INDIANA, Pa. -- The IUP football team (6-0, 4-0) returns to Miller Stadium ranked 13th in the AFCA Top 25, hosting Seton Hill on Saturday, October 22 for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff.
 
IUP remained undefeated with a convincing 41-0 road victory last Saturday at Edinboro. It marked the eighth victory in a row for the Crimson Hawks, dating back to last season, and extended the team's winning streak of road contests to 12 straight. The Crimson Hawks were efficient last week, putting up 35 points before halftime and locking down the Fighting Scots the rest of the way.
 
IUP rolled up 607 yards of total offense, holding Edinboro to just 180 yards on the day (42 passing). Meanwhile, Seton Hill (0-7) is looking for its first win of the season following a hard-fought 21-14 loss at California (Pa.) last week.
 
QUICK NOTES/STORYLINES

• IUP elevated to 13th in the national rankings as one of just 13 teams unbeaten entering this week in Division II football. The department of athletics partnered with Indiana Area School District to provide free game tickets for students in grades K-8 on Saturday.
• Mak Sexton was named the PSAC West Offensive Athlete of the Week on October 17 following his impressive 16-of-18 passing effort against Edinboro. Sexton, who has thrown for 300 yards in four games, tossed three touchdown passes in the victory.
• The Griffins recorded 14 points in the fourth quarter against Cal U last week, but could not complete the comeback. Despite the 0-7 record, fourth-year head coach Daniel Day and Seton Hill have been competitive in games throughout the year.
• IUP has won all eight previous meetings with the Griffins, dating back to the program joining the PSAC in 2013. The Crimson Hawks have scored at least 45 points against SHU in six of the previous eight meetings. Additionally, IUP has averaged 295 rushing yards per contest over the last five meetings with the Griffins.
• The IUP offensive line has developed into a cohesive unit across the board. Entering the seventh game of the season, IUP has allowed just two sacks so far in 2022, ranking fourth nationally in sacks allowed/game (0.40).
• Duane Brown is just 54 receiving yards shy of 2,500 for his career, also one receiving touchdown shy of breaking into the top 10 in single-season program history. He boasts 28 receiving touchdowns in his career, the third most all-time in program history.
• Seton Hill LB Jaylen McDuffie set the program's all-time tackle record earlier this season against Clarion. McDuffie ranks eighth nationally in tackles/game (10.9). Offensively, the Griffins have no shortage of tall receiving options in Mark Bails (15 rec, 276 yds, 3 TD), Ethan Fame (9 rec, 150 yds) and Todd Phillips.

FAN INFORMATION

• Tickets: Purchase Here
  • IUP Athletics partners with Indiana Area School District: More Information
• Ticket Booth: Open 1.5 hours before each game
• Stadium Gates: Open one hour before each game
• Parking: $10 (cash only)
• Tailgating: Spots available for purchase (Stadium South Lot)
• Game Programs: $5 each (cash only)

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 44-9, including a 27-5 (.830) 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 rose to number 13 nationally in both the AFCA Top 25 and D2Football.com poll.
 
TOUCHDOWN BROWN
Duane Brown continues to be one of the most dynamic offensive threats in the country. He ranks seventh in the nation in receiving touchdowns (8) after a two-touchdown day last time out against Edinboro. Brown is ninth in the nation in receptions per game (7.7) and fifth in receiving yards per game (117.8).
 
Brown is 54 yards shy of 2,500 receiving yards for his career and 84 yards of tying Walt Pegues for third all-time on the school's career receiving yardage list.
 
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 103 this season. The IUP secondary has showed steady improvement, collecting eight 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 BOAST COHESIVE OFFENSIVE LINE
IUP has benefitted from consistency along the offensive line this season. The Crimson Hawks have five offensive linemen making the case for all-conference consideration in 2022. Darrell Davis (LT), John Robinson (LG), Collin Pietropola (C), Gerald Comedy (RG) and McLean Djouha (RT) have helped IUP average 7.1 yards/play through six games.
 
DINUNZIO-BISS, KELLY LEADING THE WAY IN TACKLES
Drew DiNunzio-Biss and Connor Kelly pace the IUP defense with 44 tackles on the season. The linebacker duo have combined for 10.5 tackles for loss and four pass breakups.
 
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 TALENTED 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 (124.0) and ranks third in the league in rushing yards (620).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.
 
Stewart anchors a talented IUP backfield that has three players averaging at least five yards per carry (minimum 20 attempts). Adam Houser has three scores on the ground, while JD Younger has 263 rushing yards on the season. Parker Gregg has found the endzone three times this season as another short-yardage option for the Crimson Hawks.
 

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