INDIANA, Pa.-- With one last game on the 2024 schedule, IUP defends George P. Miller Stadium for one last home contest against the Shippensburg Raiders. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.

IUP (6-3, 3-3) freshly off the bye after a blowout victory against the Gannon Golden Knights, 35-7. Wide receiver Maurice Massey broke out against Gannon, recording six receptions for 181-yards and three touchdowns. Massey's longest reception was a 52-yard touchdown reception. Karst Hunter logged 303-passing yards and three passing touchdowns. IUP's defense recorded four sacks for a combined 25-yards loss and nine tackles for 36-yards loss.

Shippensburg (2-8, 1-6) on a four game losing skid, recently falling to Lock Haven on the road 41-21. After leading 14-0 in the first quarter, Lock Haven scored 35 unanswered points in the second quarter, only responding with a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Redshirt-sophomore running back Josiah Leonard scored two touchdowns and rushed for 104-yards on 14 carries and freshman wideout Ethan Arenson totaled 73-yards and scored his first career touchdown with the Raiders. 

QUICK NOTES / STORY LINES
•IUP concludes the 2024 season with a home matchup against Shippensburg [November 16].
• This marks the 69th time these teams will be meeting, IUP currently leads the series 47-17-4.
• IUP's defense is ranked third in the PSAC, surrendering just 271.4 yards/game. As well as second in number of sacks, totaling 25 for a combined 148-yard loss.
• So far during the 2024 season, QB Karst Hunter has thrown for 1,485-yards, 12 touchdowns, and an average 62.7% passing rate. He has rushed for 372-yards and four touchdowns, through eight games.
• 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 26.1 points a game while limiting their opponents to 15.2 PPG (third in PSAC).
• Shippensburg ranks 15th in the PSAC in scoring offense (11.2) and ranks 14th in points allowed (31.3) per game.
• Shippensburg came back from a 10 point deficit against the Marauders in week six.
• Shippensburg's kicker Wilson Ingerski kicked a 54-yard field goal at Bloomsburg, just the second 50+ yard field goal in Shippensburg school history.
• IUP is ranked 11th in the conference in total offense, averaging 333.6 yards per game. Shippensburg is ranked last, averaging only 237.1 scrimmage yards per game.
• Linebackers Garrett Cox and Charles Ingram are ranked third and fourth respectively in total tackles in the PSAC conference. Cox is averaging 9.9 tackles per game while Ingram is averaging 8.9 per game.
• Since Torterolla has been head coach for the Crimson Hawks, the point differential between IUP and Shippensburg is +64 in favor of the Crimson Hawks.
• The most recent matchup between the two schools was in 2023 involving the IUP defense recovering four fumbles and one defensive touchdown by a strip sack. Ending with a victory of 49-14. Karst Hunter threw for four touchdowns and rushed one himself.
• IUP's 21 game win streak against Shippensburg that spanned from 1989 to 2013 is the longest win streak against any PSAC opponent in program history.

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 60-19 (.759) overall with a 34-13 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/SHIPPENSBURG SERIES HISTORY
IUP and Shippensburg will meet for the 69th time overall. IUP was on a 21 game winning streak until they dropped 2018's meet, 45-21. Back on track, the Hawks have won the past three matches with scoring at least 44 points in each. Last year, IUP defeated Shippensburg at Miller Stadium 49-14. The defense recovered four fumbles and the team scored on three of them. Quarterback Karst Hunter threw 12 completions for 199-yards and four touchdowns, including two to Hilton Ridley. Hunter also marched into the endzone himself. Hilton Ridley hauled in two touchdowns and five receptions for 76-yards. Sebastian Campbell also scored for the Hawks off a 28-yard pass from backup quarterback Nico Marchitelli. Kicker Nick Andrasi went seven-for-seven in extra points and totaled eight kickoffs for 485-yards. Punter Aiden Spitler also had a day, punted seven times for 320-yards.

IUP OFFENSE PREDICATED ON "SPLASH PLAYS"
IUP has posted 62 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 120 points over the second half of games this season, compared to just 105 in the first half.

DEFENSE 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. 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 271.1 yards and 15.2 points per game so far this season, ranking first in the PSAC West and 15th nationally in scoring defense. IUP defense is currently ranked second in the PSAC and first in the west for recorded sacks. IUP has posted 25 sacks for a combined loss of 148-yards. Transfer Garrett Cox leads the team with 89 total tackles and is ranked 14th nationally averaging 9.9 TPG. Cox currently sits in third place nationally in D2 active career tackles with 336.

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 (7,628 Pass Yards, 61 TD, 29 Int; 1,412 Rush Yds, 24 Rush TD). The South Dakota native ranks eighth for second among D2 active career leaders in total TDs responsible for (86). 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 (288 ATT, 1,321 Yds, 12 Rush TDs) and senior all-league transfer Kaleb Monaco (2,392 Rush Yards, 399 Rec Yds, 15 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 41 games over the past three seasons. Redshirt junior Isaiah Towler (29 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 and 10. 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 recorded an assisted tackle against the Cheifs in week 10. 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 610 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.

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