<strong>THE GAME</strong><br /> The IUP football program kicks off play at Miller Stadium after three consecutive road game wins, against PSAC West Clarion this Saturday, September 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.<br /> <br /> Eager to turn the page, IUP features a veteran-laden roster this fall including eight starters back on offense and six more on the defensive side along with experienced transfer additions. Six All-PSAC selections return and several more from 2022 are back in the mix.<br /> <br /> IUP (3-0, 0-0) had an impressive 42-14 victory over Millersville last Saturday, despite trailing in numerous statistical categories. The Hawks posted two interceptions from Ian Amegatcher, his career first, and Chuck Ingram. Ingram also had a career high of 16 tackles, one being for a loss.<br /> <br /> Clarion (2-2, 0-0) began the season strong with two wins but has since faced setbacks in their last two games. The team is eager to rebound this Saturday after a tough fourth-quarter loss to Shepherd last week.<br /> <br /> <strong>QUICK NOTES/STORYLINES</strong><br /> • IUP will open with three straight road games for the first time since 2016. IUP started 3-0 that season and advanced to the NCAA Second Round.<br /> • IUP has won 12 straight games against Clarion dating back to 2011 and own the overall series 65-24-3. Saturday marks the 93th all-time meeting between the two programs.<br /> • IUP boasts a 50-21-3 home record against Clarion since 1985, winning five consecutive games at Memorial Stadium and wins in 12 of the last 13 matchups.<br /> • Since Tortorella took over the program in 2017, IUP has performed slightly better on the road (29-5) than at home (28-11). The Crimson Hawks dropped multiple road games last season (3-2) for just the first time since 2016 (5-2).<br /> • IUP's last shutout victory came against Bloomsburg in 2023, a 31-0 blowout at Redman Stadium to close out the season.<br /> • QB Nico Marchitelli has thrown for eight touchdowns and three interceptions, adding 276 yards on the ground. Making his ninth appearance last week against Millersville, Marchitelli ripped a 30-yard pass deep left to Deabner.<br /> • Last season, Hunter completed 60% of his passing attempts while throwing for over 1,500 yards with 16passing touchdowns and six rushing scores, despite missing significant time (3+ games) due to injury.<br /> • For his career, Hunter has thrown a combined 52 touchdown passes while rushing for 20 touchdowns.<br /> • Tortorella boasts an impressive 21-4 mark in September games since 2017.<br /> • Clarion head coach Raymond Monica is in his third season at Clarion and 16th year as a collegiate head coach overall. Monica posted a 45-34 mark over seven seasons at Kutztown from 2006-2012, arriving at Clarion in 2022.<br /> • Gerald Comedy, Chad Layton, Cyair Clark and Hilton Ridley are all former All-PSAC honorees on offense.<br /> • 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.<br /> <br /> <strong>NOTEBOOK</strong><br /> <br /> <strong>TORTORELLA THIRD IN IUP HISTORY IN WINS</strong><br /> 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 seventh season, Tortorella is 57-16 (.781) overall with a 32-10 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.<br /> <br /> <strong>IUP IS NO STRANGER TO CLOSE GAMES</strong><br /> 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.<br /> <br /> <strong>IUP/CLARION SERIES HISTORY</strong><br /> IUP and Clarion will meet for the 93rd time overall, marking the 51st time IUP hosts Clarion. The Crimson Hawks look to remain undefeated in the lopsided series, after 12 consecutive wins against the Eagles, three of those being shutouts. The most recent matchup IUP defeated Clarion 39-27. After a slow start, IUP gained control in the first half, out gaining Clarion 565-340 in total yards. Returning quarterback Karst Hunter had a standout performance, amassing 384 total yards and contributing four touchdowns. IUP's offense was well-balanced, with Hilton Ridley catching two touchdown passes and contributions from the running game by Adam Houser and Dayjure Stewart. Clarion, missing starter Anthony Guercio, struggled offensively, using four quarterbacks and managing only 80 rushing yards. IUP's defense was also impressive, recording six sacks and two turnovers. The game saw IUP score multiple times, including two long touchdown plays, a 53-yard pass to Quinn Zinobile and a 53-yard run by Adam Houser.<br /> <br /> <strong>QUICK GLANCE AT THE 2024 SCHEDULE</strong><br /> 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 opens the home slate on Saturday, September 28 with the annual Hall of Fame Game against Clarion. 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).<br /> <br /> <strong>ROAD WARRIORS</strong><br /> 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).<br /> <br /> <strong>IUP OFFENSE PREDICATED ON "SPLASH PLAYS"</strong><br /> IUP has posted 17 total "splash plays" over three games, which is listed as a pass of 20+ yards or a run of 10+ yards. IUP has 16 plays spanning 30 yards or more this season.<br /> <br /> <strong>DEFENSE SEARCHING FOR CONSISTENCY</strong><br /> 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 at least 3.0 sacks per game, over the last three matchups. Both Ingram Charles and redshirt freshman Ian Amegatcher recorded interceptions during last week's meet against Millersville. The Hawks allow an average of 309.3 yards and 13.67 points per game so far this season. Defense coming up big with 10 sacks for 67 yards loss 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 Houser to score.<br /> <br /> <strong>VETERAN HAWKS TO LEAD IUP OFFENSIVE ATTACK</strong><br /> 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 (6,143 Pass Yards, 49 TD, 22 Int; 1,060 Rush Yds, 20 Rush TD). Hunter ranked sixth in the league with 16 passing touchdowns despite missing several games due to injury. The South Dakota native ranks tied for second among D2 active career leaders in total TDs responsible for (69). 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 (103 Rec, 1,480 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 (61 ATT, 1,198 Yds, 11 Rush TDs) and senior all-league transfer Kaleb Monaco (2,172 Rush Yards, 399 Rec Yds, 11 Total TD) will carry the bulk of the load in the ground game.<br /> <br /> <strong>SECONDARY SET TO PLAY PRIMARY ROLE</strong><br /> 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 thePSAC 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 33 games over the past three seasons. Redshirt junior Isaiah Towler (33 career games) and redshirt freshman Ian Amegatcher are expected to step up into starting roles.<br /> <br /> <strong>KEY TRANSFERS ADDED ON DEFENSE THROUGH THE PORTAL</strong><br /> 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.<br /> <br /> <strong>CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 26-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN THE DEFENSE SCORES A TOUCHDOWN</strong><br /> 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.<br /> <br /> <strong>COMEDY AND TORTORELLA NOMINEES FOR AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM</strong><br /> 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.<br /> <br /> <strong>A WINNING TRADITION</strong><br /> IUP has a long winning tradition with its football program, recording 607 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.<br /> <br /> <strong>UP NEXT</strong><br /> IUP matches up against Slippery Rock for Homecoming weekend on Saturday, October 5 for a 2 p.m. kickoff. <br /> <br /> <strong>FOLLOW</strong><br /> For coverage of the IUP football program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPfootball and online at IUPAthletics.com.