GAMEDAY CENTRAL
No. 3/4 IUP Crimson Hawks (2-0, 0-0 PSAC West)
at Lock Haven Bald Eagles (0-2, 0-0 PSAC East)
Saturday, September 15, 2018 | 12 p.m.
Hubert Jack Stadium | Lock Haven, Pa.
*Rankings reflect AFCA/D2Football Top 25 Polls

Watch: GoLHU.com | StretchInternet
Listen: WQMU 92.5 FM | u92radio.com
Listen (smartphone): U92 Sports App
Live Stats: GoLHU.com | SidearmStats
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUPfootball

IUP Game Notes (PDF)
Lock Haven Game Notes (coming soon)

THE GAME
The 4th-ranked Crimson Hawks head out on the road for the second time when they travel to Lock Haven to face the Bald Eagles Saturday. Kickoff at Hubert Jack Stadium is set for noon. This will be the first Saturday game for IUP this season, which enters the weekend with a 2-0 record after Thursday night wins over #15 Ashland (21-17) and Millersville (41-7). Lock Haven is 0-2 on the year with losses at Duquesne (45-0) and home to Clarion (30-21). This is the final early season crossover game for both teams with divisional play starting next weekend. 

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 2-0 for the third straight year and fifth time since 2012; they've made the postseason three of those previous four years
• IUP owns a 57-15-3 all-time record in the Lock Haven series, including a run of 33 straight wins dating back to 1982; IUP has 15 straight wins at Lock Haven, the last loss in 1981 
• The Crimson Hawks are 15-4 in road games dating back to the 2015 season; they are 6-0 on the road under Coach Tortorella, including two top-25 wins
• The Crimson Hawks are 31-7 (.816) against PSAC East teams since 2006, including nine straight wins dating back to 2015
• QB Lenny Williams Jr. could break the IUP career record of 88 touchdowns responsible for, held by Brian Eyerman (99-02); Williams heads into the weekend with 85 (60 pass, 25 rush)
• R-Sr. RB Chris Temple is 10 yards shy of tying James Suber (95-96) for 7th all-time on the IUP rushing list; Temple heads into Saturday with 2,555 yards
• IUP is still looking for its first 100-yard rusher this season; IUP is 49-9 since 2011 when a player rushes for 100 yards
• An opportunistic Lock Haven defense has 4 interceptions this year; Williams has thrown 1 this year and 16 in 712 career passes
• The IUP defense is 7th in Division II with 9.0 sacks through two games; Lock Haven has given up just 2 sacks in games against Duquesne and Clarion
• Three LHU QBs have combined to throw 8 INTs in 56 attempts this year; the Crimson Hawks picked off 2 Millersville passes last year and were 4th in Division II last year with 23 picks

NOTEBOOK

COACH TORTORELLA LOOKS FOR REPEAT OF FIRST YEAR SUCCESS
No other first year head coach in IUP history put together a season like Coach Tortorella, who finished 13-1 with a Western Division title and PSAC Championship, and added an NCAA playoff run to the national semifinals. The previous "best year" from a first year IUP head coach came from Hall of Famer Frank Cignetti, who went 9-2 in 1986. 
 
LAST YEAR'S SEASON ONE TO REMEMBER
The 13 victories last year for the Crimson Hawks tied a program record set by the 1993 national finalist team. IUP advanced to the Division II semifinals for the seventh time in the program's illustrious history, and first time since 1999. Last year also marked the program's 21st PSAC West regular season (shared or outright) title, its seventh PSAC title game appearance, and fourth conference championship. 

CRIMSON HAWKS START 2-0 FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR
With their 41-7 win over Millersville in week two, the Crimson Hawks started the year 2-0 for the third straight time and fifth time since 2012. In three of the previous four instances IUP ended up in the Division II playoffs, including 2016 and 2017. 

COACH TORTORELLA IMPROVES TO 5-0 AGAINST TOP 25 TEAMS
In just his second second 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. 

IUP vs. THE PSAC EAST
Since 2006, IUP is 31-7 (.816) against teams from the PSAC East, including four wins (ESU, Cheyney, West Chester twice) a year ago. The Crimson Hawks have won nine straight against the East dating back to 2015. IUP carries a 57-15-3 all-time record against LHU with 33 straight victories dating back to 1982. 

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 6-0 ON THE ROAD UNDER TORTORELLA
Though a small sample size, IUP is undefeated on the road in the Coach Tortorella era at 6-0. Key victories include a 34-17 win over #9 Sliippery Rock, a 24-7 win over West Chester in last year's PSAC Championship, and a 21-17 win over #15 Ashland to open this season. 

IUP MOVES UP IN TOP 25 POLLS; EXTENDS RANKED STREAK TO 30 STRAIGHT POLL RELEASES
With their 2-0 start and a loss at the top of the rankings, the Crimson Hawks moved up to No. 3 in both the AFCA Coaches' and D2Football.com Media polls this week. This extends IUP's streak to 30 straight poll releases ranked in the top 25, which began with the AFCA's 2015 postseason ranking. 

CRIMSON HAWKS PICKED TO WIN PSAC WEST; LOCK HAVEN 7TH IN EAST
IUP was picked by the division coaches to repeat as PSAC West champs when the league announced its preseason polls in early August. The Crimson Hawks were the overwhelming favorite, picking up seven of the eight possible first place votes. They return 35 letterwinners and 13 starters from a team that finished ranked No. 3 in the AFCA Coaches' Top 25. 

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. 

RECORD-SETTING LENNY WILLIAMS IN FOURTH YEAR AS IUP STARTING QB
R-Sr. QB Lenny Williams Jr. returned for his fourth season behind center as the Crimson Hawks starter. He owns 16 school game, season and career records, including QB rush yards in a game (205), total offense in a season (3,195) and career completion percentage (.639). Williams took over in his second game back in 2015 and has started 35 times, owning a 32-4 career record with three NCAA playoff berths. Arguably IUP's best ever at the position, he's poised to break career records including passing yards (currently 6,504), pass completions (455), and passing touchdowns (60). 

DEEP RUNNING BACK GROUP AGAIN THE STRENGTH OF IUP OFFENSE
The biggest strength and deepest position for IUP's offense is again at running back. The Crimson Hawks' top three backs this year each have a 1,000-yard season to their name and have combined for 5,998 yards and 66 touchdowns in their careers. R-Sr. RB Chris Temple returns to the field after missing all of 2017 with an injury. 

IUP IS 49-9 SINCE 2011 WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS IN A GAME
Since the start of the 2011 season, IUP has had at least one player rush for 100 yards in 58 of its 86 games played, going a combined 49-9 in those contests. The Crimson Hawks have six players on the roster who have rushed for 100 yards in a game, with R-Sr. RB Chris Temple accounting for 10 of those. More info on page 10. 

TEMPLE LOOKS TO MOVE UP THE RECORD BOOKS IN FINAL SEASON
Temple's return gives the Crimson Hawks something they didn't have during last year's national semifinal season - size in the backfield. 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 36 rushing touchdowns. 

WR RICKY ROGERS MAKES A SPLASH IN FIRST GAME AT IUP
WR Ricky Rogers, a grad transfer from West Virginia, was named the PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Week after catching 6 passes for 73 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Crimson Hawks' 21-17 win at No. 15 Ashland last Thursday. His TD receptions came from 6, 20 and 13 yards out, each capping long scoring drives. His final scoring grab gave IUP a 21-10 lead with 10 minutes to play. 

DIVERSE RECEIVING GROUP GIVES PLENTY OF WEAPONS IN THE PASS GAME
In the week two win over Millersville, Williams connected on touchdown passes with three different receivers - Jr. Dom McNeil for 60 yards, Jr. JoJo Gause for 14 yards, and Sr. Miles Williamson for 8 yards. McNeil's score came on a deep seam route, while Gause and Williamson used their size on jump balls in the end zone. IUP's group of receivers features several small but quick receivers, like McNeil, Jr. Zac Kelly, Jr. Dwine Walls and Fr. Qashah Carter, along with bigger targets like Gause, Williamson, and Rogers. 

MCALLISTER LEADS OFFENSIVE LINE GROUP
R-Jr. LG Colin McAllister returns up front after earning All-American honors as a first year starter in 2017. He helped lead a group that paved the way for 256 rushing yards and 35 points per game as the only player to start all 14 games. McAllister was named a Preseason All-American by three media outlets (D2Football, Lindy's, Street & Smith's) this summer. 

OFFENSIVE LINE DEALING WITH EARLY INJURIES, ALLOWED JUST 1 SACK THROUGH TWO GAMES
The Crimson Hawks dealt with injuries along the offensive line against Ashland, which forced Coach Campolo to move players around to finish out the game. IUP used a different starting five in week two, with with R-Fr. Darrell Davis getting the start at left tackle replacing Sr. Joe Peterson. Peterson has 29 career starts under his belt, getting his first as a true freshman against Cal in 2015. The rest of the line includes LG McAllister, R-Jr. C Jeff Arnold, Soph. RG Josh Dauberman and R-Jr. RT Ken Roman. Gr. Rocco Esposito, who started eight games at right guard last year, will also see playing time. 

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 +52. IUP led the nation in 2016 with a +25 margin and ranked 32nd a year ago at +11. The IUP defense has forced 100 turnovers during that span, including 35 in 2016. 

IUP DEFENSE SHOWED EASY TRANSITION FROM TORTORELLA TO COACH SMITH
Under first year DC Coach Smith the IUP defense didn't skip a beat in 2017, ranking in the top 30 in Division II in six statistical categories. The stout unit allowed 20 or less points 10 times in 14 games, giving up a combined 27 points to nationally-ranked rivals California (10) and Slippery Rock (17). IUP led the PSAC with 23 interceptions, and ranked in the top three in total, scoring, rushing and pass defense. 

IUP GETS FIRST DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWN OF THE YEAR; 20-1 SINCE 2011 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 scores. 

DEFENSE WILL LOOK FOR MORE STRONG SECOND HALF PERFORMANCES
IUP had a suffocating second half defense all year, giving up an average of 137 yards with 10 total touchdowns in the final 30 minutes of 14 games. Opponents completed 49 percent of their passes, converted 31 percent third down chances, and averaged just 2.7 yards per rush against IUP in the second half. In their week one win over Ashland, the Crimson Hawks gave up 166 yards and one touchdown in the final 30 minutes. 

IUP HAS 9 SACKS SO FAR, EASTERLING AND TILLMAN PROVIDE OUTSIDE PRESSURE
Through two games the Crimson Hawks rank 2nd in the PSAC and 7th in Division II with 9.0 sacks. The pressure has been spread out, with six different players getting in on the action, but most Jr. DE Dondrea Tillman and Sr. DE Deandre Easterling lead the way. That lethal combination has combined for 5.5 sacks, with Easterling totaling 2.5 in the week one win over #15 Ashland. True freshmen Will Mayr and Dajour Fisher also chipped in during IUP's week two win. 

ALL-AMERICAN LLOYD ANCHORS ALWAYS TALENTED LINEBACKING GROUP
Jr. Damon Lloyd earned 3rd team All-American honors as he led the Crimson Hawks and finished 4th in the PSAC with 116 total tackles as a first year starter in 2017. He was a playmaker all over the field, adding 5.0 TFLs, two interceptions, and five pass breakups. Lloyd posted five double-digit tackle games, including a season-high 17 in the national semifinal loss to West Florida. Also back is Jr. Nick Amendola, who had 109 tackles last year, with R-Jr. Zack Weaver, R-Soph. Brenden Myers, and R-Jr. Bryon Williams adding depth. 

ALL-AMERICAN JR STEVENS PICKED UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF
R-Jr. JR Stevens intercepted 2 passes and returned one 80 yards for a touchdown in IUP's week two win over Millersville. That was the third 2-interception game and second pick-6 in the last two seasons as he brought his career totals to 10 interceptions, 164 yards and 2 TDs. Last year Stevens led Division II with 18 passes broken up and 25 total passes defensed, and ranked sixth in the country with seven interceptions. 

STEVENS AND DAVIS LEAD NEW LOOK SECONDARY
Along with the defensive line, the IUP secondary will also have a mostly new look for 2018. The versatile Sr. Mike Pietropola will step at free safety with 38 career games under his belt, and he'll be joined by transfer Jr. Shaq Jones at strong safety. Jr. John McDonald-Horner and grad transfer Yawn Coleman Jr. will compete for time at IUP's "Star" position, with transfers Cameron Jones, Kyeer Geisinger and Donte Terry, and R-Fr. Nate Bayer adding depth in the secondary. 

PIETROPOLA HAS FOUND A HOME ON DEFENSE
Pietropola entered his second year as a full-time defender - and first as a starter - in 2018. He came to IUP as a quarterback in 2015, stepping in for the injured Lenny Williams during the Crimson Hawks playoff run in 2016. He also practiced at wide receiver in 2016 before moving to safety last season. Pietropola serves as IUP's holder on kicks and will return punts. 

QASHAR CARTER MAKES BIG IMPRESSION ON SPECIAL TEAMS
Fr. WR Qashar Carter returned week two's opening kickoff 89 yards to the Millersville 1-yard line, leading to an IUP touchdown. It was the longest kick return for IUP since Pat Brewer scored a 92-yard touchdown against Millersville in 2012. Carter is currently second in Division II with a 45.8-yard average on 4 returns. 

NICO RUIZ BECOMING WEAPON IN KICKING GAME
Sr. P Nico Ruiz had another big performance with a pair of 50-yard punts in IUP's week two win over Millersville. Through two games, Ruiz leads the PSAC and ranks 6th in Division II with a 46.5 average on eight punts. Three of his punts have gone for 50-plus yards, including a long of 57, and he's pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line three times.