GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#12/12 IUP Crimson Hawks (6-1, 4-1 PSAC West)
at Gannon Golden Knights (4-4, 1-4 PSAC West)
Saturday, October 29, 2016 | 12:00 p.m.
McConnell Family Stadium | Erie, Pa.

Watch: Gannon All-Access | GannonSports.com
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Listen (smartphone): U92 Sports App
Live Stats: GannonSports.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUPfootball

THE GAME
The 12th-ranked Crimson Hawks hit the road for the first time in three weeks as they head north to Erie to take on Gannon this Saturday. Kickoff at McConnell Family Stadium is set for 12 p.m. IUP has posted two straight blowout wins after last weekend's 42-17 home victory over Clarion. IUP totaled 594 yards of offense, including 411 yards on the ground as three players hit the century mark in the win. Gannon comes into this matchup looking to rebound from a 35-14 road loss to eighth-ranked California, and has lost four of its last five. IUP is 6-1 on the season and 4-1 in the PSAC West, while Gannon is 4-4 and 1-4. 

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
• IUP is used to getting out to fast starts, outscoring opponents 208-101 in the first half; Gannon has been outscoring in the first 30 minutes of games a combined 128-92
• Gannon has totaled 400 yards in offense just twice this year (at Shippensburg, vs. Mercyhurst), but has scored at least 30 points on four occasions 
• The Gannon offense goes through QB Zach Phillips, who leads the team with 211.8 yards per game and 14 total touchdowns
• IUP brings the second highest scoring offense in Division II into this weekend's matchup, averaging 49.9 points per game; Gannon gives up 27.0 a game, but did limit Seton Hill (35.3) to just 12 points two weeks ago
• IUP leads all of Division II with a +1.86 (+13) turnover margin, grabbing 16 interceptions and four fumbles; Gannon QBs have thrown nine picks on 240 attempts, while the team has fumbled 15 times, with five lost
• IUP ranks second in the country with a 59.6 3rd down conversion percentage (59-99); Last week, Cal converted 9-15 of its 3rd downs against Gannon
• IUP owns a 5-3 edge in a relatively new series that is also a budding rivalry; Two of Gannon's wins in the series have come in Erie (2010, 2014)
• Today's game is the first road trip for the Crimson Hawks in three weeks; IUP has a 3-1 record away from home this year
• HC Curt Cignetti has a 13-7 record against PSAC West teams on the road, including 1-1 at Gannon and 4-1 in Erie (incl. Mercyhurst)
• Cignetti is 4-1 against Gannon, outscoring the Golden Knights a combined 175-107

THE NOTEBOOK

CRIMSON HAWKS RANKED 5TH IN FIRST REGIONAL RANKING RELEASE
The NCAA released its first set of Division II regional rankings on Monday (Oct. 24) with IUP showing up at No. 5 on the 10-team list. The top seven teams in each region advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs, with the top seed receiving a first round bye while teams 2-4 will host the opening round. See page seven for more details.

IUP SEEKING 17TH ALL-TIME PLAYOFF BERTH AND THIRD SINCE 2012
The Crimson Hawks are looking for their second straight NCAA Division II playoff berth and third under HC Curt Cignetti since 2012. IUP has been to 16 playoffs since 1987, which is seventh most in Division II history. IUP's 19 playoff wins are also tied for the seventh all-time. 

CRIMSON HAWKS MOVE UP TO #12 IN BOTH THE COACHES AND MEDIA POLLS
After improving to 6-1 on the season, IUP bumped up one spot to No. 12 in both the AFCA Coaches and D2Football Media polls. IUP's highest ranking in each poll has been No. 6 and No. 9, respectively. 

CURT CIGNETTI OWNS .750 WINNING PERCENTAGE vs. PSAC WEST SCHOOLS
HC Curt Cignetti is 30-10 (.750) in his six seasons against schools from the PSAC West, including a 6-1 mark in 2012 and 2015. He is 4-1 this year after last week's win over Clarion. Cignetti has a 4-1 record against Gannon, including last year's 26-14 home victory. His only loss to the Golden Knights was a 31-21 defeat in Erie in 2014. 

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 262-85-1 (.754) along with a conference record of 157-38-1 (.804) during that span. IUP clinched a share of the division 2015 division crown, the program's 16th in 30 years. 

CRIMSON HAWKS OFFENSE IS ON AN HISTORICAL PACE
The IUP offense has shown dramatic improvement in year two of its spread system. The Crimson Hawks are currently on pace to break or threaten several program records this season, and rank in the top five in Division II in scoring (second), rushing (fifth) and total offense (fifth). IUP has scored 42 or more points in six of its seven games and has 585 yards or more of total offense three times. 

"SPLASH PLAYS" FOR OFFENSE INCREASING IN 2016
IUP has 48 plays of 20 yards or more through seven games, an average of 6.9 per game and one for every 10.9 overall plays. Nine times the Crimson Hawks have gone for 50 or more yards, including three plays covering more than 70. R-So. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) has been responsible for 31 splash plays, while Jr. WR Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) has nine, including five that have gone for touchdowns. 

IUP LEADS THE NATION IN TURNOVER MARGIN
The Crimson Hawks have used a ball control offense and a ball-hawking defense to lead Division II with a +1.86 (+13) turnover margin this year. IUP has given the ball up a total of seven times (two interceptions, five fumbles) while taking it away 20 times (16 interceptions, four fumbles) this season. The Crimson Hawks did give three fumbles away last week against Clarion, but picked off three Golden Eagles passes. 

IUP is 38-8 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS
Cignetti has a 38-8 record when an IUP player rushes for at least 100 yards in a game, including 5-1 this year. Last week against Clarion, IUP had three 100-yard rushers, the first time that has happened since 1994. This year, Fr. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) leads the team with five 100-yard games 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 7-0 when at least two players top the 100-yard mark. 

LENNY WILLIAMS LEADS THE CRIMSON HAWKS' HIGH-POWERED OFFENSE
R-So. QB Lenny Williams is proving to be one of the top quarterbacks in Division II, as the dual threat has thrown for 1,539 yards, rushed for 469 yards, and has 22 total touchdowns. His 286.9 total yards per game is fourth in the PSAC and 30th in Division II. Williams set an IUP single game record with a 257.58 passer efficiency against East Stroudsburg, a mark that is the ninth highest in the country this year. His 380 passing yards against ESU are fifth most in IUP history, and his six touchdowns responsible for tied a program record. 

WILLIAMS AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN SEVERAL OFFENSIVE CATEGORIES
Heading into this week, R-So. QB Lenny Williams ranks in the top 20 in the nation in six different categories, including first in passing efficiency (194.2), passing yards per completion (18.11), and passing yards per attempt (12.02). He's also 12th in completion percentage (66.4 pct.), 16th in points responsible for per game (18.9), and tied for 20th in rushing touchdowns (11). 

WILLIAMS USES BIG PLAYS IN THE PASS GAME, AVERAGES OVER 18 YARDS PER COMPLETION
Williams' 18.11 yards per completion is by far the best in the PSAC, as he's taken advantage of the Crimson Hawks' big play potential. 16 of his 85 completions have gone for 30 yards or more, including five of 50-plus. His 89-yard touchdown pass to Wright is the second longest pass play in IUP history and one of the longest in Division II this year. 

SAMIR BULLOCK LEADS ALL TRUE FRESHMEN IN RUSHING
Fr. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) has come on as IUP's top back, ranking third in the PSAC and 21st in Division II with 107.7 rushing yards per game. That average is also the most among true freshmen in the country. His 6.7 yards per carry average is second in the confernece and 15th in the nation, busting eight runs for more than 20 yards.

BULLOCK ALSO RANKS 19TH IN DIVISION II IN ALL-PURPOSE YARDS
Bullock also leads the Crimson Hawks in kickoff return yards and average and is one of the top all-purpose yardage threats in the nation. His 157.0 all-purpose yards per game ranks fifth in the PSAC and 19th in Division II, and he leads IUP with 1,099 all-purpose yards. 

WALT PEGUES STREAK STILL AT 28 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A RECEPTION
Jr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) missed last week's game against Clarion, but his streak of 28 straight games with a reception remained intact. That streak began with his first career game in 2014, and for his career, Pegues has 127 receptions for 1,852 yards and 10 touchdowns in 28 games.

CONVERTED CORNER ALLEN WRIGHT HAS BECOME HUGE OFFENSIVE PLAYMAKER
Jr. WR Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) has played just four games at receiver since converting from cornerback in fall camp, but has been one of IUP's top playmakers. Wright leads IUP with four touchdown catches, ranking second in yards (454) and third in receptions (18). Eight of his catches have been for 20-plus yards, including three of 68 or more. 

IUP BOASTS DEEP SET OF RECEIVERS, ALL WITH BIG PLAY ABILITY
The Crimson Hawks feature four receivers who have at least 17 receptions this year, led by Pegues' 25 in five games. Gr. Chris Wuestner (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) has caught 23, while Wright has 18 and R-Fr. JoJo Gause (Rochester, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) has 17. All quartet has combined for 29 receptions of more than 20 yards, as each averages at least 17.0 yards per catch. Wright's 25.2 average would rank fifth in Division II, but he has not played in 75 pct. of IUP's games. 

ALL-AMERICAN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ETHAN COOPER HAS MADE 32 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 32nd 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 HAS SEEN SAME LINEUP FOR FIRST SEVEN GAMES
The Crimson Hawks have trotted out the same offensive line grouping in each of its first seven games this season. The group - which which features three seniors, a sophomore, and a redshirt freshman - has combined for 118 games played and 86 starts, and has paved the way for 283.9 rushing yards per game.

IUP's DEFENSIVE PRESSURE IS STEPPING UP; 17 TACKLES-FOR-LOSS IN LAST TWO GAMES
The IUP defense has stepped up over the last two weeks, giving up averages of 18.0 points and 294.5 total yards to Slippery Rock and Clarion. IUP has given up a combined 219 rushing yards with an average of just 3.4 yards per rush in those games, totaling 17.0 tackles-for-loss and four sacks. The Crimson Hawks feature a defense full of playmakers, as 15 different players have helped make those 17 TFLs. 

IUP LEADS PSAC, RANKS SIXTH IN DIVISION II WITH 16 INTERCEPTIONS
Despite playing one game less than most of the country, the Crimson Hawks lead the league and are sixth in Division II with 16 interceptions in seven games this season. They've picked off at least two passes in each game, including a season-high three against Seton Hill and Clarion. R-Jr. CB Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School) leads the team and is tied for 17th in the country with four interceptions. 

IUP HAS SCORED 17 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS SINCE 2011; 43 SINCE 2003
The IUP defense has scored 17 touchdowns in its last 60 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 R-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 10 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. 

DEANDRE EASTERLING LEADING DEFENSIVE LINE UNIT
So. DE Deandre Easterling (Washington, D.C./Gonzaga) leads the team with 5.0 TFLs and 4.0 sacks this season, also leading all linemen with 21 total tackles. The Crimson Hawks feature a deep group with 14 players that have seen time this season, and have combined for 26.5 TFLs and 10.5 sacks. 
• Fr. DE Dondrea Tillman (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls) has shown potential in his first year with 17 tackles and 3.5 TFLs
• Primarily a backup on the interior, R-Jr. DT Jordan Diven (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) has earned two starts and is tied for the team-lead with 5.0 TFLs; He also had an intereption at Cal
• Jr. NT Justin Weldon (Easton, Pa. /Easton Area) moved into the starting lineup and has 24 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; He's second among linemen with 19 tackles and has 3.5 TFLs along with an eight-yard interception return for a score

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 55 tackles over this last four games, including 16 at Cal. Clarke leads the PSAC with 11.4 tackles per game, putting up double-digit stops in each of his last four games to bring his career total to 11. 

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 seven 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 SECOND IN PSAC, NINTH 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 ninth in Division II in scoring by a kicker with 8.4 points per game. His 47 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 19 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.