GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#5 IUP Crimson Hawks (8-2, 6-1 PSAC West) 
at #4 Charleston Golden Eagles (10-1, 9-1 MEC)
Saturday, November 21, 2015 | 12:05 p.m.
UC Stadium at Laidley Field | Charleston, W. Va.

Watch: West Virgnia MetroNews | wvmetronews.com
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com 
Live Stats: NCAA.com | Stats
Live Updates: Twitter.com | @IUPfootball

THE GAME
The Crimson Hawks kick off the postseason this weekend when they travel to West Virginia to take on Charleston. Kickoff is set for 12:05 p.m. from UC Stadium. IUP is making it's 16th all-time appearance in the NCAA Division II playoffs, earning the fifth seed in Super Region One with after an 8-2 regular season. This will be Charleston's first ever playoff appearance as the Golden Eagles enter the postseason with a 10-1 overall record. Charleston earned the fourth seed in the region to secure a first round home game. 

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. The game will also be streamed live on the web by West Virginia MetroNews. 

STORYLINES
• This first round matchup features a program that has made 16 all-time playoff appearances (IUP) against a program that is in the postseason for the first time (Charleston). 
• The Crimson Hawks are as healthy has they've been in several weeks with 21 of their 22 regular starters (11 offense, 10 defense) back in the lineup. 
• With 994 rushing yards, R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) is looking to become the first PSAC quarterback to rush for 1,000 in a season. He eclipsed the milestone on two carries last week, but a sack for a loss of nine yards brought him back under. 
• If Williams reaches 1,000 yards, he'll join teammate Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley) who hit the milestone last week. It would be the first time since 2012 - Harvie Tuck (1,660) and De'Antwan Williams (1,325) - that IUP would have two players reach that milestone.  
• With his next touchdown, Temple will be come the 10th player in IUP history to score 100 points in a season. With 16 rushing touchdowns, he's currently tied for 10th in a single season with 96 points. Michael Mann (1993) has the all-time record of 126 points. 
• IUP faces a high-octane Charleston offense that scores nearly 43 points a game, seventh in the country. A balanced attack, the Golden Eagles rush for 243 yards and pass for 228 yards per contest. 
• Charleston QB jeremy Johnson has thrown 18 touchdowns and just three interceptions in 218 attempts this year. The IUP defense has 20 interceptions, picking off opposing quarterbacks once every 16.7 attempts. 
• Johnson will be the most dangerous dual threat QB that IUP has faced since SRU's Dante Nania. Johnson averages 57.0 rushing yards per game and has scored eight touchdowns on the ground. 

NOTEBOOK

IUP IS MAKING IT'S 16TH ALL-TIME PLAYOFF APPEARANCE
2015 marks the 16th playoff appearance for IUP and the program's first since 2012. The Crimson Hawks advanced to the Super Region One Championship game that year, falling to Winston-Salem State 21-17. IUP  has six appearances in the national semifinals (1989-91, 1993-94, 99) and played for the Division II national championship in 1990 and 1993. 

SHEPHERD EARNED TOP SEED AND FIRST ROUND BYE; SLIPPERY ROCK JOINS IUP FROM THE PSAC
Shepherd earned the top seed in Super Region One and received a first round bye. The winner of the IUP-Charleston matchup will head to Shepherdstown next weekend to take on the Rams. Slippery Rock grabbed the second seed and will host seventh seed Virginia Union in the opening weekend. That winner will face off against the winner of the Assumption (third) and Bowie State (sixth) game. See page seven for the full NCAA Division II bracket. 

IUP IS TOP 10 ALL-TIME IN DIVISION II PLAYOFF APPEARANCES AND WINS
The 16 all-time playoff appearances for IUP is seventh all-time in Division II while the program's 18 victories are tied for eighth. IUP has an 18-15 playoff record with two of those victories coming in 2012 under current HC Curt Cignetti. His father, Frank Cignetti, guided the then-Indians to a 15-13 record in 13 playoff appearances. 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. Click on above PDF for more information.

IUP's OFFENSE IS ON A RECORD-SETTING PACE
The Crimson Hawks are averaging 453.4 yards per game this year, on pace to break the program record of 445.2 set in 1991 (5,787 yards in 13 games). IUP had a season-high 550 total yards at Slippery Rock and has eight games of 400-plus yards this season. 

NEW LOOK OFFENSE HAS 51 PLAYS OF 20 YARDS OR MORE THIS YEAR
IUP's new spread offense has provided excitement this season with 51 plays of 20 yards or more after 10 games. 32 of those have been rushes with 15 total 20-yard plays going for touchdowns. R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) has 34 total plays of 20 yards or more (19 pass, 15 rush), including nine at Slippery Rock. See page 14 for more information.

IUP LEADS PSAC, RANKS SIXTH IN DIVISION II IN RUSHING YARDS PER GAME
The IUP running game has seven games of 250 or more yards this year, including 274 last week against Cheyney. The Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC and rank sixth in the country with 302.8 rushing yards per game. IUP has rushed for more than 300 yards in five of its 10 games, including 388 against Cal and 383 against Edinboro, two of the top eight single game team performances in program history. 

IUP is 32-7 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS
In his five seasons as head coach, Cignetti has a 32-7 record when an IUP player rushes for at least 100 yards in a game. There are five 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) and R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) with five and R-So. RB Drew Harris (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) and R-Fr. RB Shannon Jackson (Fairview, Pa. /Fairview) one each. 

10 DIFFERENT PLAYERS HAVE 100-YARD GAMES UNDER CIGNETTI; FOUR HAVE 200-YARD GAMES
IUP is traditionally strong at the running back position, and it hasn't changed in five years under Cignetti. The coach has seen 10 different players rush for at least 100 yards in a game, while four players have gained over 200 yards. This year alone, five players have rushed for 100 yards in a game. Click on above PDF for more information.

LENNY WILLIAMS IS ONE OF 38 NOMINEES FOR 2015 HARLON HILL TROPHY
R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) has shown the ability to get it done with his arm and his legs all year long as he leads the Crimson Hawks with 2,316 total yards - 1,322 passing and 994 rushing. His all-around playmaking abilities have made him one of 38 nominees for the 2015 Harlon Hill Trophy for the Division II Football Player of the Year. See page six for more details. 

WILLIAMS IS ONE OF THE TOP RUSHING QUARTERBACKS IN THE NATION
With 994 yards, Williams is just six away from becoming the first PSAC quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He's third among Division II quarterbacks with 99.4 rushing yards per game and had a streak of five straight contests of more than 100 yards on the ground. Click on above PDF for more information.

CHRIS TEMPLE IS 10TH IN THE COUNTRY IN RUSHING YARDS PER GAME
Despite playing in just seven full games and part of a eighth, So. RB Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley) is one of five players from the PSAC to reach 1,000 yards with 1,030. He also leads the Crimson Hawks with 16 touchdowns and ranks second in conference with 12.0 points per game. 
• Temple ranks No. 3 in the PSAC and No. 10 in the nation in rushing yards per game (128.8)
• Temple ranks No. 2 in the PSAC and tied for No. 5 in the nation in points per game (12.0)
• Temple is No. 3 in the PSAC and is tied for No. 15 in the nation in rushing touchdowns (16)
• His 16 rushing touchdowns are three away from tying Michael Mann (1993) for IUP's season record (19)
• Temple ranks No. 7 in the PSAC in rushing yards per carry (5.95)
• Temple ranks No. 5 in the PSAC and No. 48 in the nation in rushing yards (1,030)
• If IUP can advance in the playoffs, Temple would be on pace to rush for 1,288 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 second and fourth 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 ninth 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.

WALT PEGUES EXTENDS STREAK TO 21 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A RECEPTION
With one catch in limited playing time last week against Cheyney, So. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) Pegues extended his streak of 21 consecutive games with a catch. It dates back to his very first game as a true freshman in 2014. IUP's top receiving threat, Pegues leads the team with 51 catches, 665 yards and three touchdowns.

PEGUES HAD ONE OF IUP's BEST RECEIVING DAYS AT SLIPPERY ROCK
Pegues 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 reception 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.

IUP OFFENSIVE LINE FEATURES DEPTH, VERSATILITY
The IUP offensive line features six regular players combining for 116 games played and 86 career starts. 
• R-Sr. RT Jorge Vicioso (Passaic, N.J./Passaic) is the most experienced with 31 games, but saw his streak of 29 consecutive starts end against Gannon
• Jr. LG Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) has played in 27 games with 24 starts, and has seen time at left tackle and right guard in addition to his regular left guard spot
• Jr. RG Tony Morgante (Mountain Top, Pa. /Crestwood) and R-Fr. C Kidus Woldyes are two of three linemen who have started all 10 games this season
• True Fr. Joe Peterson (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) is has made five straight starts at left tackle; R-So. Gabe Diaz has started the last two games at right tackle after starting the first four games at the left tackle spot
• Jr. Ed Bier (Philadelphia, Pa. /Archbishop Ryan) has played both the center and left guard spots
• The group has given up nine sacks and has helped IUP rush for 302.8 yards, sixth in the nation

CRIMSON HAWKS' DEFENSE RANKS SEVENTH IN NATION IN RED ZONE PERCENTAGE
IUP leads the PSAC and ranks seventh among Division II schools with a 61.3 red zone defense. Opponents have advanced inside IUP's 20 yard line 31 times in 10 games, scoring on 19 of those possessions (14 touchdowns, five field goals). California (Pa.) and Slippery Rock scored on six of 13 combined red zone chances against IUP, while Clarion, Gannon and Cheyney combined for three red zone trips.

IUP HAS SCORED 15 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS SINCE 2011; 41 SINCE 2003
Annually one of the PSAC's - and the nation's - strongest defenses, IUP has scored 15 total defensive touchdowns since 2011 and 41 since 2003. Despite playing one less game than most schools this year, the Crimson Hawks are tied for second in Division II with six 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.

LED BY THE DEFENSIVE LINE, THE CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 13TH IN NATION IN SACKS
The Crimson Hawks are third in the PSAC and 13th in the nation with an average of 3.2 sacks per game. IUP has at least four sacks in five games and have 14 combined in the last three outings. 11 IUP defensive linemen have 26 of the 32 total team sacks, led by Fr. DE Deandre Easterling (Washington, D.C./Gonzaga) with 5.0. 

IUP DEFENSIVE LINE HAS SHOWCASED DEPTH; 11 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 47.0 TFLs and 26.0 sacks on the season. 
• Despite starting just one game, Easterling leads IUP with 9.0 tackles-for-loss and 5.0 sacks
• Playing in his first season at end after moving from nose guard, Sr. DE Karon Gibson (Sicklerville, N.J./Woodbury) has 7.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks 
• Gibson is tied third on the team and leads all linemen with 44 total tackles
• So. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) is sixth on the team with 39 stops, including a career-high 12 when he started at defensive end against Clarion
• R-So. DE Matt Mowad (Easton, Pa. /Easton) had four tackles and 1.0 TFL in limited time against Gannon, his first action in over one month after being sidelined with an injury; He has 4.5 TFLs and three sacks in six games
• True Fr. NG Dyllon Scott (Reading, Pa./Exeter Twp.) made his first career start against Cheyney, finishing with five tackles, three sacks, and recovered a fumble

CRIMSON HAWKS LEAD THE PSAC, TIED FOR FIFTH IN NATION WITH 20 INTERCEPTIONS
In just 10 games, the IUP defense has picked off 20 passes, which is tied for the league lead and is fifth in Division II. Three different players are tied for the team-lead with three picks, while 10 different players have at least one. IUP has 347 yards on returns, taking back six for touchdowns. Click on above PDF for more information.

WATKINS ONE OF THE BEST AT BREAKING UP PASSES
Watkins had two big plays in the second half against Gannon, breaking up a fourth down pass in IUP territory in the third quarter and picking off a pass with 2:09 left in the game to clinch the win. He leads the PSAC and ranks sixth in the nation averaging 1.8 passes defended per game. His total of 18 - 15 passes broken up and three interceptions - also leads the conference despite playing in just nine games. Watkins is two away of tying the PSAC single season record of 20 that is held by Shippensburg's Deon Harrison (2000) and Slippery Rock's Admire Carter (2014). 

IUP LINEBACKERS AGAIN PROVIDE DEPTH IN 2015
The Crimson Hawks boast a seasoned linebacking corps, with the top four players on the two deep combining for 109 games played and 47 starts. R-Jr. Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin) leads IUP with 61 tackles this year, eclipsing 200 for his career. R-Sr. Dorian Lane (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Woodland Hills), who is one of five current IUP players on the roster during the 2012 PSAC Championship season, has played in 38 career games with 162 tackles. Jr. Myles Catlin (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Obama) and classmate Nick Dubowski (Erie, Pa. /Cathedral Prep) - who is in his first year on defense after moving over from fullback - have added depth this year, combining for 40 tackles.

YOUTH MOVEMENT: COMBINED 38 FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES SEE PLAYING TIME
A total of 62 players on the current roster have seen playing time this year, with the sophomores (21) and freshmen (17) accounting for two classes with the most playing time. Those two classes have also combined for 98 of the 198 total starts this season. IUP's top five rushers, top three receivers, and five of its current starting defensive players all have either freshman or sophomore eligibility. Click on above PDF for more information.