GAMEDAY CENTRAL
No. 3/4 IUP Crimson Hawks (3-0, 0-0 PSAC West)
vs. Mercyhurst Lakers (1-2, 0-0 PSAC West)
Saturday, September 22, 2018 | 4 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)
Mercyhurst Game Preview 

THE GAME
The 3rd-ranked Crimson Hawks return home to open PSAC West divisional play when they host Mercyhurst Saturday. Kickoff for the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame Game at George P. Miller Stadium is set for 4 p.m. The Crimson Hawks enter with a 3-0 record after last weekend's 59-17 win at Lock Haven. This will be their first Saturday home game of the season, defeating Millersville 41-7 on a Thursday night home opener in week two. Mercyhurst is 1-2 overall, getting its first victory a week ago with a 14-10 win over Bloomsburg.  

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
• The Crimson Hawks are 3-0 for the second straight year and fifth time since 2012; they've made the postseason three of those previous four years
• IUP is 8-2 all-time against the Lakers since they joined the PSAC in 2008; the Crimson Hawks have seven straight wins in the series
• Last year Mercyhurst led IUP 10-7 at halftime before the Crimson Hawks responded with 29 straight points; four games in this series have been decided by 11 points or less
• 11 of Mercyhurst's last 14 games have been decided by 8 points or less, including all three this year; the Lakers are 4-7 in those games
• The Crimson Hawks are 19-1 in home games dating back to September 2015, including 31-20 win over Mercyhurst in 2016
• IUP is 19-2 in PSAC West regular season games since 2015, with both of those losses coming on the road (SRU, Cal) 
• The Crimson Hawks have won six straight divisional openers and 33 of the last 35 since 1983
• QB Lenny Williams Jr. is just 2 TD passes from tying Tony Aliucci for 3rd all-time with 65; Williams has thrown for 3 TDs in each of IUP's three games this year
• 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
• The Lakers have given up just 2 sacks this season, among the best in Division II; the IUP defense is 4th in the nation with 13 sacks - 4.33 per game
• 24 of Mercyhurst's 43 points this year have come in the first half; IUP has allowed just 13 points in the first half of games

NOTEBOOK

COACH TORTORELLA's HEAD COACHING CAREER OFF TO GREAT START
Now in his second season at the helm of the Crimson Hawks, Coach Tortorella has been nearly perfect with a 16-1 overall record. No other first year head coach in IUP history put together a season like he did in 2017, going 13-1 with a PSAC title and national semifinal apperance. 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 3-0 FOR FOURTH TIME SINCE 2012
With their 59-17 win at Lock Haven in week three, the Crimson Hawks started the year 3-0 for the second straight season and fourth time since 2012. Dating back to 2000 (18 years), IUP has started 3-0 10 times, and made it to the Division II playoffs six of those occasions. 

COACH TORTORELLA NOW TO 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 19 OF LAST 20 HOME GAMES
Always a good home team, IUP has won 19 of its last 20 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 762-333 at home, or an average of 38.1 to 16.7.

IUP IS 33-2 IN PSAC WEST OPENERS DATING BACK TO 1983
IUP has had incredible success in PSAC West openers going back to 1983, winning 33 of those 35 games, including last year's 38-7 home win over Edinboro. The Crimson Hawks' two PSAC West-opening losses have come to Mercyhurst in 2009 (20-16) and Slippery Rock in 2011 (20-6) - both on the road. IUP is on a current streak of six straight PSAC West-opening wins dating back to 2012, and boasted a 26-game streak from 1983-2008.

IUP IS PSAC WEST's WINNINGEST TEAM SINCE 1986
Since 1986, IUP has the most overall wins and divisional wins of any team in the PSAC West. The program owns an overall record of 279-87-1 (.762) along with a conference record of 166-38-1 (.812) during that span. IUP has won or shared 17 PSAC West titles since 1986 (32 years).  

IUP HAS BEEN RANKED IN TOP 25 FOR 31 STRAIGHT POLL RELEASES
The Crimson Hawks remained in the top five in a pair of national polls, coming in at No. 3 in the AFCA Coaches' and No. 4 in the D2Football Media Top 25 rankings. IUP has now been ranked for 31 straight weeks, dating back to the 2015 preseason. 

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 SET ANOTHER IUP CAREER RECORD LAST WEEK
In week three's win at Lock Haven, R-Sr. QB Lenny Williams Jr. broke the IUP career record for total touchdowns with 89. With four total TDs (3 pass, 1 rush) Saturday, Williams moved past Brian Eyerman's (1999-02) record of 88. Williams currently owns 17 school game, season and career records. 

WILLIAMS RANKS IN THE TOP 10 NATIONALLY IN SIX CATEGORIES
Williams again finds himself as one of the nation's statistical leaders, ranking in the top 10 of Division II in six different offensive categories, including second in passer efficiency (209.4), fourth in passing TDs (9), fifth in passing yards per attempt (10.35), seventh in completion percentage (69.2) and points responsible for (60), and eighth in points responsible for per game (20.0). 

IUP STILL LOOKING FOR FIRST 100-YARD RUSHER; 49-9 SINCE 2011 WHEN A PLAYER HITS 100 YARDS
Through three games in 2018, the Crimson Hawks have yet to see a player rush for 100 yards in a game. Despite a season-high 206 rushing yards in week three, five different players gained at least 20 yards in the blowout win. Since the start of the 2011 season, IUP has had at least one player rush for 100 yards in 58 of its 87 games played, going a combined 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 36 rushing touchdowns. 

IUP RECEIVING GROUP SHOWING DEPTH AND PLAYMAKING ABILITY 
Through three weeks, seven different wide receivers (and 10 players total) have caught at least two passes for the Crimson Hawks. Five of those seven have caught a touchdown pass and four have combined for eight receptions of 20-plus yards. 

DOM MCNEIL ONE OF TOP DEEP THREATS IN PSAC
Jr. WR Dom McNeil is among the PSAC leaders with 274 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs, and 91.3 receiving yards per game, despite catching just 11 passes in three games. He's responsible for IUP's two longest plays of the year - a 60-yard TD in week two and an 84-yard score in week three. McNeil's 24.9 yards per reception leads the PSAC and ranks 17th in Division II. 

BIG RECEIVERS GIVE IUP AN ADDED DIMENSION IN RED ZONE
Grad. WR Ricky Rogers is tied for the PSAC-lead with 4 touchdown receptions, including 3 in his IUP debut at Ashland. At 6-2, he provides outside size in red zone and jump ball situations. R-Jr. WR JoJo Gause (6-3) and R-Sr. WR Miles Williamson (6-4) are additional big targets who have a combined 7 catches and 3 TDs.

OFFENSIVE LINE PRODUCING DESPITE INJURIES
The Crimson Hawks are dealing with injuries up front, but the reshuffling is still getting results. IUP rushed for a season-best 206 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry in week three, and has 5 rushing scores in the last two games. R-Fr. Darrell Davis will get his third straight start at left tackle replacing Sr. Joe Peterson, who has 29 career starts under his belt. 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 +54. 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 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. 

FIRST HALF DEFENSE FOR CRIMSON HAWKS HAS BEEN STRONG
IUP's first half defensive performances have been very strong through three weeks, allowing just 13 points and an average of 140 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 256 yards and three points on 67 total plays in the last two games. 

IUP's 13 SACKS RANK FOURTH IN DIVISION II; MOST SINCE 2003
The pressure put on quarterbacks by the IUP defense so far has been historically good, with the 13 sacks the most through three games since the 2003 team had 14. The 13 sacks leads the PSAC and is fourth in Division II, with IUP's average of 4.33 sacks per game ranking fifth. Seven different players - five linemen and two linebackers - have chipped in on the sack total. 

TILLMAN AND EASTERLING PROVIDING PRESSURE ON THE ENDS
Most of IUP's sack total can be attributed to its defensive ends: Jr. Dondrea Tillman and Sr. Deandre Easterling. Tillman's 4.0 total sacks is tied for 6th in Division II, with two of those coming in the week one win at Ashland. Easterling posted 2.5 sacks in that season-opening game and is second on the team with 3.5. For their careers, the pair has a combined 37.5 sacks. 

ALL-AMERICAN LLOYD ANCHORS TALENTED LINEBACKING GROUP
Jr. LB Damon Lloyd is 2nd on the team and most among IUP linebackers with 17 tackles through three games. The 2017 3rd team All-American finished 4th in the PSAC last year with 116 total tackles in his first year as a starter. He leads a group of four who are either sophomore or junior eligible, and have a combined 84 games played and 350 total tackles.  

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. 

PIETROPOLA HAS FOUND A HOME ON DEFENSE
Sr. FS Mike Pietropola is in his first year as a full-time defensive starter and ranks 3rd on the team with 15 total tackles through three games. 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. 

IUP RETURN TEAMS AMONG BEST STATISTICALLY IN DIVISION II
Through three games, IUP ranks 2nd in Division II with a 35.78 kickoff return average and 25th with a 14.50 punt return average. Those numbers can be attributed to a trio of newcomers who are giving the Crimson Hawks something they haven't had in several years. Fr. WR Qashah Carter is averaged 39.2 yards on KORs, including an 89-yarder in week two. Jr. WR Dwine Walls had a 58 yard KOR and R-So. DB Kyeer Geisinger returned a punt 53 yards in week three. 

NICO RUIZ BECOMING WEAPON IN KICKING GAME
Sr. P Nico Ruiz is putting together a big year, averaging 46.5 yards per punt through three games. That average would be enough to rank 2nd in Division II, but with just 10 total punts, he doesn't have enough to qualify. Four of those 10 punts have gone for 50 yards, including a long of 57 against Millersville. Ruiz has also pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line three times.