INDIANA, Pa. – The IUP football program hits the road for a marquee matchup with 12th-ranked Slippery Rock on Saturday, September 30. Kickoff from Mihalik-Thompson Stadium is slated for 6:00 p.m.
 
Playing in its first road game of the season, IUP (3-1, 1-0) is coming off a 30-13 victory at Mercyhurst last week. The IUP defense registered four sacks and broke up 10 passes against an air-raid attack from Mercyhurst. Meanwhile, Karst Hunter had a strong all-around performance with 265 total yards of offense and three touchdowns (two rushing).
 
Slippery Rock (4-0, 1-0) comes into the matchup putting up some impressive offensive numbers. The Rock knocked off Seton Hill with a 35-14 victory. QB Brayden Long accounted for four total touchdowns (three passing, one rush), including one each to the dynamic receiving duo of Kyle Sheets and Cohen Russell. See below for fan information, ticket procedures, parking info and an overview on tailgating for Saturday, courtesy of Slippery Rock.
 
SALUTE TO MILITARY AND FIRST RESPONDERS
• All veterans and active-duty military members and current and former first responders will be admitted FREE with proper ID or uniform/badge/etc. All individuals that meet that criteria should enter the game at the Student Gate (Gate 3) near the main entrance to the stadium.
• A Stryker military vehicle, operated by the PA National Guard, will be parked just outside the stadium gates and can be toured pregame.
 
WKBN-TV BROADCAST
• This game will air live on the following TV channels for viewers in the Youngstown, Ohio market:
           • Over the air at 33.2
           • Over the air at 62.2 (HD)
           • Armstrong Cable Channel 13 and 108
           • Comcast Cable Channel 3
           • Direct TV Channel 15
           • MyYTV – Spectrum Channel 997 or 1008
• The broadcast will also be available on the WKBN app and WKBN website.
• The Slippery Rock Athletic Communication Office will also simulcast the WKBN-TV broadcast on the Rock Athletics Digital Network and PSAC Sports Digital Network.
 
TICKETS AND ENTRY
A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the gate this year. All fans are encouraged to help speed up the entry process by purchasing tickets online in advance and using the mobile QR code for entry on game day. Visit the link below to purchase tickets in advance. All bags will be searched at the gate.

• Single Game Tickets
• Stadium gates will open at 4:30 p.m.
• Chair-Back Reserved Seat - $15
• Reserved Bench Seat - $15
• Adult General Admission - $10
• Students Ages 6-High School – $5
• Children Ages 6 and Under – FREE
• SRU Students – FREE with valid student ID
• Students from Other Colleges - $5 with valid student ID
 
IUP FAN PARKING
• Parking Map (PDF)
• Visiting fans can park together and tailgate in Lot E ($10 Cash Only).
• Lot opens at 2 p.m.
• GPS Address: 246 Harmony Road, Slippery Rock, PA
• Visiting fans can enter the game through gate six, located at the field hockey/lacrosse building, which provides direct access to the visiting bleachers.
• Campus Map  |  Visitor parking is above building #50. Entry gate is at building #50.
 
TAILGATING
• Tailgating is allowed in paid lots four hours before kickoff (lots open at 2 p.m.)
• No Tailgating at halftime
• All Tailgaters must enter game at kickoff
• Tailgaters must vacate the lots 90 minutes after the game ends
• No hard liquor or glass bottles
• Adhere to all campus tailgating rules found HERE.

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QUICK NOTES/STORYLINES

• Saturday marks the 97th all-time meeting between IUP and Slippery Rock, dating back to 1907. The teams have split the last 16 meetings with eight wins apiece, while IUP enters with two consecutive wins in the series against SRU, including a 48-21 road win in 2021.
• The winner of this game has won the PSAC West 10 of the last 11 seasons since 2011, with that lone exception coming in 2016 (Cal U) as the only other program to win the division outright during that span.
• Saturday's game features two of the league's best overall units in the Slippery Rock offense and IUP defense. SRU racks up 426.8 yards/game offensively, while IUP is holding opponents to 249.0 yards/game (4.5 yards/play) on the defensive side of the ball.  
• Last season was a three-way tie across the PSAC West between IUP, Slippery Rock and Gannon as IUP represented the western division in the conference championship game via tiebreakers.
• Defensively, IUP has allowed 52 first downs this season, first and the league and good for 13th in NCAA DII. LB Drew DiNunzio-Biss paces the team in tackles (24.5).
• IUP is 18-3 in September under HC Paul Tortorella since 2017.
• IUP has a remarkable 24-3 (.888) record in road games since 2017 under Tortorella, winning at least four road games in each season. The Hawks have two undefeated seasons on the road under Tortorella, going 5-0 in both 2017 and 2021.
• Karst Hunter has proven to be a dynamic option throwing and running the football. Through four games as the new IUP starter, Hunter has thrown for nine touchdowns and ran for a team-high three more scores.
• IUP held off Slippery Rock in sloppy conditions during a 20-12 victory last season at Miller Stadium.
• Slippery Rock's offense is among the best in the nation, ranking 20th nationally in scoring offense (38.5), 15th nationally in red zone offense (.938) and 18th nationally in first downs (94). QB Brayden Long, who ranks fifth nationally with 14 touchdown passes, is the reigning PSAC West Offensive Player of the Week.

 
NOTEBOOK
 
TORTORELLA FOURTH IN IUP HISTORY IN WINS; SECOND IN WINNING PERCENATGE
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 in 2022 against Mercyhurst and now in his sixth season, Tortorella is 51-12 (.809) overall with a 30-6 mark against PSAC West opponents. His 51 wins just surpassed the legendary Bill Neal (50) for fourth in IUP history, while his .809 winning percentage is second only to Chuck Klausing (.825).
 
In his 62nd game on Sept. 16, 2023, against Shippensburg, Tortorella become the second fastest coach to reach 50 wins in IUP history, behind Frank Cignetti (59 games). 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 IS 38-2 IN PSAC WEST OPENERS DATING BACK TO 1983
IUP has had incredible success in PSAC West openers going back to 1983, winning 38 of those 40 games, including a 30-13 win at Mercyhurst last week. The Crimson Hawks' two PSAC West-opening losses have come to Mercyhurst in 2009 (20-16) and Slippery Rock in 2011 (20-6) - both on the road. IUP is on a current streak of 11-straight PSAC West-opening wins dating back to 2012 and boasted a 26-game streak from 1983-2008.
 
HAWKS HAVE BOUNCED BACK FROM WEEK TWO SETBACK
The Crimson Hawks responded well from their early-season loss to East Stroudsburg in week two, winning their next two outings by an average of 26.0 points. The loss to ESU marked just the seventh season since 2011 that IUP has dropped a game in the early months (Aug./Sept.) of the season. Two of those years the Hawks made the NCAA playoffs, including 2012 when IUP rebounded from a loss at No. 6 Cal U to win the PSAC. 
 
IUP IS NO STRANGER TO CLOSE GAMES
IUP has seen its fair share of one-score games, dating back to the 2021 season. Since the start of 2021, IUP is 9-4 in one-score games. IUP was 5-1 in one-score games last season, now 6-2 since the start of the 2022 campaign. The opening two matchups of the 2023 season (ASH/ESU) were decided by a combined margin of eight points.
 
In the series with Slippery Rock, three of the last four meetings have been decided by eight points or less.
 
CRIMSON HAWKS IN FAMILIAR TERRIOTY; PICKED AS PRESEASON FAVORITE IN PSAC WEST
For the eighth time in the past 11 seasons, the IUP football program was picked as the preseason favorites in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
IUP picked up six first-place votes in the PSAC West, followed by Slippery Rock, Cal U, Gannon and Edinboro in the top five. Shepherd was picked as the preseason favorite in the PSAC East.
 
ROAD WARRIORS
IUP has been particularly strong on the road since Tortorella took over as head coach in 2017. IUP boasts a 24-3 (.888) mark in road games since 2017. The 24 road wins is more than six PSAC schools overall number of wins during that span.
 
IUP has a pair of undefeated seasons on the road under the direction of Tortorella, posting a 5-0 mark in 2017 and 2021.
 
DEFENSE HAS BEEN OUTSTANDING
Returning nine starters on the defensive side of the ball in 2023, the Crimson Hawks have played outstanding through three games. IUP is 16th nationally in scoring defense (14.2) and 13th in first downs allowed (52).
 
CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 26-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN THE DEFENSE SCORES
IUP has one defensive touchdown this year – coming on a 21-yard scoop and score by LB Jay Holmes against Shippensburg on September 16. The single defensive TD this season mirrors the team's output 2021, 2018 and 2014. In every other year since 2011 the Crimson Hawks have had multiple defensive scores, including 4 in 2017, 5 in 2016, and 6 in 2015. In 2022, IUP had a pair of defensive scores, including a blocked punt in the postseason against Ashland's first team offense along with a pick-six at Shippensburg.
 
KARST HUNTER PROVIDING VERSATILE OPTION AS QB1
IUP has a new starting quarterback leading the offense again in 2023, with highly-touted transfer Karst Hunter making stepping into the lineup as a transfer from Colorado Mesa. Hunter has thrown for 929 yards with nine touchdowns (fourth in PSAC) and four interceptions in 2023, averaging 15.7 yards per completion this season, which ranks 17th in NCAA DII. He's also rushed for three scores this season, with two coming in the read-option look last week against Mercyhurst.
 
Hunter was a two-year starter at Colorado Mesa, earning All-RMAC Honorable mention and RMAC Freshman of the Year honors. Hunter set single season passing records in yards (2,481), completions (190) and completion percentage (62.5) at Colorado Mesa.
 
IUP RACKING UP "SPLASH PLAYS" EARLY THIS SEASON
IUP has posted 32 total "splash plays" over four games, which is listed as a pass of 20+ yards or a run of 10+ yards. IUP has 12 plays spanning 30 yards or more this season.
 
OFFENSE SEEMS TO HIT ITS STRIDE IN THE SECOND HALF
With some new faces across multiple areas of the offense, IUP seems to improve as the game progresses. The Crimson Hawks have scored 68 points over the second half of games this season, compared to just 47 in the first half.
 
RECEIVING OPTIONS APLENTY IN 2023
IUP features a trio of top-caliber receivers on its roster in 2023. Returning All-PSAC honoree Hilton Ridley, a 6-3 redshirt-junior scored eight touchdowns last season for the Hawks, is among the most experienced. Ridley has three more receiving touchdowns this season on 14 receptions, including one last week at Mercyhurst.
 
Graduate student Quinn Zinobile, a 6-3 transfer from Clarion and most recently from Albany, has stepped in as the leading statistical threat for IUP through four games. Zinobile enters week five among the top receivers in the league in receiving yards (5th; 339), receiving yards/game (5th; 84.8), receptions/game (7th; 5.2) and receiving touchdowns (2nd; 4). His father, Michael, played at IUP for legendary head coach Frank Cignetti in the early 1990s.
 
Former All-PSAC wideout Derek Lockhart (51 rec, 852 yds, 12 TD) is back for his second season at IUP after playing just one game in the 2022 opener for the Crimson Hawks. He's made a reception in 11 straight games dating back to the start of the 2021 season at Cal U. Cole Laney provides a big target at the tight end spot at 6-6, including a 74 yard catch and run in the season opener against Ashland. Cyair Clark also impressed in preseason camp and throughout scrimmages and provides a dynamic skillset in the slot and in the return game, evidenced by a lengthy 78-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter against Shippensburg.

VETERAN LEADERSHIP HEADLINES OFFENSIVE LINE
Despite filling the void left by two All-Americans last season, the IUP offensive line is an experienced unit going into the 2023 season. Still looking to gain chemistry as a unit, the Hawks will rely on veterans Gerald Comedy and McLean Djouha.
 
Djouha was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA just before the start of camp. Both Comedy and Djouha were starters on last season's offensive line that allowed just five sacks in 2022. Chad Layton stepped into the starting center spot in the opener, with transfers Chance Battle, Kelechi Okoro and Daric Cotman seeing action on the line.
 
DYNAMIC STABLE OF BACKS SPEARHEADING RUSHING ATTACK
IUP returns its top three leading rushers from last season, accounting for 12 combined touchdowns on the ground in 2022. The trio of JD Younger, Adam Houser and Dayjure Stewart have all seen carries at various points of the season. Houser is just 18 rushing yards shy of 1,000 net yards for his collegiate career.
 
Stewart continues rounding into form as the weeks progress, including 19 carries for 61 yards last week at Mercyhurst.  Also returning in the IUP backfield is Parker Gregg, who has transitioned into a fullback and short-yardage back for IUP in 2023. Randy Washington, who has been limited with injury, converted from the secondary to running back during spring football, providing another option in a deep stable of backs.
 
NO-FLY ZONE: HAWKS BOAST EXPERIENCED SECONDARY IN 2023
The IUP secondary features a pair of returning All-PSAC honorees in Darius Bruce and Jaheim Howard. The Crimson Hawks ranked 18th in the nation in 2022 with 15 total interceptions, with the duo of Bruce and Howard accounting for seven last season. IUP ranks third in the league and 31st nationally in passing yards allowed (163.0) with 23 pass breakups entering week five.
 
Naszhir Taylor (53 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 1 INT 11 PBU in 2022), Kalen Frazier (19 tackles, 1 INT, 4 PBU in 2022) and Chuck Ingram (24 tackles, 1 INT in 2022) were all starters in the IUP secondary last season and make up the most experienced unit in terms of games played on the roster. Every starter except for Frazier, who was a true freshman in 2022, have played at least 20 college games.
 
DYNAMIC DUO OF DINUNZIO-BISS, HOLMES IN THE MIDDLE OF IUP DEFENSE
Drew DiNunzio-Biss paced the team with 88.0 tackles last season and has 145 total stops over two-plus seasons as a Crimson Hawk. An All-PSAC West First Team selection in 2022, DiNunzio-Biss has recorded at least five tackles in each of the initial four games this season, including a forced fumble and fumble recovery, two QB hurries, two sacks and one pass breakup.
 
He's joined by Jay Holmes in the middle of the IUP defense, who made five tackles in each of the last three games, adding a 21-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Shippensburg. Holmes emerged as the season progressed in 2022, tallying 29 tackles with 3.5 TFLs.
 
MULTIPLE CONTRIBUTORS ALONG THE DEFENSIVE LINE
Tyrone Fowler Jr. is back along the defensive line after missing most of 2022 to injury. The 2021 PSAC West Freshman of the Year, Fowler has 49 tackles and 10.5 sacks in just 18 games with the Crimson Hawks.
 
He's joined on the defensive line by Cole Weightman, named the PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week on September 18. Logan Danielson, Terell Williams, Cyler Rozina and Maurice Feazell are all key parts of the rotation for the Hawks on the defensive line.
 
A WINNING TRADITION
IUP has a long winning tradition with its football program, recording 601 total victories since 1927. IUP has 20 NCAA DII Playoff appearances, the most in the PSAC and fourth most all-time. Additionally, IUP is eighth in NCAA DII history with 23 playoff victories.
 
UP NEXT
IUP is back home for Homecoming and the 14th Annual Coal Bowl on Saturday, October 7 against California (Pa.). Kickoff from Miler Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m.   
 
FOLLOW
For coverage of the IUP football program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPfootball and online at IUPAthletics.com.
 

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