GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#9/12 IUP Crimson Hawks (2-0, 0-0 PSAC West)
at Edinboro Fighting Scots (3-0, 0-0 PSAC West)
Saturday, September 24, 2016 | 12:00 p.m.
Sox Harrison Stadium | Edinboro, Pa.

Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Live Stats: GoFightingScots.com | Fan Stats | Media Stats
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUPfootball

THE GAME
The 9th-ranked Crimson Hawks open PSAC West divisional play this weekend as they travel to Edinboro to take on the Fighting Scots. Kickoff at Sox Harrison Stadium this Saturday is scheduled for 12 p.m. IUP improved to 2-0 on the year with a 55-0 blowout win at Cheyney last weekend, a game that saw the entire travel roster get on the field. This will be the Crimson Hawks' third road game to start the season, at an Edinboro team that is a surprising 3-0 after a 54-51 overtime win over PSAC East favorite West Chester last Saturday. The Fighting Scots went winless in 2015.

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 has the potential for offensive fireworks, as IUP and Edinboro combine for 107 points and 1,050 yards of total offense
• QB Jake Sisson leads the Edinboro offensive attack, ranking seventh in Division II with 336.3 passing yards per game while tossing 13 touchdowns on 150 attempts in three games
• The Edinboro defense is statistically the worst in the country, ranking last (169th) in passing defense and total defense, giving up averages of 449 and 575 yards, respectively; the Fighting Scots give up nearly 40 points per game, tied for 144th 
• After giving up 42 points in the season-opener to ESU, the IUP defense responded by pitching a shutout and allowing just 137 yards while forcing four turnovers at Cheyney last week
• IUP R-So. QB Lenny Williams leads the nation in both completion percentage (78.4) and passing efficiency (252.7); He's also third in points responsible for per game (27.0)
• IUP Jr. RB Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley) ran for 255 yards and a PSAC record six touchdowns against Edinboro last year
• IUP HC Curt Cignetti is 4-1 against Edinboro, including last year's 42-21 home victory; He's 2-0 in games played at Edinboro
• Cignetti owns a 26-9 record against PSAC West teams
• The Crimson Hawks have won five of the last six meetings between these two teams dating back to 2010; Edinboro's lone win was a 36-30 victory in Indiana in 2013
• Edinboro HC Justin Lustig is in his first year with the Fighting Scots, serving as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at Ball State since 2011

NOTEBOOK

CRIMSON HAWKS A TOP 15 TEAM IN BOTH THE COACHES AND MEDIA POLLS
IUP is ranked in the top 25 of both the AFCA Coaches and D2Football.com Media polls for the third straight week. The Crimson Hawks stayed at No. 9 in the AFCA poll for the second straight week and are ranked No. 13 by D2Football.com.

IUP IS 31-2 IN PSAC WEST OPENERS DATING BACK TO 1983
IUP has had incredible success in PSAC West openers dating back to 1983, wining 31 of those 33, including a 26-game win streak between 1983-2008. The Crimson Hawks' two PSAC West-opening losses have come to Mercyhurst in 2009 (20-16) and Slippery Rock in 2011 (20-6). IUP is on a current streak of five straight PSAC West-opening wins dating back to 2012.

CIGNETTI vs. THE PSAC WEST
HC Curt Cignetti is 26-9 (.742) in his five seasons against schools from the PSAC West, including a 6-1 mark in 2012 and 2015. He is 4-1 all-time against Edinboro, including last year's 42-21 home victory. The Fighting Scots' only win over Cignetti was a 36-30 rain-soaked victory in Indiana in 2013. 

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 257-84-1 (.753) along with a conference record of 152-37-1 (.803) during that span. IUP clinched a share of the division 2015 division crown, the program's 16th in 30 years. 

CRIMSON HAWKS OFFENSE IS OUT TO A FAST START
Through the first two games of their season, the Crimson Hawks rank in the top 20 in each of the four major offensive statistical categories. IUP leads the nation in total offense (623.5 ypg), is second in scoring (64.0 ppg), fifth in rushing (317.0 ypg), and 19th in passing (306.5 ypg). IUP's 66.7 3rd down conversion percentage is second in the country and its 202.5 team passing efficiency ranks fourth. 

IUP's SPREAD OFFENSE LOOKS TO EVOLVE AND IMPROVE IN YEAR TWO
A big reason for IUP's playoff year in 2015 was the switch from a traditional pro-style offense to a new spread scheme under OC Marty Higgins. The Crimson Hawks improved in nearly all areas, and as they head into the second year of the offense, they hope to grow the playbook and increase production. 

THE BIG PLAYS LOOK TO CONTINUE IN 2016
The Crimson Hawks have 14 plays of 20 yards or more through two games this season, including 11 in the opener at East Stroudsburg. R-So. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) has been responble for eight of those long plays, all passing, including a 72-yard touchdown toss to Jr. WR Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area), the longest IUP offensive play since 2008. 

IUP is 34-7 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS
In his five-plus seasons as head coach, Cignetti has a 34-7 record when an IUP player rushes for at least 100 yards in a game, with Fr. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) going for 104 yards against East Stroudsburg. Bullock is one of five players on the current roster to have a 100-yard game, and one of 11 players during the Cignetti era to go over the century mark. Cignetti is also 6-0 when two players top the 100-yard mark, with four of those wins coming last year. 

LENNY WILLIAMS CONTINUING WHERE HE LEFT OFF AFTER STANDOUT FRESHMAN YEAR
R-So. QB Lenny Williams had his strongest collegiate game against East Stroudsburg, totaling 468 yards and six touchdowns in the 31-point victory. His passing totals of 380 yards and three touchdowns were both career-highs, and his 468 total yards is the second most in program history to his own 504 yards last year at Slippery Rock. Williams had a breakout year in his first season with the Crimson Hawks in 2015, earning top freshman honors in both Super Region One and the PSAC West, and earned second team all-league honors at quarterback. His all-around playmaking abilities made him one of 38 nominees for the 2015 Harlon Hill Trophy, given annually to the Division II Football Player of the Year. 

WILLIAMS LEADS THE NATION IN COMPLETION PERCENTAGE, PASSING EFFICIENCY
Through two games, Williams leads all of Division II with a 78.4 completion percentage and a 252.7 passing efficiency. He's completed 29-of-37 passes for 532 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions in five combined quarters of work. His current numbers throughout a four quarter game average 23 completions, 426 yards, and five touchdowns. 

WILLIAMS IS ALSO THIRD IN DIVISION II IN POINTS RESPONSIBLE FOR PER GAME
Williams has accounted for nine touchdowns - six passing, three rushing - in the first two games of his 2016 season. That averages out to 27.0 points responsible for per game, which ranks third 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 THROUGH TWO GAMES
IUP is fifth in the nation with 317.0 rushing yards per game, and has used eight different ball carriers in the first two games to reach that average. Bullock is the Crimson Hawks' leading ground gainer with 160 yards (80.0 rpg) and an 8.0 average. Williams is second with 120 yards and is tied with Jr. RB Chris Temple (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley) with a team-high three rushing touchdowns. 

CHRIS TEMPLE WAS ONE OF THE TOP RUSHERS & SCORERS IN DIVISION II LAST SEASON
With two blowouts to start the year, Temple has seen limited action, totaling 81 yards on 17 carries. He did score three touchdowns in short yardage situations last week at Cheyney, bringing his career total to 22. Temple is coming off a big season, finishing with 1,212 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground. 
• No. 3 in the PSAC and No. 14 in the nation in rushing yards per game (121.2)
• No. 3 in the PSAC in points per game (10.2)
• Tied for No. 2 in the PSAC and is tied for No. 14 in the nation in rushing touchdowns (17)
• His 17 rushing touchdowns were two away from tying Michael Mann (1993) for IUP's season record
• 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 67-yard touchdown run vs. Edinboro was the longest play from scrimmage for IUP and the ninth longest rush in the PSAC last season
• Temple's six rushing touchdowns against the Fighting Scots set a new IUP record and tied former 
Shippensburg running back and current New Orleans Saints fullback John Kuhn for most in PSAC history 

WALT PEGUES EXTENDS STREAK TO 25 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A RECEPTION
With two receptions last week, Jr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) extended his consecutive games with a catch streak to 25 straight. That stretch began with his first career game in 2014. For his career, Pegues has 116 receptions for 1,586 yards and nine touchdowns in 25 games.

PEGUES HAS A KNACK FOR PUTTING UP BIG NUMBERS
Pegues has established the potential for big numbers any time he takes the field. In the season opener at East Stroudsburg, he caught 12 passes for 195 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown in the third quarter. His best career performance came last year at Slippery Rock, catching 14 passes for 233 yards, with both marks ranking third in single game IUP history. As a true freshman, Pegues caught 13 passes for 193 yards and a score against Gannon.

NEWCOMER CHRIS WUESTER DEVELOPING INTO A THREAT IN THE PASS GAME
Gr. WR Chris Wuestner (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) had a big day at Cheyney, catching eight passes for 169 yards and a touchdown. He tallied three big plays, catching passes of 50, 36, and 24 yards. Wuestner was a late addition to the IUP roster, joining the Crimson Hawks a week before their 2016 season opener.

ALL-AMERICAN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ETHAN COOPER MAKES POSITION CHANGE  
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 27th 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 SOME RESHUFFLING IN 2016
Including Cooper's move, IUP had three new starters along the offensive line. R-Fr. Jeff Arnold (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brashear) moved into the starting center position while Sr. Ed Bier (Philadelphia, Pa. /Archbishop Ryan) took over Cooper's spot at left guard. Bier has played in 23 career games, including two starts at the end of the 2015 season at center. So. Joe Peterson (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) returned at left tackle, where he started the last seven games last season, and R-Sr. Tony Morgante (Mountain Top, Pa. /Crestwood) returned at right guard after starting 12 games there a season ago. 

IUP HAS SCORED 16 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS SINCE 2011; 42 SINCE 2003
Annually one of the PSAC's - and the nation's - strongest defenses, IUP has scored 16 total defensive touchdowns since 2011 and 42 since 2003. IUP didn't wait long to get its first of 2016, with Jr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) returning an interception eight yards for a second quarter score at ESU. In 12 games last season, the Crimson Hawks scored six defensive touchdowns, including three at Mercyhurst. Not included in that total was a special teams touchdown, a 34-yard blocked punt return for a score against Cheyney. Last year's total 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 DEFENSE RETURNED TO THE TOP IN 2015
Coming off a down year in 2014, the IUP defense returned to its historically dominant form last season, finishing 11th in the nation in points allowed (17.8), 13th in rushing yards allowed (104.3) and 20th in total defense (312.4). The Crimson Hawks were also fifth in Division II with red zone defense (62.2 pct), ninth in sacks per game (3.33), ninth in opponents third down conversion rate (29.4 pct). 

Despite a rough start to the 2016 season, the Crimson Hawks rebounded last week at Cheyney, allowing 137 yards while totaling 10 TFLs and forcing four turnovers. 

KEVIN CLARKE LEADS A TALENTED LINEBACKING CREW
R-Sr. Kevin Clarke (West Mifflin, Pa. /West Mifflin) returns for his third year as a starting linebacker in 2015. The two-time All-PSAC West pick and former preseason All-American has 220 career tackles in 33 games played (24 starts). He'll be joined by Sr. Myles Catlin (Pittsburgh, Pa. /Obama), who has 33 career games under his belt with five starts. Clarke has sat out each of the last two weeks, with Fr. Nick Amendola (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) stepping in to post five tackles. Fr. Damon Lloyd (Bel Air, Md./John Carroll) (nine tackles), Sr. Nick Dubowski (Erie, Pa. /Cathedral Prep), and R-Fr. Zack Weaver (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg) have also seen playing time early.

THE DEFENSIVE LINE AGAIN BOASTS DEPTH
The Crimson Hawks feature a defensive front that has seen 13 players see time through two games this year. Jr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) highlights the group as a returning all-region and All-PSAC performer who has 88 tackles and 16.5 TFLs in 25 career games. He scored his first career touchdown on an eight-year interception return at ESU.
• Fr. Dondrea Tillman (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls) saw his first career action last week, posting seven tackles, 2.0 TFLs and a sack
• R-So. Diamond Jones (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne), who completed a transition from linebacker, is tied with Tillman for the lead among defensive lineman with seven tackles
• Jr. Justin Weldon (Easton, Pa. /Easton Area) moved into the starting lineup at nose guard and has played in 19 career games
• R-Jr. Jordan Diven (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny) has five tackles, 2.0 TFLs and one sack this year
• So. Deandre Easterling (Washington, D.C./Gonzaga) tied for the team lead with 5.0 sacks last year 

JAY WATKINS RANKED AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN PASS BREAKUPS
R-Jr. CB Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School) returned from an injury last year to finish tied for sixth in Division II with 1.7 passes defensed per game. Earning all-region and all-conference recognition, he finished second in the PSAC with 20 total passes defensed - 16 breakups and four interceptions. His 16 pass breakups set a new single season IUP record.  

WATKINS AND FRANCO LEAD EXPERIENCED SECONDARY
Along with Watkins, R-Sr. SS Steve Franco (Tyrone, Pa. /Tyrone ) is another postseason award winner returning to the IUP secondary. The two have combined for 49 career games played and 45 starts in the defensive backfield, as the Crimson Hawks boast an experienced group. 

FIVE KICKERS AND PUNTERS BATTLING FOR PLAYING TIME AS THE SEASON BEGINS
IUP has five kickers and/or punters on its roster, including four who have seen extensive playing time. Sr. Ryan Stewart (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) won a "kick-off" in fall camp, and responded by connecting on 10-10 extra points and a 24-yard field goal in the opener. Transfer R-Fr. Dillon Sarka (Lebanon, Ohio/Waynesville) provides competition while So. Sean Bowling (Pylesville, Md./North Hartford) returns to handle kickoff duties. R-Sr. Matt Spegal (Bethel Park, Pa. /Bethel Park) returns at punter this year after missing last year due to injury. R-Sr. Jordan Spangler (Johnstown, Pa./Bishop McCort) also returns after averaging 35.8 yards on 37 punts last season.