GAMEDAY CENTRAL
No. 2/2 IUP Crimson Hawks (4-0, 1-0 PSAC West)
at California (Pa.) Vulcans (2-2, 1-0 PSAC West)
Saturday, September 29, 2018 | 6 p.m.
Adamson Stadium | California, Pa.
*Rankings reflect AFCA/D2Football Top 25 Polls

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

IUP Game Notes (PDF)
California Game Preview

THE GAME
The 2nd-ranked Crimson Hawks renew their annual rivalry game with California (Pa.) as the two square off in the 10th Coal Bowl Saturday night. Kickoff at Cal's Adamson Stadium is set for 6 p.m. IUP enters the game with a perfect 4-0 record and is coming off a 34-7 division-opening home win over Mercyhurst a week ago. The Vulcans opened the season with close road losses to No. 23 Ohio Dominican (28-23) and Kutztown (34-31), but have won two straight, including a 40-35 home win over Edinboro. 

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
• Cal has owned the Coal Bowl series with a record of 6-3 in the nine previous meetings; the Vulcans are 4-0 in home Coal Bowl games, and haven't lost to IUP at Adamson since 2006 (6-0)
• IUP has won three of the last five Coal Bowl meetings dating back to 2013
• Despite the lopsided advantage, Coal Bowl scores have been mostly close with five one-score games, including the 26-24 Cal home win in 2012; Cal averages 21.9 points in the series and IUP averages 20.4
• The Crimson Hawks are 4-0 for the third straight year and fourth time since 2013
• In IUP's three wins over Cal since 2013, the defense gave up an average of 96 rushing and 182 passing  yards per game; this year Cal is averaging 482 yards of total offense
• The Crimson Hawks also had 7 combined interceptions in those three wins; this year Fr. QB Noah Mitchell leads the PSAC with 9 interceptions thrown
• QB Lenny Williams jr. is 2-1 against Cal, averaging 248.7 total yards with 6 combined touchdowns; he was the Coal Bowl MVP last year (268 pass yds, 3 TD) and has a pair of 100-yard rushing games against the Vulcans (2015, 2016)
• Cal is 128th in Division II with a -4 turnover margin, giving the ball up 12 times (9 INT, 3 fumb) in four games; IUP is +6 in TO margin and has 9 takeaways
• This year there is a discrepancy in penalties this year, as the Vulcans commit more than 82 yards in penalties per game while IUP is flagged for less than 42 yards
• IUP faces another tough offensive line this week as Cal has given up just 2 sacks in four games; IUP averages 4.50 sacks per game and had 5 last week against a strong Mercyhurst line
• IUP is looking for its first 100-yard rusher of the year; Cal gave up a combined 348 yards and 5 TDs to Kutztown and Edinboro

NOTEBOOK

IUP AND CAL BATTLE IN THE 10TH ANNUAL COAL BOWL
This is the 10th installment of the yearly trophy game between rivals IUP and California (Pa.). The Vulcans hold the upper hand in the Coal Bowl series, which began in 2009, winning six of the previous nine matchups. IUP's three trophy wins have come in the last five meetings, all at home, as Cal has not lost to IUP at Adamson Stadium since 2006 (six games). 

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 17-1 overall record through his first 18 games. He already had the best season of any first year IUP coach (13-1) but also boasts the best record in his first 18 games of anyone in program history.  

CRIMSON HAWKS START 4-0 FOR FOURTH TIME SINCE 2013
With their 34-7 win over Mercyhurst in week four, the Crimson Hawks started the year 4-0 for the third straight time and fifth since 2007. Dating back to 2000 (18 years), IUP has started 4-0 eight total times, and made it to the Division II playoffs six of those previous seven occasions. 

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 ARE 7-0 ON THE ROAD UNDER TORTORELLA
Though a small sample size, IUP is undefeated on the road in the Coach Tortorella era at 7-0. Key victories include a 34-17 win over #9 Slippery 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 HAS BEEN RANKED IN TOP 25 FOR 32 STRAIGHT POLL RELEASES
The Crimson Hawks moved up to No. 2 in this week's AFCA Coaches' and D2Football Media Top 25 rankings. That makes 32 straight weeks that IUP has been ranked in the top 25 dating back to the 2015 preseason, including 17 consecutive weeks in the top five. 

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 70-17 (.805) along with a conference record of 41-11 (.788) 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 five with 91 (64 pass, 27 rush). Williams currently owns 17 school game, season and career records. 

WILLIAMS RANKS IN THE TOP 20 NATIONALLY IN SIX CATEGORIES
Williams again finds himself as one of the nation's statistical leaders, ranking in the top 20 of Division II in six different offensive categories, including 4th in passer efficiency (184.1), 10th in passing TDs (10), 11th in completion percentage (67.2), 13th in passing yards per attempt (9.25) and points responsible for (72), and 16th in points responsible for per game (18.0). 

IUP STILL LOOKING FOR FIRST 100-YARD RUSHER; 49-9 SINCE 2011 WHEN A PLAYER HITS 100 YARDS
Through four 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 88 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. 

DOM MCNEIL ONE OF TOP DEEP THREATS IN PSAC
Jr. WR Dom McNeil is among the PSAC leaders with a 22.0 yards per catch average (4th), 352 receiving yards and 88.0 yards per game (6th), and 3 receiving TDs (t-7th). He's led the Crimson Hawks in receiving yards each game this season, and has a team-best 5 receptions of 20 yards or more. 

BIG RECEIVERS GIVE IUP AN ADDED DIMENSION IN RED ZONE
Grad. WR Ricky Rogers is tied for 4th in the PSAC 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 9 receptions for 80 yards and 4 touchdowns. 

DWINE WALLS SAW INCREASED PLAYING TIME AT RECEIVER IN WEEK FOUR
Jr. transfer WR Dwine Walls saw a big increase in playing time against Mercyhurst, catching five passes for 57 yards. He had 2 receptions during IUP's second scoring drive of the opening quarter, including a 30-yard catch and run that led to a TD on the very next play. Walls is 3rd on the team with 8 receptions and 96 yards through four games. 

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 6 rushing scores in the last two games. R-Fr. LT Darrell Davis was named the offensive player of the week by the coaches after IUP's 34-7 win over Mercyhurst, his third start in replace of Sr. Joe Peterson.  

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's 18 SACKS THIRD MOST IN DIVISION II; BEST FOUR-GAME START IN YEARS
The pressure put on quarterbacks by the IUP defense so far has been historically good, with the 18 sacks the most through four games since the 2003. The Crimson Hawks' 18 sacks are tied for 3rd in Division II while their 4.50 sacks per game are tied for 5th. Eight different players - six linemen and two linebackers - have chipped in on the sack total. 

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 13th in Division II. They also each rank in the top 10 among PSAC players in TFLs - Easterling has 6.5 and Tillman 5.5. 

DEFENSIVE LINE PROVING TO BE ANOTHER DEEP GROUP
With the exception of Easterling (40 games), Tillman (29), and Sr. DT Dyllon Scott (32), the IUP defensive front is inexperienced. But DL Coach Anthony Leonard has used a rotation of eight players who have combined for 19.0 tackles-for-loss and 15.0 sacks. Five of those eight are eight freshman of sophomore eligible and have combined for 42 career games played. 

NEW FACES IN SECONDARY MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS EARLY IN SEASON
The Crimson Hawks returned just two starters in the secondary, but several new (and old) faces are making contributions with increased playing time. Sr. FS Mike Pietropola is 3rd on the team and leads all defensive backs with 22 tackles. Jr. SS Shaq Jones and Gr. DB Yawn Coleman Jr. - both transfers - have combined for 25 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, 5 pass breakups, and 2 fumble recoveries.  

IUP RETURN TEAMS AMONG BEST STATISTICALLY IN DIVISION II
Through four games, IUP ranks 2nd in Division II with a 34.72 kickoff return average and 20th with a 15.17 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 leads the PSAC and ranks 3rd in Division II with a 36.9 KOR average, including an 89-yard return in week three. IUP's returners have combined for four KORs of 30-plus yards and two PRs of more than 20 yards.

NICO RUIZ BECOMING WEAPON IN KICKING GAME
Sr. P Nico Ruiz is putting together a big year, averaging 45.8 yards per punt through four games. That average would be enough to rank 3rd in Division II, but with just 12 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. In week four, Ruiz showed off his running ability by converting a 4th-and-2 with a 27-yard run on a fake punt.