GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#4/3 IUP Crimson Hawks (5-0, 2-0 PSAC West)
vs. #16/16 California Vulcans (4-1, 1-1 PSAC West)
Saturday, October 7, 2017 | 2:05 p.m.
Frank Cignetti Field at George P. Miller Stadium | Indiana, Pa.
*Rankings reflect current AFCA Coaches/D2Football Media Top 25 

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IUP Game Notes (PDF)
California Game Notes

THE GAME
The 4th-ranked Crimson Hawks return home to host 16th-ranked California (Pa.) in the ninth annual Coal Bowl on Saturday afternoon at George P. Miller Stadium. Kickoff at Frank Cignetti Field is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. IUP is one of the hottest teams in Division II, outscoring opponents by an average of 41 points in the last three weeks, including Saturday's 57-14 win at Seton Hill. The Vulcans are 4-1 and left the ranks of the undefeated after last week's 47-44 overtime loss at Slippery Rock. 

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.

STORYLINES
• This will be the second straight Coal Bowl, and third since 2012, that both teams enter as top 25 teams; Cal has won both of those meetings: 26-24 in 2012 and 31-28 in 2016
• Cal has owned the Coal Bowl series, with a record of 6-2 since 2009; Both IUP wins have come at Miller Stadium: 20-15 in 2015 and 20-7 in 2013
• Traditionally a low-scoring rivalry game, the average game score between 2010-15 was 19-17; In two meetings last year, the average score was 38-26
• In IUP's two wins over Cal since 2013, the Crimson Hawks have given up an average of 105 passing yards with no touchdowns and six interceptions; In the three losses, 270 passing yards, six touchdowns, and two picks
• IUP brings its annually strong run game into this matchup, ranking sixth in Division II with 283.6 rushing yards per game
• The Cal defense is strong against the run, ranking 18th in the country by allowing just 94.6 yards; However, Seton Hill and Slippery Rock averaged 137.5 rushing yards with five touchdowns the last two weeks against the Vulcans
• IUP is averaging 274.7 rushing yards and has scored seven rushing touchdowns in its last three meetings with the Vulcans
• For the second straight week, IUP will face a top quarterback in Cal's Michael Keir; Keir averages 276 passing yards per game while IUP allows 211, and has picked off opposing QBs 11 times
• IUP QB Lenny Williams is one of the most efficient (176.8 effic) and accurate (68.3 pct) passers in Division II; The Cal pass defense is sixth worst in the country, allowing 303 yards per game 


NOTEBOOK

IUP AND CAL BATTLE IN THE NINTH ANNUAL COAL BOWL
Beginning in 2009, this year will be the ninth installment of the yearly trophy game between rivals IUP and California. The Vulcans have won six of the previous eight Coal Bowl games, with IUP's wins coming at home in 2013 (20-7) and 2015 (20-15). The closest Coal Bowl came with both teams ranked in 2012 - #6 Cal defeated #14 IUP 26-24 at Adamson Stadium.

COACH TORTORELLA'S 5-0 RECORD IS BEST FIVE-GAME START IN PROGRAM HISTORY
With five wins in his first five games, Coach Tortorella is off to the best start by a first year head coach in program history. The previous five-game mark was 4-1, 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 RANKED IN THE TOP FIVE OF BOTH DIVISION II POLLS
The Crimson Hawks held down their spots in the latest national polls, sitting at No. 4 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 3 in the D2Football.com Media Poll. The top-3 ranking in the media poll is the highest overall for the program since earning the No. 2 ranking by the AFCA back on Nov. 6, 2001. See page three of the game notes for more information. 

CRIMSON HAWKS HAVE 14-GAME HOME WIN STREAK HEADING INTO WEEK SIX
Always a very good home team, IUP has a 14-game home win streak heading into week six against Cal. The Crimson Hawks' last loss at home came in the 2015 season opener, falling to Kutztown 34-33 after two missed extra point attempts. Since that loss, IUP has outscored visiting opponents 565 to 231, or an average of 40.4 to 16.5. 

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 lead the PSAC in passing efficiency, rushing yards, total yards and scoring, and rank in the top-10 of Division II in all four categories.

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 (44.8, 5th), rushing offense (283.6, 6th), total offense (516.6, 6th), sacks allowed (3, 6th), passing efficiency (173.90, 6th), and first downs (129, 4th). 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 13 TOUCHDOWNS OF 20-PLUS YARDS 
IUP has produced 30 "splash plays" - a play of 20-plus yards - through five games this season. With 276 total plays, the Crimson Hawks go for 20-yards or more every 11.8 offensive plays on average. Of those 30 splash plays, 13 have gone for touchdowns, including seven through the air. Both R-Soph. WR Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King) and Soph. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) have scored three touchdowns from 20 yards out. See page 12 of the game notes for more information. 

15 OFFENSIVE SCORING DRIVES HAVE BEEN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES
IUP's big play, speedy offense has produced 15 (of 32) 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 five games IUP's average offensive scoring drive is 6.7 plays, 60.9 yards, and 2:29. 

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 last week are the fourth most in IUP history. 

LENNY WILLIAMS IS 22-3 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 22-3 record into week six. 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 NEARLY 130 RUSHING YARDS YARDS PER GAME IN CAREER vs. CAL
Williams has used his running talents more than his arm in his two career games vs. the Vulcans, totaling 257 yards and two scores on the ground while averaging 8.3 yards per rush. Last year's 285 total yards and three combined scores came in just three quarters, as he left the game early with an injury. A different injury held him out of the playoff game in November. 

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 (176.8), seventh in yards per attempt (9.71), and 12th in completion percentage (68.3). 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 sixth in the country with 283.6 yards, and has given up just three sacks in five 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).

DOM MCNEIL HAS TURNED HIMSELF INTO TEAM'S BIG PLAY RECEIVER
R-Soph. WR Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King), a former walk-on, has asserted as another big play threat in the IUP offense. McNeil leads the team with 388 yards on 18 receptions, and his 21.6 yards per catch ranks 16th in the country. He also has team-highs of two 100-yard receiving games, six 20-plus yard catches, and three touchdowns of more than 20 yards. McNeil has added two touchdowns on special teams - a blocked punt return and a fumble recovery return on a bad snap against Cheyney. 

JOJO GAUSE HAD BREAKOUT GAME AGAINST EDINBORO
R-Soph. WR JoJo Gause (Rochester, N.Y./Bishop Kearney) had his best career game in the week four win over Edinboro, snagging six balls for 84 yards and three touchdowns - all career-highs. The big target (6-4, 220) is a reliable receiver, with 13 catches for 175 yards (13.5 ypc) and four touchdowns this season. 

WALT PEGUES AMONG BEST RECEIVERS IN IUP HISTORY; LOOKS TO RETURN TO LINEUP SOON
A week one injury has delayed the season debut of Sr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central), but hopes to return to the lineup soon. One of the best receivers in program history, he heads into his final year ranked third in IUP history with 2,301 receiving yards and fourth with 145 receptions. He's been a consistent threat since day one, also entering the year with a streak of 33 games with a reception, tallying at least one catch in every game he's played. 

CRIMSON HAWKS LEAD DIVISION II WITH +11 TURNOVER MARGIN
On the strength of 15 caused turnovers, IUP is tops in the country with a +11 turnover margin this season. The Crimson Hawks have picked off 11 passes and recovered four fumbles in five games, while giving away two interceptions and two fumbles offensively. 

IUP DEFENSE ONE OF THE BEST IN THE NATION UNDER COACH SMITH
Through five 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 are second in the PSAC in scoring defense (14.8), rushing defense (86.4) and total defense (297.8), also ranking in the top 25 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
The Crimson Hawks are tied for sixth 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 FIVE WEEKS
That stiffling defense has been even better in the second half, allowing a combined 601 yards (120.2 avg) and two touchdowns to five opponents in the final 30 minutes of games. Opponents are completing 50.0 percent (44-88) of their second half passes, have converted 35.9 percent (14-39) third down chances, and are averaging just 2.3 (82-188) 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 39 tackles and two fumble recoveries, while Lloyd has 32 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. 

MAX REDFIELD AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN INTERCEPTIONS; IUP RANKS FOURTH WITH 11
Sr. SS Max Redfield (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) is third in the PSAC and 14th in Division II with three interceptions this year. The Notre Dame transfer has a pick in each of the last three games, and also ranks in the top 20 nationally with eight total passes defensed. As a team, the Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC and rank fourth in the country with 11 picks from seven different players. 

JR STEVENS, ANTHONY DAVIS STEPPING UP AT CORNERBACK
R-Soph. CB JR Stevens (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) and R-Jr. CB Anthony Davis (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) have combined for 14 of IUP's 25 pass breakups this year. With seven each, they are sixth in the PSAC and 32nd in the nation in that category. Both first year starters, Stevens returned an interception 38 yards for a score in week two and Davis started three games at boundary corner for injured All-American Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School), and has picked off passes in each of the last two games. 

IUP RED ZONE DEFENSE AMONG BEST IN THE COUNTRY
After allowing opponents to score on six of seven red zone trips in the first three weeks of the season, the Crimson Hawks have given up a combined three red zone scored in nine chances the last two weeks. For the season, IUP is ninth in Division II with a 56.2 percent (9-16) red zone defense. 

IUP DEFENSIVE LINEMEN HAVE NINE OF TEAM'S 10 SACKS
The IUP defensive front has led the charge this season, with seven players accounting for nine of the team's 10 sacks this year. Soph. DE Dondrea Tillman (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls) accumulated two in the week three win over Cheyney, and Sr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel)  has two sacks for a combined 20 yards lost. 

CRIMSON HAWKS' FIVE BLOCKED KICKS LEADS DIVISION II
The IUP special teams is back at it this year with five blocked kicks, which is tied with seven other teams for first 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.