INDIANA, Pa. -- Unbeaten and 15th-ranked IUP football is back on the road on Saturday, making the trip to Erie to face off against Edinboro. Kickoff from Sox-Harrison Stadium is set for noon.
 
IUP (5-0, 3-0) overcame a 21-10 deficit with touchdowns on three of its final four drives last week, securing its first win at Adamson Stadium since 2006. The Crimson Hawks held off a driving Cal U offense in the game's final possession, which included an illegal motion penalty on the Vulcans to end the game, all part of a 22-21 victory in the 13th Annual Coal Bowl last week.
 
Edinboro (3-3, 1-2) is back home for the second consecutive week, looking to bounce back from a 35-17 setback to nearby Gannon on October 8. The Fighting Scots threw four interceptions and trailed 21-3 at the half. Clay Cunningham guided the Edinboro defense with a game-high 11 tackles (four solo) and 3.0 TFLs.
 
QUICK NOTES/STORYLINES

• IUP is one of 15 remaining undefeated teams in NCAA DII, moving to 15th nationally in the AFCA Top 25 and 17th in the D2Football.com Top 25. The Crimson Hawks enter the weekend as one of three teams in the PSAC with an unbeaten record in conference play (Shepherd, Gannon).
• The Crimson Hawks have won 11 consecutive road games, dating back to October 2019.
• Edinboro handed IUP its last loss in October 30, 2021. The Fighting Scots knocked off the Crimson Hawks, 21-17, at Miller Stadium a season ago. The loss marked IUP's first setback to a sub-.500 team that late in the season since falling to Clarion (1-5, 1-2) 21-14 on Oct. 16, 2010.
• Saturday marks the 87th all-time meeting between IUP and Edinboro, with the Crimson Hawks picking up wins in 60 of the previous 86 meetings.
• With Duane Brown facing consistent double teams last week, IUP's Hilton Ridley took advantage of his opportunities to the tune of eight catches for 161 yards. Ridley earned MVP honors of the Coal Bowl, recording three grabs of 20 yards or more.
• The Crimson Hawks used a pair of fourth-quarter scores to move in front 22-21 last week. Mak Sexton found Isaiah Houser for a 27-yard connection early in the fourth, while Dayjure Stewart capped the scoring with a one-yard run with just 1:27 remaining.
• Connor Kelly, a transfer from Edinboro, posted a season-high 13 tackles last week with 2.5 TFLs and one sack. Elsewhere on the IUP defense, Darius Bruce notched eight tackles and a highlight-reel interception that made SportsCenter's Top 10 plays on October 9.
• Mak Sexton has thrown for over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, thanks in large part to a dynamic group of receiving options and an experienced offensive line. IUP ranks sixth nationally in sacks allowed/game (.40), giving up just two sacks on the season and insulating the graduate transfer QB.
• Edinboro leads the PSAC and ranks 12th nationally in passing yards allowed (140.7). The Fighting Scots have not allowed more than 189 passing yards in a game this season, coming against fourth-ranked Shepherd on September 10.
• Edinboro HC Jake Nulph is no stranger to the western Pennsylvania football scene. He recently spent time on the IUP and Duquesne coaching staffs, working with the defensive backs and special teams.

NOTEBOOK
 
COACH TORTORELLA OFF TO HISTORIC START AS IUP HEAD COACH
The Mercyhurst game on September 24 marked Coach Tortorella's 50th game as head coach of the Crimson Hawks. Tortorella owns a record of 43-9 (, including a 26-5 mark against PSAC West schools. He reached 30 wins faster than any other IUP coach (35 games), and has two NCAA playoff berths (2017, 2019), division, PSAC, and regional titles.
 
IUP RISING IN NATIONAL RANKINGS
After receiving votes throughout the year, IUP jumped into the national rankings following a Homecoming win against Slippery Rock. Following last week's victory, IUP moved up three sports in each poll, entering the week at 15th in the AFCA Top 25 and 17th in the D2Football.com Top 25.
 
TOUCHDOWN BROWN
Duane Brown continues to be one of the most dynamic offensive threats in the country. Brown was a focal point of the Vulcan defense last week, but still finished with three catches for 50 yards. He ranks eighth in the nation in receptions per game (7.8), sixth in receiving yards/game (120.8) and 12th in receiving touchdowns (6). Brown is fourth all-time in program history in receiving yards with 2,343 just 187 shy of tying Walt Pegues for third all-time.
 
IUP DEFENSE MAKING TIMELY PLAYS; SIX PLAYERS HAVE AT LEAST ONE SACK
IUP has made some timely plays on the defensive side of the ball in 2022. The Crimson Hawks are third in the PSAC in first down defense, allowing 92 through five games. The IUP secondary has showed steady improvement, collecting six interceptions. Six players have registered at least one sack for the Crimson Hawks in 2022, showcasing their depth along the front seven: Raunya Mitchell (2.5), Tyrone Fowler (2.5), Connor Kelly (2.0), Gregory Moore II (1.5), Maurice Feazell (1.5), Terell Williams (1.0).
 
WILSON BRINGS VAST EXEPRIENCE AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TO INDIANA 
First-year offensive coordinator Larry Wilson is in his first season as IUP's offensive coordinator after being hired in March. Wilson spent the last 17 seasons at CalU in a variety of coaching roles.
 
CRIMSON HAWKS OFFENSE PLAYING COMPLIMENTARY FOOTBALL
IUP has ranked among the nation's top offenses so far in 2022. Despite facing a strong Cal U defense last week, the Crimson Hawks rank 11th nationally in total offense (457.2), also ranking fifth in the PSAC in scoring offense (31.4) and first in the conference in rushing offense (190.8). So far this season, IUP is averaging 6.8 yards/play while spreading the wealth with a consistent offensive line.
 
DINUNZIO-BISS LEADING THE WAY IN TACKLES
IUP LB Drew DiNunzio-Biss paces the IUP defense with 40 tackles on the season, including 3.5 TFLs and three pass breakups. DiNunzio-Biss has posted double-digit tackles in two games from his linebacker spot for IUP.
 
CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 24-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN THE DEFENSE SCORES
IUP has one defensive touchdown this year - a 47-yard INT return for a score by DB Jaheim Howard - in a road win at Shippensburg. The single defensive TD this season mirrors the team's output in both 2021, 2018 and 2014. In every other year since 2011 the Crimson Hawks have had multiple defensive scores, including four in 2017, five in 2016, and six in 2015.
 
STEWART HAS BREAKOUT GAME IN IUP BACKFIELD
After rushing for 307 yards all of last season, sophomore RB Dayjure Stewart broke out in a big way with a strong performance against Mercyhurst on September 24. He paces the PSAC in rushing yards/game (133.2) and ranks fourth in the league in rushing yards (533).
 
He racked up 256 rushing yards on 32 carries in the 33-16 victory against the Lakers, becoming one of just 15 IUP running backs to rush for 200 or more yards in a game.