 54 tackles, and is currently tied for 3rd in the PSAC with 10.8 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 as he's tied for 3rd in the PSAC with 7.5 TFLs to go along with his 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. LB Alexander Berdahl (Ashburn, Va./Bishop O'Connell) and R-Sr. LB Dorian Lane (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Woodland Hills) are both former All-PSAC selections who have had injury problems this year, but are starting to see increased playing time. They've combined for 33 tackles 4.5 TFLs and a sack. So. LB Myles Catlin (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Obama) has earned 2 starts this year and has 13 tackles and 2 TFLs. Click on the PDF link above for more information.   

GREAT WALL OF INDIANA
The Crimson Hawks' defensive line has been leading the charge on their current 3-game winning streak, giving up just 70 yards (23.3 ypg) on 77 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. IUP plays anywhere between 8-10 linemen each game, with each contributing in different facets. Click on the PDF link above for more information. 

SAFETY FIRST
Fr. FS Takhi Turner (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Twp.) has put up some good numbers to open up his collegiate career, as he's 2nd on the team with 28 total tackles and is tied for the team-lead with 5 passes defensed. He had a season-high 11 tackles and broke up 3 passes at Kutztown and also has IUP's only interception of the season, bringing one back 30 yards against Saint Augustine's. 

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 37 career starts, including 26 in a row. 

He's again one of the Crimson Hawks' top tacklers this season, as his 26 stops are 3rd on the team. He also has 3 TFLs and is tied for the team-lead with 5 passes defensed.  For his career, McFadden has 207 total tackles, 4 interceptions and 20 more passes broken up. 

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'll need 43 points, 8 field goals, and 6 extra points for the rest of the 2014 season to break each respective record. Click on the PDF link above for more information. 

GOOD RETURNS
The Crimson Hawks have received a boost in the return game this year from a pair of new faces in Pegues and Davis. Pegues has returned 9 kickoffs for a 25.1 average, with longs of 50 (Mercyhurst) and 43 yards (Lock Haven). Davis boasts a 25.3 KOR average with a long of 47, and also has a 9.5 PR average, with a long of 24 yards. 

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. Click on the PDF link above for more information. 

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.

PSAC PRESEASON POLLS
For the third straight year, IUP was picked to win the PSAC West by the league's coaches at the conference's media day. Click on the PDF link above for more information. 

IUP IN OPENERS
With last Saturday's win, IUP is now 15-2 in season openers since 1998, boasting 9 consecutive wins. Those wins have come over Cheyney (2006-07), C.W. Post (2008), Southern Connecticut State (2009-10, 2012-13), East Stroudsburg (2011) and Saint Augustine's (2014).