INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP Crimson Hawks, ranked atop the Super Region One bracket, continues their postseason run on Saturday as they host Shepherd for the 2022 NCAA DII Super Region One Championship. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. from Miller Stadium in a rematch of the 2022 PSAC Championship game.
Top-seeded IUP (10-1) received a first-round bye to open the postseason. Last week, the Crimson Hawks clamped down Ashland and controlled the ball in a 19-13 victory in last weekend's second round. Shepherd (12-1) is hitting the road for the first time in the postseason as the region's number two seed. The Rams knocked off New Haven by a 16-13 score on November 19, advancing in the playoffs following a 37-27 slugfest with Slippery Rock last weekend.
The winner advances to next week's national semifinals, facing the champion of one of the other regional brackets. The semifinal teams are reseeded following the regional championship round.
QUICK NOTES/STORYLINES
- Saturday is a rematch of a physical and rainy PSAC Championship game between IUP and Shepherd on November 12. IUP emerged with a 24-21 victory, holding off a late Shepherd push and handing the Rams their lone loss of the 2022 season.
- IUP is seeking its eighth trip to the NCAA Semifinals. The Crimson Hawks and Rams represent two of just eight teams remaining in the DII playoffs.
- The Crimson Hawks defeated Assumption in the 2017 Super Region One title game, picking up a win at Miller Stadium. Duane Brown, who began his career at IUP as a running back in 2017, ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Brown's touchdown with 1:09 remaining put IUP ahead for good as the defense closed out the victory.
- IUP boasts a 25-7 overall mark at Miller Stadium since the 2017 season, including postseason contests. IUP is 12-4 all-time in home Division II playoff games with their last loss coming to Shepherd in the opening round of the 2019 postseason.
- The Crimson Hawks are seventh with 23 NCAA DII playoff victories.
- Brown made his return to the lineup last week and found the endzone on the opening play of the second quarter against Ashland. It marked Brown's 49th career touchdown, just three shy of tying IUP great Michael Mann (52) for the most total touchdowns (rushing/receiving/return) in program history.
- Head coach Paul Tortorella moved to 10-4 all-time against ranked teams following last week's victory against Ashland.
- IUP has exhibited great resiliency throughout the year, making timely plays by playing complimentary football. The Crimson Hawks dictated time of possession against the Eagles, holding the ball for about 38 minutes.
- The Crimson Hawks have held the edge in time of possession in 9 of 11 games this season.
- Shepherd boasts no shortage of playmakers in all facets of the game, all starting with standout QB Tyson Bagent (362-510, 4184 Yds, 37 TD, 6 INT). Offensively, Shepherd leads the nation in total offense (512.9) and ranks sixth nationally in scoring offense (40.5).
MOST APPEARANCES – NCAA DII PLAYOFFS
- 1. Northwest Missouri State – 26
- 2. North Alabama – 21 (no longer member of DII)
- 3. Grand Valley State – 21
- 4. IUP – 20
- 5. Pittsburg State -- 19
MOST VICTORIES – NCAA DII PLAYOFFS
- 1. Northwest Missouri State – 52
- 2. Grand Valley State -- 37
- 3. North Alabama – 35 (no longer member of DII)
- 4. North Dakota State – 30 (no longer member of DII)
- 5. Valdosta State – 29
- 6. Pittsburg State – 26
- 7. IUP – 23
IUP IN THE RECORD BOOK
- Duane Brown
- Total Touchdowns – 49 (2nd); Career Receiving Yards – 2,819 (3rd); Career Receiving Touchdowns – 37 (2nd); Single Season Receiving Touchdowns – 17 (2nd)
- Mak Sexton
- Single Season Passing Yards – 2,555 (7th); Single Season Completions – 193 (7th); Single Season Touchdown Passes – 31 (T-3rd)
- Naszhir Taylor
- Single Season Pass Breakups – 11 (T-10th)
NOTEBOOK
IUP AND SHEPHERD COLLIDE IN NCAA PLAYOFFS FOR SIXTH TIME
Saturday will be the sixth all-time meeting in the NCAA DII Playoffs between IUP and Shepherd. The Rams are 4-1 in the previous five meetings, including a 31-27 win against the Hawks at Miller Stadium in 2019. However, in a playoff-like contest for the conference title earlier this season, IUP held on for a 24-21 victory.
TORTORELLA NAMED PSAC WEST COACH OF THE YEAR IN 2022
IUP head coach
Paul Tortorella was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year for 2022, a reflection on the overall strength of the program under his leadership. Coaching his 50th career game earlier this season against Mercyhurst, Tortorella is 48-10 (.828) overall with a 29-6 mark against PSAC West opponents.
His .828 winning percentage is top 10 nationally across all NCAA divisions among active coaches. He reached 30 wins faster than any other IUP coach (35 games), and has three NCAA playoff berths (2017, 2019, 2022), two PSAC West titles, two PSAC Championships and a regional title.
IUP AMONG DII LEADERS IN NCAA POSTSEASON APPEARANCES, VICTORIES
IUP is making its 20th postseason appearance, the fourth most in DII history. The Crimson Hawks' 23 postseason victories are also seventh in history among DII schools all-time.
HAWKS LAND 12 ON ALL-PSAC WEST TEAMS
IUP ranked second in the league with 12 All-PSAC West selections, announced November 16. Tortorella and Brown earned major awards, the Crimson Hawks also had eight First Team selections with four more on the Second Team. In total, the Crimson Hawks have garnered 84 total all-conference picks over the last five seasons.
Brown,
Dayjure Stewart,
Darrell Davis,
John Robinson,
Collin Pietropola,
Gregory Moore II,
Drew DiNunzio-Biss and
Darius Bruce earned First Team laurels. On the Second Team,
Grant Smith,
Hilton Ridley,
Raunya Mitchell and
Jaheim Howard were recognized for IUP.
RETURN OF THE MAK
While notably missing from the all-conference selections, QB
Mak Sexton has put together a strong season in his first fall with the team. Transferring in from Pittsburg State prior to spring ball last semester, the even-keeled Sexton ranks sixth in the nation in passing efficiency (167.9), fifth in passing touchdowns (31) and leads the PSAC in yards per completion (13.97). Sexton is one of just six QBs in DII with 30 or more touchdown passes entering the weekend.
TOUCHDOWN BROWN
Duane Brown returned to the IUP lineup last week against Ashland, continuing to rise up the program record book. Brown was one of 48 nominees listed as a Harlon Hill award candidate across the nation as a representative from Super Region One. He ranks third in the nation in receiving touchdowns (17). Brown is 10th in the nation in receptions per game (6.9) and seventh in receiving yards per game (108.0).
Brown, who has 11 career games with 100+ receiving yards, is second in program history in total touchdowns (49), also ranking third in career receiving yards (2,819), second in career receptions (171), second in receiving touchdowns (37) and second in single-season receiving touchdowns (17). See page four of the game notes for a comprehensive breakdown of Brown's season and career accolades.
IUP DEFENSE MAKING TIMELY PLAYS; 11 PLAYERS HAVE AT LEAST ONE SACK
IUP has made some timely plays on the defensive side of the ball in 2022, particularly in the red zone, ranking 11th nationally in red zone defense (.643). The IUP secondary has shown improvement, collecting 15 interceptions as a defensive unit. 11 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 (3.5) 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.
CRIMSON HAWKS BOAST COHESIVE OFFENSIVE LINE UNDER COACH CAMPOLO
IUP has benefited from consistency along the offensive line this season, giving up just five sacks this season. The Crimson Hawks have three all-conference selections along the experienced offensive line in 2022. Davis (LT), Robinson (LG), Pietropola (C),
Gerald Comedy (RG) and
McLean Djouha (RT) have helped IUP average 6.4 yards/play this season. Davis was among 33 nominees for the 2022 Gene Upshaw DII Lineman of the Year award.
LINEBACKERS DINUNZIO-BISS AND KELLY FLY AROUND IN MIDDLE OF IUP DEFENSE
Connor Kelly and
Drew DiNunzio-Biss patrol the IUP defense from their linebacking spots and have going back and forth for the team lead in tackles. DiNunzio-Biss leads the team with 78 total tackles and Kelly is not far behind with 77 stops. The linebacker duo has combined for 15.0 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. Last week, DiNunzio-Biss hauled in an interception, while Kelly made a game-changing play with a scoop and score following a blocked punt against Ashland.
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.
IUP BACKFIELD SEES ROTATION OF VIABLE OPTIONS
While
Dayjure Stewart has handled a large chunk of the workload in the IUP ground game, there have been several contributors in the backfield this season.
Adam Houser is coming off consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, collecting 267 yards in the last two games as the feature back.
Houser racked up 142 yards against Shepherd, following it up with a hard-earned 125 yards against Ashland last week. Also getting carries over the last few weeks is
JD Younger, logging 350 rushing yards this season.
NEXT MAN UP APPROACH FOR IUP OFFENSE
While Brown continues posting exceptional numbers, Ridley has been a viable wideout option for the IUP offense as an all-conference selection. Ridley is averaging about 70 yards receiving per game and has eight touchdown receptions. In the PSAC Championship game against Shepherd, IUP received contributions on the outside from
Daniel Deabner (5 Rec, 51 Yds, 1 TD) and in the middle from tight ends
Grant Smith (4 Rec, 44 Yds) and
Cole Laney (2 Rec., 9 Yds, 1 TD).
