#19/20 IUP CRIMSON HAWKS vs. GANNON GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Saturday, November 9 | 12 p.m. | Frank Cignetti Field @ George P. Miller Stadium

Game Notes: IUP (8-1, 5-1 PSAC West) | Edinboro (3-6, 3-3 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 for their final home game of the 2019 regular season when they host Edinboro Saturday. Kickoff from Frank Cignetti Field & George P. Miller Stadium is set for noon. 

IUP enters the matchup with an 8-1 overall record and 5-1 mark in the PSAC Western Division. The Crimson Hawks have posted three straight blowout wins after week nine's 50-23 road win over Seton Hill, putting up 538 yards of total offense at a clip of 8.4 yards per play. Justice Evans had a career-game with 175 rushing yards and 2 TDs on just 11 carries while Dondrea Tillman had 2 sacks and a safety. 

Edinboro lost four straight games by an average of 16 points to start the season, but is 3-2 since including back-to-back wins over Seton Hill and Clarion. The Fighting Scots forced a combined 8 turnovers in their two straight victories, limiting the Griffins and Golden Eagles to under 300 yards of offense in each game. 

QUICK NOTES / STORY LINES
• IUP remained at No. 4 in the season's second NCAA regional rankings released Monday; the top 7 teams in the final rankings advance to the Division II playoffs with the top seed earning a bye and the Nos. 2-4 seeds hosting a first round game
• IUP one of two 1-loss teams in the Super Region One top-10 and sits behind three undefeated teams in Kutztown, Slippery Rock and Notre Dame (OH)
• IUP will celebrate the careers' of 20 seniors Saturday prior to kickoff; the group has accounted for a 39-7 (.848) record, back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances, including a PSAC title and national semifinalist finish in 2017
• The Crimson Hawks have won five straight games in their series with Edinboro, including the last three as a top-25 team; last year in Edinboro was the closest of the bunch as IUP used a late goal line stand to come away with a 13-6 win
• IUP has had big individual offensive performances in recent games against Edinboro, including Lenny Williams (334 tot. yds, 4 TDs) in 2017, Walt Pegues (7 rec, 169 yds) in 2016, and Chris Temple (234 rush yds, 6 TDs) in 2015
• IUP is No. 19 in the AFC Coaches' Poll for the 3rd straight week and moved up to No. 20 in the D2Football Media Top 25
• The Crimson Hawks are having one of the best offensive seasons in program history with 46.0 points and 489.2 total yards per game; They also set a school record with five 50-point games
• IUP is giving up 79.7 rushing yards per game with just 1 TD over the last three outings; Edinboro averages just 79.3 rushing yards this year but is coming off a season-high 215 n the win over Clarion
• Quinton Maxwell is putting together one of top seasons by an IUP QB with the potential to break several program records, including TDs and yards
• So. WR Duane Brown leads the PSAC with 17 total TDs and is just 4 away from tying IUP HOFer Michael Mann for the program record (21)
• 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

IUP RANKED REMAIN FOURTH IN NCAA REGIONAL RANKINGS
The NCAA released its second set of Division II regional rankings Monday (Nov. 4) with IUP repeating at No. 4 on the 10-team list. The top seven teams in each of the four regions advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs, with the top seed receiving a first round bye. 

CRIMSON HAWKS HOST EDINBORO IN FINAL REGULAR SEASON HOME GAME
Since their lone loss in week six, the Crimson Hawks have gone 3-0 with a +100 point differential and bring momentum into their Senior Day matchup with Edinboro. IUP has won five straight meetings with the Fighting Scots including the last three as a nationally-ranked team. Prior to kickoff IUP will honor 20 seniors who have helped the program to a 39-7 (.848) overall record, 23-4 (.852) divisional record, back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances, including a PSAC title and national semifinal finish in 2017. 

COACH TORTORELLA HAS HOTTEST START OF ANY IUP HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
Coach Tortorella's 26-4 record over is first 30 games was the best start of any IUP head football coach. Frank Cignetti started 24-5-1 in his first three years (1985-87), Curt Cignetti went 24-6 in his first 30 games (2011-13), and Chuck Klausing started his IUP career (1964-67) with a 23-7 record. Tortorella went 13-1 with a national semifinal appearance during his debut season of 2017, went 8-3 last year and with a 8-1 record this season has an overall mark of 29-5 (.853). 

CRIMSON HAWKS STAY THE SAME COACHES' POLL, UP ONE SPOT IN MEDIA TOP 25
The coaches and media rankings again featured very little movement in week nine. IUP checks in at No. 19 in the AFCA Coaches' Poll for the third straight week and moved up one spot to No. 20 in the D2Football.com Media Top 25. IUP spent 38 straight weeks in the coaches' rankings between 2015-18. 

IUP OFFENSE PUTTING UP SOME OF BEST NUMBERS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
A change in offensive philosophy in 2019 has helped the Crimson Hawks put up some of the best numbers in program history. Entering week 10 IUP is threatening to break school records in scoring at 46.0 points/game (46.2 record), passing yards/game at 306.3 (272.1), total yards/game at 489.2 (489.6), passing TDs with 32 (40), and pass efficiency at 180.3 (183.4), 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 30 in Division Ii in nine categories, including 5th in passer efficiency (174.4), 5th in yards per attempt (9.81), 6th in passing TDs (25), 11th in yards per completion (15.73) and 18th in passing yards per game (252.9). Maxwell set an IUP record with three straight 300-yard passing games and 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 leads the PSAC and is among the national leaders in total TDs (17), points scored (102), points per game (11.3), and receiving TDs (13). He's scored in all nine games this season, including four times on goal line carries. Brown has done all of his damage on just 43 offensive touches as he averages a TD every 2.53 times he gets the ball. Brown has also had two punt returns for scores called back due to penalties and is 2nd in the PSAC with a 12.3 average. 

IUP IS 53-9 SINCE 2011 WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS AFTER EVANS' BIG DAY
Jr. RB Justice Evans posted a career-high with 175 rushing yards to go along with 2 TDs on just 11 carries in IUP's 50-23 win at Seton Hill in week nine. IUP is now 53-9 since the start of the 2011 season when a player rushes for 100 yards in a game. The Crimson Hawks are averaging 257.3 rushing yards with 10 TDs over the last three weeks and lead the PSAC with 181.7 rushing yards per game this season. 

THE IUP DEFENSE RANKS AMONG THE BEST NATIONALLY
Despite giving up its first 300-yard pass game of the season at Seton Hill, the IUP defense still ranks among the best nationally. The Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC in total defense (277.0) and pass defense (176.6) and are in the top 30 in Division II in eight categories, including sacks (32, 7th), interceptions (12, 25th), points allowed (16.2, 17th), and 3rd down conversions (.302, 22nd). IUP has two shutouts this year, has held opponents under 300 total yards five times, and has given up just 6 rushing TDs. 

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. 

DONDREA TILLMAN COMING OFF HUGE GAME, HELPS D-LINE CREATE PRESSURE
Sr. DE Dondrea Tillman had 3.0 TFLs and 2 sacks in last week's win, also posting a first quarter safety on a tackle of Seton Hill's running back in the end zone. The output gave him 28.0 career sacks, putting him into a tie with Kevin Cottrell (1983-85) for 5th in IUP history. Tillman is a big reason the Crimson Hawks lead the PSAC ith 3.56 sacks per game and rank 2nd with 7.7 TFLs per game. 

DAJOUR FISHER ADDS PRESSURE UP THE MIDDLE
So. NG Dajour Fisher has had a breakout year as a first time starter, leading the team in TFLs and sacks while ranking 2nd among linemen in tackles. Fisher's 10.0 TFLs is tied for 11th in the PSAC while his 7.5 sacks are tied for 2nd. 

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 ranks 2nd in the PSAC and 25th in Division II with 88 total tackles, adding 5.5 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, 2 recoveries, 1.5 sacks, 2 pass breakups and a pick-six against Gannon. Amendola is among the PSAC and Division II leaders with 4 interceptions and is 2nd on the team in tackles (57) and passes defended (8) and 3rd with 7.5 TFLs and 4.0 sacks.