GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#13/13 IUP Crimson Hawks (5-1, 3-1 PSAC West)
vs. Clarion Golden Eagles (2-5, 1-3 PSAC West)
Saturday, October 22, 2016 | 1:00 p.m.
Frank Cignetti Field at George P. Miller Stadium | Indiana, Pa.

Watch: IUP-TV | youtube.com
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Listen (smartphone): U92 Sports App
Live Stats: IUPAthletics.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUPfootball

THE GAME
The 13th-ranked Crimson Hawks are back at home for the second week in a row as they welcome Clarion to George P. Miller Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. IUP looks to ride momentum from a 48-19 victory over rival and 16th-ranked Slippery Rock last weekend. The Crimson Hawks scored 24 first quarter points and totaled three touchdowns on four SRU turnovers in the dominating win. Clarion enters the matchup on a three-game losing streak, falling at home to seventh-ranked California 48-20 last weekend. IUP is 5-1 on the season and 3-1 in the PSAC West, while Clarion is 2-5 and 1-3. 

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
• Today's game is the second in a row at Miller Stadium for IUP, which is in the midst of stretch that includes four home games in five weeks
• The Crimson Hawks have been getting out to fast starts this year, with 201 of their 307 total points coming in the first half; IUP has scored 121 points in the second quarters of games 
• IUP brings the second highest scoring offense in Division II into this weekend's matchup, averaging 51.2 points per game; Clarion is second-to-last in the PSAC giving up 38.7 points, including 35-or-more points five times in seven games
• Clarion QB Connor Simmons has missed the last two games due to injury; backup Jeff Clemons has averaged 159 yards with a 44.1 completion percentage, five touchdowns and three interceptions in his stead  
• Clarion RB Delrece Williams ran for 211 yards against Cal and is averaging 103.0 rushing yards this season; last year IUP held him to 10 carries for 44 yards
• IUP leads all of Division II with a +2.17 (+13) turnover margin, grabbing 13 interceptions and four fumbles; Clarion is among the worst in the nation with a -1.14 (-8), giving away eight interceptions and eight fumbles
• IUP also ranks first in the nation with a 62.4 3rd down conversion percentage (53-85); Last week, Cal converted 8-15 of its 3rd downs against Clarion
• IUP owns a 59-23-2 edge in the Clarion series, including a 13-2 mark dating back to 2001 and a 12-3 record at home dating back to 1985
• IUP HC Curt Cignetti owns a 5-0 record against Clarion, outscoring the Golden Eagles by an average score of 31-6 since 2011

NOTEBOOK

CRIMSON HAWKS REMAIN #13 IN BOTH THE COACHES AND MEDIA POLLS
With IUP's win and most of the top 25 earning victories last week, the Crimson Hawks remained at No. 13 in both the AFCA Coaches and D2Football.com Media polls. 

CURT CIGNETTI OWNS .744 WINNING PERCENTAGE vs. PSAC WEST SCHOOLS
HC Curt Cignetti is 29-10 (.744) in his six seasons against schools from the PSAC West, including a 6-1 mark in 2012 and 2015. He is 3-1 this year after last week's loss to Cal. Cignetti is 5-0 against Clarion, including last year's 28-14 win on the road. 

CIGNETTI IS 9-4 IN GAMES FOLLOWING A LOSS
Since 2011, Cignetti and IUP are 9-4 in games following a regular season loss after their bounce back win over Slippery Rock last week. Back-to-back losses have happened four times - 2011 (Bloomsburg & Slippery Rock); 2013 (Slippery Rock & Edinboro); and twice in 2014 (California & Slippery Rock, Gannon & West Chester). 

CIGNETTI IS 7-9 AGAINST RANKED TEAMS; 5-3 WHEN IUP IS ALSO RANKED
Cignetti is now 7-9 against top 25 teams, and is 5-3 in those games when the Crimson Hawks are also ranked. IUP has split games against #15 Cal and #16 Slippery Rock this year and is not expected to play another ranked opponent the rest of the regular season. 

CRIMSON HAWKS OFFENSE IS ON AN HISTORICAL PACE
The IUP offense has shown dramatic improvement in year two of its new system. The Crimson Hawks are currently on pace to break or threaten several program records this season, and have already set school records for most points over stretches of two, three, four and five games. With more than 51 points and 520 yards per game, IUP is well ahead of those record pace (38.7 and 445.2).  

"SPLASH PLAYS" FOR OFFENSE INCREASING IN 2016
IUP has 42 plays of 20 yards or more through six games, an average of 7.0 per game. Last year at this point the Crimson Hawks had 28 and were averaging 4.7 per game. R-So. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) has been responsible for 26 splash plays, with IUP totaling 26 passing and 16 rushing as a team. IUP has eight plays of more than 50 yards, including last week's Williams to Jr. WR Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) 89 yard pass play. 

IUP is 37-8 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS
Cignetti has a 37-8 record when an IUP player rushes for at least 100 yards in a game, including 4-1 this year.  Fr. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) has four 100-yard outings this year and is one of five players on the current roster - and 11 players during the Cignetti era -  to go over the century mark in a game. Cignetti is also 6-0 when two players top the 100-yard mark, with four of those wins coming last year. 

LENNY WILLIAMS AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN PASS EFFICIENCY, COMPLETION PERCENTAGE
Heading into this week, R-So. QB Lenny Williams leads Division II with a 194.61 passing efficiency and is  13th with a 66.4 completion percentage. His passer efficiency of 257.58 against ESU is the sixth best outing by a Division II quarterback this season and also set an IUP single game record. This year, Williams has completed 74-of-113 passes for 1,356 yards - 226.0 per game - with 10 touchdowns and just one interception. That one pick came last week, as he went 74 passes to open the season without an interception. 

WILLIAMS USES BIG PLAYS IN THE PASS GAME, AVERAGES OVER 18 YARDS PER COMPLETION
The signal caller capitalizes on the big play potential of the IUP offense, as he leads Division II averaging 18.08 yards per completion and 12.00 yards per pass attempt. 15 of his 75 completions have gone for 31 yards or more, including six of 45-plus yards. 

WILLIAMS IS ALSO 16TH IN DIVISION II IN POINTS RESPONSIBLE FOR PER GAME
Williams has accounted for 19 touchdowns - 10 passing, nine rushing - in the first six games of his 2016 season. That averages out to 19.0 points responsible for per game, which ranks 16th in Division II. Last year Williams totaled 21 touchdowns - nine passing, 12 rushing - in 12 games. 

CRIMSON HAWKS HAVE USED A BEVY OF BALL CARRIERS THIS YEAR
IUP is eighth in the nation with 262.7 rushing yards per game, and has used 10 different ball carriers in the first five games to reach that average. Fr. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) is the Crimson Hawks leader with 628 yards with a 7.1 yards per carry average and seven touchdowns. Williams is second with 354 yards. 

SAMIR BULLOCK IS NATION'S TOP TRUE FRESHMAN RUSHER
Bullock has come on as IUP's top back, ranking fourth in the PSAC and 29th in Division II with 104.7 rushing yards per game. That average is also the most among true freshmen in the country. His 7.1 yards per carry average is also 11th in the nation, busting seven runs for more than 20 yards. In the two-game stretch against Edinboro and Seton Hill, Bullock averaged 157.5 yards per game with five touchdowns.

BULLOCK ALSO AMONG NATION'S TOP ALL-PURPOSE THREATS
In addition to his running back duties, Bullock has also seen time returning kicks as he's become one of the top all-purpose threats in the conference and in Division II. Bullock ranks sixth in the PSAC and 18th in the country with 158.0 total yards per game, including games of 289 yards against Seton Hill and 239 yards at East Stroudsburg. 

WALT PEGUES STREAK STILL AT 28 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A RECEPTION
With two catches last week against Slippery Rock, Jr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) extended his streak to 28 straight games with a reception. That stretch began with his first career game in 2014. For his career, Pegues has 127 receptions for 1,852 yards and 10 touchdowns in 28 games.

CONVERTED CORNER ALLEN WRIGHT LOOKS COMFORTABLE ON OFFENSE
Jr. WR Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) has played just three games at receiver since converting from cornerback in fall camp, but has shown promise in his new role. Wright has caught 13 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games, including an 185-yard outing against Slippery Rock. Six of his 15 receptions have gone for more than 20 yards, with four 20-yard touchdowns. His 89-yard touchdown on IUP's first play last week is tied for the second longest pass play in IUP history. 

RECEIVING CORPS CONTINUES BIG PLAY STRIKES
IUP could own the best receiving group in the PSAC, flashing big play excitement in mulitple ways. IUP receivers average 19.7 yards per catch, led by Wright's 24.5 average. Both Pegues and Gr. Chris Wuestner (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) average 19.7 yards per reception while R-Fr. JoJo Gause (Rochester, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) averages 16.4. Last week, Fr. Zac Kelly (Buffalo, N.Y./Williamsville North) showed off his arm on a 51-yard touchdown on a reverse pass to Wright. Pegues and Wright each have a rush to their credit, Pegues going for 21 yards and Wright adding a 22-yard touchdown. 

ALL-AMERICAN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ETHAN COOPER HAS MADE 31 STRAIGHT STARTS
Sr. OL Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) started the season opener as IUP's right tackle, a change from his usual spot at left guard. An All-American pick last season, he made his 31st consecutive start last week, which includes 23 straight games at left guard. He's earned preseason All-American hype this year from The Sporting News and D2Football.com. 

EXPERIENCED OFFENSIVE LINE HELD SRU ALL-AMERICAN MARCUS MARTIN IN CHECK
Led by Cooper, the IUP offensive line held Slippery Rock All-American defensive end Marcus Martin to just three total tackles - one solo - on Saturday. The experienced group has 113 total games played under their belts with 81 career starts. They've paved the way for 262.7 rushing yards and have allowed seven sacks.

IUP HAS SCORED 17 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS SINCE 2011; 43 SINCE 2003
The IUP defense has scored 17 touchdowns in its last 59 games since 2011, 43 total since the start of 2003. The Crimson Hawks are 13-1 when they score a defensive touchdown, including a 2-0 mark this year - Jr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) had an eight-yard interception return at ESU and Jr. CB Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School) returned a fumble 49 yards for a score against Slippery Rock. Not included in this total are special teams touchdowns, which IUP has had three of in the last nine games. Last year's total of six defensive touchdowns was 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. 

THE IUP DEFENSIVE LINE FIGHTS THROUGH INJURIES WITH DEPTH
The Crimson Hawks feature a defensive front that has seen 14 players see time this season as a result of blowouts and injuries in six games this year. R-So. DE Diamond Jones (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) leads all linemen with 16 total tackles this season and also blocked a punt at Edinboro. 
• Altogether, IUP linemen have combined for 135 tackles, 20.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks
• The Crimson Hawks slowed down a strong Slippery Rock run game last week and totaled 8.0 TFLs, with 5.5 of those coming from the defensive front
• Fr. DE Dondrea Tillman (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls) is second among linemen with 15 tackles, 3.0 TFLs and 1.5 sacks
• Primarily a backup on the interior, R-Jr. DT Jordan Diven (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) has earned two starts and leads IUP with 5.5 TFLs and 2.0 sacks; He also had an intereption at Cal
• Jr. NT Justin Weldon (Easton, Pa. /Easton Area) moved into the starting lineup and has 23 career games under his belt; He had a season-high four tackles against Cal
• Jr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) returned to the lineup at Cal after missing the previous two weeks; In limited time, he has 14 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, a sack and an eight-yard interception returned for a touchdown
• Originally penciled in as a backup, So. DE Deandre Easterling (Washington, D.C./Gonzaga) has made four starts this year and is tied for second among linemen with 15 tackles, adding 2.5 TFLs and a sack

KEVIN CLARKE HAS RETURNED TO FORM, LEADS THE PSAC IN TACKLES PER GAME
After missing the first two games of the season due to injury, R-Sr. LB Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin) has broken out with 42 tackles over this last three games, including 16 at Cal. Clarke leads the PSAC with 10.8 tackles per game, putting up double-digit stops in each of his last three games to bring his career total to 10. 

IUP LEADS PSAC, TIED FOR EIGHTH IN DIVISION II WITH 13 INTERCEPTIONS
Despite playing one game less than most of the country, the Crimson Hawks lead the league and are tied for eighth in Division II with 13 interceptions this season. They've picked off at least two passes in each game, with a season-high three coming against Seton Hill. All three of those came in the fourth quarter and on successive SHU possessions. Last year, IUP finished eighth with 22 interceptions in 12 games, six returned for touchdowns. 

IUP AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS WITH SIX BLOCKED KICKS
The Crimson Hawks are tied for third in the nation with six total blocked kicks, as IUP special teams units have blocked two field goals, two punts, and two extra points through six games. The Crimson Hawks have scored on three of those, including a 95-yard blocked field goal returned for a touchdown by Jr. DB Eric Doe (Darby, Pa. /Academy Prep), the fifth longest play in IUP history. R-Sr. DL Mason Tortorice (Elizabeth, Pa. /Elizabeth Forward) is tied for first in the PSAC and eighth in the nation with two blocked kicks. 

RYAN STEWART RANKS THIRD IN PSAC, 13TH IN NATION IN SCORING BY A KICKER
Sr. K Ryan Stewart (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) has rebounded well from an up-and-down first season at IUP in 2015, as he ranks second in the conference and seventh in Division II in scoring by a kicker with 8.8 points per game. His 41 extra points made are also second in the PSAC, as he's on pace to threaten the IUP season record of 64.

MIKE PIETROPOLA SEES TIME ON SPECIAL TEAMS, AT QUARTERBACK
So. QB Mike Pietropola (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) has proven his value at several positions in his 18 career games, seeing time on the kickoff team, as a holder, punt returner, and in the defensive backfield as a true freshman in 2015. After converting to wide receiver this spring, he was forced to move back to quarterback - his original position - for fall camp.