#19/21 IUP CRIMSON HAWKS vs. CAL U VULCANS
Saturday, October 5 | 2 p.m. | Frank Cignetti Field @ George P. Miller Stadium

Game Notes: IUP (4-0, 1-0 PSAC West) | Cal U (3-1, 1-0 PSAC West) | PSAC Notes

Watch: IUPAthletics.com/watch, PSAC Network App | Listen: WQMU 92.5, U92 Sports App; WIUP-FM, TuneIn App | Live Stats: IUPAthletics.com | Twitter Updates: @IUPfootball

THE GAME
The 19th-ranked Crimson Hawks return home to host rival Cal U in the 11th annual Coal Bowl during IUP's Homecoming weekend this Saturday. Kickoff from Frank Cignetti Field @ George P. Miller Stadium is scheduled for 2 p.m. 

IUP brings a sterling 4-0 overall record and pair of top 25 rankings into its Homecoming matchup the the Vulcans. The Crimson Hawks put together another blowout road victory a week ago, scoring 35 straight points to put away Mercyhurst 56-24 in Erie. So. WR Duane Brown finished with 184 all-purpose yards and 4 total touchdowns while the IUP defense had 2 interceptions and 4 sacks. 

The Vulcans enter the weekend with a 3-1 overall record and are coming off a 24-7 road win over Edinboro in their divisional opener in week four. The Vulcans totaled 425 yards of offense and limited the Fighting Scots to just six first downs in the victory. 

QUICK NOTES / STORY LINES
• The Crimson Hawks have started four straight seasons with a 4-0 record, the longest streak in program history
• This marks the 11th meeting between IUP and Cal U in the Coal Bowl series, with the Vulcans leading 7-3; The Crimson Hawks are 3-0 against Cal U at home since 2013 with an average score of 22-10.7
• Since 2005 the Vulcans have had the upper hand with an 11-4 record against the Crimson Hawks including playoffs
• IUP has scored 187 points in its last three games, the most in any three-game stretch in program history; the Crimson Hawks scored 184 points in their first three games of the 2016 season
• The Crimson Hawks are ranked in both the AFCA Coaches and D2Football.com Media Polls this week; IUP moved up two spots to No. 19 in the coaches poll and two spots to No. 21 in the media rankings
• IUP QBs Quinton Maxwell and Jalen Reese have combined for 17 passing TDs this year, 2nd in Division II; their combined 318.8 passing yards per game are 6th in the country
• So. WR Duane Brown earned PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Week honors after totaling 184 yards and 4 TDs at Mercyhurst; he ranks 2nd in Division II with 10 TDs on just 27 total touches and is averaging 17.3 yards every time he touches the ball
• The IUP offense is in the top-12 of Division II in six categories, including 2nd in points (52.8) and 10th in total offense (492.0)
• The Cal U defense leads Division II with 17.3 rushing yards allowed and is 21st with 15.5 points given up per game; only Kutztown (35) has scored more than 13 points against the Vulcans
• The Vulcans also have a potent offense that averages 42.3 points and 423.3 yards per game; QB Noah Mitchell averages nearly 14 yards per completion
• The IUP defense ranks in the top 25 of Division II in eight categories, including 3rd in sacks (18.0), 6th in total defense (231.5), 8th in scoring defense (12.8), and 12th in interceptions (7)
• After missing out on the postseason last year, the Crimson Hawks look for a return trip after making the Division II playoffs in 2015, 2016 and 2017; IUP's 18 Division II playoff appearances is tied for fourth all-time (NW Missouri State 23, North Alabama 21, Grand Valley St. 19, Pittsburg St. 18)
• The Crimson Hawks entered the year as one of only nine Division II teams with 80+ wins this decade (80); New PSAC addition and former MEC power Shepherd (91) is the only other team in the region on that list

 

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NOTEBOOK

CRIMSON HAWKS START 4-0 FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT SEASON, LONGEST STREAK IN IUP HISTORY
IUP opened the year with four straight wins for the fourth straight season after its 56-24 win over Mercyhurst in Erie in week four. It's the 22nd time IUP has opened the year with four victories, the longest streak in program history. IUP had runs of three straight 4-0 starts from 1967-69 and 1991-93. This is IUP's ninth 4-0 start since 2000. 

IUP AND CAL U BATTLE IN 11TH ANNUAL COAL BOWL
Beginning in 2009, this is the 11th installment of the trophy game between these rivals. The Vulcans hold the upper hand in the Coal Bowl series with seven wins in the previous 10 games, including a four-game win streak from 2009-12. IUP has won three of the last six - all at home. 

COACH TORTORELLA HAS HOTTEST START OF ANY IUP HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Coach Tortorella put together the best 25-game start of any head coach in program history. His 21-4 overall record through his first two seasons eclipsed Curt Cignetti (2011-13) and Lou Tepper (2006-08) who both had 20-5 marks in their first 25 games. With an 8-3 record last year and a 4-0 start this season, Tortorella is 25-4 through his first 29 games. 

CRIMSON HAWKS SHOW UP IN BOTH COACHES' AND MEDIA TOP 25 POLLS
After its 4-0 start, IUP moved up in both major national polls heading into week five. IUP is No. 19 in the AFCA Coaches' Top 25, moving up two spots from a week ago, and No. 21 in the D2Football Media Poll. The Crimson Hawks spent 38 straight weeks in the coaches' rankings between 2015-18. 

IUP's THREE-GAME OFFENSIVE RUN THE BEST IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Over the last three games the Crimson Hawks have put up 187 points, the most over a three-game stretch in program history. It eclipses the 184 points scored during the first three games of the 2016 season. IUP has totaled 1,696 yards, 16 passing touchdowns, a 58.8 3rd down percentage over the last three games, with its 608 yards against Lock Haven the 9th most in program history. 

IUP OFFENSE AMONG THE BEST IN DIVISION II
Led by that three-game stretch, the IUP offense ranks as one of the best in the country. The Crimson Hawks rank in the top 12 of Division II in six statistical categories, including 2nd in scoring (52.8) and passing efficiency (224.0); 6th in passing (318.8) and 3rd down percentage (56.8); 10th in total offense (492.0); and 12th in 1st downs (96).  

QUINTON MAXWELL AMONG BEST QBs IN THE NATION
Sr. transfer QB Quinton Maxwell has made his mark in just a few games with the Crimson Hawks. Through four games he ranks in the top-50 of Division II in nine categories, and appears in the top-10 in five. Maxwell is 2nd in the country in passer efficiency (206.0) and passing yards per attempt (11.54); 6th in completion percentage (71.6); 8th in points responsible for/game (19.5); and 10th in passing TDs (11). Despite playing just one half against Millersville he was named the PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Week and he teamed with Sr. QB Jalen Reese to throw for 399 yards that week. 

RECEIVER DUANE BROWN DOES A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
So. WR Duane Brown has been a big play threat through four games in 2019. The converted running back is 2nd in Division II with 10 total touchdowns on just 27 touches, including a 4-score performance while earning PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Week honors in the week four win at Mercyhurst. 7 of his 15 receptions this year have gone for touchdowns while 5 catches have covered more than 30 yards in length. Brown has received carries down on the goal line, including a 3-yard score out of the Wildcat formation. He also has eight punt returns for 95 yards. 

PASSING GAME SPREADING THE WEALTH
Through four weeks of the season, Maxwell and Reese have spread their 78 combined completions to 13 different receivers. A group of eight wide receivers, three tight ends and two running backs have caught between 1-15 receptions with eight players hauling in at least 1 touchdown reception. The big plays have also been spread out with 10 players combining for 24 receptions of 20-plus yards while three have 100 yard games - Brown, Sr. Dwine Walls and So. Cam Turner. 

THE IUP DEFENSE HAVING A RESURGANCE TO START THE YEAR
The Crimson Hawks defense has been keeping up with its offensive counterparts, ranking in the top 30 of Division II in nine statistical categories, including 3rd in sacks (18.0); 6th in total defense (231.5), 8th in scoring (12.8); 12th in interceptions (7); and 13th in rushing (75.0) and pass efficiency (89.67). 

CRIMSON HAWKS AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN SACKS, TACKLES-FOR-LOSS
The IUP pass rush is one of the best in the nation as the Crimson Hawks are 3rd in sacks per game with 4.50 (18 total). The pressure has come from all over with nine different players - six linemen, three linebackers - registering at least 1 sacks. IUP also ranks 8th in Division II with 8.5 TFLs per game (34 total) including a team-high 5.0 by So. DL Dajour Fisher.

DAMON LLOYD NEARING A MILESTONE
Sr. LB Damon Lloyd enters week five needing just 5 total tackles to reach 300 for his career. In his third year as a starter, Lloyd has led the Crimson Hawks in stops each of the last two seasons (116, 112) becoming the first IUP player since Nick Pascarella since 1989-90 with back-to-back 100-tackle seasons. For the year Lloyd has 33 total stops, 2.5 TFLs, 1.0 sack, 2 pass breakups and fumble recovery. 

DEFENSIVE SECONDARY WILL GET TESTED BY CAL U PASSING GAME
The Vulcans have one of the most dangerous passing games in the nation led by QB Noah Mitchell. He and his receiving group will look to test an IUP secondary that ranks 22nd in Division II allowing just 156.5 passing yards per game. The Crimson Hawks are also among the national leaders with 7 interceptions, including 2 by Jr. CB Nazir Streater, who looks to return after missing the last two games. Streater was an all-region player at LIU Post a season ago and teams with Sr. CB JR Stevens who was an All-American selection in 2017. Other defensive backs looking to make plays include Fr. Zayaan Cobb (14 tackles), Fr. Javonte Haynes (11 tackles, 3 breakups), Sr. Mike Nash (12 tackles, 1 INT), and Fr. Mekhi Lang (2 starts).