GAMEDAY CENTRAL
IUP Crimson Hawks (5-2, 4-1 PSAC West)
at Clarion Golden Eagles (7-1, 4-1 PSAC West)
Saturday, October 31, 2015 | 12:00 p.m.
Memorial Stadium | Clarion, Pa.

Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Live Stats: ClarionGoldenEagles.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUPfootball

THE GAME
The Crimson Hawks hit the road for the second straight week as they face off against Clarion in another key PSAC West showdown on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. Both teams are looking to rebound from devestating road losses last week, as IUP dropped a 40-39 heartbreaker at #15 Slippery Rock and the Golden Eagles fell 42-28 to California (Pa.). This matchup will break the three-way tie at the top of the division held by IUP, Clarion and Slippery Rock. It's also a game featuring two teams battling for a spot in the NCAA playoffs, as Clarion is sixth in the rankings and IUP is ninth. 

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
• The IUP defense will have its hands full with another potent offense, as Clarion is fourth in the nation in passing offense (354.4) and 11th in total offense (493.9). 
• This game features the top two players in the PSAC in yards per play. Clarion QB Connor Simmons averages 8.57 yards per play and IUP QB Lenny Williams averages 8.15.
• The IUP defense has allowed just eight passing touchdowns all year and just one in its last three games. Over that span, IUP's opponents are completing 50 pct of their passes (52-103) for 233 yards per game. 
• IUP leads the PSAC with 15 interceptions, picking off a pass once every 17 attempts. Simmons completed just 47 pct of his passes and threw six picks in 51 attempts last week at Cal. 
• In a rare occurrence, this IUP-Clarion matchup looms large in both the PSAC and in Super Region One. Both teams are currently part of a three-way tie at the top of the West with Slippery Rock, while Clarion is ranked sixth in the region and IUP is sitting in ninth.  
• IUP HC Curt Cignetti is 4-0 all-time against Clarion, including last year's 31-0 win at home. The Crimson Hawks have outscored Clarion 156-21 with two shutouts in those four games. 
• IUP is coming off of its worst rushing performance of the season, finishing with just 186 yards at SRU. Clarion has held opponents under 100 yards four times, but allowed 216 yards and three touchdowns to Cal. 
• With 2,156 rushing yards so far, IUP is ahead of its record-setting pace of 2012 when the Crimson Hawks totaled 2,127 yards in the first seven games and broke the school's season record with 259.3 yards per game.

NOTEBOOK

CRIMSON HAWKS RANKED NINTH IN SEASON'S FIRST REGIONAL RANKINGS
The NCAA released its first set of Division II regional rankings on Monday (Oct. 26) with IUP showing up at No. 9 on the 10-team list. The Crimson Hawks have three more games to move up into the top seven - the amount of teams from each region that will advance to the postseason. IUP will play two teams ranked in front of them in the next two weeks - Clarion (sixth) on Saturday and Gannon (eighth) on Nov. 7. See page seven for more details. 

CIGNETTI vs. THE PSAC WEST
HC Curt Cignetti is 24-9 (.727) in his four-plus seasons against schools from the PSAC West, including a 6-1 mark in the Crimson Hawks' 2012 conference championship season. He is 4-0 all-time against Clarion, posting wins of 31-0 (2014), 42-14, (2013), 45-0 (2012) and 38-7 (2011). The Crimson Hawks last lost to Clarion in 2010 (21-17). 

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 251-83-1 (.751) along with a conference record of 150-37-1 (.801) during that span. IUP also owns 15 divisional crowns in the last 29 seasons. Click on above PDF for more information.

THE DAWN OF A NEW OFFENSIVE ERA
2015 marks a new era for the IUP offense as the Crimson Hawks have switched to an up-tempo spread set. New OC Marty Higgins joined the coaching staff this summer from Upper Iowa University. This is the first time since the 1970s that IUP is not running an "I" formation or pro set. The comparison below shows the Crimson Hawks' offensive numbers in 2014 and their 2015 averages under Higgins. 

IUP's OFFENSE IS ON A RECORD-SETTING PACE
The Crimson Hawks are averaging 465.3 yards per game this year, on pace to break the record of 445.2 set in 1991 (5,787 yards in 13 games). IUP had a season-high 550 total yards against #15 Slippery Rock and has six games of 400-plus yards this season. 

NEW LOOK OFFENSE HAS 37 PLAYS OF 20 YARDS OR MORE THIS YEAR
IUP's new spread offense has provided excitement this season with 37 plays of 20 yards or more after seven games. 24 of those have been rushes with 12 total 20-yard plays going for touchdowns. R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) has 23 total plays of 20 yards or more (13 pass, 10 rush), including nine against #15 Slippery Rock last Saturday. See page 12 for more information.

IUP RANKS FIFTH IN DIVISION II IN RUSHING YARDS PER GAME
Even with last week's season-low 186 yards, the Crimson Hawks still lead the PSAC and rank fifth in the nation with 308.0 rushing yards per game. IUP has rushed for more than 300 yards in four of its seven games, including 388 against Cal and 383 against Edinboro, two of the top eight single game team performances in program history. 

IUP is 30-7 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS
In his four-plus seasons as head coach, Cignetti has a 30-7 record when an IUP player rushes for at least 100 yards in a game. There are four players on the 2015 roster with 100-yard games to their credit: So. RB Luigi Lista-Brinza (McKees Rocks, Pa. /Central Catholic) with six, So. RB Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley) with four, R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) with three and R-So. RB Drew Harris (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) with one. During the Cignetti era at IUP, De'Antwan "Rocket" Williams had the most 100-yard games with 12 while Harvie Tuck had 11. 

NINE DIFFERENT PLAYERS HAVE 100-YARD GAMES UNDER CIGNETTI; FOUR HAVE 200-YARD GAMES
With Williams' 205 yards at Seton Hill three weeks ago, Cignetti has how seen nine different players rush for 100 yards in a game since 2011. Four players have now rushed for 200 yards under Cignetti: Williams (205), Temple (255 and 234), Tuck (four times in 2012) and De'Antwan Williams (once in 2013).

CHRIS TEMPLE IS SEVENTH IN THE COUNTRY IN RUSHING YARDS PER GAME
Despite playing in just five full games and part of a sixth, So. RB Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley) has rushed for 827 yards and 15 touchdowns, highlighted by a 234-yard, six-touchdown performance against Edinboro. 
• Temple ranks No. 1 in the PSAC and No. 7 in the nation in rushing yards per game (137.8)
• Temple ranks No. 1 in the PSAC and No. 2 in the nation in points per game (15.0)
• Temple ranks No. 1 in the PSAC and is tied for No. 4 in the nation in rushing touchdowns (15)
• His 15 rushing touchdowns are four away from tying Michael Mann (1993) for IUP's season record (21)
• Temple ranks No. 3 in the PSAC in rushing yards per carry (6.31)
• Temple ranks No. 4 in the PSAC and No. 34 in the nation in rushing yards (827)
• He is on pace to rush for 1,244 yards this year, which would be the 14th time in school history a back has rushed for 1,200 yards in a season
• Temple has two of the eight single game rushing performances in IUP history - 255 yards against Cal is sixth all-time and 234 yards against Edinboro is the eighth most
• Temple's 255 and 234-yard performances are the most and third most, respectively, by a PSAC player in a game this season
• Temple's 67-yard touchdown run vs. Edinboro is the longest play from scrimmage for the Crimson Hawks and is the seventh longest rush in the PSAC this season
• Temple's six rushing touchdowns against the Fighting Scots set a new IUP record and tied former 
Shippensburg running back and current Green Bay Packers fullback John Kuhn for most in PSAC history
• Temple was named the PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Week after his game against Edinboro
Click on above PDF for more information.

LENNY WILLIAMS IS THE CRIMSON HAWKS' TOTAL OFFENSE LEADER
R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) leads IUP with 1,688 total yards this year, including 975 passing and 713 rushing. He's on a tear over his last three games, averaging 343.3 yards per game and 10.3 yards per play.
• Williams ranks No. 6 in the PSAC and is tied for No. 47 in the country in rushing yards per game (101.9) 
• Williams is No. 1 among PSAC QBs and No. 4 among Division II QBs in rushing yards per game
• Williams ranks No. 1 in the PSAC and No. 2 in Division II in rushing yards per carry - 10 rush/game (8.91)
• Williams ranks No. 2 in the PSAC in yards per play (8.15; 207 plays, 1,688 yards)
• Williams' 504 total yards against Slippery Rock broke an IUP record and is the 10th highest total by a Division II player - and second highest in the PSAC - this season (616, Matt Soltes, ESU)
• Williams' season-high 364 passing yards against Slippery Rock is tied for the ninth highest total in IUP single game history; He also had season-highs of 22 completions and 33 attempts
• Williams' 205 rushing yards against Seton Hill broke a PSAC single game record for a QB
• Williams has 23 plays of more than 20 yards (13 pass, 10 rush); He has five plays of at least 45 yards
• Three-star member of Temple's 2014 recruiting class out of Sto-Rox HS in McKees Rocks, Pa. 
• Finished HS career has the WPIAL's all-time leading passer with 8,509 yards and 102 touchdowns
• Also rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in HS career
• Fab 22 selection, WPIAL Co-Offensive Player of the Year, and the 2012 Big 7 Player of the Year
Click on above PDF for more information.

WALT PEGUES HAD ONE OF IUP's BEST RECEIVING DAYS
So. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) had a huge game against Slippery Rock with 14 receptions for 233 yards, both career-highs. He also reeled in a 50-yard touchdown in the opening quarter. The yardage and receptions totals were both among the best ever by an IUP player, ranking third and tied for third, respectively. Click on above PDF for more information.  

PEGUES EXTENDS STREAK TO 18 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A RECEPTION
With those 14 receptions, Pegues extended his personal streak of 18 consecutive games with a catch. It dates back to his very first game as a true freshman in 2014. The Crimson Hawks' top receiving threat this year, Pegues leads the team with 41 receptions and 541 yards and has 86 catches for 1,148 yards and six touchdowns in his career. 

IUP OFFENSIVE LINE FEATURES DEPTH, VERSATILITY
The IUP offensive line features talent and depth, with six regular players combining for 101 games played and 71 career starts. R-Sr. RT Jorge Vicioso (Passaic, N.J./Passaic) is the most experience with 30 games and 28 starts. Jr. LG Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) has played in 24 games with 21 starts, and has seen time at left tackle and right guard in addition to his regular left guard spot. Jr. Ed Bier (Philadelphia, Pa. /Archbishop Ryan) has played both the center and left guard spots. The group has given up just five sacks in seven games this year and has helped the IUP rushing attack average 308.0 yards, fifth in the nation.

IUP HAS SCORED 14 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS SINCE 2011; 40 SINCE 2003
Annually one of the PSAC's - and the nation's - strongest defenses, IUP has scored 14 total defensive touchdowns since 2011 and 40 since 2003. Despite playing one less game than most schools this year, the Crimson Hawks are tied for the Division II lead with five defensive scores, including three at Mercyhurst. This year's total is already the most IUP has had in a single season since the start of 2003, eclipsing the previous high of four in 2010, 2009, 2007 and 2003. Click on above PDF for more information.

CRIMSON HAWKS PLAYING IN OPPONENT BACKFIELDS; 12 SACKS, 34 TFLs IN LAST FOUR GAMES
The IUP defense has increased its pressure over the last four games, totaling 12.0 sacks and 34.0 tackles-for-loss against Edinboro, Seton Hill, Cal and Slippery Rock. Despite giving up season-highs of 511 total yards and 269 rushing yards at Slippery Rock, IUP still made 11 TFLs for a loss of 47 yards. 10 different Crimson Hawks have combined for those 10 sacks while 17 have helped make the 34 TFLs. Click on above PDF for more information.

KARON GIBSON MAKING SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO DEFENSIVE END
Sr. DE Karon Gibson (Sicklerville, N.J./Woodbury) leads the Crimson Hawks with 7.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks in his first year as a full-time defensive end after playing nose guard last year. His 1.07 TFLs per game is tied for ninth in the PSAC this season. His 40 total tackles is third overall on the team and first among defensive linemen. Click on above PDF for more information.

IUP DEFENSIVE LINE HAS SHOWCASED DEPTH; 10 CRIMSON HAWKS HAVE SEEN PLAYING TIME
The IUP defensive line rotates on a regular basis, with anywhere from eight to 10 players seeing action along the defensive front. The group has combined for 30.5 TFLs and 15.0 sacks on the season. The 15 sacks are 83 pct of the team's total of 18. 
• Gibson leads all players with 7.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks
• True Fr. DE Deandre Easterling (Washington, D.C./Gonzaga) has 2.0 TFLs at Slippery Rock and is third on the team with 5.5 this year
• So. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) started at defensive end on Saturday and tallied a career-high 12 tackles, while also getting a TFL at Slippery Rock
• R-So. DE Matt Mowad (Easton, Pa. /Easton) had 3.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks despite starting just three games due to injury
• R-So. DT Jordan Diven (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) had a career-high eight tackles at Slippery Rock and has 12 total tackles over the last three games

CRIMSON HAWKS LEAD PSAC, TIED FOR NINTH IN NATION WITH 15 INTERCEPTIONS
In just seven games, the IUP defense has picked off 15 passes, which leads the PSAC and is tied for ninth in Division II. True Fr. CB Mikale Makle (Upper Marlboro, Md./Frederick Douglas) leads the way with three picks, getting one in each of his last three games.  Ninedifferent players have gotten in the act with at least one, with five players grabbing away two passes this year. Click on above PDF for more information.

WATKINS ONE OF THE BEST AT BREAKING UP PASSES
R-So. CB Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School) leads the PSAC and is second in the nation averaging 2.3 passes defended per game. His total of 16 - 14 passes broken up and two interceptions - also leads the conference despite playing in just seven games. Watkins is within striking distance of the PSAC single season record of 20 that is held by Shippensburg's Deon Harrison (2000) and Slippery Rock's Admire Carter (2014). He's defended at least one pass in every game this year, including four breakups against Lock Haven, and has his interceptions against Kutztown and Edinboro. 

KEVIN CLARKE HAS SEVEN DOUBLE-FIGURE TACKLE GAMES
R-Jr. LB Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin) had a season-high 14 total tackles - eight solo - against Lock Haven. It was his seventh career double-figure tackle game, with six coming in his last 16 games. A first team preseason All-American by D2Football.com, Clarke leads the Crimson Hawks with 39 total tackles in five games this season. Last  year he had five double-figure tackle games, including a career-high 21 against SRU. 

YOUTH MOVEMENT: COMBINED 37 FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES SEE PLAYING TIME
A total of 58 players on the current roster have seen playing time this year, with the sophomores (22) and freshmen (15) accounting for the most. Those two classes have also combined for 74 of the 154 total starts this season. Click on above PDF for more information.