GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#4/3 IUP Crimson Hawks (4-0, 1-0 PSAC West)
at Seton Hill Griffins (0-4, 0-1 PSAC West)
Saturday, September 30, 2017 | 4:00 p.m.
Offutt Field | Greensburg, Pa.
*Rankings reflect current AFCA Coaches/D2Football Media Top 25 

Watch: Westmoreland Sports | Westmorelandsports.com/broadcast
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Listen (smartphone): U92 Sports App
Live Stats: athletics.SetonHill.edu | StretchInternet
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUPfootball

IUP Game Notes (PDF)
Seton Hill Football

COVERAGE
INDIANA GAZETTE: Crimson Hawks to visit upset-minded Griffins in first away game (Sept. 29)
INDIANA GAZETTE: Key players set to return for IUP (Sept. 28)
INDIANA GAZETTE: Inexperienced defense shines for Crimson Hawks (Sept. 26)
NCAA.com: A shakeup in the Top 25 highlights 5 takeaways from Week 4 DII football poll

THE GAME
The 4th-ranked Crimson Hawks head out onto the road for the first time in 2017 as they travel to Greensburg to face Seton Hill on Saturday. Kickoff at Offutt Field is scheduled for 4 p.m. IUP is one of the hottest teams in Division II, starting the year with a 4-0 record after last week's 38-7 PSAC West opening win over Edinboro. Seton Hill is winless in four games, but nearly knocked off 5th-ranked California in a 44-41 last minute loss in week four. The Griffins have a much better record at home (8-10) than on the road (3-16) since 2014. 

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 history between these two schools only dates back to 2013 when Seton Hill joined the PSAC; IUP has won all four contests by a combined score of 171-77
• In the last three meetings, IUP has outgained Seton Hill by a slim margin of 12 yards per game on average (450-438), but the big difference has been the Crimson Hawks' +6 turnover margin in those contests
• In addition to the near upsets of Cal last week and IUP in 2016, the Griffins did defeat Slippery Rock (41-38) and nearly took down the Vulcans (38-34) in 2015
• IUP's pass defense will be tested this week, as Seton Hill ranks third in the PSAC and 14th in Division II with 297.5 passing yards per game; The Crimson Hawks give up an average of 198.0 yards through the air
• The Griffins have also tossed nine picks in four games; IUP is fifth in Division II with eight interceptions this season
• The Crimson Hawks have one of the top offenses in Division II, ranking in the top 15 in five categories; Seton Hill enters the game last in the country in total defense, pass defense, and opponent first downs
• In their first three games, the Griffins gave up 1,135 passing yards and 14 passing touchdowns (5-4-5); Although Cal did not pass for a TD last week, the Vulcans did rush for 199 yards and five scores
• QB Lenny Williams is coming off of a career-high four passing touchdowns and is averaging 239.0 yards through the air this year
• Williams' breakout game came in Greensburg against the Griffins in 2015, rushing for a PSAC quarterback record 205 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in IUP's 47-10 victory

NOTEBOOK

COACH TORTORELLA LOOKING FOR BEST 5-GAME START BY IUP COACH IN PROGRAM HISTORY
A victory over Seton Hill on Saturday would give Coach Tortorella a 5-0 start to his head coaching career, the best five-game start by a first year coach in program history. With IUP's week four win over Edinboro, Tortorella joined Chuck Klausing (1964) as the only first year IUP coaches who have started 4-0, and he was one of four coaches who began with unblemished records after three games. 

IUP IMPROVED TO 33-2 IN PSAC WEST OPENERS DATING BACK TO 1983
With IUP's week four win over Edinboro, the program improved to 33-2 (.943) in PSAC West opening games dating back to 1983. The Crimson Hawks currently have a six-game division-opening win streak going, and boasted a 26-game streak from 1983-2008. IUP's only PSAC West opening losses have come to Mercyhurst in 2009 (20-16) and Slippery Rock in 2011 (20-6) - both on the road. 

IUP CONTINUES CLIMB IN THE DIVISION II TOP 25 RANKINGS
With No. 2 Ferris State's loss to Ashland, and Cal's near loss to Seton Hill, the Crimson Hawks bumped up to No. 4 in the AFCA Coaches Poll and No. 3 in the D2Football.com Media Poll in this week's rankings. 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 AFTER EDINBORO VICTORY
Always a very good home team, IUP has a 14-game home win streak after its week four victory over Edinboro. 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 rank second in the PSAC in rushing and total offense, and third in scoring. They also rank in the top-15 of Division II in all three categories.

CRIMSON HAWKS RANK IN THE TOP 15 OF DIVISION II IN FIVE OFFENSIVE CATEGORIES
The diverse and well-rounded IUP offense is near the top of the NCAA rankings in five categories, including rushing offense (246.8, 13th), total offense (485.8, 14th), points per game (41.8, 10th), sacks allowed (three, 13th), and passing efficiency (174.56, 10th). 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 10 TOUCHDOWNS OF 20-PLUS YARDS 
IUP has produced 24 "splash plays" - a play of 20-plus yards - through four games this season. With 276 total plays, the Crimson Hawks go for 20-yards or more every 11.5 offensive plays on average. Of those 24 splash plays, 10 have gone for touchdowns, including seven through the air. R-Soph. WR Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King) has scored three touchdowns from 20 yards out. See page 12 of the game notes for more information. 

11 OFFENSIVE SCORING DRIVES HAVE BEEN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES
IUP's big play, speedy offense has produced 11 (of 24) 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 four games IUP's average offensive scoring drive is 6.7 plays, 58.7 yards, and 2:30. 

IUP IS 45-8 SINCE 2011 WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS IN A GAME
Fr. RB Justice Evans (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic) rushed for 116 yards on 13 carries in the week three win over Cheyney, as IUP improved to 45-8 since 2011 when a player rushes for at least 100 yards in a game. He's now the fourth 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, Soph. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) has six, and fellow Fr. RB Duane Brown (Spring Church, Pa./Apollo-Ridge) has one.

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 74-5 SINCE 2003 WHEN RUSHING FOR 200 YARDS AS A TEAM
Five different players in week four combined rush for 200 on 45 carries, marking the 79th time since 2003 that IUP has rushed for at least 200 yards in a game. The Crimson Hawks are 74-5 in those games, including a 21-3 record since 2015 and a 4-0 record this year. 

THREE DIFFERENT BACKS HAVE RUSHED FOR 100 YARDS IN A GAME THIS SEASON
Through four games, IUP has seen three different running backs rush for 100 yards in a game. Evans became the third different running back this year to hit the 100-yard mark in the week three win, further proving the Crimson Hawks' depth at the position. Four different players average more than 34 rushing yards per game for IUP, which averages 246.8 yards per game and 5.6 yards per carry. 

LENNY WILLIAMS IS 21-3 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 21-3 record into week five. 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 OVER 300 YARDS PER GAME IN CAREER vs. SETON HILL
Williams emerged onto the national scene as a freshman in 2015, when he broke the PSAC record for rushing yards in a game by a quarterback with 205 at Seton Hill. He totaled 362 yards with three touchdowns on 31 total plays that week to help IUP to a 47-10 road win. In his career vs. Seton Hill, Williams averages more than 300 yards per game, and 9.2 yards per play. 

WILLIAMS RANKS SEVENTH IN DIVISION II IN PASSING EFFICIENCY
One of the most consistent quarterbacks in the country, Williams ranks seventh in Division II with a passing efficiency rating of 178.1. His completion percentage of 65.7 (65-99) leads the PSAC and ranks 17th in the nation, while his 9.66 yards per pass attempt is 12th and his 10 touchdowns are 15th. 
 
DOM MCNEIL HAS TURNED HIMSELF INTO TEAM'S BIG PLAY RECEIVER
R-Soph. WR Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King) has asserted himself as possibly the biggest threat on the IUP offense, leading the team with 353 receiving yards and 22.1 yards per catch. His 16 catches and three receiving touchdowns are both second on the team, adding two more scores on special teams (fumble recovery, blocked punt). McNeil also has team-highs of two 100-yard receiving games, five 20-plus yard catches, and three touchdowns of more than 20 yards. 

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 11 catches for 147 yards (13.4 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. 

NEW OFFENSIVE LINE QUICKLY PROVING IT IS BEST UNIT IN PSAC
Once again, IUP can boast arguably the best offensive line in the conference, as the group has led the way for four straight 200-yard rushing games and has given up just three sacks so far this year. R-Soph. OC Jeff Arnold (Pittsburgh, Pa./Brashear) leads the way from the pivot, with new starters R-Sr. Jerron Searles (Atlantic City, N.J./Atlantic City), Gr. Rocco Esposito (Coraopolis, Pa./Sto-Rox), and R-Soph. Colin McAllister (Boothwyn, Pa./Chichester) making a near seamless transition. R-Soph. Ken Roman (Hawley, Pa./Wallenpaupack) started at left tackle in week four for injured Jr. Joe Peterson (DuBois, Pa./DuBois). Also look for Fr. Josh Dauberman (Hughesville, Pa./Hughesville). 

IUP HAS THREE DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS THIS YEAR; 18-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN THE DEFENSE SCORES
The Crimson Hawks are tied for first in Division II with three defensive touchdowns already this year, including two in week three from Soph. DL Dondrea Tillman (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls) and R-Soph. WR Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King). 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 Division II with six defensive touchdowns - three on interceptions and three on fumbles. 

IUP LEADS PSAC, RANKS IN THE TOP 20 IN DIVISION II INRUSHING AND TOTAL DEFENSE
Through four weeks, the IUP defense is again asserting itself as one of the best in the nation as the Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC in both rushing (83.3) and total (281.3) defense. Those numbers are also some of the best in the nation, ranking ninth (rushing) and 18th (total). IUP is also second in the PSAC in points allowed at 15.0 per game, with No. 20/9 Ashland's 23 points in the opener the most of any oppponent this season. 

THE IUP DEFENSE HAS GIVEN UP JUST 14 SECOND HALF POINTS THROUGH FOUR WEEKS
That stiffling defense has been even better in the second half, allowing a combined 448 yards and two touchdowns to four opponents in the final 30 minutes of games. Opponents are completing 52.3 percent (33-63) of their second half passes, have converted 31 percent (10-32) third down chances, and are averaging just 1.6 (69-112) 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 and ranks eighth in the PSAC with 36 tackles, while Lloyd has 27 tackles and two interceptions. Amendola tallied a career-best 14 stops in week four, with Lloyd getting both of his interceptions against the Fighting Scots. 

REDFIELD, STEVENS AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN PASSES DEFENSED
Sr. SS Max Redfield (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) and R-Soph. CB JR Stevens (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy) are both tied for third in the PSAC and 16th in Division II with 1.75 passes defensed per game, breaking up seven on the year. Redfield is second on the team with 31 total tackles and has picked off a pass in each of his last two games, while Stevens broke up four passes in IUP's week three win over Cheyney. 

IUP RANKS FOURTH IN PSAC WITH NINE SACKS, EIGHT OF THOSE FROM DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
The IUP defensive front has led the charge this season, with seven players accounting for eight of the team's nine sacks this year. Those nine sacks rank fourth in the PSAC, and are ahead of their pace from last year when it took five games to match that number. Soph. DE Dondrea Tillman (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls) has a team-best 2.0 sacks, both coming in week three against Cheyney. 

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 four other teams for first in Division II. Sr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) has two of those - one point after, one field goal - and Dom McNeil (Philadelphia, Pa./Martin Luther King)'s punt block was returned 15 yards for a touchdown against Cheyney.