GAMEDAY CENTRAL
#6/5 IUP Crimson Hawks (1-0, 0-0 PSAC West)
vs. East Stroudsburg Warriors (1-0, 0-0 PSAC East)
Saturday, September 9, 2017 | 4:00 p.m.
Frank Cignetti Field at George P. Miller Stadium | Indiana, Pa.

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IUP Game Notes (PDF)
East Stroudsburg Preview

THE GAME
The 6th-ranked Crimson Hawks continue their early season home schedule when they welcome East Stroudsburg to George P. Miller Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. from Frank Cignetti Field. IUP's annual Hall of Fame Game features a pair of teams that combined for over 1,200 yards in a 73-42 Crimson Hawks' win in 2016. Both teams come into this week after season-opening wins last Thursday, as IUP defeated nationally-ranked Ashland 26-23 and ESU outlasted Fairmont State 20-16. 

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
• Although this will be the first meeting as head coaches between Coach Tortorella and ESU's Denny Douds, these two have locked horns seven previous times since 1996, with Tortorella's IUP teams winning the last five
• This is a rematch of last year's offensive outburst, as IUP totaled 789 yards, 35 first downs, nine touchdowns and 73 points
• Soph. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) rushed for a career-high 200 yards on 25 carries against Ashland, his first game as IUP's unquestioned starter
• The Crimson Hawks have won five straight games against East Stroudsburg, including a 3-0 record in Indiana, since 2006
• IUP has won four straight games against PSAC East teams
• With one passing or rushing score on Saturday, R-Jr. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) will tie Scott Woods for sixth in IUP history with 50 career touchdowns responsible for
• Williams totaled 468 yards and six touchdowns against ESU last year; His total yards is second most in IUP history and his six touchdowns tied a school mark
• R-Soph. PK Dillon Sarka (Lebanon, Ohio/Waynesville) and Jr. P Nico Ruiz (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) cemented their positions after big openers: Sarka made all four field goals, including the game-winner, and Ruiz averaged 47.2 yards on five punts
• The Crimson Hawks blocked two kicks in week one (extra point, field goal), repeating their special teams success from last year when they finished third in Division II with six blocks

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
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 IN SEASON OPENERS
With the win on Thursday night, IUP is now 51-33-3 (.625) all-time in season openers. The Crimson Hawks have won 17 of their last 20 openers dating back to 1998, with the Ashland game being the first non-conference opener since Saint Augustine's in 2014. 

IUP vs. THE PSAC EAST
Since 2006, IUP is 26-7 (.788) against teams from the PSAC East, including wins in each of its last four cross-divisional games - Lock Haven 38-13 (2015), Cheyney 62-0 (2015), ESU 73-42 (2016) and Cheyney 55-0 (2016). IUP is 3-0 against East Stroudsburg this decade, including last year's huge road win. 

THIS WEEK FEATURES REMATCH OF LAST YEAR'S OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHT
Last year's 73-42 win by the Crimson Hawks featured a combined 1,286 yards of total offense (703 pass, 583 rush) on 150 plays, including 17 scoring plays, with 58 first downs. Seven different IUP players scored a touchdown, with then-R-Soph. QB Lenny Williams accounting for 468 yards of total offense and six scores. That yardage total is the second most in IUP single game history, while his 380 passing yards are fifth. The Crimson Hawks broke a program record with 789 yards of offense, and tied a record with 35 first downs, while the 73 points scored are third most in school history. 

IUP MADE BIG JUMPS IN BOTH NATIONAL POLLS AFTER SEASON-OPENING WIN
The Crimson Hawks enter week two 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. 

TORTORELLA'S FIRST STAFF INCLUDES THREE NEW FACES, ASSIGNMENT CHANGES
Tortorella announced his first coaching staff back in March, which included two coaching assignment changes, and three assistants new to the IUP program. Long-time assistant Jim Smith has been elevated to defensive coordinator, and will continue to lead the linebackers; and Johnny Franco will coach the safeties after being in charge of the cornerbacks in 2015 and 2016. The new faces include Tate Gregory (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Christian Bryan (wide receivers) and Jameson Zacharias (cornerbacks). 

GREGORY HOPES TO CONTINUE OFFENSE DOMINANCE, BRINGS OWN VERSION OF SPREAD SYSTEM
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. He also implemented a spread system with the Golden Eagles, including a 2015 season that saw his offense set program records that included averages of 41.1 points and 465.1 total yards per game. He has inherited a unit that returns its leading passer and rusher, and six returning receivers from a season ago. 

CRIMSON HAWKS PICKED TO WIN PSAC WEST
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference released its preseason coaches' polls on August 7, with the Crimson Hawks the overwelming favorite to come out on top in the Western Division. IUP earned six of the eight first place votes, with California earning the other two to come in second. Slippery Rock, another rival, was picked third. 

"SPLASH PLAYS" LOOK TO BE A BIG PART OF THE OFFENSE AGAIN IN 2017
Of the Crimson Hawks' 74 total offensive plays last week, five were of 20 yards or more, including three passes that combined for 97 yards. IUP's longest play of the night came from Soph. RB Samir Bullock (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), who had a 52 yard run in the second quarter that set up a touchdown that gave the Crimson Hawks a 17-16 lead. Last season, IUP had 74 played of 20 yards or more - an average of over six per game - including 11 against East Stroudsburg. 

IUP IS 43-8 SINCE 2011 WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS IN A GAME
With Bullock running for 200 yards in the win over Ashland last week, IUP is now 43-8 since 2011 when a player rushed for at least 100 yards in a game. The 200 yards was a career-high for Bullock, who now has six career 100-yard rushing performances. R-Jr. QB Lenny Williams, Jr. (McKees Rocks, Pa./Sto-Rox) is the only other active IUP player with a 100-yard game, boasting nine in his two previous seasons. 

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 71-5 SINCE 2003 WHEN RUSHING FOR 200 YARDS AS A TEAM
Bullock led a ground game that finished with 216 yards against Ashland, marking the 76th time since 2003 that IUP has rushed for at least 200 yards in a game. The Crimson Hawks are 71-5 in those games, including an 18-3 record since 2015. IUP led the PSAC and finished fourth in the nation in rushing last year with 279.8 yards per game, hitting the 200-yard mark 10 times. 

SAMIR BULLOCK HITS CAREER-HIGH, ASSERTING HIMSELF AS BEST BACK IN THE PSAC
Bullock tied a career-high with 25 carries to gain his 200 yards on Thursday, averaging 8.0 yards per carry. He posted two runs of 20-plus yards, going for 29 yards in IUP's opening drive and 52 yards in the second quarter to set up a touchdown. He also had rushes of 10 and 17 yards during the Crimson Hawks' game-winning drive. Still early, he ranks sixth in Division II in rushing and 12th in all-purpose yards (217).

MORE BACKS COULD SEE CARRIES AFTER BULLOCK
Also seeing time in the backfield in week one were Soph. RB Malik Anderson (Ellicott City, Md./Howard) and Fr. RB Duane Brown (Spring Church, Pa./Apollo-Ridge). Each carried four times, although combined for just 13 yards. Look for the two to continue to get looks, with Brown possibly getting goal line touches. 

LENNY WILLIAMS IS 18-3 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 18-3 record after last week's win over Ashland. 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 5,457 yards and 49 touchdowns in 22 career games. 

WILLIAMS LOOKS STRONG IN FIRST GAME SINCE LAST YEAR'S SEASON-ENDING INJURY
In his first action since missing the final three games of 2016 with an injury, Williams completed 22-of-38 passes for 230 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also ran twice for three yards. The 22 completions tied his career-high, while the 38 attempts set a new individual benchmark. It was his seventh career game of two or more touchdown passes. 

WILLIAMS ALREADY ONE OF TOP SIGNAL CALLERS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
After 22 career games, Williams can already be listed as one of the top quarterbacks in IUP history. Already with several single game and season IUP records, Williams name is 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 CAUGHT CAREER-HIGH 9 PASSES IN OPENER 
Sr. WR Allen Wright (McKeesport, Pa. /McKeesport Area) stepped into the starting lineup in week one and caught a career-high nine passes for 102 yards, his second career 100-yard outing. Working mainly out of the slot, Wright got the start with an injury to Sr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central), who did not see any time in the opener. 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. 

WALT PEGUES AMONG BEST RECEIVERS IN IUP HISTORY
Sr. WR Walt Pegues (Philadelphia, Pa. /Central) heads into his final year ranked third in IUP history with 2,301 receiving yards and fourth with 145 receptions. With a big year, he could threaten Hall of Famer Jai Hill's program record 214 career receptions. He's been a consistent threat since day one, tallying at least 43 catches each year, and posting career-highs of 941 yards and eight touchdowns last year. 

PEGUES ENTERS 2017 WITH STREAK OF 33 STRAIGHT GAMES WITH A RECEPTION
Pegues also enters this week with a current streak of 33 games with a reception - tallying at least one catch in every game he's played in since 2014.

CRIMSON HAWKS BOAST CROWDED GROUP AT RECEIVER
Including Wright, four wide receivers caught a pass in week one, as that unit combined for 16 catches for 197 yards and two touchdowns. The group has the potential for much more damage, as IUP brings back its top six receivers from a year ago and has four more who have seen extensive playing time. Two starters from last year - Pegues and Gr. WR Chris Wuestner (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) - did not see time in the opener nursing injuries. 

REBUILT OFFENSIVE LINE LED GROUND GAME TO 216 YARDS, DIDN'T ALLOW A SACK IN WEEK ONE
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 33 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 helped Bullock rush for 200 yards, as the team averaged 6.2 yards per carry, and didn't allow a single sack of Williams in 38 pass attempts. 

IUP IS 16-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN SCORING A DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN
The Crimson Hawks have scored 20 defensive touchdowns since 2011, including five last year, and are nearly unbeatable when doing so with a 16-1 record. IUP's scores last year came on three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, including an 8-yard pick off for a score by Sr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) against ESU.  

DILLON SARKA PUNCUATES NIGHT OF KICKING HIGHLIGHTS
R-Soph. PK Dillon Sarka (Lebanon, Ohio/Waynesville) was the hero of week one, nailing a 46-yard field goal as time expired to give the Crimson Hawks a 26-23 win over Ashland. He finished his night making all four field goal attempts and both extra points, scoring 14 points. Jr. P Nico Ruiz (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) also had a good first game at IUP, averaging 47.2 yards on five punts, including two of more than 50 yards. 

BLOCKED KICKS ALSO PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN ASHLAND WIN
Before Sarka's game-winning field goal, R-Soph. LB John McDonald-Horner (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) blocked what would have been a game-winning kick of Ashland, giving IUP the ball back with 1:45 to play. Earlier in the game, R-Sr. NG Justin Weldon (Easton, Pa. /Easton Area) got his paws on the point after attempt of Ashland's first touchdown, as the IUP special teams were able to take four total points away from the Eagles. The Crimson Hawks were third in Division II last season with eight total blocked kicks. 

CRIMSON HAWKS BOAST 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 saw playing time in week one, combining for 34 total tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks. The unit is headlined by All-Region players in Sr. DT Jemal Averette (Upper Marlboro, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) and Jr. DE Deandre Easterling (Washington, D.C./Gonzaga), and also features seniors Jordan Diven (Coraopolis, Pa./West Allegheny), Matt Mowad (Easton, Pa. /Easton), and Justin Weldon (Easton, Pa. /Easton Area), juniors Diamond Jones (Huber Heights, Ohio/Wayne) and Dyllon Scott (Reading, Pa./Exeter Twp.), and sophomore Dondrea Tillman (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls). 

NEW LINEBACKERS COMBINE FOR 16 TACKLES IN THE OPENER
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. Lloyd finished third on the team with nine total tackles against Ashland, while Amendola had seven stops, a half-tackle-for-loss and one pass breakup. The two did see extensive playing time as primary backups last year and have 25 games of experience between them. 

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. Turner has 22 career starts, including 11 a season ago when he finished second on the team with 68 total tackles to go along with three interceptions. 

ALL-AMERICAN JAY WATKINS HAS MADE 26TH STRAIGHT STARTS
Sr. CB Jay Watkins (Chester, Pa. /Hyde School) made his 26th consecutive start in week one, a streak that dates back to 2014. 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 and has 11 interceptions. 

NOTRE DAME TRANSFER MAX REDFIELD HAS SOLID DEBUT IN OPENER
Sr. SS Max Redfield (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) made his IUP debut in week one, finishing with 10 tackles. 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.