INDIANA, Pa. -- Returning home looking for a bounce back performance, the 17th-ranked IUP football team hosts Clarion for Senior Day on Saturday, November 5. Kickoff from Miller Stadium is slated for 2:00 p.m.
 
The 7-1 Crimson Hawks had a nine-game winning streak snapped last Saturday in a 43-36 setback to Gannon last weekend in Erie. Despite the hard-fought loss, IUP can still clinch a share of the PSAC Western division and advance to the conference championship game next week with a victory against Clarion. IUP slotted third in the first set of numerical regional rankings, just behind Shepherd and Ashland.
 
Clarion (3-6) held tough with Slippery Rock in a 31-0 defeat last week. First-year head coach Raymond Monica took the helm of the Clarion program in February following stints as a defensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana (2021) and head coach at Kutztown (2006-12).

FAN INFORMATION

• Tickets: Purchase Here
• 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)

QUICK NOTES/STORYLINES

• IUP is looking for its 22nd PSAC West title in program history and first division crown since the 2017 season. An IUP victory clinches a share of the PSAC West and also secures a spot in the conference championship game despite a three-way tie atop the league standings with Slippery Rock and Gannon.
• The Crimson Hawks have won 10 consecutive games in the series and own a 64-24-3. The first meeting between the two sides came in 1927, a 51-0 IUP victory.
• IUP has scored 30 points or more seven times during the 10-game winning streak against the Golden Eagles, winning by an average of 33.5 points in those games. IUP picked up similar 58-21 and 59-21 triumphs over the last two meetings.
• The IUP marching band will celebrate its 100th anniversary on Saturday. To commemorate the milestone, over 900 former members of the marching band are returning to campus and performing at halftime in the single largest alumni event in school history.
• For the first time all season, IUP allowed more yards and first downs by its opponent last week at Gannon. The Crimson Hawks surrendered 40 or more points for the first time since 2019 against the Golden Knights.
• With two more touchdowns last week, Duane Brown continues his climb up the IUP record books in multiple categories. Notching his 11th career 100-yard receiving game, Brown is second in program history in total touchdowns (45), now seven shy of tying Michael Mann (52) for the most all-time.
• Mak Sexton recorded his fifth game with over 300 passing yards last week, setting a single season record at IUP. Over the last five games, Sexton has thrown for 1,421 yards with 15 touchdowns and two interceptions.
• Clarion RB Khalil Owens, a transfer from Seton Hill, has amassed over 1,000 yards rushing at Clarion. He became the 29th player in Clarion history to achieve the milestone, coming in just 18 games.
• The IUP defense ranks 18th nationally in rushing yards allowed at 85.8. Additionally, the Crimson Hawks are second in the league and 19th in NCAA DII in red zone defense, allowing opponents to convert at a 66.7% clip.

 

NOTEBOOK
 
COACH TORTORELLA OFF TO HISTORIC START AS IUP HEAD COACH
The Mercyhurst game on September 24 marked head coach Paul Tortorella's 50th game as head coach of the Crimson Hawks. Tortorella owns a record of 45-10, including a 28-6 (.823) 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 IN THE RANKINGS
IUP slotted third in the first numerical set of Super Region One rankings released this week. Shepherd (9-0) and Ashland (7-1) occupied the top two positions. Shepherd has secured a spot in the PSAC Championship game as winners of the PSAC East.

After receiving votes throughout the year, IUP jumped into the national rankings following a Homecoming win against Slippery Rock. IUP climbed up 11th nationally in the AFCA Top 25 Poll, but dropped into a tie for 17th following last week's loss at Gannon. The Crimson Hawks are 16th in the D2Football.com Top 25.

TOUCHDOWN BROWN
Duane Brown continues to solidify himself as a Harlon Hill candidate that is rising up the IUP record books. He ranks third in the nation in receiving touchdowns (13) after a two-touchdown day last time out against Gannon Brown is eighth in the nation in receptions per game (7.5) and second in receiving yards per game (123.5).
 
Brown, who has 11 career games with 100+ receiving yards, is second in program history in total touchdowns (45), also ranking third in career receiving yards (2727), third in career receptions (162), third in receiving touchdowns (33) and tied for third in single-season receiving touchdowns (13).
 
IUP DEFENSE MAKING TIMELY PLAYS; NINE PLAYERS HAVE AT LEAST ONE SACK
IUP has made some timely plays on the defensive side of the ball in 2022. The Crimson Hawks rank third in the PSAC in first down defense, allowing 138 this season. The IUP secondary has shown steady improvement, collecting 10 interceptions. Nine players have registered at least one sack for the Crimson Hawks in 2022, showcasing their depth along the front seven. Raunya Mitchell (4.0) leads the team in sacks, while Gregory Moore II (2.5) and Noah Vaughan (2.5) have been active along the defensive line. Injured earlier this season, Tyrone Fowler Jr. Logged 2.5 sacks in just under four games.
 
WILSON BRINGS VAST EXEPRIENCE AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TO INDIANA 
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 benefited from consistency along the offensive line this season, giving up just four sacks 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 6.8 yards/play through eight games.
 
KELLY STEPPING UP HIS PRODUCTION, LEADS TEAM IN TACKLES
Connor Kelly and Drew DiNunzio-Biss pace the IUP defense with 61 tackles each on the season. The linebacker duo has combined for 14.0 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.
 

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