INDIANA, Pa. -- The IUP football program travels up to Erie, Pa. this Saturday to play Edinboro, kickoff from Sox Harrison Stadium is set for 2:00 p.m. IUP enters the week with a 4-1 record and a 1-1 in PSAC West play. The Hawks dropped four spots from last week's AFCA Coaches Poll to 25th place. The Crimson Hawks are looking to snap back after their one point loss to 9th-ranked Slippery Rock last Saturday during a rival showdown, 33-32.

Edinboro coming off a bye week, is looking to rally back after a three week drought. They are 1-4 on the season with a 0-1 PSAC West record. Prior to their bye week they matched up with Bloomsburg and Slippery Rock, losing by just five points in each game. The Fighting Scots trailed 28-0 through the second quarter against SRU and rallied back 23 points but ultimately fell short, 28-23.

QUICK NOTES / STORY LINES
• IUP will opened the 2024 season with three straight road games for the first time since 2016. IUP started 3-0 that season and advanced to the NCAA Second Round.
• IUP has posted 30 points or more against Edinboro five times since 2014, racking up some big offensive performances.
• IUP boasts a 13-3 away record against Edinboro since 1927, winning six consecutive games at Sox Harrison Stadium and wins in 11 of the last 15 matchups.
• Since Tortorella took over the program in 2017, IUP has performed slightly better on the road (29-5) than at home (29-12). 
• 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.
• So far during the 2024 season QB Karst Hunter has thrown for 709-yards, eight touchdowns, and an average 63.7% passing rate. He has rushed for 244-yards and two touchdowns, through four games.
• Edinboro head coach Jake Nulph is in his fifth season with the Fighting Scots, posting a 13-24 mark.
• 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. As well as Maurice Feazell, defensive end, just named PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Week two weeks ago.
• Edinboro features one of the most dynamic
players in the conference in 2022 All-American Reed Martin. A two-time PSAC West Special teams Athlete of the Week in 2023, selected once more against SRU this season. Martin serves as the Fighting Scots' starting corner, kicker and punter. He ranks fourth in the PSAC with an average punt of 41.9-yards. Against SRU he had three land inside the 20. 
• Edinboro is surrendering 322.4 yards/game and nearly 26.2 points per contest. The Fighting Scots rank fifth in passing yards allowed, surrendering nearly 202.6 yards through the air per outing.

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 58-17 (.773) overall with a 33-11 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 10-7 in one-score games. IUP was 5-1 in one-score games two seasons ago, and now 6-4 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 two close games that came within three points against Lock Haven, and one point against Slippery Rock.

IUP/EDINBORO SERIES HISTORY
IUP and Edinboro will meet for the 89th time overall. The Crimson Hawks look to increase their current 2-game win streak against the Fighting Scots. Last year at George P. Miller Stadium, the Crimson Hawks grinded out a 20-10 win after being down 10-7 at the half, due to two lost fumbles and only running 17 total plays in the first half. Adam Houser was able to eclipse over 1,000 career rushing yards after logging 46-yards on the ground in the second half. After a total defensive shutdown by the Crimson Hawks, the Fighting Scots were only able to score via one field goal in the second half.

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 hosted Slippery Rock for Homecoming on October 5, falling to their rival 33-32. Next weekend the Hawks return home with a matchup against 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 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. IUP ranks second in the PSAC West with 14 sacks through five games, for a loss of 88-yards. Both Chuck Ingram and redshirt freshman Ian Amegatcher recorded interceptions during their contest against Millersville. This past week against Slippery Rock, redshirt sophomore Noah Johnston recorded a diving interception against QB Brayden Long. The Crimson Hawks are holding opponents to 287.4 yards/game on the defensive side of the ball, and an average of 14.8 points per game so far this season. During the first matchup at Ashland, the Hawks held them to negative one total rushing 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 (6,852 Pass Yards, 57 TD, 23 Int; 1,288 Rush Yds, 22 Rush TD). Hunter ranked 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 (80). 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 (109 Rec, 1,567 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 (278 ATT, 1,279 Yds, 12 Rush TDs) and senior all-league transfer Kaleb Monaco (2,335 Rush Yards, 399 Rec Yds, 14 Total TD) will carry the bulk of the load in the ground game.

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 38 games over the past three seasons. Redshirt junior Isaiah Towler (26 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 3-5. 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 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 hosts Seton Hill on Saturday, October 19 for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff, prior to the game we will be recognizing the senior class.

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