GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#6/5 IUP Crimson Hawks (2-0, 0-0 PSAC West)
vs. Cheyney Wolves (1-1, 0-0 PSAC East)
Saturday, September 16, 2017 | 12:00 p.m.
Frank Cignetti Field at George P. Miller Stadium | Indiana, Pa.
*Rankings reflect current AFCA Coaches/D2Football Media Top 25 

Watch: IUP Comm Media | YouTube.com
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Listen (smartphone): U92 Sports App
Live Stats: IUPstats.com | StatbBroadcast
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUPfootball

IUP Game Notes (PDF)
Cheyney Preview (coming soon)

THE GAME
The 6th-ranked Crimson Hawks are at home for the third straight week to start the season, as they host Cheyney on Saturday afternoon at George P. Miller Stadium. Kickoff on Frank Cignetti Field is set for noon. IUP is off to another hot start with a 2-0 record, with wins over nationally-ranked Ashland and PSAC East foe East Stroudsburg. Cheyney opened with a huge 56-28 win over rival Lincoln, but followed that with a 40-point defeat at fifth-ranked California last week. The Crimson Hawks are looking to extend their dominance over Cheyney, as they haven't lost to the Wolves in eight all-time meetings. 

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
• The Crimson Hawks are 8-0 all-time against Cheyney, including four shutout victories since 2012; IUP has averaged 55.5 points in those four shutouts
• IUP has won 12 straight home games and five straight games against PSAC East teams; The last loss to a cross-divisional opponent came to Kutztown (34-33) in 2015, which was also IUP's last home defeat
• The Crimson Hawks boast the PSAC's top offense and defense, leading the league with an average of 526.5 yards while giving up just 292.0 yards on the defensive side of the ball
• Two games and two 100-yard running backs - Soph. Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) ran for 200 yards in week one and Fr. Duane Brown (Spring Church, Pa./Apollo-Ridge) broke off 137 in week two, giving the Crimson Hawks two of the top 10 rushers in the PSAC; Bullock is also sixth in Division II with 282 rushing yards
• R-Jr. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) is one touchdown (pass or rush) away from tying Hall of Famer Michael Mann for 5th at IUP with 52 touchdowns responsible for
• Williams is also 41 yards of total offense away from tying Lynn Heiber for 6th with 5,793 career yards of total offense
• Through two weeks, already seven players have caught a pass for the Crimson Hawks, combining for 37 receptions and 513 yards; Last year, 10 different receivers caught at least one pass
• On the strength of a perfect kicking night in the opener, R-Soph. PK Dillon Sarka (Lebanon, Ohio/Waynesville) leads Division II with 2.50 field goals made per game; Through two games, he's made 7-7 extra points and 5-6 field goals
• IUP is tied for fifth in the country with two blocked kicks, both against Ashland; Last year, the Crimson Hawks blocked two total kicks against Cheyney

NOTEBOOK

A NEW (OLD) FACE LEADS IUP THROUGH THE TUNNEL IN 2017
After the departure of six-year head coach Curt Cignetti following the 2016 season, Paul Tortorella was named the new coach of the IUP football program. Although this will be his first head coaching job, Tortorella is no stranger to the sidelines of George P. Miller Stadium, spending the last 22 years as the IUP defensive coordinator. He's also been the associate head coach since 2011. 

TORTORELLA'S DEFENSES HAVE BEEN DOMINANT
Coach Tortorella has been known for his defensive prowess at IUP, consistently directing one of the best units in Division II since taking over in 1995. The Crimson Hawks finished third in the country with 24 interceptions and 35 forced turnovers in 2016, led a defense that was ranked in the top 12 in six categories in 2015, and was named Football Scoop's Division II Coordinator of the Year in 2012. 

IUP vs. THE PSAC EAST
Since 2006, IUP is 27-7 (.794) against teams from the PSAC East, including wins in each of its last five cross-divisional games dating back to 2015 - Lock Haven 38-13 (2015), Cheyney 62-0 (2015), ESU 73-42 (2016), Cheyney 55-0 (2016), and ESU 38-14 (2017). IUP has never lost to Cheyney in eight meetings, and carries a streak of four straight shutouts over the Wolves since 2012. 

IUP REMAINS AMONG ONE OF THE TOP RANKED TEAMS IN DIVISION II
The Crimson Hawks enter week three of the regular season ranked No. 6 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 5 in the D2Football Media Poll. The AFCA ranking is the highest by that poll since October 3 of last year, while the top five ranking in the media poll is the highest overall for the program since sitting at No. 4 in the coaches' poll for five straight weeks (Sept. 9-Oct. 7) back in 2003. 

CRIMSON HAWKS HAVE 12-GAME HOME WIN STREAK HEADING INTO CHEYNEY WEEK
Always a very good home team, IUP carries a 12-game win streak in contests played in the friendly confines of George P. Miller Stadium. 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 431 to 188, or an average of 38.5 to 17.3. 

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 and rank eighth in Division II with an average of 526.5 yards of total offense per game. 

"SPLASH PLAYS"  BIG PART OF THE OFFENSE IN 2017
The Crimson Hawks ran 75 offensive plays in Saturday's win over East Stroudsburg, finishing with eight plays that covered more than 20 yards (two rush, six pass). IUP's longest play of the day came off the arm of R-Jr. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox), who found R-So. WR Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King) over the middle for a 69-yard touchdown in the second quarter. That's also the longest play of the early season for the Crimson Hawks. For the year, IUP has 13 plays of 20-plus yards. 

STILL EARLY, CRIMSON HAWKS LEAD THE PSAC AND RANK 8TH IN DIVISION II IN TOTAL OFFENSE
On the heels of a 607-yard performance against East Stroudsburg, the Crimson Hawks lead the conference by averaging 526.5 yards of total offense through the first two weeks of the season. That total is also good for eighth overall in Division II. IUP finished the 2016 season ranked 12th in the nation with an average of 489.6 yards per game, which set a single season program record.

IUP IS 44-8 SINCE 2011 WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS IN A GAME
Fr. RB Duane Brown (Spring Church, Pa./Apollo-Ridge) went over the 100-yard mark in the win over East Stroudsburg, as IUP improved to 44-8 since 2011 when a player rushes for at least 100 yards in a game. He's now the third active player on the roster with a 100-yard game to his credit: R-Jr. Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) has nine and Soph. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) has six. 

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 72-5 SINCE 2003 WHEN RUSHING FOR 200 YARDS AS A TEAM
Brown led a ground game that finished with 324 rushing yards in week two, marking the 77th time since 2003 that IUP has rushed for at least 200 yards in a game. The Crimson Hawks are 72-5 in those games, including a 19-3 record since 2015. 

DUANE BROWN DAZZLES, HITS 100-YARD MARK IN FIRST MEANINGFUL ACTION
Fr. RB Duane Brown (Spring Church, Pa./Apollo-Ridge) was one of the offensive starts of week two, rushing for 137 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in the win over ESU. After seeing limited snaps in week one, the ESU game marked the first meaningful action of his young collegiate career, as he averaged 8.1 yards per carry. 

SAMIR BULLOCK RANKS SECOND IN PSAC, 10TH IN DIVISION II IN RUSHING
Soph. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) is off to a good start to the season, as he currently ranks second in the PSAC and 10th in the country with 141.0 rushing yards per game. His big outing came in week one, setting a new career-high with 200 yards on 25 carries (8.0 avg). He followed that up with 82 yards on 18 carries in week two. Heading into week three, Bullock also ranks ninth in the PSAC with an average of 149.5 all-purpose yards per game. 

LENNY WILLIAMS IS 19-3 AS CRIMSON HAWKS' STARTING QUARTERBACK
R-Jr. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) is in his third year as the IUP starter, carrying an 19-3 record after week two's win over ESU. A two-time Harlon Hill Award nominee as the best player in Division II, Williams is arguably the top dual threat quarterback in the nation, passing and rushing for a combined 5,752 yards and 51 touchdowns in 23 career games. 

WILLIAMS ALREADY ONE OF TOP SIGNAL CALLERS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
After 23 career games, 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 listed at or near the top in several career categories, including completion percentage, passer efficiency, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, total offense, and touchdowns responsible for. 

ALLEN WRIGHT LEADS CRIMSON HAWKS IN RECEPTIONS AND YARDS
Sr. WR Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) has excelled in his new starting role early this season, leading the Crimson Hawks with 14 receptions and 182 yards through two weeks. He caught a career-high nine passes for 102 yards in the opener, and followed that up with five receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown in week two. He also leads IUP with four receptions of 20 yards or more. In his first full year on offense in 2016, Wright was a big play target with 18 catches for 454 yards (25.2 avg.) and four touchdowns. 

DOM MCNEIL ALSO SHOWING BIG PLAY CAPABILITY IN EXPANDED ROLE
R-Soph. WR Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King) posted his first 100-yard receiving day, catching five passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in week two. He owned the biggest play of the day against ESU, catching an intermediate crossing route from Williams and turning into a 69-yard touchdown. After catching just one pass for nine yards in nine games a season ago, McNeil has eight receptions for 162 yards (20.2 avg) and two touchdowns through two weeks this season. 

WALT PEGUES AMONG BEST RECEIVERS IN IUP HISTORY
Even with two wins and breakout play from receiver, Sr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) has been missed as an injury has delayed his 2017 debut. He does head 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. 

REBUILT OFFENSIVE LINE COMING TOGETHER, HAS PAVED WAY FOR DOMINANT GROUND GAME
The Crimson Hawks rebuilt their offensive line in fall camp, as they returned just two of their five starters from 2016 -- Jr. LT Joe Peterson (DuBois, Pa./DuBois) and R-Soph. OC Jeff Arnold (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brashear). Those two have a combined 35 starts between them, as R-Sr. Jerron Searles (Atlantic City, N.J./Atlantic City) stepped in at right tackle, Gr. Rocco Esposito (Coraopolis, Pa./Sto-Rox) at right guard, and R-Soph. Colin McAllister (Boothwyn, Pa./Chichester) and left guard. The group has helped the Crimson Hawks average 270.0 rushing yards while giving up just one sack through two weeks. 

IUP IS 17-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN SCORING A DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN
R-Soph. DB JR Stevens (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown in week two, making it the 21st defensive score for the Crimson Hawks since 2011. IUP is nearly unbeatable in games in which its defense scores a touchdown, going 17-1 in those games over the last seven season. Last year, the Crimson Hawks tied for sixth in Division II with six defensive touchdowns - three on interceptions and three on fumbles. Last year, Eric Doe (Darby, Pa. /Academy Prep) returned a blocked field goal 95 yards for a score (which NCAA statistics count as a fumble return) against Cheyney, and in 2015 Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) returned an interception 23 yards for a score. 

CRIMSON HAWKS LEAD THE PSAC IN PASSING AND TOTAL DEFENSE
Through two weeks, the IUP defense is again asserting itself as one of the best in the nation as the Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC in passing (142.0) and total yards (292.0) allowed. Those numbers also rank 26th and 29th, respectively, in Division II. The IUP "D" played big in the season opener, shutout out Ashland in the second half while allowing the strong GLIAC team total just 361 yards of offense. The Crimson Hawks improved in game two, shutting down the ESU passing game (81 yards) while allowing just 223 yards of total offense. 

JEMAL AVERETTE LEADS LEADS ANOTHER TALENTED AND DEEP DEFENSIVE LINE
The IUP defensive front will again be a force, as the Crimson Hawks return eight regular players - five starters - from last years group. A total of nine defensive linemen have seen playing time this year, combining for 53 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, and 5.0 sacks. Sr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) leads all linemen and is fourth on the team with 12 tackles this season, while also posting 2.0 TFLs and a sack. 

NEW LINEBACKERS STEPPING INTO STARTING ROLES, AMONG TEAM LEADERS IN TACKLES
The Crimson Hawks started a pair of new linebackers in week one, with Sophs. Damon Lloyd (Bel Air, Md./John Carroll) and Nick Amendola (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) taking over. Through two weeks, Lloyd is second on the team with 16 total tackles, including nine in the season opener. Amendola is tied for fourth on the team with 12 stops, adding a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.  

NOTRE DAME TRANSFER MAX REDFIELD LEADS CRIMSON HAWKS IN TACKLES
Sr. SS Max Redfield (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) has made his presence known early this season, as he leads the Crimson Hawks with 18 total tackles through two weeks. He put up 10 tackles in the opener against Ashland, and followed that up with eight tackles and a Bill Thompson State Farm Player of the Game nod after the win over East Stroudsburg. The Notre Dame transfer started 23 games and made 144 tackles in three seasons with the Fighting Irish. An NFL talent, he'll be counted on to play all over the defensive backfield in 2017. 

ALL-AMERICAN JAY WATKINS SAW STREAK OF 25 STRAIGHT STARTS END LAST WEEK
Sr. CB Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School) saw his streak of 25 consecutive starts end last week, as he missed the ESU game with an injury. After losing nearly all of his 2014 season due to injury, he started 12 games each in 2015 and 2016, and the 2017 season opener against Ashland. Watkins led the PSAC and tied for third in Division II with seven interceptions in 2016, and has played in 35 career games at IUP with 11 interceptions. 

TAKHI TURNER LED CRIMSON HAWKS IN TACKLES AGAINST ASHLAND
Sr. FS Takhi Turner (Harrisburg, Pa./Susquehanna Twp.) led all IUP defensive players with 12 tackles against Ashland, including eight solo stops. He also had a tackle-for-loss and a pass breakup. Through week two, Turner has 23 career starts, including 11 a season ago when he finished second on the team with 68 total tackles to go along with three interceptions. 

MIKE PIETROPOLA SETTLING IN AT DEFENSIVE BACK
After two years of bouncing around between quarterback, defensive back, receiver, and back to quarterback, Jr. FS Mike Pietropola (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) looks to establish himself as a full-time defender. Pietropola is part of the Crimson Hawks' talented defensive backfield, totaling six tackles with a sack through two weeks this season. He's also one of IUP's returners, averaging 15.7 yards on three kickoff returns and 7.2 yards on four punt returns. 

CRIMSON HAWKS' TWO BLOCKED KICKS ARE AMONG BEST TOTALS IN DIVISION II
After last season's eight blocked kicks - which ranked third in Division II - the Crimson Hawks are back at it again with two blocks in the season opening win over Ashland. R-Sr. NG Justin Weldon (Easton, Pa. /Easton Area) blocked an early point after attempt and R-Soph. LB John McDonald-Horner (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) turned away the Eagles attempt at a game-winning field goal, as the IUP special teams were able to take four total points away from Ashland.