GAMEDAY CENTRAL
No. 14/13 IUP Crimson Hawks (4-1, 1-1 PSAC West)
vs. Slippery Rock "The Rock" (4-1, 2-0 PSAC West)
Saturday, October 6, 2018 | 2 p.m.
Frank Cignetti Field at George P. Miller Stadium | Indiana, Pa.
*Rankings reflect AFCA/D2Football Top 25 Polls

Watch: IUPAthletics.com | IUP-TV Sports
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Listen (smartphone): U92 Sports App
Live Stats: IUPStats.com | StatBroadcast
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUPfootball

IUP Game Notes (PDF)
Slippery Rock Game Preview

THE GAME
The 14th-ranked Crimson Hawks look to rebound from their first loss of the year when they welcome archrival Slippery Rock for Homecoming. Kickoff Saturday at George P. Miller Stadium is 2 p.m. IUP is now 4-1 and 1-1 in the division after a 36-24 loss at rival Cal last Saturday night. It marked the program's first regular season loss since Oct. 8, 2016 after 21 straight wins. Also at 4-1 (2-0), Slippery Rock is riding high with three straight high-scoring wins, including a 41-21 home route over Mercyhurst.

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. IUP-TV Sports will stream video at IUPAthletics.com/watch. 

STORYLINES
• This series has been even since 2010 with each team picking up four wins against one another; IUP has outscored SRU during that span 214-171
• IUP has won two straight games in this series, including a 34-17 road win last year and a 48-19 win on Homecoming 2016; SRU won four of the previous five meetings (2011-15)
• IUP is 6-3 against Slippery Rock at home since 2000 and 12-5 at Miller Stadium vs. its rival since 1985
• IUP has won 20 of its last 21 home games and is 10-1 at Miller Stadium under HC Paul Tortorella
• Slippery Rock boasts one of the top offenses in the country averaging 41 points and 458 yards per game; the attack has taken off in the last three weeks, including 57 points at Millersville and 503 yards against Seton Hill
• The trigger man for SRU is QB Roland Rivers, who has 845 total yards and 14 TDs in the last three games; he threw for 327 yards and 5 TDs against Seton Hill
• Although IUP gives up 222 passing yards per game, the opposing QBs have combined for 3 TDs and 3 INTs on 144 attempts; IUP also has 18 sacks in five games (3.6/game)
• QB Lenny Williams jr. is 2-1 against SRU with 1024 total yards and 9 total TDs; his 504 yards in 2015 broke an IUP record; despite a poor outing last week, his 163.3 passer efficiency this year is 20th in Division II
• IUP is still looking for its first 100-yard rusher of the season; SRU has allowed just 125 rushing yards in the last three weeks combined after seeing Kentucky State players rush for 100 in week one
• In the last four meetings, IUP and SRU have combined for 69 penalties for 655 yards; last year's meeting featured 23 fouls for 221 yards

NOTEBOOK

IUP AND SLIPPERY ROCK SET FOR HOMECOMING CLASH
For the second straight week, the Crimson Hawks play against a rival as they host Slippery Rock on Homecoming. The Rock looks to end their two-game losing streak to IUP and exact revenge after IUP defeated SRU 34-17 on its Homecoming a year ago. 

IUP HAS 52-18-3 RECORD IN HOMECOMING GAMES
First recorded in 1942 and played annually since 1946, IUP has 52 wins in 73 previous Homecoming games with a winning percentage of .733. IUP has won seven straight dating back to 2011, but its longest streak is 13 wins from 1984-96. IUP has hosted its rival Slippery Rock for Homecoming 11 previous times and owns a record of 7-4 in those matchups. The Crimson Hawks defeated SRU 48-19 on Homecoming 2016. 

COACH TORTORELLA's HEAD COACHING CAREER OFF TO GREAT START
Coach Tortorella is off to a hot start in his head coaching career, posting a 17-2 overall record through his first 19 games. He already had the best season of any first year IUP coach (13-1) but also boasts the best record in his first 19 games of anyone in program history.  

COACH TORTORELLA IS 5-0 AGAINST TOP 25 TEAMS
In just his second season leading the IUP program, Coach Tortorella already has five wins in as many chances against opponents ranked in the top 25. That includes a pair of Ashland, and last year's wins over California (Pa.), Slippery Rock, and Assumption in the playoffs. 

CRIMSON HAWKS HAVE WON 20 OF LAST 21 HOME GAMES
Annually a good home team, IUP has won 20 of its last 21 games played at Miller Stadium dating back to September 2015. It's only loss during that run came to West Florida (27-17) in last year's national semifinal. Including that loss, IUP is outscoring opponents 797-340 at home, or an average of 37.9 to 16.2.

IUP HAS BEEN RANKED IN TOP 25 FOR 33 STRAIGHT POLL RELEASES
With week five's loss at Cal, the Crimson Hawks plummeted in the national rankings to No. 14 in the AFCA Coaches' and No. 13 in the D2Football Media polls. It ends a run of 17 consecutive weeks in the top five, but continues a streak of 33 straight poll releases ranked in the top 25. 

IUP IS PSAC WEST's WINNINGEST TEAM SINCE 2011
Since 2011, IUP has the most overall wins and conference wins of any team in the PSAC West. The program owns an overall record of 70-18 (.795) along with a conference record of 41-12 (.774) during that span, with four PSAC West shared or outright regular season titles and a pair of conference championships. 

IUP SPREAD OFFENSE DOMINANT SINCE 2015
Since moving to a spread offense in 2015, the Crimson Hawks have been a dominant force with the ability to move the ball and score on the ground or through the air. Last year was one of the best passing seasons in school history with 31 touchdowns, while 2016's 48 rushing TDs was a record, and 2015's 293.6 rushing yards per game broke a school mark. 

QB LENNY WILLIAMS OWNS FIVE IUP CAREER RECORDS, COULD BREAK SEVERAL MORE
In week three's win at Lock Haven, R-Sr. QB Lenny Williams Jr. broke the IUP career record for total touchdowns and heads into week six with 92 (64 pass, 28 rush). Williams currently owns 17 school game, season and career records. 

WILLIAMS AVERAGING 341 TOTAL YARDS, HAS 9 TDs IN CAREER vs. SLIPPERY ROCK 
Williams has been at his best against rival Slippery Rock, totaling 1,024 and nine touchdowns in three 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. He followed with 244 passing yards on just 11 completions in 2016, and an 82 completion percentage and 3 TDs in last year's top 10 showdown on the road. 

IUP STILL LOOKING FOR FIRST 100-YARD RUSHER; 49-9 SINCE 2011 WHEN A PLAYER HITS 100 YARDS
Through five games in 2018, the Crimson Hawks have yet to see a player rush for 100 yards in a game. IUP rushed for a season-high 236 yards in week five, with Jr. RB Samir Bullock leading the way with 90 yards on 12 carries. Since the start of the 2011 season, IUP has had at least one player rush for 100 yards in 58 of its 89 games played, going 49-9 in those contests. 

TEMPLE LOOKS TO MOVE UP THE RECORD BOOKS IN FINAL SEASON
R-Sr. RB Chris Temple returned to the field in 2018 after missing all of last year with an injury. At 5-11 and 225 pounds, Temple is IUP's largest back and should be a threat in short yardage and goal line situations. He enters his final season in the top 10 in five career categories, including 2nd behind IUP great Michael Mann with 38 rushing touchdowns. 

TEMPLE, EVANS LOOK TO GET INCREASED WORKLOAD
With the injury to Bullock in week five, Temple and So. RB Justice Evans will see an increase in carries against Slippery Rock and in games to come. Evans is third on the team with 232 rushing yards and 46.4 yards per game on 59 carries, a season after finishing with 1,011 yards and a 6.6 yard average. Temple has received most of his touches in short yardage, totaling 61 yards and 3 TDs on 22 carries. So. RB Tyler Balega (67 yards) could also see more touches. 
 
DOM MCNEIL ONE OF TOP DEEP THREATS IN PSAC
Jr. WR Dom McNeil is among the PSAC leaders with a 22.2 yards per catch average (2nd), 422 receiving yards (5th), 84.4 yards per game (6th), and 3 receiving TDs (9th). He's led the Crimson Hawks in receiving yards each game this season, and has a team-best 6 receptions of 20 yards or more. For his career, McNeil has 52 receptions for 1,060 yards (20.4 avg) and 8 TDs. He has 16 receptions of 20 or more yards. 

JOE PETERSON RETURNS TO STARTING LINEUP, ADDING DEPTH TO OFFENSIVE LINE
Sr. LT Joe Peterson returned to action in week five after missing three-plus games due to injury. He's now back at the top of the depth chart at left tackle, where he has 29 career starts. This move adds depth to the IUP offensive line, which has been hit by injury this year. R-Fr. Darrell Davis, who has started the last three games at Peterson's spot, and Gr. Rocco Esposito will provide depth across the line. 

CRIMSON HAWKS ANNUALLY ONE OF BEST IN NATION IN TURNOVER MARGIN
Since 2015, the Crimson Hawks have been one of the best in all of Division II with a combined turnover margin of +56. IUP led the nation in 2016 with a +25 margin and ranked 32nd a year ago at +11. The IUP defense has forced 102 turnovers during that span, including 35 in 2016. 

IUP HAS 25 DEFENSIVE TDs SINCE 2011; HAS 20-1 RECORD WHEN THE DEFENSE SCORES
The Crimson Hawks defense recorded their first touchdown of the season in week two when R-Jr. CB JR Stevens returned an interception 80 yards. Last year the Crimson Hawks had four defensive scores and have 25 since 2011, going a combined 20-1 during that span when the defense gets in the end zone. 

FIRST HALF DEFENSE FOR CRIMSON HAWKS HAS BEEN STRONG
IUP's first half defensive performances have been very strong through four weeks, allowing just 20 points and an average of 133 total yards in the first 30 minutes of games. No. 15 Ashland did the most damage with 166 yards and 10 points, with the IUP defense allowing 368 yards and 13 points on 98 total plays in the last three games. 

IUP HELD WITHOUT A SACK FOR FIRST TIME THIS SEASON; TALLIED 18 IN FIRST FOUR WEEKS
The Cal offense didn't let the Crimson Hawks bring down its QB in week five, the first time IUP has been held without a sack all season. Through the first four weeks IUP put up historically good numbers, with its 18 sacks the most through four games since 2003. The Crimson Hawks' 3.60 average per game is still 2nd in the PSAC and 10th in Division II.  

EASTERLING AND TILLMAN AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN SACKS
Most of IUP's sack total can be attributed to its defensive ends: Sr. Deandre Easterling and Jr. Dondrea Tillman. With 4.5 sacks apiece, they have produced half of the team total and are tied for 29th in Division II. Easterling is also 9th among PSAC players in TFLs with 6.5.

DEFENSIVE LINE PROVING TO BE ANOTHER DEEP GROUP
With the exception of Easterling (41 games), Tillman (30), and Sr. DT Dyllon Scott (33), the IUP defensive front is inexperienced. But DL Coach Anthony Leonard has used a rotation of eight players who have combined for 20.0 tackles-for-loss and 15.0 sacks. Five of those eight are freshman or sophomore eligible and have combined for 47 career games played. 

LLOYD, AMENDOLA STARTING TO MAKE THEIR PRESENCE FELT
After a quiet first couple weeks of the season, junior linebackers Damon Lloyd and Nick Amendola have started to ramp up their production. Lloyd has 17 tackles and 2.0 TFLs over the last two weeks, adding a sack and two pass breakups against Mercyhurst. He leads the team with 34 tackles. Amendola has posted back-to-back 10 tackle outings and is tied for 2nd on the team with 31 stops this year. 

CARTER 2ND NATIONALLY IN KICK RETURN AVERAGE, HAD 95-YARD TOUCHDOWN AT CAL
The IUP return game is much improved in 2018 with Fr. WR Qashah Carter leading the charge. He leads the PSAC and ranks 2nd in Division Ii with a 35.1 kickoff return average, returning one 95 yards for a touchdown in week five. That return earned him PSAC West Special Teams Athlete of the Week honors, as it was the first KOR for a score since Pat Brewer in 2012 (92 yards at Millersville). As a team, IUP is 2nd in the nation with a 32.00 kick return average and 47th with a 11.78 punt return average.