GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#11/11 IUP Crimson Hawks (8-1, 6-1 PSAC West)
vs. Bloomsburg Huskies (6-4, 4-3 PSAC East)
Saturday, November 12, 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 11th-ranked Crimson Hawks wrap up their regular season schedule, and celebrate Senior Day, as they host Bloomsburg on Saturday. Kickoff at George P. Miller Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. IUP enters a must-win game, fighting not only for playoff positioning, but also its second straight postseason berth. The Crimson Hawks are coming off of a 31-20 home win over Mercyhurst a week ago and enter with an 8-1 overall record. It has been a down year for Bloomsburg (6-4), but the Huskies are coming off of a 22-19 victory over Shippensburg last Saturday. 

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.

SENIOR DAY
16 seniors will be honors during pregame on Saturday, including Ed Bier (Philadelphia, Pa. /Archbishop Ryan), Myles Catlin (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Obama), Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin), Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East), Adam Deardorff (Dallastown, Pa. /Dallastown ), Andrew DeGol (Bellwood, Pa. /Bellwood-Antis), Nick Dubowski (Erie, Pa. /Cathedral Prep), Kevin Edwards (Allison Park, Pa./North Allegheny), Steve Franco (Tyrone, Pa. /Tyrone ), Tony Morgante (Mountain Top, Pa. /Crestwood), CJ Odegbo (Detroit, Mich./Southfield), Ackeno Robertson (Philadelphia, Pa. /Parkway Northwest), Jordan Spangler (Johnstown, Pa./Bishop McCort), Matt Spegal (Bethel Park, Pa. /Bethel Park), Ryan Stewart (Indiana, Pa./Indiana), and Mason Tortorice (Elizabeth, Pa. /Elizabeth Forward).

STORYLINES
• Today's game marks the first career start for So. QB Mike Pietropola (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro), a versatile player who has seen time on defense, as a kick returner, on kick coverage teams, and as IUP's holder in his 21 career games
• Despite limited playing time at QB, Pietropola averages 21.3 yards per completion, including two of more than 50 yards
• Last week's 160 rushing yards by the Crimson Hawks was their lowest output of the year; IUP leads the PSAC and ranks seventh in the nation with 270.1 rushing yards per game, going over 200 seven times and hitting 300 yards three times
• Bloomsburg is 11th in the PSAC giving up 171.9 rushing yards per game; the Huskies gave up 213 rushing yards to Shippensburg last week, while Kutztown (295 yards), West Chester (236), and Lock Haven (197) have also put up good rushing numbers in recent weeks
• IUP is used to getting out to fast starts, outscoring opponents 271-121 in the first half; Bloomsburg also features a strong first half defense, giving up just 11.4 points per game in the opening two quarters
• IUP brings the third highest scoring offense in Division II into this weekend's matchup, averaging 47.6 points per game; Bloomsburg has given up just 17.0 points per game over the last three weeks
• IUP is 4-0 at home this year and has an nine-game home win streak dating back to last year 
• The last meeting between these two teams was a Thursday night, CBS Sports nationally-televised contest in 2011; The No. 8 Huskies capitalized on big plays in a 20-16 win
• Bloomsburg has won five straight in the series dating back to 2004; IUP is 5-3 at home against Bloomsburg since 1950

NOTEBOOK

CRIMSON HAWKS REMAIN AT NO. 5 IN NCAA SUPER REGION ONE RANKINGS
For the third straight week, IUP is ranked fifth in the NCAA Division II Super Region One rankings (Nov. 5) 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. Page seven of the PDF has 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 STEADY AT #11 IN BOTH THE COACHES AND MEDIA POLLS
With no major upsets among top 25 teams last week, IUP held steady at No. 11 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 .762 WINNING PERCENTAGE vs. PSAC WEST SCHOOLS
HC Curt Cignetti is 32-10 (.762) in his six seasons against schools from the PSAC West, including 6-1 records in 2012, 2015 and 2016. 

CIGNETTI HAS 13 WINS OVER PSAC EAST SCHOOLS SINCE 2011
Cignetti is also 13-4 (.765) against teams from the PSAC East, including wins in each of the last four cross-divisional games - Lock Haven 38-13 and Cheyney 62-0 in 2015, ESU (73-42) and Cheyney (55-0) in 2016. Cignetti is 0-1 against Bloomsburg. 

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 (third), rushing (seventh) and total offense (11th). IUP has scored 42 or more points in seven of its nine games and has 585 yards or more of total offense three times. 

"SPLASH PLAYS" FOR OFFENSE INCREASING IN 2016
IUP has 58 plays of 20 yards or more through nine games, an average of 6.4 per game and one for every 11.0 overall plays. The Crimson Hawks have 14 plays of 50 yards or more, with six of those coming in the last three games combined. Jr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) has 12 20-yard receiving plays and Fr. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) has seven 20-yard rushing plays. 

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 +2.00 (+18) turnover margin. IUP has given the ball up a total of nine times while taking it away 27 times (21 interceptions, six fumbles) this season. 

IUP is 40-8 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS
Cignetti has a 40-8 record when an IUP player rushes for at least 100 yards in a game, including a 7-1 mark this year. 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 TIED FOR FOURTH IN NATION WITH 36 RUSHING SCORES; SEVENTH IN RUSHING YARDS PER GAME
IUP's 36 rushing touchdowns are tied for fourth in the country and are just eight away from tying the single season program record of 44 in 12 games last year. Three players have at least eight rushing scores this year, led by R-So. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) with 12. IUP's 270.1 rushing yards per game ranks seventh, with the Crimson Hawks going for more than 250 yards four times this season.  

MIKE PIETROPOLA LOOKS TO START FIRST CAREER GAME AT QUARTERBACK
With a lower body injury to Williams last week against Mercyhurst, So. QB Mike Pietropola (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) will get the start behind center for IUP this Saturday. Pietropola has seen action in six games as a signal caller this year, going 13-40 (32.5 pct) for 277 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also has 152 rushing yards and a score on 32 carries. 

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 sixth in completion percentage (68.4), 21st in points responsible for per game (17.3), and 25th in rushing touchdowns. He had a streak of five straight games with a passing and rushing score, and his 468-yard, six touchdown outing in the season opener 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 as he's proven to be one of the top players in the PSAC, region, and Division II.

SAMIR BULLOCK LEADS ALL TRUE FRESHMEN IN RUSHING
Fr. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) has been IUP's top back this season, ranking sixth in the PSAC and 41st in Division II with 92.8 rushing yards per game. That average is also the most among true freshmen in the country. His 6.2 yards per carry average is third in the conference and 29th in the nation, busting seven runs for more than 20 yards. Bullock has five 100-yard games, including a season-high 162 on 25 carries against Seton Hill. He also had a season-high three touchdowns against the Griffins.  

CHRIS TEMPLE STARTING TO ASSERT HIMSELF 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 108 yards and has scored five touchdowns over the last three weeks, rushing for 100 yards twice, including a 153 against Clarion. He's also averaging 7.0 yards per carry during that span, with rushes of 43, 39, and 28 yards. For the year, Temple is third on the team with 491 rushing yards, averaging 61.4 yards per game, 5.5 yards per carry, and has scored nine times. 

WALT PEGUES HAS STREAK OF 30 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A RECEPTION
With three catches last week against Mercyhurst, Jr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) extended his streak to 30 straight games with a reception. He finished with 164 yards and two touchdown on those three receptions, his eighth career 100-yard receiving game, and fourth this season. That streak began with his first career game in 2014, and for his career, Pegues has 130 receptions for 2,126 yards and 13 touchdowns.

PEGUES ALREADY AMONG PROGRAM'S ALL-TIME RECEIVERS
Last week, Pegues jumped six spots into fifth place in IUP history with 2,126 receiving yards. He's just 69 yards away from moving into sole possession of third place, which he has shown the potential to do on one play. At Gannon, Pegues moved into fifth place in career receptions and is nine back of Lewis Hicks (1996-98), who is fourth with 139, and 84 behind Jai Hill (1988-91), IUP's all-time leader with 214 catches.

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 2,014 receiving yards and average nearly 21 yards per catch. The big play wideouts have 16 touchdown this season and have caught 34 passes that have gone for at least 20 yards, including seven of 68 or more. Pegues leads the PSAC and ranks fifth in Division II with 24.7 yards per catch, posting touchdown receptions last week of 84 and 69 yards. The 89-yard touchdown 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
On Wednesday, 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 (now A&M-Kingsville), and given to the top offensive or defensive lineman in Division II. Cooper has made 34 consecutive starts dating back to 2014, including 23 at left guard. He's a two-time 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. 

EXPERIENCED OFFENSIVE LINE HAS SEEN SAME LINEUP IN ALL NINE GAMES
The Crimson Hawks have trotted out the same offensive line grouping in each of its nine games this season. The group - which which features three seniors, a sophomore, and a redshirt freshman - has combined for 128 games played and 96 starts, and has paved the way for 270.1 rushing yards per game.

IUP LEADS PSAC, RANKS THIRD IN DIVISION II WITH 21 INTERCEPTIONS
Despite playing one game less than most of the country, the Crimson Hawks lead the league and are third in Division II with 21 interceptions in nine games this season. They've picked off at least two passes in each game, including a season-high three against Seton Hill, Clarion and Gannon. R-Jr. CB Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School) leads the team with five 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. Last week's 30-yard interception return by R-Sr. LB Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin) iced the win for IUP, and was the third defensive score in the last four games for IUP. Not included in this total are special teams touchdowns, which IUP has had three of in the last 13 games. 

KEVIN CLARKE LEADS THE PSAC, TIED FOR 11TH 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 11th in Division II with 11.0 tackles per game. Despite missing the first two games due to injury and playing in just six full contests, Clarke also leads the team with 77 total stops. He has five double-figure tackle games in the last six 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 31.5 TFLs and 14.0 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 two games with an injury; He also had an eight-yard interception return for a touchdown at East Stroudsburg
• Primarily a backup on the interior, R-Jr. DT Jordan Diven (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) has earned four 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 29 total tackles; He totaled 3.0 sacks against Slippery Rock

IUP AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS WITH SEVEN BLOCKED KICKS
The Crimson Hawks are tied for fourth in the nation with seven total blocked kicks, as IUP special teams units have blocked three field goals, two punts, and two extra points through nine games. IUP has 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. 

RYAN STEWART RANKS SECOND IN PSAC, TIED FOR NINTH IN NATION IN SCORING BY A KICKER
Sr. K Ryan Stewart (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) ranks second in the conference and is tied for ninth in Division II in scoring by a kicker with 8.0 points per game. His 57 extra points made this season is third in the country and is also the second most in program history, trailing Mike Geary's 64 in 1993.