GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#5 IUP Crimson Hawks (9-1, 6-1 PSAC West) 
at #4 Fairmont State Falcons (10-1, 9-1 MEC)
Saturday, November 19, 2016 | 12:00 p.m.
Duvall-Rosier Field | Fairmont, W.Va.

Watch: West Virgnia MetroNews | wvmetronews.com
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com 
Listen: Smartphone | U92 Sports App
Live Stats: NCAA.com | GameCenter
Live Updates: Twitter.com | @IUPfootball

THE GAME
The 11th-ranked Crimson Hawks kick off the postseason this weekend as they travel to West Virginia to take on Fairmont State. The opening kick is set for 12:00 p.m. at Duval-Rosier Field. IUP enters as the fifth seed in Super Region One, ending the season with a 9-1 record after a 42-13 win over Bloomsburg last week. Fairmont State finished second in the Mountain East Conference with a 10-1 record to earn the program's first ever playoff appearance. The Falcons enter the postseason as the fourth seed in the region, securing 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.

STORYLINES
• This first round matchup features a program that is making its 17th all-time playoff appearance (IUP) against a program that is making its first (Fairmont)
• Fairmont State is IUP's third ranked opponent of the year, losing on the road to #15 Cal 31-28 and defeating #16 Slippery Rock 48-19 at home
• This game marks the second straight behind center for So. QB Mike Pietropola (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro), stepping in for injured R-So. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox); Pietropola totaled 149 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start last week against Bloomsburg 
• IUP boasts one of the top offenses in the nation (47.0 ppg), led by a rushing game that averages 278.5 yards per contest; IUP has rushed for more than 200 yards eight time, including three games over 300 and one more over 400
• The Fairmont defense is seventh in the nation giving up 15.1 points per game, allowing 30 or more points just once all year; the Falcons gave up 100 rushing yards six times, with a high of 130 (Urbana)
• Fairmont has a +12 turnover margin, picking off 21 passes while recovering nine fumbles (14 forced)
• Fairmont has 38 sacks this year, including 12.0 from Quincy Redmon; IUP has given up just 13 in 10 games this season
• IUP has scored 292 of its 470 points in the first half of games, an average of 29.2 points scored before halftime; Fairmont has allowed just 166 points all season
• IUP HC Curt Cignetti is 2-1 in games against MEC teams, including a 47-21 win at Charleston in last year's first round
• IUP is 24-10 under Cignetti in road games, including a 2-2 record traveling for NCAA playoff games

NOTEBOOK

IUP IS MAKING IT'S 17TH ALL-TIME PLAYOFF APPEARANCE
2016 marks the 17th NCAA Division II playoff appearance for IUP, including it's second straight and third under HC Curt Cignetti. The Crimson Hawks advanced to the second round of last year's expanded (seven teams) playoff, and were Super Region One Finalists back in 2012. IUP has six appearances in the national semifinals (1989-91, 1993-94, 99) and played for the national championship in 1990 and 1993. 

CRIMSON HAWKS STEADY AT #11 IN BOTH THE COACHES AND MEDIA POLLS
IUP heads into the postseason ranked 11th in the the AFCA and 10th in the D2Football.com Top 25 polls. It's the first time since 2012 that the Crimson Hawks are ranked in both polls at the conclusion of the regular season. IUP's highest ranking in each poll this year is No. 6 (coaches) and No. 9 (media). 

IUP IS TOP 10 ALL-TIME IN DIVISION II PLAYOFF APPEARANCES AND WINS
The 17 all-time playoff appearances for IUP is tied for sixth all-time in Division II, while the program's 19 all-time playoff victories are tied for seventh in Division II history. IUP's 19-15 playoff record has mainly come under two coaches - Cignetti has won three while his father, Frank Cignetti, guided the then-Indians to a 15-13 record in 13 playoff appearances.

CURT CIGNETTI IS 4-2 IN NCAA PLAYOFF AND PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES AGAINST RANKED TEAMS
Cignetti has a 7-9 overall record against top 25 teams, but is 4-2 against ranked opponents in the NCAA playoffs or in the PSAC Championship game. IUP is 5-3 under Cignetti in games when the Crimson Hawks are also ranked, including a split of their two such games this year against #15 Cal and #16 Slippery Rock.

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, and rank in the top 11 in Division II in three major offensive categories - scoring (fourth), rushing (fourth) and total offense (11th). IUP has scored 42 or more points in eight of its 10 games and has 585 yards or more of total offense three times. 

"SPLASH PLAYS" FOR OFFENSE INCREASING IN 2016
IUP has 64 plays of 20 yards or more through 10 games, an average of 6.4 per game and one for every 10.9 plays. The Crimson Hawks have 16 plays of 50 yards or more, with eight of those coming in the last four games. Jr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) has 13 20-yard receptions and Fr. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) has eight 20-yard rushes. 

IUP LEADS THE NATION IN TURNOVER MARGIN
The Crimson Hawks have used a ball control offense and a ball-hawking defense to tie for the Division II lead with a +1.90 (+19) turnover margin. IUP has given the ball up a total of 10 times while taking it away 29 times (23 interceptions, six fumbles) this season. 

IUP is 41-8 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS
Cignetti has a 41-8 record when an IUP player rushes for at least 100 yards in a game, including an 8-1 mark 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. 

IUP RANKS FOURTH IN NATION WITH 278.5 RUSHING YARDS PER GAME, 40 RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
The Crimson Hawks boast one of the top running games in the country, as they rank fourth in Division II with both 278.5 rushing yards and 40 rushing scores. IUP has rushed for more than 250 yards in a game five times this season, while the touchdown total is just four shy of tying the program record of 44 from 1991. 

MIKE PIETROPOLA DEBUTED WITH 149 TOTAL YARDS AND TWO TOUCHDOWNS IN FIRST CAREER START
So. QB Mike Pietropola (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) had his first career start last week against Bloomsburg, throwing for 80 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 69 yards and another score. In with nine pass attempts and three rushes, he averaged 12.5 yards per play, including a 60-yard passing touchdown and a 58-yard rushing score. It was Pietropola's seventh game this season at quarterback, but his first start after R-So. Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) went down with an injury against Mercyhurst. 

PIETROPOLA HAS SHOWN HIS VALUE AS SEVERAL POSITIONS
Originally a quarterback, Pietropola's athleticism and versatility proved valuable, as he saw time in the defensive backfield, returning kicks, on several kick coverage teams, and as the holder in 2015. He converted to wide receiver in the spring, only to move back to quarterback for fall camp due to depth concerns. 

BEFORE INJURY, LENNY WILLIAMS WAS ONE OF THE TOP PLAYERS IN DIVISION II
Williams was putting together a special season for the Crimson Hawks, as he threw for 1,832 yards and 14 touchdowns, adding 594 yards and 12 rushing scores in nine games. He currently leads Division II in passing efficiency (214.0), yards per attempt (13.47), and yards per completion (19.70), ranks seventh in completion percentage (68.4), and 21st in points responsible for per game (17.3). He had a streak of five straight games with a passing and rushing score, and his 468-yard, six touchdown outing against ESU resulted in a 257.58 passer efficiency, the 10th best by a quarterback in Division II this year. A Harlon Hill nominee last year, Williams will find his name again on that list in 2016.

CHRIS TEMPLE HAS CARRIED THE LOAD RECENTLY AFTER EARLY SEASON INJURY
After missing a game and parts of several others to start the season, Jr. RB Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley) has shown signs of regaining his 2015 form. Temple is averaging 122 yards with eight touchdowns over the last four weeks, including three 100-yard games. He's also averaging 6.9 yards per carry during that span, with five rushes of more than 20 yards. Temple is second on the team with 658 yards and 73.1 yards per game, and tied for first with 12 rushing scores.  

SAMIR BULLOCK HAS FIVE 100-YARD GAMES, LEADS IUP IN RUSHING
Despite a recent dropoff with the emergence of Temple, Fr. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) leads IUP with 892 rushing yards. His 89.2 yards per game ranks seventh in the PSAC, and is second among all true freshmen in the country. Bullock has five 100-yard games, including a season-high 162 against Seton Hill, and eight touchdowns. He has eight rushes of more than 20 yards, including IUP's longest run of the year, a 63-yarder at East Stroudsburg. 

WALT PEGUES HAS STREAK OF 31 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A RECEPTION
With four catches last week against Bloomsburg, Jr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) extended his streak to 31 straight games with a reception. For the season, he leads IUP with 35 receptions, 864 yards, and seven touchdowns. His 24.2 yards per catch leads Division II, and he has four 100-yard receiving games. 

PEGUES ALREADY AMONG PROGRAM'S ALL-TIME RECEIVERS
Pegues has climbed several spots in the IUP record books in recent weeks, moving up to third in career receiving yards (2,206) and fifth in receptions (134). Depending on the length of the Crimson Hawks' postseason run, Pegues has the opportunity to move up to ast least fourth in receptions, as he's just five behind Lewis Hicks (1996-98) for fourth.

IUP BOASTS BIG PLAY RECEIVING CORPS; STARTING GROUP AVERAGES 21 YARDS PER CATCH
The Crimson Hawks feature a group of four starting receivers who combined have 2,094 receiving yards and average nearly 21 yards per catch. The big play wideouts have 17 touchdown this season and have caught 35 passes that have gone for at least 20 yards, including seven of 68 or more. The 89-yard touchdown reception by Jr. WR Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) against Slippery Rock is tied for the second longest pass play in program history. 

ETHAN COOPER A NOMINEE FOR THE GENE UPSHAW DIVISION II LINEMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Last week, Sr. OL Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East) was announced as a nominee for the Mainheim Touchdown Club's Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award. The award was named in honor of Gene Upshaw, the Pro Football Hall of Famer who played collegiately at Texas A&I, and given to the top offensive or defensive lineman in Division II. Cooper has made 35 consecutive starts dating back to 2014, including 23 at left guard. He's a two-time first team All-PSAC West pick and was a third team All-American last year. Cooper earned preseason All-American hype this year from The Sporting News and D2Football.com. 

IUP HAS THE BEST OFFENSIVE LINE IN THE PSAC; SAME LINEUP FOR ALL 10 GAMES
The Crimson Hawks have trotted out the same offensive line grouping in each of its 10 games this season. The group - which which features three seniors, a sophomore, and a redshirt freshman - is arguably the best in the conference, with four players earning All-PSAC West recognition. They've combined for 133 games played and 101 starts, and has paved the way for 278.5 rushing yards per game.

IUP LEADS PSAC, RANKS THIRD IN DIVISION II WITH 22 INTERCEPTIONS
Despite playing one game less than most of the country, the Crimson Hawks lead the league and are third in Division II with 22 interceptions in 10 games this season. They've picked off at least two passes in nine games, including a season-high three against Seton Hill, Clarion and Gannon. R-Jr. CB Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School) leads the team and is tied for sixth in the country with six interceptions.

IUP HAS SCORED 19 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS SINCE 2011; 45 SINCE 2003
The IUP defense has scored 19 touchdowns since 2011 - 45 since the start of 2003. The Crimson Hawks are 15-1 when they score a defensive touchdown, including a 4-0 mark this year. IUP's last defensive score was a 30-yard interception by R-Sr. LB Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin) against Mercyhurst. Not included in this total are special teams touchdowns, which the Crimson Hawks had last week against Bloomsburg on a blocked punt return. 
IUP has had a total of four special teams touchdowns in its last 14 games. 

KEVIN CLARKE LEADS THE PSAC, TIED FOR SIXTH IN DIVISION II IN TACKLES PER GAME
R-Sr. LB Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin) is putting together another outstanding year, as the former preseason All-American leads the PSAC and is tied for sixth in Division II with 11.4 tackles per game. Despite missing the first two games due to injury and playing in just seven full contests, Clarke also leads the team with 91 total stops. He has six double-figure tackle games in the last seven weeks, including a season-high 16 at Cal.

CRIMSON HAWKS FEATURE SEVERAL PLAYMAKERS ALONG THE DEFENSIVE FRONT
The Crimson Hawks feature a deep defensive line group that boasts 14 players who have seen time this season. They've combined for 34.5 TFLs and 16.0 sacks. 
• Jr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) remains a dominat force in the middle, as he leads all linemen with 31 tackles and has 6.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks despite missing three games with an injury; He also had an eight-yard interception return for a touchdown at East Stroudsburg
• Originally slated as a backup in the interior, R-Jr. DT Jordan Diven (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) has earned five starts and leads the team with 7.0 TFLs; He's added 3.0 sacks and picked off a pass at Cal
• So. DE Deandre Easterling (Washington, D.C./Gonzaga) has a team-high 4.5 sacks this year and is second among linemen with 30 total tackles; He totaled 3.0 sacks against Clarion

IUP TIED FOR SECOND IN DIVISION II WITH EIGHT BLOCKED KICKS
The Crimson Hawks are one of the best teams in the nation in getting to the opposing kicker, tied for second in Division II with eight total blocked kicks. IUP special teams units have blocked three field goals, three punts, and two extra points through 10 games, and have scored on four 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. 

RYAN STEWART JUST ONE EXTRA POINT SHY OF TYING IUP SINGLE SEASON RECORD
Sr. K Ryan Stewart (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) has made 63 extra points this year, which trails only Mike Geary's 64 in 1993. The 63 PATs are third in the nation, while his 7.8 points per game rank second in the conference and are tied for 14th in Division II by a kicker.