THE GAME
The No. 21/24th-ranked IUP football program returns home for the Homecoming matchup against No. 9/10th-ranked Slippery Rock on Saturday, October 5. Kickoff from Miller Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m.

This marks the biggest game in DII football this week as it is the only match up that features two nationally ranked, and undefeated programs.

Returning home for its second home game of the season, IUP is fresh off a shutout win over Clarion last Saturday. The IUP defense registered four sacks, five pass breakups, and eight tackles for loss against the Golden Eagles. Meanwhile, QB Karst Hunter had a 78 percent completion rate and 308 total yards on offense and three touchdowns (one rushing).

Slippery Rock (4-0, 1-0) came into the match putting up some impressive offensive numbers. QB BraydenLong threw for 212-yards, two touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown. Slippery Rock's offense totals 379-yards against Edinboro.

QUICK NOTES / STORY LINES
• Going head to head, both teams are currently undefeated and nationally ranked, sharing the same record of 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the PSAC West.
• Saturday marks the 98th 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 11 of the last 12 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 352.5 yards/game offensively, while IUP is holding opponents to 260.0 yards/ game (7.21 yards/play) on the defensive side of the ball.
• IUP's last shutout victory came against Clarion last Saturday, a 31-0 blowout at Miller Stadium. Tortorella has had six shutouts during his time at IUP, each time scoring 30+ points.
• IUP fell to nationally-ranked Slippery Rock last season, 42-21, at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.
• Defensively, IUP has allowed 64 first downs this season, sixth in the league and ranks ninth in NCAA DII for scoring defense, allowing 41 points through four games.
• To date, Hunter throughout his career has completed 62% of his passing attempts while throwing for just over 2,000-yards. He has recorded 21 passing touchdowns and seven rushing scores, despite missing significant time (4+ games) due to injury.
• On the defensive side of the ball, three-time allleague selection Darius Bruce is part of a talented secondary alongside former All-PSAC selections Kalen Frazier and Jaheim Howard. As well as Maurice Feazell, defensive end, just named PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week.
• Slippery Rock's defense is among the best in the nation, ranking 1st nationally and in the conference for 3rd down conversions (0.170).
• IUP's red zone defense is ranked 2nd nationally and in the conference, limiting their opponents to two red zone touchdowns and one field goal made.

NOTEBOOK

TORTORELLA THIRD IN IUP HISTORY IN WINS
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 70th career game in the 2023 season finale against Bloomsburg and now in his eigth season, Tortorella is 58-16 (.784) overall with a 33-10 mark against PSAC West opponents. His 54 wins at the completion of the 2023 campaign surpassed Curt Cignetti (53) for third place. In his 62nd game on Sept. 16, 2023, against Shippensburg, Tortorella became 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 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 10-6 in one-score games. IUP was 5-1 in one-score games two seasons ago, and now 6-3 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, while the Hawks fell by one score in three of their five setbacks in 2023. So far in the 2024 season, IUP has only had one close game that came within three points against Lock Haven.

IUP/SLIPPERY ROCK SERIES HISTORY
IUP and Slippery Rock will meet for the 98th time overall. The Crimson Hawks look to avenge last year's 42-21 defeat at Mihalik-Thompson Stadium.The Crimson Hawks struggled defensively in that game, giving up 28 points in the first half and only managing to respond late in the fourth quarter. Slippery Rock's run game was dominant, with all six of their touchdowns coming on the ground, and five of those from under 10-yards out. Khalid Dorsey's standout performance included 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while QB Brayden Long excelled in the air, completing 18 of 23 passes for 277-yards. Slippery Rock's defense recorded three intercetions against Hunter. IUP QB Karst Hunter was limited to 131-yards in the air, but outgained the Rock in 217 total rushing yards. Hunter rushed for 98-yards and scored two touchdowns.

QUICK GLANCE AT THE 2024 SCHEDULE
IUP has just four home games on the schedule in 2024, losing a game after Mercyhurst made the jump to NCAA Division I. The Crimson Hawks opened the season with three consecutive road games, including a highly-anticipated opener against Ashland on Thursday, September 5 in Ohio, defeating them 19-10. IUP opened the home slate on Saturday, September 28 with the annual Hall of Fame Game against Clarion, defeating the Golden Eagles 31-0. From there, the Hawks play host to Slippery Rock for Homecoming on October 5 before matchups with Seton Hill (Senior Day; October 19) and Kutztown (PSAC Championship Weekend; November 16).

ROAD WARRIORS
IUP has been particularly strong on the road since Tortorella took over as head coach in 2017. IUP boasts a 29-5 (.859) mark in road games since 2017. IUP has a pair of undefeated seasons on the road under the direction of Tortorella, posting a 5-0 mark in 2017 and 2021. IUP closed the 2023 season with a pair of road victories at Clarion (39-27) and Bloomsburg (31-0), which clinched the program's 13th consecutive season with an overall record above the .500 mark. The first three games this season were on the road, claiming all three victories at Ashland (Sept. 5), Lock Haven (Sept. 14), and Millersville (Sept. 21).

DEFENSE HAS FOUND CONSISTENCY
Returning only half of the starters on the defensive side of the ball in 2024, the Crimson Hawks have not hesitated to make plays. The IUP defense has averaged 3.5 sacks per game, over the last four matchups. Both Chuck Ingram and redshirt freshman Ian Amegatcher recorded interceptions during their contest against Millersville. The Crimson Hawks are holding opponents to 260.0 yards/game (7.21 yards/play) on the defensive side of the ball, and an average of 10 points per game so far this season. During the first matchup at Ashland, the Hawks held them to negative one total rushing yards. The Hawks have recorded 14 sacks totaling 88-yards lost.

SPECIAL TEAMS MAKING BIG PLAYS
Against Ashland, the Hawks recovered a punt at the 11 yard line, marking a huge stop for the defense, allowing Houser to score. Against Clarion, Nathan Rosario-Santos tipped their punt, holding it to 15-yards. 

VETERAN HAWKS TO LEAD IUP OFFENSIVE ATTACK
IUP will rely on its veteran line and signal caller to lead the offense. The Crimson Hawks ranked fifth in the league in scoring offense (26.3) and second in rushing (178.2) last season. IUP is boosted by the return of its starting QB for the first time since 2018 in Karst Hunter (6,671 Pass Yards, 54 TD, 23 Int; 1,183 Rush Yds, 21 Rush TD). Hunter ranks eighth in the league with 21 passing touchdowns despite missing several games due to injury. The South Dakota native ranks sixth for second among D2 active career leaders in total TDs responsible for (76). All-PSAC honorees Chad Layton (center) and Gerald Comedy (right guard) anchor the offensive line unit that returns four of five starters. Wide receiver Hilton Ridley (106 Rec, 1,523 Yds, 16 TD), a 6-foot-3 redshirt-senior has hauled in 14 touchdown receptions over the past two seasons. Ridley had a breakout performance at Seton Hill with a career-high 11 catches for 131 yards last fall. Redshirt senior Adam Houser (278 ATT, 1,279 Yds, 12 Rush TDs) and senior all-league transfer Kaleb Monaco (2,277 Rush Yards, 399 Rec Yds, 14 Total TD) will carry the bulk of the load in the ground game. 

OFFENSE SEEMS TO HIT ITS STRIDE IN THE FIRST HALF
With some new faces across multiple areas of the offense, IUP seems to get an early lead and working the clock in the second half. The Hawks are averaging so far this season, 19 points in the first half and 12.5 points in the second. IUP has scored first three times and has trailed once this season.

SECONDARY SET TO PLAY PRIMARY ROLE
The IUP secondary features a pair of returning All-PSAC honorees in Darius Bruce and Jaheim Howard with the duo lined up for their fourth season starting together. Two-year starter Kalen Frazier also returns as the team's top cornerback. The experienced trio will lead a Crimson Hawks unit that ranked second in the PSAC and 33rd nationally in scoring defense last season, allowing 19.7 points per game. IUP has kept the opponent scoring average under 20 points per game in back-to-back seasons. The Crimson Hawks allowed 11 passing touchdowns, the fewest since giving up nine in 2018, with only three of those surrendered inside the red zone last season. Key contributor Chuck Ingram has shifted to linebacker after appearing in all 37 games over the past three seasons. Redshirt junior Isaiah Towler (25 career games) and redshirt freshman Ian Amegatcher have stepped into starting roles, along with key contributions from Noah Johnston.

KEY TRANSFERS ADDED ON DEFENSE THROUGH THE PORTAL
Despite a huge void left in the linebacker room from losing leading tackler Drew DiNunzio-Bliss and fellow senior Jay Holmes, IUP has added experience by bringing in Millersville transfers Garrett Cox and Randy Okungu, along with Notre Dame College transfer Nathan Rosario-Santos. Cox, who is a two-time first-team All-PSAC performer, led the league in tackles (114) last year. He is a former high school teammate of Kalen Frazier. Okungu recorded 5.5 sacks for the Marauders last season. Rosario-Santos (67 tackles) is expected to become a heavy contributor after ramping up from preseason injury.

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 26-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN THE DEFENSE SCORES A TOUCHDOWN
IUP had one defensive touchdown in 2023 – coming on a 21-yard scoop and score by LB Jay Holmes against Shippensburg on September 16. The single defensive TD that 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.

COMEDY AND TORTORELLA NOMINEES FOR AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM
IUP football offensive lineman Gerald Comedy and head coach Paul Tortorella are among the nominees for the 2024 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team. Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football athletes for their unwavering commitment to community service and their "good works" off the field. Comedy has been a key leader in IUP football's community service throughout his accomplished career, actively involved socially and within the town of Indiana. Comedy and his teammates' primary community service initiative was helping to beautify and clean up the woods at an area near campus last spring. He has joined the football program to assist with move-in, reading at various elementary schools in Indiana County and volunteering as an assistant football coach as his schedule permits. Tortorella is the only NCAA DII head coach and one of just 11 head football coaches in the country recognized as a Good Works Team nominee. The IUP head coach spearheads all community service initiatives within the program, which recently included a stop at the Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC) Healthy Kids' Camp in late June 2024.

A WINNING TRADITION
IUP has a long winning tradition with its football program, recording 608 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 matches up against Edinboro in Erie, Pa. Saturday, October 12 for a 2 p.m. kickoff. 

FOLLOW
For coverage of the IUP football program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPfootball and online at IUPathletics.com.