14 IUP Crimson Hawks
GAME
1
at EAST STROUDSBURG September 10, 2016 6:05 PM East Stroudsburg, Pa. Gregory-Douds Field @ Eiler-Martin Stadium
BREAKDOWN #10/14
IUP Crimson Hawks 0-0, 0-0 PSAC West
RECORD
1-0, 0-0 PSAC East
RANKING
#10 in AFCA Coaches
RANKING
NR in AFCA Coaches
#14 in D2Football Media
2016 SCHEDULES #10/14 DATE
IUP (0-0, 0-0 PSAC West)
RANK
SEPTEMBER 10 10/14 17 24 OCTOBER 1 8 15 22 29 NOVEMBER 5 12
OPPONENT
RESULT/TIME
at East Stroudsburg 6:05 PM at Cheyney 1 PM at Edinboro * 12 PM Seton Hill * at California * Slippery Rock * Clarion * at Gannon * Mercyhurst * Bloomsburg
4 PM 7 PM 2 PM 1 PM 12 PM 1 PM 1 PM
East Stroudsburg (1-0, 0-0 PSAC East) DATE
RANK
SEPTEMBER 1 NR/NR 10 17 24 OCTOBER 1 8 15 22 29 NOVEMBER 5 12
OPPONENT
at Brevard #10/14 IUP at Mercyhurst at Shippensburg * Cheyney * at Millersville * Kutztown * at Bloomsburg * West Chester * Lock Haven * at California
East Stroudsburg Warriors
RECORD
RESULT/TIME
W 49-14 6:05 PM 12 PM 1 PM 6:05 PM 4 PM 7:05 PM 2 PM 12:05 PM 1:05 PM 1 PM
WHAT’S INSIDE Game Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Game Storylines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2016 IUP Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 IUP Football Quick Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 AFCA / D2Football Polls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 IUP’s Record Breakdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Career Games Played/Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 IUP Head Coach Curt Cignetti . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 IUP/Opponents Series Information . . . . . . . . 7 PSAC Standings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 IUP Depth Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 IUP Pronunciations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Game-by-Game Starters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Last Time It Happened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 100/300 Yard Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 IUP Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 20-Yard Plays/Breakdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 2015 IUP Scoring Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 IUP Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15 2015 IUP Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-22
NR in D2Football Media
LAST GAME
First game of season
HEAD COACH
Curt Cignetti
Sept. 3 defeated
CAREER RECORD
43-15 / 6th year
HEAD COACH
Denny Douds
IUP RECORD
43-15 / 6th year
CAREER RECORD
257-181-3 / 43rd year
CIGNETTI vs. ESU
1-0
ESU RECORD
same
IUP vs. ESU
10-6
vs. IUP
4-8
vs. Cignetti
0-1
LAST GAME
Brevard, 49-14
THE GAME The 10th-ranked Crimson Hawks kick off their 2016 season on Saturday as they hit the road to face East Stroudsburg. The evening start time is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. with the game to be broadcast live as the PA SPORTSfever Game of the Week. Check for PCN-TV on your local listings. IUP has had to wait one week to open its season, while the Warriors opened their year with a dominating 49-14 victory at Brevard last weekend. ESU scored 35 second half points in the win, totaling 475 yards, including 271 with five touchdowns on the ground. The game will be broadcast on WQMU 92.5 FM with the voice of IUP Athletics, Jack Benedict, calling the action. You can also listen on u92radio.com and on the u92radio app on your smartphone.
HOW TO FOLLOW WQMU 92.5 FM/U92radio.com Jack Benedict, play-by play Ab Dettorre, analyst Greg Drahuschak, sideline
SPORTSfever Television Phil Schoener, play-by-play Jim Riley, analyst Chris Doty, analyst *Available on ESPN3
*pregame show begins 30 minutes prior to kickoff
Live Stats Live stats from East Stroudsburg sidermstats.com/esu/football/ Twitter @IUPfootball @IUPCrimsonHawk
STORYLINES • IUP enters the second year of
• Cignetti is 4-1 in season open-
• The Crimson Hawks boast plen-
its spread offensive attack, led
ers with the Crimson Hawks and
ty of depth and experience in the
by R-So. QB Lenny Williams, Jr.;
is 11-4 against teams from the
kicking game, including Sr. Ryan
The Crimson Hawks averaged
PSAC East
Stewart, So. Sean Bowling and
36 points and rushed for a
R-Fr. Dillon Sarka at place kicker,
school-record 293.6 yards per
• IUP’s streak of nine straight
and Srs. Matt Spegal and Jordan
game last year
season-opening wins came to
Spangler at punter; All could see
a halt last year with its narrow
playing time
• In what seems like an annual
34-33 loss at home to ESU; IUP’s
occurrence, IUP expects to be
last road season-opener was a
• IUP returns 17 starters and 48
deep at the running back posi-
30-20 win at Southern Connecti-
players who saw time from last
tion, with Jrs. Chris Temple, Luigi
cut State in 2013
year’s 9-3 team that tied for the
Lista-Brinza, and Drew Harris
PSAC West regular season title
combining for 13 career 100-yard
• Two notable position changes
and advanced to the NCAA play-
rushing games; Fr. RBs Malik
for IUP include So. Mike Pietropo-
offs for the 16th time in program
Anderson and Samir Bullock also
la from WR/DB/ST to QB, and
history
hope to see time
All-American Sr. Ethan Cooper from LG to RT
• IUP HC Curt Cignetti’s first career win was a 28-13 victory over ESU on Sept. 10, 2011
1
QUICK FACTS
NOTEBOOK
Location
Indiana, Pa.
Enrollment
Around 14,000
Founded
1875
Athletics Affiliation
NCAA Division II
Conference
PSAC (West)
Colors
Crimson & Gray
Nickname
Crimson Hawks
President
Dr. Michael Driscoll
Athletic Director
Steve Roach
Stadium
Frank Cignetti Field at George P. Miller Stadium
Capacity
6,000
SPORTS INFORMATION
IUP IN SEASON OPENERS IUP is 49-33-3 all-time in season openers. The Crimson Hawks’ recent win streak of nine straight openers came to an end with a 34-33 loss to Kutztown in 2015, but they’ve still won 15 of the last 18 to start the season. Those other two losses came in 2005 to Millersville (28-6) and 2002 at Findlay (31-10). IUP has opened up with a fellow PSAC opponent 10 times since 1993, going 8-2 in those games, including a 28-13 win over East Stroudsburg in 2011. CIGNETTI IN SEASON OPENERS IUP HC Curt Cignetti is 4-1 in season openers with the Crimson Hawks, outscoring opponents by an average score of 33.0-18.4 in wins over East Stroudsburg (2011), Southern Connecticut State (2012 & 2013) and Saint Augustine’s (2014). In his 33-year coaching career, Cignetti is 23-10 in season openers, going 19-9 as an assistant at Pitt, Davidson, Rice, Temple, NC State and Alabama from 1983-2010. IUP vs. THE PSAC EAST
Sports Information Director
Ryan Rebholz
Since 2006, IUP is 24-7 (.774) against teams from the PSAC East, going 2-1 against Kutztown (L 34-33),
Office Phone
724-357-2747
Lock Haven (W 38-13), and Cheyney (W 62-0). The Crimson Hawks did hold a seven-game win streak that
Email
[email protected]
began with their 34-7 at West Chester in 2011 and ended with the 44-7 loss at Kutztown in 2014. IUP is 5-1 against Millersville, a combined 4-0 against East Stroudsburg and Cheyney, and 3-1 against West Chester
FOOTBALL HISTORY
in the last 10 seasons.
First Year of Football (Modern Year)
1927
Last Playoff Appearance
2015
All-Time Record (Pct)
537-264-23 (.666)
Division II Playoff Appearances
16
Division II National Semifinal Apperances Division II Championship Appearances All-Time Division II Playoff Record
6 2 19-16
COACHING STAFF
CURT CIGNETTI IS 4-2 IN PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP AND NCAA PLAYOFF GAMES AGAINST RANKED TEAMS IUP HC Curt Cignetti has a 6-8 record against top 25 teams, but is 4-2 against ranked opponents in the PSAC Championship or in NCAA playoff games. Cignetti and IUP defeated #15/20 Charleston in the opening round of the playoffs last year and took down #7/11 Shippensburg, #25/NR Shepherd and #3/4 New Haven in 2012. Year
Opponent
Coaches
Media
IUP Ranks
Result
2015
at Charleston *
15
20
RV/NR
W 47-21
2015
at Slippery Rock
15
15
RV/NR
L 40-39
Head Coach
Curt Cignetti
2014
West Chester
17
11
NR/NR
L 28-17
Alma Mater
West Virginia, 1982
2014
at California (Pa.)
RV
25
NR/NR
L 21-13
43-15 (four)
2013
California (Pa.)
NR
25
7/8
W 20-7
IUP Record (Years) Offensive Coordinator Alma Mater
Marty Higgins
2012
at Winston-Salem St. *
2
3
11/12
L 21-17
South Dakota St., 1982
2012
at New Haven *
3
4
11/12
W 17-14
Defensive Coordinator Alma Mater
Paul Tortorella
2012
Shepherd *
25
NR
11/12
W 27-17
Slippery Rock, 1985
2012
Shippensburg $
7
11
14/15
W 41-10
724-357-2780
2012
at California (Pa.)
6
6
14/21
L 26-24
2011
California (Pa.)
24
21
NR/NR
L 28-10
2011
Edinboro
18
23
NR/NR
W 19-0
2011
Bloomsburg
8
11
NR/NR
L 20-13
Football Office TEAM INFORMATION 2015 Overall Record 2015 PSAC Record/West Finish Final Ranking (AFCA/D2Football)
9-3 6-1/t-1st 19/19
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost
10/2
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost
7/4
Specialists Starters Returning/Lost
2/0
*NCAA Playoffs $PSAC Championship
YEAR 2 OF THE SPREAD OFFENSE Even with an increase in offensive fireworks last year, the Crimson Hawks will look to improve their efficiency in their up-tempo spread set, which was brought in by OC Marty Higgins in 2015. IUP averaged 35.8 points per game last season, and broke the single season program record by averaging 293.6 rushing
COACHING ASSIGNMENTS
yards per game, a mark that ranked fifth in the country.
Curt Cignetti - Head Coach
Sideline
Paul Tortorella - Def. Coord./Safties
Sideline
BIG PLAYS WERE A STAPLE IN 2015
Jim Smith - Linebackers/Spec. Teams
Sideline
The new offense provided excitement last season, with 58 total plays of 20 yards or more in 12 games. 36
Mike Campolo - Offensive Line
Sideline
of those plays were rushes, with R-So. QB Lenny Williams, Jr., and Jr. RBs Chris Temple, Luigi Lista-Brinza,
Mike Shanahan - Wide Receivers
Sideline
and Drew Harris combining for 33. Williams himself totaled 39 plays of 20 yards or more - 22 passing and
Anthony Leonard - Defensive Line
Sideline
17 rushing - and was responsible for 12 touchdowns of 20+ yards.
Luke Barker - Running Backs
Sideline IUP is 33-7 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS
Marty Higgins - Off. Coord./QBs
Booth
In his five seasons as head coach, Cignetti has a 33-7 record when an IUP player rushes for at least 100 yards
Johnny Franco - Cornerbacks
Booth
in a game, including 8-2 in 2015. He’s also 6-0 when two players top the 100-yard mark, with four of those
John Pettina - Volunteer Asst.
Booth
wins coming last year. Four players on the current roster have rushed for over 100 yards at least once. 100-Yard
Career-
Name
Games
High
Opponent
Lenny Williams, QB
6
205
at Seton Hill (2015)
Chris Temple, RB
6
255
California (2015)
Luigi Lista-Brinza, RB
6
164
at Mercyhurst (2015)
Drew Harris, RB
1
109
Lock Haven (2015)
2
LENNY WILLIAMS HAD ONE OF THE BEST FRESHMAN SEASONS IN IUP HISTORY
AFCA COACHES POLL
R-So. QB Lenny Williams had a breakout year in his first season with the Crimson Hawks in 2015, earning top freshman honors in both Super Region One and the PSAC West, and earned second team all-league
RK
SCHOOL (1st VOTES)
honors at quarterback. His all-around playmaking abilities made him one of 38 nominees for the 2015
1.
Northwest Missouri St. (30)
‘16 REC
1-0
LAST
1
Harlon Hill Trophy, given annually to the Division II Football Player of the Year. Williams finished with 2,778
2.
West Georgia
1-0
2
yards of total offense - third most in IUP history - passing for 1,549 yards while rushing for 1,229.
3.
Grand Valley St. (Mich.)
1-0
3
4.
Shepherd (W.Va.)
1-0
4 6
Williams’ 2015 highlights
5.
Ashland (Ohio)
1-0
• No. 1 among PSAC quarterbacks and No. 2 among Division II QBs with 102.3 rushing yards per game
6.
Minnesota St.
1-0
7
• No. 4 in the PSAC with 102.3 in rushing yards per game and No. 3 with 1,229 rushing yards
7.
Ferris St. (Mich.)
1-0
12
• No. 1 in the PSAC and No. 2 in Division II with 7.8 rushing yards per carry
8.
Texas A&M-Commerce
1-0
9t
• No. 2 in the PSAC with 7.63 yards per play
9.
Henderson St. (Ark.)
1-0
9t
• Broke IUP single game record with 504 total yards at Slippery Rock (Oct. 24)
10. Indiana (Pa.)
0-0
8
• Set PSAC single game for rushing yards by a quarterback with 205 at Seton Hill (Oct. 10)
11.
Colorado School of Mines
1-0
18
• 364 passing yards at Slippery Rock is ninth most in single game IUP history
12.
Slippery Rock (Pa.)
1-0
11
• Set IUP playoff single game record with five total touchdowns at Charleston (Nov. 21)
13.
Humboldt St. (Calif.)
1-0
13
• Four rushing touchdowns and 24 points vs. Charleston tied IUP playoff record
14.
Midwestern St. (Texas)
1-0
14
• Had 39 plays of 20 yards or more (22 passing, 17 rushing)
15.
Tuskegee (Ala.)
1-0
17
• Responsible for six touchdowns of more than 45 yards:
16.
Central Missouri
1-0
20
64 (run), 63 (pass), 62 (run), 54 (pass), 50 (pass), 45 (run)
17.
Sioux Falls (S.D.)
1-0
23
• Came off bench to total 215 yards (163 pass, 52 rush) in career debut vs. Kutztown (Sept. 12)
18.
Assumption (Mass.)
1-0
21
• Had six 100-yard rushing games, including a streak of five (averaged 150.6 yards during span)
19.
Colorado St.-Pueblo
0-1
5
• 2,778 total yards is the third most in IUP single season history (Andrew Krewatch, 3,049 in 2007)
20. North Alabama
0-1
15
• First PSAC quarterback ever to rush for 1,000 yards in a season
21.
Augustana (S.D.)
22. Florida Tech
1-0
25
1-0
NR
CHRIS TEMPLE WAS ONE OF THE TOP RUSHERS & SCORERS IN DIVISION II LAST SEASON Despite playing in just nine full games and part of a 10th, Jr. RB Chris Temple was one of five players from the PSAC to reach 1,000 yards, ranking second on the team with 1,212. He led the Crimson Hawks with 17 touchdowns, the fourth-highest total in program history. • No. 3 in the PSAC and No. 14 in the nation in rushing yards per game (121.2) • No. 3 in the PSAC in points per game (10.2) • Tied for No. 2 in the PSAC and is tied for No. 14 in the nation in rushing touchdowns (17) • His 17 rushing touchdowns were two away from tying Michael Mann (1993) for IUP’s season record • No. 5 in the PSAC and No. 24 in the nation in rushing yards (1,212) • Temple has two of the eight single game rushing performances in IUP history - 255 yards against Cal is sixth all-time and 234 yards against Edinboro is the eighth most • Temple’s 255 and 234-yard performances were the second and fourth most, respectively, by a PSAC player in a game last season • Temple’s 67-yard touchdown run vs. Edinboro was the longest play from scrimmage for IUP and the ninth longest rush in the PSAC last season • Temple’s six rushing touchdowns against the Fighting Scots set a new IUP record and tied former
23. Valdosta St. (Ga.)
1-0
NR
24. Azusa Pacific (Calif.)
1-0
NR
25. Colorado Mesa
1-0
NR
Shippensburg running back and current New Orleans Saints fullback John Kuhn for most in PSAC history
D2FOOTBALL.COM MEDIA POLL RK
SCHOOL
1
Northwest Missouri
‘15 REC
1-0
LAST
1
2
West Georgia
1-0
2
3
Grand Valley
1-0
3
4
Minnesota State
1-0
5
5
Ashland
1-0
7
6
Shepherd
1-0
6
7
Ferris State
1-0
9
8
Central Missouri
1-0
10
9
North Alabama
0-1
8
CRIMSON HAWKS AGAIN BOAST DEEP STABLE OF RUNNING BACKS
10
Humboldt State
1-0
14
Along with rushing threats in Temple and Williams from the quarterback position, the Crimson Hawks
11
Midwestern State
1-0
11
will again look to have the deepest running back group in the PSAC. In addition to Temple, Jr. RBs Luigi
12
Colorado Mines
1-0
21
Lista-Brinza and Drew Harris also return after combining for 661 yards and seven touchdowns rushing
13
Henderson State
last year. Also looking for playing time in the backfield will be true freshman RBs Samir Bullock and Malik
14
IUP
Anderson, who are both smaller, but provide speed and quickness.
15
Slippery Rock
1-0
17
16
Texas A&M-Commerce
0-0
18
2015
Career
1-0
16
0-0
15
Name
Yards
Avg
TDs
Yards
Avg
TDs
17
Tuskegee
1-0
19
Luigi Lista-Brinza, RB
374
5.7
5
1,193
4.7
15
18
Sioux Falls
1-0
20
Drew Harris, RB
287
5.1
2
287
5.1
2
19
Augustana
1-0
22
20
CSU-Pueblo
0-1
4
MIKE PIETROPOLA COULD BE MOST VERSATILE CRIMSON HAWK
21
Valdosta State
1-0
23
Although So. Mike Pietropola is listed as the backup quarterback on IUP’s two-deep, he has shown the
22
Emporia State
0-1
12
ability and willingness to contribute in several other ways.
23
Minnesota Duluth
0-1
13
• Came to IUP in the fall of 2015 as a quarterback
24
Assumption
1-0
NR
• Buried on the depth chart but too valuable to be kept on the sideline, earned spots on IUP’s kickoff team
25
West Chester
1-0
NR
and as the holder on kick attempts • Saw time in the defensive backfield and on the kick return team late in season • Finished with 11 total tackles and 39 yards on two kickoff returns • Made switch to receiver in spring practice before moving back to quarterback for fall camp due to a lack of depth at the position
3
WALT PEGUES ENTERS 2016 WITH RECEPTION IN 23 STRAIGHT GAMES
RECORD BREAKDOWN 2016 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
September October November December IUP’s Record vs. PSAC Teams at home 0-0 on the road 0-0 IUP’s Record vs. PSAC West Teams at home 0-0 on the road 0-0 IUP’s Record vs. PSAC East Teams at home 0-0 on the road 0-0 IUP vs. Ranked Opponents at home 0-0 on the road 0-0 IUP’s Record in Games... decided by 7 pts or less 0-0 decided by 3 pts or less 0-0 home during day 0-0 home at night 0-0 away during day 0-0 away at night 0-0 IUP’s Record When Scoring... less than 20 points 0-0 20+ points 0-0 30+ points 0-0 IUP’s Record When Allowing... 14 or fewer points 0-0 24 or fewer points 0-0 25+ points 0-0 IUP’s Record When... leading after the 1st qtr 0-0 trailing after the first qtr 0-0 tied after the 1st qtr 0-0 leading at halftime 0-0 trailing at halftime 0-0 tied at halftime 0-0 leading after the 3rd qtr 0-0 trailing after the 3rd qtr 0-0 tied after the 3rd qtr 0-0 IUP’s Record With... less than 300 yds tot offense 0-0 300+ yards total offense 0-0 400+ yards total offense 0-0 500+ yards total offense 0-0 less than 100 yards rush 0-0 100+ yards rushing 0-0 150+ yards rushing 0-0 200+ yards rushing 0-0 250+ yards rushing 0-0 less than 200 yards pass 0-0 200+ yards passing 0-0 250+ yards passing 0-0 300+ yards passing 0-0 350+ yards passing 0-0 IUP’s Record When Allowing... less than 200 total yards 0-0 less than 300 total yards 0-0 less than 400 total yards 0-0 400+ yards total offense 0-0 less than 100 yards rush 0-0 100+ yards rush 0-0 less than 200 yards pass 0-0 less than 300 yards pass 0-0 300+ yards pass 0-0
Jr. WR Walt Pegues enters Saturday night’s season opener at East Stroudsburg with a streak of 23 conCignetti 14-5 16-6 13-3 0-1 20-6 17-7
secutive games with a reception, a stretch that began with her first career game in 2014. For his career, Pegues has 102 receptions for 1,360 yards and seven touchdowns. PEGUES HAD ONE OF IUP’s BEST RECEIVING DAYS AT SLIPPERY ROCK IN 2015 Pegues had a huge game against Slippery Rock last season with 14 receptions for 233 yards, both career-highs. He also reeled in a 50-yard touchdown in the opening quarter. The yardage and reception totals were both among the best ever by an IUP player, ranking third and tied for third, respectively. IUP Single Game Receptions
14-3 12-6
Rec
Opp
Year
Player
Yds
Opp
Year
1. Terry Skelley
15
Clarion
1979
1. Jim Spence
271
Shippensburg
1983 2001
Drew Carswell 15 6-3 5-1
IUP Single Game Receiving Yards
Player
California (Pa.) 2014
2. Carmelo Ocasio 242
Millersville
3. Walt Pegues
14
Slippery Rock
2015
3. Walt Pegues
233
Slippery Rock
2015
Len Pesotini
14
Westminster
1975
4. Terry Skelley
215
Clarion
1979
5. Walt Pegues
13
Gannon
2014
5. Carmelo Ocasio 207
Saginaw Valley 2001
4-3 2-5 PEGUES IS AN ALL-PUPROSE THREAT 5-7 2-2 22-5 1-1 19-7 1-2 3-9 34-4 30-3 30-0 34-5 3-10
Pegues has also led IUP in all-purpose yards each of his first two years, totaling 1,466 in 2014 and 1,419 last year as a sophomore. An all-region pick as a return man after his freshman season, Pegues has averaged 25.3 yards on his 36 career kickoff returns and 13.3 yards on 40 career punt returns. ALL-AMERICAN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ETHAN COOPER MAKES POSITION CHANGE Sr. OL Ethan Cooper is slated to start 2016 as IUP’s right tackle, a change from his usual spot at left guard. An All-American pick last season, he enters the season with 25 consecutive starts, including the last 23 at left guard and two at right guard. He’s earned preseason All-American hype this year from The Sporting News and D2Football.com. EXPERIENCED OFFENSIVE LINE HAS SOME RESHUFFLING IN 2016 Including Cooper’s move, IUP will have three new starters along the offensive line. R-Fr. Jeff Arnold moves into the starting center position while Sr. Ed Bier is the pick to take over Cooper’s spot at left guard. Bier has played in 21 career games, including two starts at the end of the 2015 season at center. So. Joe Peter-
34-5 4-5 5-5 38-2 4-11 1-2 42-3 1-12 0-0 4-5 32-8 26-4 5-1 0-3 34-10 33-4 25-2 20-2 32-8 11-6 4-4 2-3 1-3 13-0 28-2 37-5 1-9 26-6 17-9 31-3 34-9 3-5
son will return to left tackle, where he started the last seven games last season, and R-Sr. Tony Morgante returns at right guard after starting 12 games there a season ago. THE IUP DEFENSE RETURNED TO THE TOP IN 2015 Coming off a down year in 2014, the IUP defense returned to its historically dominant form last season, finishing 11th in the nation in points allowed (17.8), 13th in rushing yards allowed (104.3) and 20th in total defense (312.4). The Crimson Hawks were also fifth in Division II with red zone defense (62.2 pct), ninth in sacks per game (3.33), ninth in opponents third down conversion rate (29.4 pct). IUP HAS SCORED 15 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS SINCE 2011; 41 SINCE 2003 Annually one of the PSAC’s - and the nation’s - strongest defenses, IUP has scored 15 total defensive touchdowns since 2011 and 41 since 2003. In 12 games last season, the Crimson Hawks scored six defensive touchdowns, including three at Mercyhurst. Not included in that total was a 34-yard blocked punt return for a score against Cheyney. Last year’s total was the most IUP has had in a single season since the start of 2003, eclipsing the previous high of four in 2010, 2009, 2007 and 2003. Year
Opponent
TD
2015
Cheyney
Allen Wright 23-yard interception return
Result IUP def. Cheyney, 62-0
2015
at Mercyhurst
Takhi Turner 7-yard interception return
IUP def. Mercyhurst, 35-14
2015
at Mercyhurst
Dorian Lane 80-yard interception return
IUP def. Mercyhurst, 35-14
2015
at Mercyhurst
Steve Franco 50-yard interception return
IUP def. Mercyhurst, 35-14
2015
Lock Haven
Dorian Lane 19-yard interception return
IUP def. Lock Haven, 38-13
2015
Kutztown
Matt Mowad 23-yard interception return
Kutztown def. IUP, 34-33
2014
Clarion
A. Robertson 14-yard interception return
IUP def. Clarion, 31-0
2013
at Clarion
Marco Pecora 45-yard interception return
IUP def. Clarion 42-14
2013
Millersville
Jay Watkins 20-yard fumble recovery
IUP def. Millersville, 62-3
2013
at Seton Hill
Dorian Lane 39-yard interception return
IUP def. Seton Hill 26-0
2012
#25 Shepherd
Carl Fleming 77-yard interception return
IUP def. Shepherd, 27-17
2012
#7 Shippensburg Carl Fleming 40-yard interception return
2012
at Gannon
Terrell Holloway 8-yard interception return
IUP def. Gannon, 38-35
2011
at Lock Haven
M. Toussaint 29-yard interception return
IUP def. Lock Haven, 56-6
2011
at Clarion
Johnny Franco 42-yard interception return
IUP def. Clarion, 38-7
4
IUP def. Shippensburg, 41-10
KEVIN CLARKE LEADS A TALENTED LINEBACKING CREW R-Sr. Kevin Clarke returns for his third year as a starting linebacker in 2015. The two-time All-PSAC West
CAREER GAMES PLAYED/STARTED
pick and former preseason All-American has 220 career tackles in 33 games played (24 starts). He’ll be
Player
joined by Sr. Myles Catlin, who has 32 career games under his belt with four starts. Appearing as backups
Devin Altland, WR
‘12 ‘13 --
--
‘14
-- 8/0
8/0
on the two-deep are freshmen Damon Lloyd and Nick Amendola.
Jemal Averette, DL
--
-- 11/0 12/12
23/12
Career Statistics
‘16
Tot
--
Noah Bertram, TE
--
Tkl
Solo
TFL
FR/FF
Ed Bier, OL
-- 2/0
33/24
220
94
23.0
2/3
Seamus Bishof, OL
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
32/4
96
38
5.0
0/1
Sean Bowling, PK
--
--
-- 11/0
11/0
65/28
316
132
28.0
2/4
Swahneek Brown, WR
--
--
-- 11/11
11/11
Myles Catlin, LB
-- 9/0 11/4 12/0
32/4
Player
GP/GS
Clarke Catlin Totals
--
‘15
3/0
3/0
7/1 12/2
21/3
Dan Charmo, OL
--
6/1
16/10
The Crimson Hawks feature a defensive front that includes experienced playmakers, led by juniors Jemal
Kevin Clarke, LB
-- 10/1 11/11 12/12
33/24 29/26
AVERETTE, MOWAD HIGHLIGHT DEEP DEFENSIVE LINE
-- 10/9
Averette and Matt Mowad. 11 different players saw time along the line last season, as DC Paul Tortorella
Ethan Cooper, OL
-- 6/3 11/11 12/12
keeps a steady rotation.
Adam Deardorff, WR
--
--
--
2/0
2/0
• Averette earned all-region and All-PSAC West honors in 2015 with 7.0 TFLs and 3.5 sacks; he has played
Andrew DeGol, DB
-- 9/0
8/0
5/0
22/0
in 23 career games with 12 starts
Gabriel Diaz, OL
--
--
2/0
9/6
11/6
• Mowad played in just eight games last year due to injury, but has 15.0 TFLs and 7.0 sacks in 19 career
Jordan Diven, DL
--
--
--
9/2
9/2
games
Eric Doe, DB
--
-- 10/0 12/0
22/0
Nick Dubowski, LB
-- 5/2 10/7 12/0
27/9
Deandre Easterling, DL
--
--
Kevin Edwards, TE
--
11/1
9/6
29/8
Steve Franco, DB
-- 3/0 11/11 12/12
26/23
• Jr. CJ Odegbo played in 11 games last year at end, finishing with 4.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks
Drew Harris, RB
--
--
7/0
7/0
• So. Dyllon Scott has his redshirt taken off at the end of the season, playing in five games and starting
C.J. Jackson, TE
--
-- 10/1 10/3
20/4
twice, tallying 3.0 sacks against Cheyney
Diamond Jones, DE
--
--
• R-Jr. Jordan Diven played in nine games with two starts last year, tallying 19 tackles and 3.5 TFLs
Luigi Lista-Brinza, RB
--
-- 11/10
• Jr. Justin Weldon is slated to start at nose guard; He’s played in 17 career games with two starts • R-So. Diamond Jones was a special teams demon last year (two blocked kicks), and started the playoff game at Shepherd at defensive end • So. Deandre Easterling tied for the team lead with 5.0 sacks and was second with 9.5 TFLs, playing in all 12 games as a reserve
-- 12/2 9/1
--
-- 12/1 7/2
12/2
12/1 18/12
Mikale Makle, DB
--
--
-- 12/7
12/7
JAY WATKINS RANKED AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN PASS BREAKUPS
Tony Morgante, OL
--
8/1
4/2 12/12
24/15
R-Jr. CB Jay Watkins returned from an injury last year to finish tied for sixth in Division II with 1.7 passes
Matt Mowad, DL
--
-- 11/3
CJ Odegbo, DL
--
--
-- 11/0
11/0
Rex Pearce, TE
--
--
8/0 12/0
20/0
Walt Pegues, WR
--
-- 11/2 12/12
23/14
Joe Peterson, OL
--
--
--
8/7
8/7
Along with Watkins, R-Sr. SS Steve Franco is another postseason award winner returning to the IUP sec-
Mike Pietropola, QB
--
--
-- 12/0
12/0
ondary. The two have combined for 45 career games played and 41 starts in the defensive backfield, as the
Ackeno Robertson, DB
-- 9/0 11/11 12/12
32/23
Crimson Hawks boast an experienced group.
Aiden Schaffer, RB
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
Player
GP/GS
Tkl
INT
PBU
Dyllon Scott, DL
--
--
--
5/2
5/2
Eric Doe - Jr.
22/0
27
0
0
Jordan Spangler, P*
-- 11/0 11/0 12/0
34/0
Steve Franco - R-Sr.
23/23
111
3
7
Matt Spegal, P
Mikale Makle - So.
12/7
12
3
3
Ryan Stewart, PK*
-- 10/0 10/0 11/0
Ackeno Robertson
32/23
93
1
6
Chris Temple, RB
--
--
9/1 10/9
Takhi Turner - Jr.
21/10
84
4
9
Mason Tortorice, DL
--
--
3/0 12/0
Jay Watkins - R-Jr.
22/18
63
4
20
Takhi Turner, DB
--
-- 10/9
Ronald Womack - R-Jr.
21/0
25
0
5
defensed per game. Earning all-region and all-conference recognition, he finished second in the PSAC with 20 total passes defensed - 16 breakups and four interceptions. His 16 pass breakups set a new single season IUP record. WATKINS AND FRANCO LEAD EXPERIENCED SECONDARY
3/0 11/0 11/0
8/5
3/0
19/8
28/0 31/0 19/10 15/0
11/1
21/10 22/18
Jay Watkins, DB
-- 9/5
1/1 12/12
Justin Weldon, DL
--
--
7/0 10/2
17/2
FIVE KICKERS AND PUNTERS BATTLING FOR PLAYING TIME AS THE SEASON BEGINS
Lenny Williams, QB
--
--
-- 12/11
12/11
IUP has five kickers and/or punters on its roster, including four who have seen extensive playing time. Fall
Miles Williamson, WR
--
--
--
4/0
4/0
camp featured a “kick-off” between last year’s top kicker Sr. Ryan Stewart and transfer R-Fr. Dillon Sarka.
Kidus Woldeyes, OL
--
--
-- 11/10
11/10
So. Sean Bowling will return to handle kickoff duties, as he did in 2015. This year marks the return of R-Sr.
Ronald Womack, DB
--
-- 10/0 11/0
21/0
Matt Spegal, who has punted in 28 career games, but lost most of last year due to injury. His 39.3 yard
Allen Wright, WR
--
--
22/7
Chris Wuestner, WR*
--
average on 105 career punts is currently second all-time at IUP. R-Sr. Jordan Spangler also returns after averaging 35.8 yards on 37 punts last season.
11/7 11/0
9/1 13/0
0/0
*Transfers; not all years played at IUP
5
22/1
CURT CIGNETTI (6th SEASON) Curt Cignetti enters his sixth year at the helm of the IUP football program in 2016. Through five seasons, Cignetti has a record of 43-15, going 26-9 in PSAC West play and 3-2 in the NCAA playoffs. He has a record of 23-6 at home and 20-8 on the road. The Crimson Hawks finished the 2015 season ranked No. 19 in the final American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll after posting a 9-3 record which included a trip to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. It was the third time in the last four seasons IUP was ranked in the top 25, coming in at No. 7 in 2012 and No. 24 in 2013. IUP opened the NCAA Division II playoffs with a 47-21 victory at Charleston, putting together a comeback that included 41 second half points. Dual threat redshirt freshman quarterback Lenny Williams finished with 252 total yards and five touchdowns, The Crimson Hawks, who averaged the fifth-best ground attack in the nation at 293.6 yards per game, totaled 347 rushing yards against Charleston. For their efforts, left guard Ethan Cooper was named a Football Gazette third-team All-American, while Williams was named the Super Region One and PSAC West Freshman of the Year. Eleven Crimson Hawks were named given all-conference honors, while six were named to the all-region second team.
QUICK FACTS Manette (Lawer) Curtis, Carly Ann and Natalie Elise West Virginia University Bachelor’s Degree Business (1982)
Wife: Children: Education:
WHERE HE’S BEEN YEARS
POSITION(S)
1983-84
Graduate Asst
SCHOOL
1985
QBs/WRs
1986-88
Quarterbacks
Rice
1989-92
Quarterbacks
Temple
1993-99
QBs/TEs/Rec. Coord.
Pitt
2000-06
QBs/TEs/Rec. Coord.
NC State
2007-10
WRs/Rec. Coord.
Alabama
2011-pres
Head Coach
IUP
YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORD NOTES
The rushing offense was also one of the best in the nation, as Tuck teamed with De’Antwan Williams to help IUP rush for 259.3 yards per game, 10th in the nation (as of 12/1). The Crimson Hawks 3,630 net rushing yards broke the single-season program record of 3,211 set in 1993. IUP averaged 33.6 points and 417.5 yards of total offense. They were also second in the nation in time of possession, keeping the ball an average of 34:16 per contest. 2012 also marked Cignetti’s 30th year of coaching. Prior to IUP, Cignetti spent four seasons as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator under Nick Saban at Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide win the 2009 BCS National Championship with a 14-0 record. He brought in the consensus No. 1 recruiting class in the country in 2008, the first of three straight classes which finished in the top five nationally.
IUP entered 2015 ranked fifth in the PSAC West preseason coaches’ poll, before finishing the year with a share of the division title with a 6-1 conference record.
In addition to the national title, Cignetti was part of Alabama teams that posted a record of 33-3 over the past three regular seasons, including 29 consecutive regular season victories, won the 2008 and 2009 SEC West championship and earned a berth in the 2008 Sugar Bowl.
The Crimson Hawks finished 2012 with a 12-2 overall record, advancing to the Super Region One Championship (NCAA quarterfinals) at Winston-Salem State, ultimately falling to the Rams 21-17.
Among his recruits was Mark Ingram, who won the 2008 Heisman Trophy. He coached Julio Jones, the Associated Press SEC Freshman of the Year and Columbus Touchdown Club National Freshman of the Year the same season.
IUP went 6-1 in PSAC West play, with its only loss at then sixth-ranked California 26-24 on Sept. 22. The record was good for first in the division, earning the right to host East champion Shippensburg in the PSAC “State Game.” The Crimson Hawks would use a 27-10 first half lead in the game en route to a dominating 41-10 victory over the Red Raiders for the program’s first championship game win since 1987. (Note: The “State Game” was not played from 1988-2007)
On the strength of his accomplishments in the recruiting battles and the successes his players had on the field, Cignetti was honored as one of four finalists for the 2010 FootballScoop Wide Receivers Coach of the Year.
Pitt Davidson
DiPasquale – who were named Capital One Academic All-America’s. In 2012, the Crimson Hawks were the top defense in the nation, leading Division II in scoring defense (12.5 points per game) and total defense (257.9 yards per game). IUP was also third in the nation in turnover margin with a +21.
The Crimson Hawks earned the third seed in Super Region One and defeated sixth-seeded Shepherd 27-17 at home in the first round. They’d go on to defeat second-seeded New Haven (Conn.) on the road in the second round before the loss at top seed Winston-Salem State. The postseason appearance was the first for IUP since 2007 and the first NCAA quarterfinal appearance since 2002. For his efforts, Cignetti was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year, helping 14 of his players to All-PSAC West honors after the season. That includes PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year Harvie Tuck, who finished his senior season with 1,660 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Cignetti also boasts six all-region players and two student-athletes – seniors Johnny Franco and Anthony
Cignetti joined the staff at Alabama after spending seven seasons (2000-06) as the recruiting coordinator at North Carolina State while also coaching tight ends from 200002 and 2005-06 and quarterbacks during the 2003 and 2004 campaigns. The Wolfpack qualified for five bowl games during that time, including the 2002 Gator Bowl when N.C. State set a school record with 11 wins. One of his last recruits before moving to Alabama was quarterback Russell Wilson out of Virginia, who committed to NC State before moving on to Wisconsin as a senior. He finished his collegiate career with a 60.9 completion percentage, 11,720 yards and 109 touchdowns before getting drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round 2012 and leading them to a Super Bowl XLVIII victory. Two of his recruiting classes ranked in the top 10 in the nation, and Rivals.com named him one of the top 25 recruiters in the nation in 2004. While working with the Wolfpack quarterbacks, Cignetti had the opportunity to coach 2003 ACC Player of the Year Philip Rivers and help prepare him to become the fourth pick in the NFL draft the following spring.
YEAR
RECORD
PSAC
2011
7-3
5-2
3rd in PSAC West
2012
12-2
6-1
PSAC Champions,
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
TOTALS
2013
9-2
5-2
2nd in PSAC West
vs. Unranked teams
6-1
9-0
8-2
6-3
8-1
0-0
37-7
2014
6-5
5-4
5th in PSAC West
vs. Top 25 teams
1-2
3-2
1-0
0-2
1-2
0-0
6-8
t-1st in PSAC West
vs. Top 10 teams
0-1
2-2
0-0
0-0
0-1
0-0
2-4
vs. PSAC
7-3
9-1
8-2
5-5
8-2
0-0
37-13
vs. PSAC West
5-2
6-1
5-2
4-3
6-1
0-0
26-9
vs. PSAC East
2-1
3-0
3-0
1-2
2-1
0-0
11-4
PSAC West home games
2-1
4-0
2-1
3-1
3-0
0-0
14-3
BY THE NUMBERS: CURT CIGNETTI AT IUP
NCAA Regional Finals
2015
9-3
6-1
5 YEARS
43-15
27-10
NCAA 2nd Round
CIGNETTI’S START Most Win in First Five Years by IUP Head Coaches COACH (YEARS)
PSAC West road games
3-1
2-1
3-1
1-2
3-1
0-0
12-6
All home games
3-2
7-0
4-1
4-2
5-1
0-0
23-6
RECORD
PCT.
All road games
4-1
5-2
5-1
2-3
4-2
0-0
20-9
50-11-1
.815
Postseason
0-0
2-1
0-0
0-0
1-1
0-0
3-2
43-15
.741
IUP rushes for 200+ yards
4-0
11-1
6-0
3-1
9-1
0-0
33-3
39-9
.813
IUP scores
1
at EAST STROUDSBURG September 10, 2016 6:05 PM East Stroudsburg, Pa. Gregory-Douds Field @ Eiler-Martin Stadium
BREAKDOWN #10/14
IUP Crimson Hawks 0-0, 0-0 PSAC West
RECORD
1-0, 0-0 PSAC East
RANKING
#10 in AFCA Coaches
RANKING
NR in AFCA Coaches
#14 in D2Football Media
2016 SCHEDULES #10/14 DATE
IUP (0-0, 0-0 PSAC West)
RANK
SEPTEMBER 10 10/14 17 24 OCTOBER 1 8 15 22 29 NOVEMBER 5 12
OPPONENT
RESULT/TIME
at East Stroudsburg 6:05 PM at Cheyney 1 PM at Edinboro * 12 PM Seton Hill * at California * Slippery Rock * Clarion * at Gannon * Mercyhurst * Bloomsburg
4 PM 7 PM 2 PM 1 PM 12 PM 1 PM 1 PM
East Stroudsburg (1-0, 0-0 PSAC East) DATE
RANK
SEPTEMBER 1 NR/NR 10 17 24 OCTOBER 1 8 15 22 29 NOVEMBER 5 12
OPPONENT
at Brevard #10/14 IUP at Mercyhurst at Shippensburg * Cheyney * at Millersville * Kutztown * at Bloomsburg * West Chester * Lock Haven * at California
East Stroudsburg Warriors
RECORD
RESULT/TIME
W 49-14 6:05 PM 12 PM 1 PM 6:05 PM 4 PM 7:05 PM 2 PM 12:05 PM 1:05 PM 1 PM
WHAT’S INSIDE Game Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Game Storylines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2016 IUP Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 IUP Football Quick Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 AFCA / D2Football Polls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 IUP’s Record Breakdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Career Games Played/Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 IUP Head Coach Curt Cignetti . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 IUP/Opponents Series Information . . . . . . . . 7 PSAC Standings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 IUP Depth Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 IUP Pronunciations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Game-by-Game Starters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The Last Time It Happened . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 100/300 Yard Milestones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 IUP Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 20-Yard Plays/Breakdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 2015 IUP Scoring Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 IUP Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15 2015 IUP Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-22
NR in D2Football Media
LAST GAME
First game of season
HEAD COACH
Curt Cignetti
Sept. 3 defeated
CAREER RECORD
43-15 / 6th year
HEAD COACH
Denny Douds
IUP RECORD
43-15 / 6th year
CAREER RECORD
257-181-3 / 43rd year
CIGNETTI vs. ESU
1-0
ESU RECORD
same
IUP vs. ESU
10-6
vs. IUP
4-8
vs. Cignetti
0-1
LAST GAME
Brevard, 49-14
THE GAME The 10th-ranked Crimson Hawks kick off their 2016 season on Saturday as they hit the road to face East Stroudsburg. The evening start time is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. with the game to be broadcast live as the PA SPORTSfever Game of the Week. Check for PCN-TV on your local listings. IUP has had to wait one week to open its season, while the Warriors opened their year with a dominating 49-14 victory at Brevard last weekend. ESU scored 35 second half points in the win, totaling 475 yards, including 271 with five touchdowns on the ground. The game will be broadcast on WQMU 92.5 FM with the voice of IUP Athletics, Jack Benedict, calling the action. You can also listen on u92radio.com and on the u92radio app on your smartphone.
HOW TO FOLLOW WQMU 92.5 FM/U92radio.com Jack Benedict, play-by play Ab Dettorre, analyst Greg Drahuschak, sideline
SPORTSfever Television Phil Schoener, play-by-play Jim Riley, analyst Chris Doty, analyst *Available on ESPN3
*pregame show begins 30 minutes prior to kickoff
Live Stats Live stats from East Stroudsburg sidermstats.com/esu/football/ Twitter @IUPfootball @IUPCrimsonHawk
STORYLINES • IUP enters the second year of
• Cignetti is 4-1 in season open-
• The Crimson Hawks boast plen-
its spread offensive attack, led
ers with the Crimson Hawks and
ty of depth and experience in the
by R-So. QB Lenny Williams, Jr.;
is 11-4 against teams from the
kicking game, including Sr. Ryan
The Crimson Hawks averaged
PSAC East
Stewart, So. Sean Bowling and
36 points and rushed for a
R-Fr. Dillon Sarka at place kicker,
school-record 293.6 yards per
• IUP’s streak of nine straight
and Srs. Matt Spegal and Jordan
game last year
season-opening wins came to
Spangler at punter; All could see
a halt last year with its narrow
playing time
• In what seems like an annual
34-33 loss at home to ESU; IUP’s
occurrence, IUP expects to be
last road season-opener was a
• IUP returns 17 starters and 48
deep at the running back posi-
30-20 win at Southern Connecti-
players who saw time from last
tion, with Jrs. Chris Temple, Luigi
cut State in 2013
year’s 9-3 team that tied for the
Lista-Brinza, and Drew Harris
PSAC West regular season title
combining for 13 career 100-yard
• Two notable position changes
and advanced to the NCAA play-
rushing games; Fr. RBs Malik
for IUP include So. Mike Pietropo-
offs for the 16th time in program
Anderson and Samir Bullock also
la from WR/DB/ST to QB, and
history
hope to see time
All-American Sr. Ethan Cooper from LG to RT
• IUP HC Curt Cignetti’s first career win was a 28-13 victory over ESU on Sept. 10, 2011
1
QUICK FACTS
NOTEBOOK
Location
Indiana, Pa.
Enrollment
Around 14,000
Founded
1875
Athletics Affiliation
NCAA Division II
Conference
PSAC (West)
Colors
Crimson & Gray
Nickname
Crimson Hawks
President
Dr. Michael Driscoll
Athletic Director
Steve Roach
Stadium
Frank Cignetti Field at George P. Miller Stadium
Capacity
6,000
SPORTS INFORMATION
IUP IN SEASON OPENERS IUP is 49-33-3 all-time in season openers. The Crimson Hawks’ recent win streak of nine straight openers came to an end with a 34-33 loss to Kutztown in 2015, but they’ve still won 15 of the last 18 to start the season. Those other two losses came in 2005 to Millersville (28-6) and 2002 at Findlay (31-10). IUP has opened up with a fellow PSAC opponent 10 times since 1993, going 8-2 in those games, including a 28-13 win over East Stroudsburg in 2011. CIGNETTI IN SEASON OPENERS IUP HC Curt Cignetti is 4-1 in season openers with the Crimson Hawks, outscoring opponents by an average score of 33.0-18.4 in wins over East Stroudsburg (2011), Southern Connecticut State (2012 & 2013) and Saint Augustine’s (2014). In his 33-year coaching career, Cignetti is 23-10 in season openers, going 19-9 as an assistant at Pitt, Davidson, Rice, Temple, NC State and Alabama from 1983-2010. IUP vs. THE PSAC EAST
Sports Information Director
Ryan Rebholz
Since 2006, IUP is 24-7 (.774) against teams from the PSAC East, going 2-1 against Kutztown (L 34-33),
Office Phone
724-357-2747
Lock Haven (W 38-13), and Cheyney (W 62-0). The Crimson Hawks did hold a seven-game win streak that
[email protected]
began with their 34-7 at West Chester in 2011 and ended with the 44-7 loss at Kutztown in 2014. IUP is 5-1 against Millersville, a combined 4-0 against East Stroudsburg and Cheyney, and 3-1 against West Chester
FOOTBALL HISTORY
in the last 10 seasons.
First Year of Football (Modern Year)
1927
Last Playoff Appearance
2015
All-Time Record (Pct)
537-264-23 (.666)
Division II Playoff Appearances
16
Division II National Semifinal Apperances Division II Championship Appearances All-Time Division II Playoff Record
6 2 19-16
COACHING STAFF
CURT CIGNETTI IS 4-2 IN PSAC CHAMPIONSHIP AND NCAA PLAYOFF GAMES AGAINST RANKED TEAMS IUP HC Curt Cignetti has a 6-8 record against top 25 teams, but is 4-2 against ranked opponents in the PSAC Championship or in NCAA playoff games. Cignetti and IUP defeated #15/20 Charleston in the opening round of the playoffs last year and took down #7/11 Shippensburg, #25/NR Shepherd and #3/4 New Haven in 2012. Year
Opponent
Coaches
Media
IUP Ranks
Result
2015
at Charleston *
15
20
RV/NR
W 47-21
2015
at Slippery Rock
15
15
RV/NR
L 40-39
Head Coach
Curt Cignetti
2014
West Chester
17
11
NR/NR
L 28-17
Alma Mater
West Virginia, 1982
2014
at California (Pa.)
RV
25
NR/NR
L 21-13
43-15 (four)
2013
California (Pa.)
NR
25
7/8
W 20-7
IUP Record (Years) Offensive Coordinator Alma Mater
Marty Higgins
2012
at Winston-Salem St. *
2
3
11/12
L 21-17
South Dakota St., 1982
2012
at New Haven *
3
4
11/12
W 17-14
Defensive Coordinator Alma Mater
Paul Tortorella
2012
Shepherd *
25
NR
11/12
W 27-17
Slippery Rock, 1985
2012
Shippensburg $
7
11
14/15
W 41-10
724-357-2780
2012
at California (Pa.)
6
6
14/21
L 26-24
2011
California (Pa.)
24
21
NR/NR
L 28-10
2011
Edinboro
18
23
NR/NR
W 19-0
2011
Bloomsburg
8
11
NR/NR
L 20-13
Football Office TEAM INFORMATION 2015 Overall Record 2015 PSAC Record/West Finish Final Ranking (AFCA/D2Football)
9-3 6-1/t-1st 19/19
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost
10/2
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost
7/4
Specialists Starters Returning/Lost
2/0
*NCAA Playoffs $PSAC Championship
YEAR 2 OF THE SPREAD OFFENSE Even with an increase in offensive fireworks last year, the Crimson Hawks will look to improve their efficiency in their up-tempo spread set, which was brought in by OC Marty Higgins in 2015. IUP averaged 35.8 points per game last season, and broke the single season program record by averaging 293.6 rushing
COACHING ASSIGNMENTS
yards per game, a mark that ranked fifth in the country.
Curt Cignetti - Head Coach
Sideline
Paul Tortorella - Def. Coord./Safties
Sideline
BIG PLAYS WERE A STAPLE IN 2015
Jim Smith - Linebackers/Spec. Teams
Sideline
The new offense provided excitement last season, with 58 total plays of 20 yards or more in 12 games. 36
Mike Campolo - Offensive Line
Sideline
of those plays were rushes, with R-So. QB Lenny Williams, Jr., and Jr. RBs Chris Temple, Luigi Lista-Brinza,
Mike Shanahan - Wide Receivers
Sideline
and Drew Harris combining for 33. Williams himself totaled 39 plays of 20 yards or more - 22 passing and
Anthony Leonard - Defensive Line
Sideline
17 rushing - and was responsible for 12 touchdowns of 20+ yards.
Luke Barker - Running Backs
Sideline IUP is 33-7 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A PLAYER RUSHES FOR 100 YARDS
Marty Higgins - Off. Coord./QBs
Booth
In his five seasons as head coach, Cignetti has a 33-7 record when an IUP player rushes for at least 100 yards
Johnny Franco - Cornerbacks
Booth
in a game, including 8-2 in 2015. He’s also 6-0 when two players top the 100-yard mark, with four of those
John Pettina - Volunteer Asst.
Booth
wins coming last year. Four players on the current roster have rushed for over 100 yards at least once. 100-Yard
Career-
Name
Games
High
Opponent
Lenny Williams, QB
6
205
at Seton Hill (2015)
Chris Temple, RB
6
255
California (2015)
Luigi Lista-Brinza, RB
6
164
at Mercyhurst (2015)
Drew Harris, RB
1
109
Lock Haven (2015)
2
LENNY WILLIAMS HAD ONE OF THE BEST FRESHMAN SEASONS IN IUP HISTORY
AFCA COACHES POLL
R-So. QB Lenny Williams had a breakout year in his first season with the Crimson Hawks in 2015, earning top freshman honors in both Super Region One and the PSAC West, and earned second team all-league
RK
SCHOOL (1st VOTES)
honors at quarterback. His all-around playmaking abilities made him one of 38 nominees for the 2015
1.
Northwest Missouri St. (30)
‘16 REC
1-0
LAST
1
Harlon Hill Trophy, given annually to the Division II Football Player of the Year. Williams finished with 2,778
2.
West Georgia
1-0
2
yards of total offense - third most in IUP history - passing for 1,549 yards while rushing for 1,229.
3.
Grand Valley St. (Mich.)
1-0
3
4.
Shepherd (W.Va.)
1-0
4 6
Williams’ 2015 highlights
5.
Ashland (Ohio)
1-0
• No. 1 among PSAC quarterbacks and No. 2 among Division II QBs with 102.3 rushing yards per game
6.
Minnesota St.
1-0
7
• No. 4 in the PSAC with 102.3 in rushing yards per game and No. 3 with 1,229 rushing yards
7.
Ferris St. (Mich.)
1-0
12
• No. 1 in the PSAC and No. 2 in Division II with 7.8 rushing yards per carry
8.
Texas A&M-Commerce
1-0
9t
• No. 2 in the PSAC with 7.63 yards per play
9.
Henderson St. (Ark.)
1-0
9t
• Broke IUP single game record with 504 total yards at Slippery Rock (Oct. 24)
10. Indiana (Pa.)
0-0
8
• Set PSAC single game for rushing yards by a quarterback with 205 at Seton Hill (Oct. 10)
11.
Colorado School of Mines
1-0
18
• 364 passing yards at Slippery Rock is ninth most in single game IUP history
12.
Slippery Rock (Pa.)
1-0
11
• Set IUP playoff single game record with five total touchdowns at Charleston (Nov. 21)
13.
Humboldt St. (Calif.)
1-0
13
• Four rushing touchdowns and 24 points vs. Charleston tied IUP playoff record
14.
Midwestern St. (Texas)
1-0
14
• Had 39 plays of 20 yards or more (22 passing, 17 rushing)
15.
Tuskegee (Ala.)
1-0
17
• Responsible for six touchdowns of more than 45 yards:
16.
Central Missouri
1-0
20
64 (run), 63 (pass), 62 (run), 54 (pass), 50 (pass), 45 (run)
17.
Sioux Falls (S.D.)
1-0
23
• Came off bench to total 215 yards (163 pass, 52 rush) in career debut vs. Kutztown (Sept. 12)
18.
Assumption (Mass.)
1-0
21
• Had six 100-yard rushing games, including a streak of five (averaged 150.6 yards during span)
19.
Colorado St.-Pueblo
0-1
5
• 2,778 total yards is the third most in IUP single season history (Andrew Krewatch, 3,049 in 2007)
20. North Alabama
0-1
15
• First PSAC quarterback ever to rush for 1,000 yards in a season
21.
Augustana (S.D.)
22. Florida Tech
1-0
25
1-0
NR
CHRIS TEMPLE WAS ONE OF THE TOP RUSHERS & SCORERS IN DIVISION II LAST SEASON Despite playing in just nine full games and part of a 10th, Jr. RB Chris Temple was one of five players from the PSAC to reach 1,000 yards, ranking second on the team with 1,212. He led the Crimson Hawks with 17 touchdowns, the fourth-highest total in program history. • No. 3 in the PSAC and No. 14 in the nation in rushing yards per game (121.2) • No. 3 in the PSAC in points per game (10.2) • Tied for No. 2 in the PSAC and is tied for No. 14 in the nation in rushing touchdowns (17) • His 17 rushing touchdowns were two away from tying Michael Mann (1993) for IUP’s season record • No. 5 in the PSAC and No. 24 in the nation in rushing yards (1,212) • Temple has two of the eight single game rushing performances in IUP history - 255 yards against Cal is sixth all-time and 234 yards against Edinboro is the eighth most • Temple’s 255 and 234-yard performances were the second and fourth most, respectively, by a PSAC player in a game last season • Temple’s 67-yard touchdown run vs. Edinboro was the longest play from scrimmage for IUP and the ninth longest rush in the PSAC last season • Temple’s six rushing touchdowns against the Fighting Scots set a new IUP record and tied former
23. Valdosta St. (Ga.)
1-0
NR
24. Azusa Pacific (Calif.)
1-0
NR
25. Colorado Mesa
1-0
NR
Shippensburg running back and current New Orleans Saints fullback John Kuhn for most in PSAC history
D2FOOTBALL.COM MEDIA POLL RK
SCHOOL
1
Northwest Missouri
‘15 REC
1-0
LAST
1
2
West Georgia
1-0
2
3
Grand Valley
1-0
3
4
Minnesota State
1-0
5
5
Ashland
1-0
7
6
Shepherd
1-0
6
7
Ferris State
1-0
9
8
Central Missouri
1-0
10
9
North Alabama
0-1
8
CRIMSON HAWKS AGAIN BOAST DEEP STABLE OF RUNNING BACKS
10
Humboldt State
1-0
14
Along with rushing threats in Temple and Williams from the quarterback position, the Crimson Hawks
11
Midwestern State
1-0
11
will again look to have the deepest running back group in the PSAC. In addition to Temple, Jr. RBs Luigi
12
Colorado Mines
1-0
21
Lista-Brinza and Drew Harris also return after combining for 661 yards and seven touchdowns rushing
13
Henderson State
last year. Also looking for playing time in the backfield will be true freshman RBs Samir Bullock and Malik
14
IUP
Anderson, who are both smaller, but provide speed and quickness.
15
Slippery Rock
1-0
17
16
Texas A&M-Commerce
0-0
18
2015
Career
1-0
16
0-0
15
Name
Yards
Avg
TDs
Yards
Avg
TDs
17
Tuskegee
1-0
19
Luigi Lista-Brinza, RB
374
5.7
5
1,193
4.7
15
18
Sioux Falls
1-0
20
Drew Harris, RB
287
5.1
2
287
5.1
2
19
Augustana
1-0
22
20
CSU-Pueblo
0-1
4
MIKE PIETROPOLA COULD BE MOST VERSATILE CRIMSON HAWK
21
Valdosta State
1-0
23
Although So. Mike Pietropola is listed as the backup quarterback on IUP’s two-deep, he has shown the
22
Emporia State
0-1
12
ability and willingness to contribute in several other ways.
23
Minnesota Duluth
0-1
13
• Came to IUP in the fall of 2015 as a quarterback
24
Assumption
1-0
NR
• Buried on the depth chart but too valuable to be kept on the sideline, earned spots on IUP’s kickoff team
25
West Chester
1-0
NR
and as the holder on kick attempts • Saw time in the defensive backfield and on the kick return team late in season • Finished with 11 total tackles and 39 yards on two kickoff returns • Made switch to receiver in spring practice before moving back to quarterback for fall camp due to a lack of depth at the position
3
WALT PEGUES ENTERS 2016 WITH RECEPTION IN 23 STRAIGHT GAMES
RECORD BREAKDOWN 2016 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
September October November December IUP’s Record vs. PSAC Teams at home 0-0 on the road 0-0 IUP’s Record vs. PSAC West Teams at home 0-0 on the road 0-0 IUP’s Record vs. PSAC East Teams at home 0-0 on the road 0-0 IUP vs. Ranked Opponents at home 0-0 on the road 0-0 IUP’s Record in Games... decided by 7 pts or less 0-0 decided by 3 pts or less 0-0 home during day 0-0 home at night 0-0 away during day 0-0 away at night 0-0 IUP’s Record When Scoring... less than 20 points 0-0 20+ points 0-0 30+ points 0-0 IUP’s Record When Allowing... 14 or fewer points 0-0 24 or fewer points 0-0 25+ points 0-0 IUP’s Record When... leading after the 1st qtr 0-0 trailing after the first qtr 0-0 tied after the 1st qtr 0-0 leading at halftime 0-0 trailing at halftime 0-0 tied at halftime 0-0 leading after the 3rd qtr 0-0 trailing after the 3rd qtr 0-0 tied after the 3rd qtr 0-0 IUP’s Record With... less than 300 yds tot offense 0-0 300+ yards total offense 0-0 400+ yards total offense 0-0 500+ yards total offense 0-0 less than 100 yards rush 0-0 100+ yards rushing 0-0 150+ yards rushing 0-0 200+ yards rushing 0-0 250+ yards rushing 0-0 less than 200 yards pass 0-0 200+ yards passing 0-0 250+ yards passing 0-0 300+ yards passing 0-0 350+ yards passing 0-0 IUP’s Record When Allowing... less than 200 total yards 0-0 less than 300 total yards 0-0 less than 400 total yards 0-0 400+ yards total offense 0-0 less than 100 yards rush 0-0 100+ yards rush 0-0 less than 200 yards pass 0-0 less than 300 yards pass 0-0 300+ yards pass 0-0
Jr. WR Walt Pegues enters Saturday night’s season opener at East Stroudsburg with a streak of 23 conCignetti 14-5 16-6 13-3 0-1 20-6 17-7
secutive games with a reception, a stretch that began with her first career game in 2014. For his career, Pegues has 102 receptions for 1,360 yards and seven touchdowns. PEGUES HAD ONE OF IUP’s BEST RECEIVING DAYS AT SLIPPERY ROCK IN 2015 Pegues had a huge game against Slippery Rock last season with 14 receptions for 233 yards, both career-highs. He also reeled in a 50-yard touchdown in the opening quarter. The yardage and reception totals were both among the best ever by an IUP player, ranking third and tied for third, respectively. IUP Single Game Receptions
14-3 12-6
Rec
Opp
Year
Player
Yds
Opp
Year
1. Terry Skelley
15
Clarion
1979
1. Jim Spence
271
Shippensburg
1983 2001
Drew Carswell 15 6-3 5-1
IUP Single Game Receiving Yards
Player
California (Pa.) 2014
2. Carmelo Ocasio 242
Millersville
3. Walt Pegues
14
Slippery Rock
2015
3. Walt Pegues
233
Slippery Rock
2015
Len Pesotini
14
Westminster
1975
4. Terry Skelley
215
Clarion
1979
5. Walt Pegues
13
Gannon
2014
5. Carmelo Ocasio 207
Saginaw Valley 2001
4-3 2-5 PEGUES IS AN ALL-PUPROSE THREAT 5-7 2-2 22-5 1-1 19-7 1-2 3-9 34-4 30-3 30-0 34-5 3-10
Pegues has also led IUP in all-purpose yards each of his first two years, totaling 1,466 in 2014 and 1,419 last year as a sophomore. An all-region pick as a return man after his freshman season, Pegues has averaged 25.3 yards on his 36 career kickoff returns and 13.3 yards on 40 career punt returns. ALL-AMERICAN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ETHAN COOPER MAKES POSITION CHANGE Sr. OL Ethan Cooper is slated to start 2016 as IUP’s right tackle, a change from his usual spot at left guard. An All-American pick last season, he enters the season with 25 consecutive starts, including the last 23 at left guard and two at right guard. He’s earned preseason All-American hype this year from The Sporting News and D2Football.com. EXPERIENCED OFFENSIVE LINE HAS SOME RESHUFFLING IN 2016 Including Cooper’s move, IUP will have three new starters along the offensive line. R-Fr. Jeff Arnold moves into the starting center position while Sr. Ed Bier is the pick to take over Cooper’s spot at left guard. Bier has played in 21 career games, including two starts at the end of the 2015 season at center. So. Joe Peter-
34-5 4-5 5-5 38-2 4-11 1-2 42-3 1-12 0-0 4-5 32-8 26-4 5-1 0-3 34-10 33-4 25-2 20-2 32-8 11-6 4-4 2-3 1-3 13-0 28-2 37-5 1-9 26-6 17-9 31-3 34-9 3-5
son will return to left tackle, where he started the last seven games last season, and R-Sr. Tony Morgante returns at right guard after starting 12 games there a season ago. THE IUP DEFENSE RETURNED TO THE TOP IN 2015 Coming off a down year in 2014, the IUP defense returned to its historically dominant form last season, finishing 11th in the nation in points allowed (17.8), 13th in rushing yards allowed (104.3) and 20th in total defense (312.4). The Crimson Hawks were also fifth in Division II with red zone defense (62.2 pct), ninth in sacks per game (3.33), ninth in opponents third down conversion rate (29.4 pct). IUP HAS SCORED 15 DEFENSIVE TOUCHDOWNS SINCE 2011; 41 SINCE 2003 Annually one of the PSAC’s - and the nation’s - strongest defenses, IUP has scored 15 total defensive touchdowns since 2011 and 41 since 2003. In 12 games last season, the Crimson Hawks scored six defensive touchdowns, including three at Mercyhurst. Not included in that total was a 34-yard blocked punt return for a score against Cheyney. Last year’s total was the most IUP has had in a single season since the start of 2003, eclipsing the previous high of four in 2010, 2009, 2007 and 2003. Year
Opponent
TD
2015
Cheyney
Allen Wright 23-yard interception return
Result IUP def. Cheyney, 62-0
2015
at Mercyhurst
Takhi Turner 7-yard interception return
IUP def. Mercyhurst, 35-14
2015
at Mercyhurst
Dorian Lane 80-yard interception return
IUP def. Mercyhurst, 35-14
2015
at Mercyhurst
Steve Franco 50-yard interception return
IUP def. Mercyhurst, 35-14
2015
Lock Haven
Dorian Lane 19-yard interception return
IUP def. Lock Haven, 38-13
2015
Kutztown
Matt Mowad 23-yard interception return
Kutztown def. IUP, 34-33
2014
Clarion
A. Robertson 14-yard interception return
IUP def. Clarion, 31-0
2013
at Clarion
Marco Pecora 45-yard interception return
IUP def. Clarion 42-14
2013
Millersville
Jay Watkins 20-yard fumble recovery
IUP def. Millersville, 62-3
2013
at Seton Hill
Dorian Lane 39-yard interception return
IUP def. Seton Hill 26-0
2012
#25 Shepherd
Carl Fleming 77-yard interception return
IUP def. Shepherd, 27-17
2012
#7 Shippensburg Carl Fleming 40-yard interception return
2012
at Gannon
Terrell Holloway 8-yard interception return
IUP def. Gannon, 38-35
2011
at Lock Haven
M. Toussaint 29-yard interception return
IUP def. Lock Haven, 56-6
2011
at Clarion
Johnny Franco 42-yard interception return
IUP def. Clarion, 38-7
4
IUP def. Shippensburg, 41-10
KEVIN CLARKE LEADS A TALENTED LINEBACKING CREW R-Sr. Kevin Clarke returns for his third year as a starting linebacker in 2015. The two-time All-PSAC West
CAREER GAMES PLAYED/STARTED
pick and former preseason All-American has 220 career tackles in 33 games played (24 starts). He’ll be
Player
joined by Sr. Myles Catlin, who has 32 career games under his belt with four starts. Appearing as backups
Devin Altland, WR
‘12 ‘13 --
--
‘14
-- 8/0
8/0
on the two-deep are freshmen Damon Lloyd and Nick Amendola.
Jemal Averette, DL
--
-- 11/0 12/12
23/12
Career Statistics
‘16
Tot
--
Noah Bertram, TE
--
Tkl
Solo
TFL
FR/FF
Ed Bier, OL
-- 2/0
33/24
220
94
23.0
2/3
Seamus Bishof, OL
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
32/4
96
38
5.0
0/1
Sean Bowling, PK
--
--
-- 11/0
11/0
65/28
316
132
28.0
2/4
Swahneek Brown, WR
--
--
-- 11/11
11/11
Myles Catlin, LB
-- 9/0 11/4 12/0
32/4
Player
GP/GS
Clarke Catlin Totals
--
‘15
3/0
3/0
7/1 12/2
21/3
Dan Charmo, OL
--
6/1
16/10
The Crimson Hawks feature a defensive front that includes experienced playmakers, led by juniors Jemal
Kevin Clarke, LB
-- 10/1 11/11 12/12
33/24 29/26
AVERETTE, MOWAD HIGHLIGHT DEEP DEFENSIVE LINE
-- 10/9
Averette and Matt Mowad. 11 different players saw time along the line last season, as DC Paul Tortorella
Ethan Cooper, OL
-- 6/3 11/11 12/12
keeps a steady rotation.
Adam Deardorff, WR
--
--
--
2/0
2/0
• Averette earned all-region and All-PSAC West honors in 2015 with 7.0 TFLs and 3.5 sacks; he has played
Andrew DeGol, DB
-- 9/0
8/0
5/0
22/0
in 23 career games with 12 starts
Gabriel Diaz, OL
--
--
2/0
9/6
11/6
• Mowad played in just eight games last year due to injury, but has 15.0 TFLs and 7.0 sacks in 19 career
Jordan Diven, DL
--
--
--
9/2
9/2
games
Eric Doe, DB
--
-- 10/0 12/0
22/0
Nick Dubowski, LB
-- 5/2 10/7 12/0
27/9
Deandre Easterling, DL
--
--
Kevin Edwards, TE
--
11/1
9/6
29/8
Steve Franco, DB
-- 3/0 11/11 12/12
26/23
• Jr. CJ Odegbo played in 11 games last year at end, finishing with 4.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks
Drew Harris, RB
--
--
7/0
7/0
• So. Dyllon Scott has his redshirt taken off at the end of the season, playing in five games and starting
C.J. Jackson, TE
--
-- 10/1 10/3
20/4
twice, tallying 3.0 sacks against Cheyney
Diamond Jones, DE
--
--
• R-Jr. Jordan Diven played in nine games with two starts last year, tallying 19 tackles and 3.5 TFLs
Luigi Lista-Brinza, RB
--
-- 11/10
• Jr. Justin Weldon is slated to start at nose guard; He’s played in 17 career games with two starts • R-So. Diamond Jones was a special teams demon last year (two blocked kicks), and started the playoff game at Shepherd at defensive end • So. Deandre Easterling tied for the team lead with 5.0 sacks and was second with 9.5 TFLs, playing in all 12 games as a reserve
-- 12/2 9/1
--
-- 12/1 7/2
12/2
12/1 18/12
Mikale Makle, DB
--
--
-- 12/7
12/7
JAY WATKINS RANKED AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS IN PASS BREAKUPS
Tony Morgante, OL
--
8/1
4/2 12/12
24/15
R-Jr. CB Jay Watkins returned from an injury last year to finish tied for sixth in Division II with 1.7 passes
Matt Mowad, DL
--
-- 11/3
CJ Odegbo, DL
--
--
-- 11/0
11/0
Rex Pearce, TE
--
--
8/0 12/0
20/0
Walt Pegues, WR
--
-- 11/2 12/12
23/14
Joe Peterson, OL
--
--
--
8/7
8/7
Along with Watkins, R-Sr. SS Steve Franco is another postseason award winner returning to the IUP sec-
Mike Pietropola, QB
--
--
-- 12/0
12/0
ondary. The two have combined for 45 career games played and 41 starts in the defensive backfield, as the
Ackeno Robertson, DB
-- 9/0 11/11 12/12
32/23
Crimson Hawks boast an experienced group.
Aiden Schaffer, RB
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
Player
GP/GS
Tkl
INT
PBU
Dyllon Scott, DL
--
--
--
5/2
5/2
Eric Doe - Jr.
22/0
27
0
0
Jordan Spangler, P*
-- 11/0 11/0 12/0
34/0
Steve Franco - R-Sr.
23/23
111
3
7
Matt Spegal, P
Mikale Makle - So.
12/7
12
3
3
Ryan Stewart, PK*
-- 10/0 10/0 11/0
Ackeno Robertson
32/23
93
1
6
Chris Temple, RB
--
--
9/1 10/9
Takhi Turner - Jr.
21/10
84
4
9
Mason Tortorice, DL
--
--
3/0 12/0
Jay Watkins - R-Jr.
22/18
63
4
20
Takhi Turner, DB
--
-- 10/9
Ronald Womack - R-Jr.
21/0
25
0
5
defensed per game. Earning all-region and all-conference recognition, he finished second in the PSAC with 20 total passes defensed - 16 breakups and four interceptions. His 16 pass breakups set a new single season IUP record. WATKINS AND FRANCO LEAD EXPERIENCED SECONDARY
3/0 11/0 11/0
8/5
3/0
19/8
28/0 31/0 19/10 15/0
11/1
21/10 22/18
Jay Watkins, DB
-- 9/5
1/1 12/12
Justin Weldon, DL
--
--
7/0 10/2
17/2
FIVE KICKERS AND PUNTERS BATTLING FOR PLAYING TIME AS THE SEASON BEGINS
Lenny Williams, QB
--
--
-- 12/11
12/11
IUP has five kickers and/or punters on its roster, including four who have seen extensive playing time. Fall
Miles Williamson, WR
--
--
--
4/0
4/0
camp featured a “kick-off” between last year’s top kicker Sr. Ryan Stewart and transfer R-Fr. Dillon Sarka.
Kidus Woldeyes, OL
--
--
-- 11/10
11/10
So. Sean Bowling will return to handle kickoff duties, as he did in 2015. This year marks the return of R-Sr.
Ronald Womack, DB
--
-- 10/0 11/0
21/0
Matt Spegal, who has punted in 28 career games, but lost most of last year due to injury. His 39.3 yard
Allen Wright, WR
--
--
22/7
Chris Wuestner, WR*
--
average on 105 career punts is currently second all-time at IUP. R-Sr. Jordan Spangler also returns after averaging 35.8 yards on 37 punts last season.
11/7 11/0
9/1 13/0
0/0
*Transfers; not all years played at IUP
5
22/1
CURT CIGNETTI (6th SEASON) Curt Cignetti enters his sixth year at the helm of the IUP football program in 2016. Through five seasons, Cignetti has a record of 43-15, going 26-9 in PSAC West play and 3-2 in the NCAA playoffs. He has a record of 23-6 at home and 20-8 on the road. The Crimson Hawks finished the 2015 season ranked No. 19 in the final American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll after posting a 9-3 record which included a trip to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. It was the third time in the last four seasons IUP was ranked in the top 25, coming in at No. 7 in 2012 and No. 24 in 2013. IUP opened the NCAA Division II playoffs with a 47-21 victory at Charleston, putting together a comeback that included 41 second half points. Dual threat redshirt freshman quarterback Lenny Williams finished with 252 total yards and five touchdowns, The Crimson Hawks, who averaged the fifth-best ground attack in the nation at 293.6 yards per game, totaled 347 rushing yards against Charleston. For their efforts, left guard Ethan Cooper was named a Football Gazette third-team All-American, while Williams was named the Super Region One and PSAC West Freshman of the Year. Eleven Crimson Hawks were named given all-conference honors, while six were named to the all-region second team.
QUICK FACTS Manette (Lawer) Curtis, Carly Ann and Natalie Elise West Virginia University Bachelor’s Degree Business (1982)
Wife: Children: Education:
WHERE HE’S BEEN YEARS
POSITION(S)
1983-84
Graduate Asst
SCHOOL
1985
QBs/WRs
1986-88
Quarterbacks
Rice
1989-92
Quarterbacks
Temple
1993-99
QBs/TEs/Rec. Coord.
Pitt
2000-06
QBs/TEs/Rec. Coord.
NC State
2007-10
WRs/Rec. Coord.
Alabama
2011-pres
Head Coach
IUP
YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORD NOTES
The rushing offense was also one of the best in the nation, as Tuck teamed with De’Antwan Williams to help IUP rush for 259.3 yards per game, 10th in the nation (as of 12/1). The Crimson Hawks 3,630 net rushing yards broke the single-season program record of 3,211 set in 1993. IUP averaged 33.6 points and 417.5 yards of total offense. They were also second in the nation in time of possession, keeping the ball an average of 34:16 per contest. 2012 also marked Cignetti’s 30th year of coaching. Prior to IUP, Cignetti spent four seasons as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator under Nick Saban at Alabama and helped the Crimson Tide win the 2009 BCS National Championship with a 14-0 record. He brought in the consensus No. 1 recruiting class in the country in 2008, the first of three straight classes which finished in the top five nationally.
IUP entered 2015 ranked fifth in the PSAC West preseason coaches’ poll, before finishing the year with a share of the division title with a 6-1 conference record.
In addition to the national title, Cignetti was part of Alabama teams that posted a record of 33-3 over the past three regular seasons, including 29 consecutive regular season victories, won the 2008 and 2009 SEC West championship and earned a berth in the 2008 Sugar Bowl.
The Crimson Hawks finished 2012 with a 12-2 overall record, advancing to the Super Region One Championship (NCAA quarterfinals) at Winston-Salem State, ultimately falling to the Rams 21-17.
Among his recruits was Mark Ingram, who won the 2008 Heisman Trophy. He coached Julio Jones, the Associated Press SEC Freshman of the Year and Columbus Touchdown Club National Freshman of the Year the same season.
IUP went 6-1 in PSAC West play, with its only loss at then sixth-ranked California 26-24 on Sept. 22. The record was good for first in the division, earning the right to host East champion Shippensburg in the PSAC “State Game.” The Crimson Hawks would use a 27-10 first half lead in the game en route to a dominating 41-10 victory over the Red Raiders for the program’s first championship game win since 1987. (Note: The “State Game” was not played from 1988-2007)
On the strength of his accomplishments in the recruiting battles and the successes his players had on the field, Cignetti was honored as one of four finalists for the 2010 FootballScoop Wide Receivers Coach of the Year.
Pitt Davidson
DiPasquale – who were named Capital One Academic All-America’s. In 2012, the Crimson Hawks were the top defense in the nation, leading Division II in scoring defense (12.5 points per game) and total defense (257.9 yards per game). IUP was also third in the nation in turnover margin with a +21.
The Crimson Hawks earned the third seed in Super Region One and defeated sixth-seeded Shepherd 27-17 at home in the first round. They’d go on to defeat second-seeded New Haven (Conn.) on the road in the second round before the loss at top seed Winston-Salem State. The postseason appearance was the first for IUP since 2007 and the first NCAA quarterfinal appearance since 2002. For his efforts, Cignetti was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year, helping 14 of his players to All-PSAC West honors after the season. That includes PSAC West Offensive Player of the Year Harvie Tuck, who finished his senior season with 1,660 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Cignetti also boasts six all-region players and two student-athletes – seniors Johnny Franco and Anthony
Cignetti joined the staff at Alabama after spending seven seasons (2000-06) as the recruiting coordinator at North Carolina State while also coaching tight ends from 200002 and 2005-06 and quarterbacks during the 2003 and 2004 campaigns. The Wolfpack qualified for five bowl games during that time, including the 2002 Gator Bowl when N.C. State set a school record with 11 wins. One of his last recruits before moving to Alabama was quarterback Russell Wilson out of Virginia, who committed to NC State before moving on to Wisconsin as a senior. He finished his collegiate career with a 60.9 completion percentage, 11,720 yards and 109 touchdowns before getting drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round 2012 and leading them to a Super Bowl XLVIII victory. Two of his recruiting classes ranked in the top 10 in the nation, and Rivals.com named him one of the top 25 recruiters in the nation in 2004. While working with the Wolfpack quarterbacks, Cignetti had the opportunity to coach 2003 ACC Player of the Year Philip Rivers and help prepare him to become the fourth pick in the NFL draft the following spring.
YEAR
RECORD
PSAC
2011
7-3
5-2
3rd in PSAC West
2012
12-2
6-1
PSAC Champions,
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
TOTALS
2013
9-2
5-2
2nd in PSAC West
vs. Unranked teams
6-1
9-0
8-2
6-3
8-1
0-0
37-7
2014
6-5
5-4
5th in PSAC West
vs. Top 25 teams
1-2
3-2
1-0
0-2
1-2
0-0
6-8
t-1st in PSAC West
vs. Top 10 teams
0-1
2-2
0-0
0-0
0-1
0-0
2-4
vs. PSAC
7-3
9-1
8-2
5-5
8-2
0-0
37-13
vs. PSAC West
5-2
6-1
5-2
4-3
6-1
0-0
26-9
vs. PSAC East
2-1
3-0
3-0
1-2
2-1
0-0
11-4
PSAC West home games
2-1
4-0
2-1
3-1
3-0
0-0
14-3
BY THE NUMBERS: CURT CIGNETTI AT IUP
NCAA Regional Finals
2015
9-3
6-1
5 YEARS
43-15
27-10
NCAA 2nd Round
CIGNETTI’S START Most Win in First Five Years by IUP Head Coaches COACH (YEARS)
PSAC West road games
3-1
2-1
3-1
1-2
3-1
0-0
12-6
All home games
3-2
7-0
4-1
4-2
5-1
0-0
23-6
RECORD
PCT.
All road games
4-1
5-2
5-1
2-3
4-2
0-0
20-9
50-11-1
.815
Postseason
0-0
2-1
0-0
0-0
1-1
0-0
3-2
43-15
.741
IUP rushes for 200+ yards
4-0
11-1
6-0
3-1
9-1
0-0
33-3
39-9
.813
IUP scores
