INDIANA, Pa. -- Two games left on their schedule, IUP travels to Gannon for one last road contest at McConnell Family Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m.

IUP (5-3, 2-3) fell to California (Pa.) in the 15th annual Coal Bowl last Saturday in overtime, after a blocked field goal attempt, Cal U was able to recover the ball and attempt a second field goal that tied the game 10-10. In overtime, IUP received the ball first, Nick Andrasi kicked a successful 39-yard field goal attempt that put the Hawks up 13-10. Cal U's quarterback rushed into the endzone securing the win for the Vulcans. JD Younger had 91 total scrimmage yards on the day and a touchdown.
 
Gannon (2-5, 2-2) came off a 25-21 victory over Edinboro last Saturday. Gannon's Donell "Tank" Mason caught the game-winning touchdown for the Golden Knights with 26 seconds left on the clock. Quarterback Jayden Whitaker threw for 191-yards, one touchdown, and rushed into the endzone three times. Gannon's defense posted five sacks to combine for 37-yards lost.
 
QUICK NOTES / STORY LINES
•This marks the 16th time these teams will be meeting, IUP currently leads the series 10-5.
•In 2015, the Hawks went on a six-game winning streak until dropping both contests the past two seasons.
• IUP's defense is ranked second in the league, surrendering just 170.4 yards/game. As well as second in number of sacks, totaling 21 for a combined 123-yard loss.
•So far during the 2024 season QB Karst Hunter has thrown for 1,182-yards, nine touchdowns, and an average 63.2% passing rate. He has rushed for 348-yards and four touchdowns, through seven games.
• Since Tortorella took over the program in 2017, IUP has performed slightly better on the road (29-7) than at home (30-12). The Crimson Hawks dropped multiple road games last season (3-2) for just the first time since 2016 (5-2).
• IUP's last shutout victory came against Clarion on September 28, a 31-0 blowout at Miller Stadium. Tortorella has had six shutouts during his time at IUP, each time scoring 30+ points.
• IUP is averaging 25.0 points a game while limiting their opponents to 16.3 (second in PSAC).
• Gannon ranks near last in the conference in both scoring (15.3) and points allowed (30.1) per game.
• Gannon's defense is surrendering upwards of 400-yards per game.
• IUP is ranked 12th in the league in total offense, averaging 317.8 yards per game. Right behind is Gannon in 13th who are averaging 264.6 yards per game.
• Linebacker Garrett Cox is ranked 13th nationally with 78 total tackles and is averaging 9.8 per game.
• Gerald Comedy, Chad Layton, Cyair Clark and Hilton Ridley are all former All-PSAC honorees on offense.
• On the defensive side of the ball, three-time all- league selection Darius Bruce is part of a talented secondary alongside former All-PSAC selections Kalen Frazier and Jaheim Howard.
 
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 eighth season, Tortorella is 58-19 (.734) overall with a 33-13 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/GANNON SERIES HISTORY
IUP and Gannon will meet for the 16th time overall. The Crimson Hawks are hoping to end their two-game losing streak against the Golden Knights. Last year, IUP went into halftime with a 15-6 lead, but were unable to score any points in the second. With 16 seconds left, Gannon kicked the game winning field goal.
 
QUICK GLANCE AT THE 2024 SCHEDULE
IUP has just two games remaining on their schedule. They will travel to Gannon [November 2], followed by a bye week, concluding the 2024 campaign at Miller Stadium against Kutztown/TBD [PSAC Championship Weekend; November 16].
 
IUP OFFENSE PREDICATED ON "SPLASH PLAYS"
IUP has posted 52 total "splash plays" throughout the season, which is listed as a pass of 20+ yards or a run of 10+ yards.
 
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 106 points over the second half of games this season, compared to just 84 in the first half.
 
DEFENSE SEARCHING FOR 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. Both Charles Ingram and redshirt freshman Ian Amegatcher recorded interceptions during week three against Millersville. Darius Bruce concealed a game-winning interception against Seton Hill with under two minutes to play. The Hawks allow an average of 273.5 yards and 16.3 points per game so far this season. Defense is coming up big with 10 sacks for 67 yards lost in just the first three games. During the first matchup at Ashland, the Hawks held them to negative one total rushing yards. The Hawks recovered a punt at the 11-yard line, marking a huge stop for the defense, allowing Adam Houser to score. Transfer Garrett Cox leads the team with 78 total tackles and is ranked 13th nationally in total tackles averaging 9.8 per game.
 
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 (7,325 Pass Yards, 58 TD, 29 Int; 1,392 Rush Yds, 24 Rush TD). The South Dakota native ranks sixth for second among D2 active career leaders in total TDs responsible for (81). 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 (116 Rec, 1,659 Yds, 17 TD), a 6-foot-3 redshirt-senior has hauled in 15 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 (282 ATT, 1,306 Yds, 12 Rush TDs) and senior all-league transfer Kaleb Monaco (2,362 Rush Yards, 399 Rec Yds, 14 Total TD) will carry the bulk of the load in the ground game.
 
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 10-7 in one-score games. IUP was 4-1 in one-score games two seasons ago, and now 2-3 since the beginning of the 2024 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.
 
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 40 games over the past three seasons. Redshirt junior Isaiah Towler (28 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.
 
CRIMSON HAWKS IN THE NFL
Highlighting two former Crimson Hawks who have made the jump to the NFL are current New York Jets wide receiver, Irvin Charles and Denver Broncos linebacker, Dondrea Tillman. Irvin Charles was signed to the Jets practice squad on August 31, 2022. On October 7, 2023, Charles was elevated to the active roster as a special team ace. Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season, Irvin Charles blocked a punt against the Titans, putting the Jets in excellent field position changing the momentum of the game. Dondrea Tillman was signed to the Broncos practice squad and has played snaps in weeks 3-6. Recording two sacks and three tackles in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and two tackles the following week against the New York Jets. Tillman was also nominated for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week for his defensive performance Week 3.
 
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 609 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 has a bye next weekend and will return to Miller Stadium to conclude the 2024 campaign Saturday, November 16 against Kutztown/TBD (PSAC Championship Weekend). Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.

Follow
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