GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#3/2 IUP Crimson Hawks (6-0, 3-0 PSAC West)
at #9/13 Slippery Rock "The Rock" (6-0, 3-0 PSAC West)
Saturday, October 14, 2017 | 2:05 p.m.
Bob DiSpirito Field at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium | Slippery Rock, Pa.
*Rankings reflect current AFCA Coaches/D2Football Media Top 25 

Watch: ESPN | WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app
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Listen (smartphone): U92 Sports App
Live Stats: RockAthletics.com | SidearmStats
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUPfootball

IUP Game Notes (PDF)
Slippery Rock Game Notes

THE GAME
The 3rd-ranked Crimson Hawks hit the road for just the second time this year as they square off against Slippery Rock on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. It'll be the second straight rivalry game for IUP, coming off of last week's 26-10 win over then-16th-ranked California in the ninth annual Coal Bowl. This week, both teams boast 6-0 records and are tied atop the PSAC West with 3-0 league marks, as this game could very well decide the division champion. 

The game will be webcast live by ESPN3, which is viewable via WatchESPN.com and the ESPN app. As always, the game is also 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.

STORYLINE
• For the second straight week, IUP is part of the Division II showcase with the game webstreamed live on ESPN3
• This will be just the third time in the history of this rivalry that both teams enter ranked in the top 10; In 1998, #10 SRU defeated #2 IUP 27-21, and in 1999, #4 SRU defeated #10 IUP 52-14
• Slippery Rock has owned the upper hand of late, winning five of the eight meetings since 2009, including three straight (2013-15); IUP is 10-7 since 2000 and won 13 straight between 1984-96
• Slippery Rock boasts one of the top offenses in the country, averaging nearly 42 points and over 340 passing yards per game; QB Tanner Garry leads the attack with 2,028 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air 
• SRU has two of the PSACs top four receivers in Marcus Johnson (38-700-9) and Milly Raye (45-643-7), both big play threats who together average 16.2 yards per reception
• The IUP defense is forcing quarterbacks to complete just 50 percent of their passes over the last four games, with the Crimson Hawks picking off 11 passes
• IUP is coming off of a season-low 177 rushing yards last week against Cal; SRU is giving up 174.0 yards on the ground, including 399 to Gannon
• IUP QB Lenny Williams is one of the most efficient (178.9 effic) and accurate (67.4 pct) passers in Division II; SRU has allowed 28 or more points in four of its last five games, including 40-point outings from West Chester (42), Gannon (45), and Cal (44); The Rock is ranked 105th or worse in each of the four major defensive categories
• IUP is averaging over 500 yards and 43 points in its last two meetings with Slippery Rock

NOTEBOOK

IUP AND SLIPPERY ROCK SQUARE OFF IN TOP 10 SHOWDOWN
For the third time in the history of this rivalry, IUP and Slippery Rock with face each other each ranked in the top 10 in national polls. Those two previous meetings came in back-to-back seasons in 1998 and 1999, and were both won by Slippery Rock - #10 SRU 27, #2 IUP 21 (1998) and #4 SRU 52, #10 IUP 14 (1999). This year's meeting is one of only two games featuring a pair of top 25 opponents this week. 

COACH TORTORELLA'S 6-0 RECORD IS BEST SIX-GAME START IN PROGRAM HISTORY
With six wins in his first six games, Coach Tortorella is off to the best start by a first year head coach in program history. The previous six-game mark was 5-1, which was equaled by five different coaches. After IUP's week four win, he joined Chuck Klausing (1964) as the only first year coaches to start 4-0, and was one of only four coaches who began with unblemished records after three games. 

IUP SEEKING EIGHTH 7-0 START IN PROGRAM HISTORY; FIRST SINCE 2001
A win over Slippery Rock would give IUP its eighth 7-0 start in its illustrious history, and the first time since the 2001 season. IUP's other 7-0 starts have come in 1940, 1967, 1968, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 2001. IUP has also started a season 6-1 15 different times. 

IUP RANKED IN THE TOP THREE OF BOTH DIVISION II POLLS
The Crimson Hawks moved up one spot in both national polls earlier this week, heading into Saturday sitting at No. 3 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 2 in the D2Football.com Media Poll. The No. 2 ranking in the media poll is the highest overall for the program since earning the same ranking by the AFCA back on Nov. 6, 2001. See page three of the game notes for more information. 

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 272-86-1 (.759) along with a conference record of 162-38-1 (.808) during that span. IUP clinched a share of the division 2015 division crown, the program's 16th in 30 years. 

IUP SPREAD OFFENSE OUT TO ANOTHER GOOD START UNDER COACH GREGORY
The Crimson Hawks have entered their third year of the spread offense, although a new face is calling the plays with the addition of Coach Gregory from Charleston. It might be a new coach, but the IUP offense is already rolling as the Crimson Hawks rank in the top three in the PSAC and among the best in Division II in scoring, total yards, rushing yards, rushing and passing touchdowns, and passing efficiency. 

CRIMSON HAWKS RANK IN THE TOP 15 OF DIVISION II IN SIX OFFENSIVE CATEGORIES
The diverse and well-rounded IUP offense is near the top of the NCAA rankings in six categories, including points per game (41.7, 12th), rushing offense (265.8, 8th), total offense (507.4, 4th), sacks allowed (3, 4th), passing efficiency (176.42, 6th), and first downs (151, 6th). Thought of as just a running team just two years ago, IUP's spread offense has hurt opponents on the ground and in the air. 

IUP's "SPLASH PLAYS" BIG PART OF OFFENSE; HAS SCORED 14 TOUCHDOWNS OF 20-PLUS YARDS 
IUP has produced 36 "splash plays" - a play of 20-plus yards - through six games this season. With 424 total plays, the Crimson Hawks go for 20-yards or more every 11.8 offensive plays on average. Of those 36 splash plays, 14 have gone for touchdowns, including eight through the air. R-Soph. WR Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King), R-Jr. WR Swahneek Brown (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) and Soph. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) have each scored three touchdowns from 20 yards out. See page 12 of the game notes for more information. 

16 OFFENSIVE SCORING DRIVES HAVE BEEN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES
IUP's big play, speedy offense has produced 16 (of 36) scoring drives that have spanned two minutes or less this season. Four of those drives have needed just one or two plays to get in the endzone. Through six games IUP's average offensive scoring drive is 6.8 plays, 62.8 yards, and 2:34. 

IUP IS 46-8 SINCE 2011 WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS IN A GAME
Soph. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) had a career day in the week five win at Seton Hill, rushing for 263 yards and six touchdowns, as IUP improved to 46-8 since 2011 when a player rushes for at least 100 yards. Fr. RB Justice Evans (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) also got into the action, as he chipped in 114 yards on 13 carries. That marked the eighth time in the last seven seasons IUP has had at least two 100-yard rushers in the same game, winning each of those contests. IUP has four active players on the roster with a 100-yard game to his credit: R-Jr. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) has nine, Bullock has seven, Evans has two, and Fr. RB Duane Brown (Spring Church, Pa./Apollo-Ridge) has one.

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 75-5 SINCE 2003 WHEN RUSHING FOR 200 YARDS AS A TEAM
Five different players in week five combined rush for 431 on 56 carries, marking the 80th time since 2003 that IUP has rushed for at least 200 yards in a game. The Crimson Hawks are 75-5 in those games, including a 22-3 record since 2015 and 5-0 record this year. The 431 yards two weeks ago are the fourth most in IUP history. 

LENNY WILLIAMS IS 23-3 AS IUP STARTING QB; ALREADY ONE OF BEST IN PROGRAM HISTORY
R-Jr. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) is in his third year as the IUP starter, carrying a 23-3 record into week seven. A two-time Harlon Hill Award nominee as the best player in Division II, Williams can already be listed as one of the top quarterbacks in IUP history. Williams owns several single game and season IUP records, but his name is also at or near the top in several career categories, including completion percentage, passer efficiency, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total offense, and touchdowns responsible for. 

WILLIAMS AVERAGING 378 TOTAL YARDS PER GAME IN CAREER vs. SLIPPERY ROCK
Williams has been at his best against rival Slippery Rock, totaling 755 and six touchdowns in two career games. He had a career night in his first career start against Slippery Rock, setting an IUP single game record with 504 total yards in the heartbreaking 40-39 road loss. Williams then averaged over 22 yards per completion and totaled three scores in last year's blowout home win. 

WILLIAMS RANKS IN TOP 12 IN COUNTRY IN THREE CATEGORIES
Williams again finds himself near the top of the Division II rankings this season, ranking fifth in passer efficiency (178.9), seventh in yards per attempt (9.95), and 12th in completion percentage (67.4). Last season, the signal caller finished as the Division II leader in passer efficiency (214.0), yards per completion (19.70), and yards per attempt (13.47). 

NEW OFFENSIVE LINE QUICKLY PROVING TO BE ONE OF BEST IN NATION UNDER COACH CAMPOLO
Under the direction of Coach Campolo, the Crimson Hawks boast one of the top offensive line units in Division II. That group has led the way for a ground game that ranks eighth in the country with 265.8 yards, and has given up just three sacks in six games. IUP lost three starters from last season, including All-American Ethan Cooper (Steelton, Pa. /Central Dauphin East), returning R-Soph. OC Jeff Arnold (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brashear) and Jr. LT Joe Peterson (DuBois, Pa./DuBois), the latter of which has played just three games due to injury. New starters include R-Sr. RT Jerron Searles (Atlantic City, N.J./Atlantic City), Gr. RG Rocco Esposito (Coraopolis, Pa./Sto-Rox), and R-Soph. LG Colin McAllister (Boothwyn, Pa./Chichester) and R-Soph. LT Ken Roman (Hawley, Pa./Wallenpaupack).

CRIMSON HAWKS SHOWING INCREDIBLE DEPTH AT RECEIVER
Last week featured the return of Sr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central), who missed the first five games due to injury. His return creates more depth at an already talented position, as seven IUP receivers have combined to catch 83 passes for 1,335 yards (16.1 ypc) and 13 touchdowns. The receiving corps has a penchant for big plays, as four individuals are averaging more than 18 yards per catch. 

WALT PEGUES AMONG BEST RECEIVERS IN IUP HISTORY
With one catch for 22 yards last week, Pegues extended his streak to 34 straight games with a reception, tallying at least one catch in every game he's played. One of the best receivers in program history, he's currently ranked third in IUP history with 2,323 receiving yards and fourth with 146 receptions. 

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 14TH IN DIVISION II WITH +8 TURNOVER MARGIN
Despite a poor performance (-3) in week six, IUP is third in the PSAC and tied for 14th in the country with a +8 turnover margin. The Crimson Hawks have picked off 12 passes and recovered four fumbles in six games, while giving away three interceptions and five fumbles offensively. 

IUP DEFENSE ONE OF THE BEST IN THE NATION UNDER COACH SMITH
Through six weeks, the IUP defense is again asserting itself as one of the best in the nation under first year defensive coordinator Coach Smith. The Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC in total defense (295.3) and rushing defense (80.5), and are second in scoring (14.0), while also ranking in the top 16 in the nation in all three of those categories. In all, IUP ranks in the top 25 in seven different defensive statistical categories. 

IUP HAS THREE DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS THIS YEAR; 18-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN THE DEFENSE SCORES
IUP is tied for seventh in Division II with three defensive touchdowns this year, including two in week three against Cheyney. They were the 22nd and 23rd defensive scores for IUP since the start of 2011, as the program improved to 18-1 during that span when the defense creates a touchdown. Last year, IUP tied for sixth in the country with six defensive touchdowns - three on interceptions, three on fumbles. 

THE IUP DEFENSE HAS GIVEN UP JUST 14 SECOND HALF POINTS THROUGH SIX WEEKS
That stiffling defense has been even better in the second half, allowing a combined 750 yards (125.0 avg) and two touchdowns to six opponents in the final 30 minutes of games. Opponents are completing 48.6 percent (53-109) of their second half passes, have converted 33.3 percent (15-45) third down chances, and are averaging just 2.4 (95-232) yards per rush against the Crimson Hawks in the second half. 

LINEBACKERS AMENDOLA AND LLOYD AMONG TEAM DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Soph. LBs Nick Amendola (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) and Damon Lloyd (Bel Air, Md./John Carroll) have excelled as first year starters. Amendola leads the Crimson Hawks with 43 tackles and two fumble recoveries, while Lloyd has 37 tackles and two interceptions. Amendola tallied a career-best 14 stops in week four, and Lloyd picked off both of his passes the same game. 

REDFIELD AND DAVIS AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN INTERCEPTIONS; IUP RANKS FIFTH WITH 12
Sr. SS Max Redfield (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) and R-Jr. CB Anthony Davis (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) both have a team-best three interceptions this season, tied for 21st in Division II. They each have three-game interception streaks to their credit, with Davis still currently on his streak. As a team, the Crimson Hawks' 12 picks lead the PSAC and are tied for fifth in Division II, getting those from seven different players. 

IUP DEFENSE HASN'T ALLOWED 100 RUSHING YARDS IN LAST FOUR GAMES
Led by a dominant defensive line, the Crimson Hawks have not allowed an opponent to rush for 100 yards in a game since week two. Since then, IUP's four opponents have totaled 183 yards and two touchdowns on 111 carries, an average of just 1.64 yards per rush. The Crimson Hawks have 28.0 tackles-for-loss in those four games, including 7.0 from Soph. DE Dondrea Tillman (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls). Sr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) has 5.0 TFLs in the last two games and is tied with Tillman for the team-lead with 7.0. 

IUP RED ZONE DEFENSE AMONG BEST IN THE COUNTRY
The Crimson Hawks' red zone defense ranks eighth in the country, giving up scores on 57.9 percent (11-19) of opponents trips inside the 20. California was successful in 2-3 red zone trips last week, but in two games prior the Crimson Hawks had given up scores in three of nine attempts. 

CRIMSON HAWKS' FIVE BLOCKED KICKS TIED FOR THIRD IN DIVISION II
The IUP special teams is back at it this year with five blocked kicks in six games, which is tied for third in Division II. Averette has two of those - one point after, one field goal - and Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King)'s punt block he returned himself 15 yards for a touchdown against Cheyney.