#4 IUP CRIMSON HAWKS vs. #5 SHEPHERD RAMS
Saturday, November 23 | 12 p.m. | Frank Cignetti Field @ George P. Miller Stadium
Game Notes:
IUP (10-1, 6-1 PSAC West) | Shepherd (9-2, 6-1 PSAC East) | PSAC Notes |
Ticket Information
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 18th-ranked Crimson Hawks open their 2019 postseason run when they host Shepherd in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Championship Saturday. Kickoff at George P. Miller Stadium is noon.
IUP enters the playoffs as the fourth seed in Super Region One, earning a first round home game after going 10-1 in the regular season with a 2nd place finish in the PSAC West with a 6-1 divisional record. The Crimson Hawks have posted five straight blowout victories, including a 54-24 win at Shippensburg last week to wrap up the regular season.
Shepherd is the fifth seed in the region, completing its first season in the PSAC with a 9-2 overall record including a 6-1 mark in PSAC East play. The Rams enter the postseason with seven straight wins, scoring 76 points against East Stroudsburg, 62 points against Lock Haven and 56 points against Seton Hill.
QUICK NOTES / STORY LINES
• IUP is making its 19th all-time NCAA playoff appearance, fourth most in Division II history; IUP is seventh with 22 Division II playoff victories
• The Crimson Hawks have been the most successful team in the region over the last four years with a 41-7 overall record and three NCAA postseason berths (2016, 2017, 2019)
• IUP and Shepherd have met four previous times, all in the postseason, with the Rams winning three of those; the Crimson Hawks' only win over Shepherd came in the first round of the 2012 playoffs, a 27-17 decision at Miller Stadium
• These teams last met in the second round of the 2015 playoffs, with top seed Shepherd rallying in the second half for a 17-13 home win
• IUP and Shepherd entered the year as two of nine Division II teams with 80+ wins this decade; the Rams have 100 victories while the Crimson Hawks enter the weekend with 90
• IUP is 11-3 all-time in Division II playoff home games; the Crimson Hawks' last home playoff game was a 27-17 loss to West Florida in the 2017 national semifinals
• The Crimson Hawks enter the postseason with momentum, winning five straight games in blowout fashion; IUP has a +159 scoring differential in those wins with three 50-point outputs
• The Crimson Hawks are having one of the best offensive seasons in program history with 45.7 points and 478.2 total yards per game; They also set a school record with six 50-point games
• QB
Quinton Maxwell enters the week within striking distance of several IUP records, including passing TDs, passing yards and TDs responsible for
• IUP has put up three of its biggest rushing performances of the year in the last five weeks, including 370 yards at Clarion and 316 at Shippensburg; IUP's top four backs are averaging 7.8 yards per carry with 11 rushing TDs during that span
• WR
Duane Brown has 18 total TDs (13 rec, 5 rush) and is just 3 shy of tying IUP HOFer Michael Mann (21) for the most in program history
• IUP and Shepherd are two of the best in the PSAC at sacking the QB, ranking 1st and 3rd with 35 and 31 sacks, respectively
NOTEBOOK
IUP IS FOURTH ALL-TIME WITH 19 NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFF APPEARANCES
This marks IUP's 19th NCAA playoff appearance, fourth in the last five seasons, and fifth since 2012. The 19 postseason berths is fourth all-time, trailing Northwest Missouri State (24), North Alabama (21) and Grand Valley State (20). IUP is 22-18 all-time in NCAA Division II playoff games, has seven national semifinal appearances (last: 2017) and played for the national championship in 1990 and 1993.
CRIMSON HAWKS AND SHEPHERD MEET AGAIN IN THE PLAYOFFS
This will be the fifth all-time meeting between these two schools, each coming in the NCAA Division II playoffs. The Rams are 3-1 in those previous four meetings, including a 17-13 home win in the 2015 second round. The Crimson Hawks won a first round game 27-17 in 2012 while Shepherd won the first two meetings - 9-6 in 1998 and 41-34 in 2007.
CRIMSON HAWKS HAVE THREE 10-WIN SEASONS, MOST WINS IN REGION SINCE 2016
IUP's 54-24 win at Shippensburg last week was its 10th of the season, giving the Crimson Hawks three 10-win seasons in the last four years. IUP is 41-7 (.854) during that span, the most wins and best winning percentage of any team in Super Region One. Shepherd is 39-7 (.848) with three NCAA appearances since 2016 and Slippery Rock is 37-10 (.787) with two playoff berths during the same time.
COACH TORTORELLA HAS HOTTEST START OF ANY IUP HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Coach Tortorella reached 30 wins faster than any other coach in IUP history, hitting the mark in 35 games (30-5). Frank Cignetti (1985-87),
Curt Cignetti (2011-13) and Chuck Klausing (1964-67) all hit 30 wins in 38 games while Lou Tepper (2006-09) took 43 games and Bill Neal (1970-75) took 46 games. Tortorella went 13-1 with a national semifinal appearance during his debut season of 2017, went 8-3 last year and with a 10-1 record this season has an overall mark of 31-5 (.861).
CRIMSON HAWKS ENTER POSTSEASON IN TOP 20 OF EACH NATIONAL POLL
IUP is No. 18 in this week's AFCA Coaches' Poll and No. 16 in the D2Football.com Media Top 25. IUP spent 38 straight weeks in the coaches' rankings between 2015-18 and each of the last 11 weeks this season.
IUP OFFENSE PUTTING UP SOME OF BEST NUMBERS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
A change in offensive philosophy has helped the Crimson Hawks put up some of the best numbers in program history. They've already broken the school record for passing yards (3309), and are threatening to break marks in scoring at 45.7 points/game (46.2 record), points with 503 (555), passing yards/game at 300.8 (272.1), passing touchdowns with 39 (40) and total yards/game with 478.2 (489.6), among others.
QUINTON MAXWELL IS ONE OF THE TOP QUARTERBACKS IN DIVISION II
Grad transfer QB
Quinton Maxwell has made his mark in is only year at IUP as one of the best in the nation. The former Ohio U signal caller ranks in the top 20 in Division Ii in eight categories, including 5th in passer efficiency (175.1), 7th in passing TDs (32), and 15th in passing yards (2817). Maxwell is on pace to have one of the best single seasons by a QB in program history.
DUANE BROWN PUTTING UP ONE OF BEST OFFENSIVE SEASONS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
So. WR
Duane Brown has been a huge offensive weapon for the Crimson Hawks this year. The converted running back is among the PSAC and national leaders in total TDs (18), points scored (108), points per game (9.8), and receiving TDs (13). He scored in the first 10 games this season, including five times on goal line carries. Brown has done all of his damage on just 52 offensive touches as he averages a TD every 2.89 times he gets the ball. Brown has also had two punt returns for scores called back due to penalties and is 7th in Division with a 15.5 average.
IUP IS 54-9 SINCE 2011 WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS
Sr. RB
Samir Bullock had his first 100-yard game of the season in week 11, rushing for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 carries. With his performance, IUP is now 54-9 since the start of the 2011 season when a player rushes for 100 yards in a game. Five players on the roster have combined for 21 career 100-yard rushing games, including Bullock with 10 and Jr. RB
Justice Evans with eight.
THE IUP DEFENSE RANKS AMONG THE BEST NATIONALLY
The IUP defense enters the postseason as one of the best in Division II. The Crimson Hawks haven't allowed a touchdown in four games this season, including shutout wins over Millersville and Gannon. IUP leads the PSAC and ranks in the top 30 in six categories, including pass efficiency (97.95, 10th), scoring defense (16.0, 15th), total defense (283.2, 15th), sacks (35, 16th), 3rd down percentage (.300, 20th) and passing defense (182.1, 30th).
CRIMSON HAWKS LEAD PSAC, AMONG DIVISION II's BEST IN SACKS
IUP has paced the conference all season in defensive pressure, leading the PSAC and ranking 14th in Division II with 35 sacks. IUP has at least 1 sack in all 11 games this season, including seven games of at least 3, while Shepherd has given up just 8 sacks on the year. 10 different Crimson Hawks have at least 1.0 sack this season with Sr. DE
Dondrea Tillman and So. NG
Dajour Fisher leading the way with 7.5 sacks.
CRIMSON HAWKS 22-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN THE DEFENSE SCORES A TOUCHDOWN
Sr. LB
Damon Lloyd tallied the defense's second score of the season when he returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown during the second quarter of IUP's 35-0 win over Gannon in week eight. It's the second pick-six for the Crimson Hawks this year as Sr. DE
Dondrea Tillman went for 51 yards at Mercyhurst. With Lloyd's score, IUP improved to 22-1 since 2011 when the defense scores a touchdown.
LINEBACKERS LLOYD AND AMENDOLA LEADING THE CHARGE
Sr. LBs
Damon Lloyd and
Nick Amendola have been two of the biggest playmakers for the defense this year. Lloyd leads the PSAC and 14th in Division II with 111 total tackles, adding 6.5 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, 2 recoveries, 1.5 sacks, 5 pass breakups and a pick-six against Gannon. He was named PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week after posting 13 tackles against Shippensburg. Amendola has made plays all over the field as he's among the PSAC leaders with 4 interceptions and is 2nd on the team with 71 tackles and 3rd with 8.5 TFLs and 5.0 sacks.
STREATER AND STEVENS MAKE UP BEST CORNER TANDEM IN THE LEAGUE
Jr. CB
Nazir Streater and Sr. CB
JR Stevens are two of the best corners in the conference. Streater tops the PSAC and is among the national leaders with 6 interceptions this season, and boasts 13 for his career. Stevens earned All-American honors in 2017 and has 30 career starts. The duo has helped the Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC in passing yards allowed (182.1) and defensive pass efficiency (97.95) while opponents have been held under 200 yards passing seven times.
