GAMEDAY CENTRAL
No. 4/4 IUP Crimson Hawks (1-0, 0-0 PSAC West)
vs. Millersville Marauders (0-1, 0-0 PSAC East)
Thursday, September 6, 2018 | 6:30 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
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Live Stats: IUPStats.com | StatBroadcast
Live Updates: Twitter | @IUPfootball

IUP Game Notes (PDF)
Millersville Game Preview

THE GAME
The 4th-ranked Crimson Hawks will play in their second straight primetime game when they host Millersville Thursday at George P. Miller Stadium. Kickoff on Frank Cignetti Field is set for 6:30 p.m. IUP is coming off an exciting 21-17 win at No. 15 Ashland in week one, clinching the victory with a defensive stand in the final minute. Millersville enters the game winless after a 23-10 loss to Pace (NY) last Thursday night. 

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, or watch IUP-TV Sports presentation online.

STORYLINES
• The Crimson Hawks look to start the year 2-0 for the third straight season and fifth time since 2012
• IUP owns a 13-5 all-time record against Millersville, including five straight wins dating back to 2007; the Crimson Hawks defeated Millersville 62-3 on Homecoming 2013
• The Crimson Hawks are 18-1 at home dating back to their second game of 2015; their only loss was to West Florida in last year's national semifinals
• Heat could play a factor early on with a game time temperature expected to be 80 degrees
• QB Lenny Williams Jr. should pass a pair of IUP greats in the record books - he's 70 passing yards behind Rich Ingold (6454) and 6 completions behind Tony Aliucci (452) for 4th all-time in each category
• Williams is also 6 total TDs away from tying Brian Eyerman for 1st all-time with 88 TDs responsible for
• Williams could be coming back as a run threat this year, rushing for 63 yards last week at Ashland; that total was his highest since rushing for 110 yards in one half at Gannon on Oct. 29, 2016
• WR Ricky Rogers earned PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Week honors with 6 catches for 73 yards and 3 TDs in his IUP debut
• The IUP defense had 5.0 sacks at Ashland, with a combined 4.5 coming from DEs Deandre Easterling and Dondrea Tillman
• P Nico Ruiz had a strong start averaging 45 yards on three punts, pinning Ashland inside its own 20 on two occasions
• The Crimson Hawks are 30-7 (.811) against PSAC East teams since 2006, including eight straight wins dating back to 2015

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 COMING OFF SECOND STRAIGHT SEASON-OPENING WIN OVER RANKED ASHLAND
For the second time in as many years, IUP defeated a top-25 Ashland team in the season opener, this one a 21-17 road victory last Thursday. Transfer receiver Ricky Rogers caught 6 passes for 73 yards, and scored all 3 IUP touchdowns, while Sr. DE Deandre Easterling had 2.5 sacks in the season-opening win. 

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 IN SEASON OPENERS
After its win in week one, IUP is 52-33-3 (.608) all-time in season openers. The Crimson Hawks had a streak of nine straight season-opening wins from 2006-14, which ended with a 34-33 loss to Kutztown in 2015. But they've still won 18 of their last 21 openers dating back to 1998. 

IUP vs. THE PSAC EAST
Since 2006, IUP is 30-7 (.811) against teams from the PSAC East, including four wins (ESU, Cheyney, West Chester twice) a year ago. The Crimson Hawks have won eight straight against foes from the East dating back to 2015. IUP carries a 13-5 record against Millersville all-time with five straight victories over the Marauders (2007-09, 2012-13). 

CRIMSON HAWKS HAVE WON 18 OF 19 HOME GAMES SINCE 2015
Always a good home team, IUP has won 18 of its last 19 games played at Miller Stadium dating back to September 2015. It's only loss during that time came to West Florida (27-17) in last year's national semifinal. Including that loss, IUP is outscoring opponents 721-326 at home, or an average of 37.9 to 17.2. 

IUP HOLDS STEADY IN TOP 25 POLLS; EXTENDS RANKED STREAK TO 29 STRAIGHT POLL RELEASES
The Crimson Hawks opened the preseason ranked No. in both the AFCA Coaches' and D2Football.com Media polls. Most of the top 10 teams in the nation picked up wins last week, so IUP held steady in each respective poll. This extends IUP's streak to 29 straight poll releases ranked in the top 25, which began with the AFCA's 2015 postseason ranking. 

CRIMSON HAWKS PICKED TO WIN PSAC WEST; MILLERSVILLE 6TH 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 ENTERS 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 (.638). Williams took over in his second game back in 2015 and has started 35 times, owning a 31-4 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 6,384), pass completions (446), and passing touchdowns (57). 

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 5,874 yards and 64 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 84 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 35 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. 

CRIMSON HAWKS HEAD INTO 2018 WITH NEW LOOK RECEIVING CORPS
Rogers is joined in the starting lineup by R-Jrs. JoJo Gause and Dom McNeil, the only two receivers back who earned major playing time in 2017. McNeil only started one game in 2017, but finished second on the team with 32 receptions, 632 yards (19.8 avg.) and 5 TDs. Gause has 22 starts in three years at IUP with a combined 47 receptions, 644 yards and 8 scores. Other WRs listed on the two-deep are Jr. Zac Kelly, Jr. transfer Dwine Walls, and Fr. walk-on Qashah Carter. 

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. 

INJURIES IN WEEK ONE LEAD TO SHAKEUP FOR MILLERSVILLE
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. This week IUP will have a new look, 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 +51. IUP led the nation in 2016 with a +25 margin and ranked 32nd a year ago at +11. The IUP defense has forced 98 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). The Crimson Hawks led the PSAC with 23 interceptions, and ranked in the top three in total, scoring, rushing and pass defense. 

IUP SCORED FOUR DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS IN 2017; 19-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN THE DEFENSE SCORES
IUP finished last year 2nd in the PSAC and 15th in Division II with four defensive touchdowns - two fumble and two interception returns. Jr. DE Dondrea Tillman was responsible for two such scores, returning a pick 19 yards against Cheyney and a fumble eight yards at Mercyhurst. The Crimson Hawks have 24 defensive scores since 2011, going 19-1 during that span when scoring from the defensive side. 

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. 

RUSH ENDS EASTERLING AND TILLMAN PROVIDE OUTSIDE PRESSURE
One big factor in week one's 21-17 win at Ashland was the pressure generated by the IUP defensive front, which combined for 5.0 sacks. Sr. DE Deandre Easterling had 2.5 sacks while Jr. Dondrea Tillman had 2.0, giving the Crimson Hawks a lethal combination. Easterling's sack of AU QB Billy Bahl on 3rd-and-3 from the IUP 25 with less than a minute left was the key play that gave IUP the win. Easterling and Tillman have a combined 174 tackles, 53.0 TFLs and 34.5 sacks in their careers.  

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. 

IUP BOASTS ANOTHER ALL-AMERICAN IN STEVENS WHO RETURNS AT CORNER
R-Jr. JR Stevens returns for his second season as IUP's starting cornerback after posting All-American honors a year ago. Stevens led all of Division II with 18 passes broken up and 25 total passes defensed, ranking sixth in the country with seven interceptions. Stevens opened up 2018 strong with a team-high 8 tackles and 1.0 TFL against Ashland, picking up a key stop on 4th down to end the game. 

DAVIS JOINS STEVENS TO FORM STRONG DUO AT CORNER
R-Sr. CB Anthony Davis will play the boundary opposite of Stevens after starting eight games a year ago. Davis was one of the team leaders with 52 tackles, adding three interceptions and 12 additional pass breakups, one of the best marks in the conference.  

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. 

IUP's FULL COMPLIMENT OF SPECIALISTS RETURN 
The Crimson Hawks welcome back all three kickers and their long snapper from a season ago to form one of the team's most experienced groups. R-Jr. PK Dillon Sarka earned 2nd team All-PSAC West honors last year after making 15-19 field goals and leading the team with 102 points. Sr. P Nico Ruiz averaged 37.3 yards on 46 punts, putting 13 inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Sr. PK Sean Bowling returns as IUP's kickoff specialist, as does its long snapper in Soph. Gunnar Royer.