GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#5 IUP Crimson Hawks (9-2, 6-1 PSAC)
at #1 Shepherd Rams (10-0, 10-0 MEC)
Saturday, November 28, 2015 | 12:05 p.m.
Ram Stadium | Shepherdstown, 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 move on in the 2015 NCAA Division II football playoffs and will head back to the state of West Virginia to take on fifth-ranked Shepherd. Kickoff on Saturday is set for 12:05 p.m. from Ram Stadium. IUP, the fifth seed in Super Region One, advanced to the second round of the postseason with a 47-21 road win over Charleston last weekend and enters with a 9-2 overall record. Shepherd, the top seed in the region, won the Mountain East Conference title with a 10-0 record and received a first round bye.

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 is the fourth all-time meeting between these two programs, all coming in the postseason. IUP won the last matchup, defeating Shepherd at 27-17 at home in the first opening round of 2012.
• Shepherd won the first two meetings: 9-6 in 1998 and 41-34 in 2007.  
• So. RB Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley) (1,146) and R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) (1,145) are IUP's first 1,000-yard tandem since 2012, when Harvie Tuck (1,660) and De'Antwan Williams (1,325) helped lead the Crimson Hawks to a 12-2 record and a berth in the Super Region One Championship Game. 
• The Shepherd offense is one of the best in the nation, led by Harlon Hill nominee Jeff Ziemba. Ziemba has thrown for 2,842 yards and 26 touchdowns 
compared to just two picks in 301 attempts. 
• Ziemba has been incredibly accurate during his entire career, completing 64.2 percent of his 715 passes. He's only thrown 10 interceptions, one every 71.5 pass attempts in three years. 
• The IUP defense has a pass efficiency of 102.7, 17th in the country. Opposing passers have thrown for over 200 yards just twice in the last six games while tossing eight interceptions. 
• This matchup also features one of the top rushing offenses in IUP against one of the top rushing defenses in Shepherd. The Rams have given up 100 yards just four times this season, with Notre Dame (Ohio) running for 178 back in September. The Crimson Hawks have rushed for 250 yards in nine of their 11 games. 
• Last week, Williams totaled five touchdowns in the win over Charleston, setting the program playoff game record. He also tied IUP playoff records with four rushing touchdowns and 24 points. 

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. Second seed Slippery Rock and third seed Assumption each advanced with first round wins and will face eachother this weekend. This week's winners will play for the regional championship on Dec. 5 at the highest seed. 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. With last week's victory, IUP now has 19 all-time, which is tied with Carson-Newman for seventh. IUP's 19-15 playoff record have mainly come under two coaches - current HC Curt Cignetti has won three while his father, Frank Cignetti, guided the then-Indians to a 15-13 record in 13 playoff appearances. Click on above PDF for more information.

CURT CIGNETTI IS 4-1 IN PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP AND NCAA PLAYOFF GAMES AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
IUP HC Curt Cignetti has a 6-7 record against top 25 teams, but is 4-1 against ranked opponents in the PSAC Championship or in NCAA playoff games. Cignetti and IUP defeated #15/20 Charleston last week and took down #7/11 Shippensburg, #25/NR Shepherd and #3/4 New Haven in 2012. Click on above PDF for more information.

IUP's OFFENSE ON A RECORD-SETTING PACE
Under first year OC Marty Higgins, IUP has experienced much success in its new up-tempo spread set. The 2015 Crimson Hawks could break up to six rushing or total offense school records. Click on above PDF for more information.

NEW LOOK OFFENSE HAS 55 PLAYS OF 20 YARDS OR MORE THIS YEAR
IUP's new spread offense has provided excitement this season with 55 plays of 20 yards or more after 11 games. 35 of those have been rushes with 17 total 20-yard plays going for touchdowns. R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) has 36 total plays of 20 yards or more (20 pass, 16 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 nine games of 250 or more yards this year, including 347 last week against Charleston. The Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC and rank sixth in the country with 306.8 rushing yards per game. IUP has rushed for more than 300 yards in six of its 11 games, including 388 against Cal and 383 against Edinboro, two of the top eight single game team performances in program history. 

IUP is 33-7 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS
In his five seasons as head coach, Cignetti has a 33-7 record when an IUP player rushes for at least 100 yards in a game, including 8-2 this season. He's also 6-0 when two players top the 100-yard mark, with four of those wins coming this year. Five players have rushed for 100 yard in a game a combined 14 times this year. 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 2,568 total yards - 1,423 passing and 1,145 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 his 151 yards last week, Williams became the first PSAC quarterback to go over the 1,000-yard plateau in a season. His 1,145 yards and 104.1 yards per game are both third among Division II quarterbacks. Click on above PDF for more information.

CHRIS TEMPLE IS 12TH IN THE COUNTRY IN RUSHING YARDS PER GAME
Despite playing in just eight full games and part of a ninth, So. RB Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley) is one of five players from the PSAC to reach 1,000 yards with a team-high 1,146. He also leads the Crimson Hawks with 17 touchdowns and ranks third in conference with 10.2 points per game. 
• Temple ranks No. 3 in the PSAC and No. 12 in the nation in rushing yards per game (127.3)
• Temple ranks No. 3 in the PSAC and tied for No. 11 in the nation in points per game (10.2)
• Temple is tied for No. 2 in the PSAC and is tied for No. 13 in the nation in rushing touchdowns (17)
• His 17 rushing touchdowns are two away from tying Michael Mann (1993) for IUP's season record (19)
• Temple ranks No. 5 in the PSAC and No. 48 in the nation in rushing yards (1,030)
• Temple is on pace would be on pace to rush for over 1,200 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 IUP and 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
Click on above PDF for more information.

WALT PEGUES EXTENDS STREAK TO 22 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A RECEPTION
With three receptions last week at Charleston, So. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) extended his streak to 22 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 54 catches, 695 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 123 games played and 91 career starts. 
• R-Sr. RT Jorge Vicioso (Passaic, N.J./Passaic) is the most experienced with 32 games and 30 starts; had a streak of 29 consecutive starts snapped by an injury just against Gannon
• Jr. LG Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) has played in 28 games with 25 starts, and has seen time at left tackle and right guard in addition to his regular left guard spot
• R-Fr. Kidus Woldyes and Jr. Ed Bier (Philadelphia, Pa. /Archbishop Ryan) have alternated at center this year, with Woldeyes starting 10 games and Bier once, last week at Charleston
• True Fr. Joe Peterson (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) is has made six straight starts at left tackle; R-So. Gabe Diaz started the first four games at left tackle and also has two starts at right tackle
• The group has given up nine sacks and has helped IUP rush for 306.8 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 61.8 red zone defense. Opponents have advanced inside IUP's 20 yard line 34 times in 11 games, scoring on 21 of those possessions (16 touchdowns, five field goals). The Crimson Hawks have allowed just six combined redzone trips in their last four games. 

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, IUP IS TIED FOR SIXTH IN NATION WITH 37 SACKS
The Crimson Hawks are tied for second in the PSAC with 37 sacks this year, and tied for sixth nationally with third in the PSAC and 13th in the nation with 3.36 sacks per game. IUP has at least four sacks in each of the last four games, combining for 19 over that span. 11 IUP defensive linemen have 29 of the 37 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. The group has combined for 51.5 TFLs and 29.0 sacks on the season. 
• Despite just one start, Easterling leads IUP with 5.0 sacks and is tied for the team-lead with 9.5 TFLs
• Playing in his first year at end after moving from nose guard, Sr. Karon Gibson (Sicklerville, N.J./Woodbury) has 7.5 TFLs 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 seventh on the team with 42 stops, including a career-high 12 when he started at defensive end against Slippery Rock
• 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.) has 4.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks and a fumble recovery in his last two games

CRIMSON HAWKS LEAD THE PSAC, TIED FOR EIGHTH IN NATION WITH 21 INTERCEPTIONS
The IUP defense has picked off 21 passes in 11 games, which is tied for the league-lead and is eighth 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.

JAY WATKINS ONE OF THE BEST AT BREAKING UP PASSES
R-So. CB Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School) ranks first in the PSAC and is one of the national leaders with 19 passes defended, averaging 1.73 per game. His total of 19 - 16 passes broken up and three interceptions - is one shy of the PSAC single season record of 20 that is held by Shippensburg's Deon Harrison (2000) and Slippery Rock's Admire Carter (2014). 

KEVIN CLARKE LEADS DEEP LINEBACKING GROUP; FIVE SEE EXTENSIVE PLAYING TIME
Just like the defensive line, IUP features a deep group of linebackers. Five see playing time, led by preseason All-American and 2015 first team All-PSAC West selection Jr. LB Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin). Clarke leads the team with 69 tackles and 9.5 TFLs, while also tallying four sacks and two interceptions. Sr. LB Dorian Lane (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Woodland Hills) has 46 tackles and has returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Jr. LBs Myles Catlin (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Obama) and Nick Dubowski (Erie, Pa. /Cathedral Prep) and R-Fr. LB Diamond Jones (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) have added depth. Click on above PDF for more information.

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN CRIMSON HAWKS WIN AT CHARLESTON
Williams scored five touchdowns and the defense forced four second half turnovers in the win over Charleston, but the IUP special teams also played a big role. Jr. PK Ryan Stewart (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) converted 2-3 field goals, including a career-long of 44, and made all five extra point attempts. Jr. P Jordan Spangler (Johnstown, Pa./Bishop McCort) averaged 46.0 yards on three punts, pinning all three inside the UC 20 yard line, including two inside the 10. Jones also made a big contribution, blocking a third quarter punt that led the the IUP go-ahead touchdown.

YOUTH MOVEMENT: COMBINED 38 FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORES SEE PLAYING TIME
A total of 67 players on the current roster have seen playing time this year, with the sophomores (24) and freshmen (18) accounting for the two classes with the most playing time. Those two classes have also combined for 120 of the 242 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.