Lock Haven Bald Eagles IUP Crimson Hawks
GAME
2
vs. LOCK HAVEN September 19, 2015 1:00 PM Indiana, Pa. Frank Cignetti Field @ George P. Miller Stadium (6,000)
RANK
OPPONENT
Kutztown Lock Haven at Mercyhurst *
RANK
SEPTEMBER 3 NR/NR 12 NR/NR 19 NR/NR 26 OCTOBER 3 10 17 24 31 NOVEMBER 7 14
OPPONENT
Clarion at Seton Hill at IUP East Stroudsburg West Chester at Shippensburg Cheyney at Millersville Kutztown at Bloomsburg California (PA)
RECORD
0-2, 0-0 PSAC East
RANKING
NR in AFCA Coaches
RANKING
NR in AFCA Coaches
LAST GAME
Sept. 12 lost to
Sept. 12 lost to
NR in D2Football Media Seton Hill, 27-10
HEAD COACH
Curt Cignetti
HEAD COACH
David Traynor
CAREER RECORD
34-13 / 5th year
CAREER RECORD
37-42 / 8th year
IUP RECORD
34-13 / 5th year y r yea
LHU RECORD
0-2 / 2nd year
CIGNETTI vs. LHU
3-0
vs. IUP
0-0
IUP vs. KU
9-1-1
vs. Cignetti
0-0
RESULT/TIME
L 34-33 1 PM 1 PM
1 PM 12 PM
Lock Haven (0-2, 0-0 PSAC East) DATE
0-1, 0-0 PSAC West
Kutztown 34-33
Edinboro * 2 PM at Seton Hill * 3 PM California (Pa.) * 6 PM at #18 Slippery Rock * 6 PM at Clarion * 12 PM Gannon * at West Chester
Lock Haven Bald Eagles
RECORD
LAST GAME
IUP (0-1, 0-0 PSAC West) SEPTEMBER 12 NR/NR 19 NR/NR 26 OCTOBER 3 10 17 24 31 NOVEMBER 7 14
IUP Crimson Hawks NR in D2Football Media
2015 SCHEDULES DATE
BREAKDOWN
RESULT/TIME
L 40-13 L 27-10 1 PM 12 PM 12 PM 1 PM 2 PM 1 PM 1 PM 2 PM 1 PM
TABLE OF CONTENTS Game Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Game Storylines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2015 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 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 IUP Scoring Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 IUP Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15 2015 IUP Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-20
THE GAME The Crimson Hawks will look to rebound after last week’s loss as they host Lock Haven at Frank Cignetti Field on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 PM. IUP is coming off of a disappointing 34-33 defeat at the hands of Kutztown in the season-opener last Saturday, even though the Crimson Hawks totaled 497 yards of offense. Lock Haven enters the game with an 0-2 record, losing to Clarion and Seton Hill by a combined score of 67-23. IUP will look to extend its streak of 32 straight wins over the Bald Eagles, last losing to Lock Haven in 1981 (41-14). The game will be broadcast on WQMU 92.5 FM with the voice of IUP Athletics, Jack Benedict, calling the action. IUP will honor it’s 1985 team in a ceremony at halftime.
HOW TO FOLLOW WQMU 92.5 FM/U92radio.com Jack Benedict, play-by play Ab Dettorre, analyst Greg Drahuschak, sideline *pregame show begins 30 minutes prior to kickoff
IUP-TV/BackLightTV.com Josh Hill, play-by-play Kyle Kondor, analyst
Live Stats Live stats for all IUP home games: sidermstats.com/iup/football/
WIUP 90.1 FM Jake DeLuca, play-by-play Cody Benjamin, analyst
Twitter @IUPfootball @IUPCrimsonHawk
STORYLINES • The Crimson Hawks hope for
• The Crimson Hawks again have
• The IUP defense will be looking
a repeat offensive performance
two quarterbacks listed at the
for a bounce-back performance
against Lock Haven after totaling
top of the depth chart as Gr. QB
after giving up 486 yards of total
497 yards against Kutztown last
Chase Haslett and R-Fr. QB
offense - including 406 passing
week. The 497 yards was the
Lenny Williams will each see
yards to QB Chad Barton - in last
most for IUP since gaining 562
playing time. Last week the two
week’s loss. Lock Haven could be
yards against Shippensburg in
combined to go 20-36 for 224
the perfect cure for IUP, as the
2013.
yards with two touchdowns and
Bald Eagles have averaged just
no interceptions.
11.5 points and have a -3.5
• IUP has a streak of 32 straight
turnover margin in their two
wins over Lock Haven, dating
• IUP’s traditionally strong
losses to Clarion and Seton Hill
back to the 1981 season. The
rushing attack looks to continue
this year.
Bald Eagles won that game 41-14
in 2015 after So. RB Chris
in Lock Haven.
Temple’s career-high 195 yards last week against Kutztown. So.
• IUP hopes to perform better
RB Luigi Lista-Brinza will be
against Lock Haven than in last
the starter while Williams adds
year’s narrow 21-16 road victory.
another rushing threat from the
The Crimson Hawks totaled 371
quarterback position.
yards and threw two interceptions.
1
QUICK FACTS
NOTEBOOK
Location
Indiana, Pa.
Enrollment
14,369
Founded
1875
Athletics Affiliation
NCAA Division II
Conference
PSAC (West)
Colors
IUP vs. THE PSAC EAST Since 2006, IUP is 24-7 (.774) against teams from the PSAC East. The Crimson Hawks did hold a seven-game win streak that began with their 34-7 at West Chester in 2011 and ended with the 44-7 loss at Kutztown last season. IUP is 5-1 against Millersville, 4-0 against East Stroudsburg and Cheyney, and 3-1 against West Chester.
Crimson & Gray
Nickname
Crimson Hawks
President
Dr. Michael Driscoll
Interim Athletic Director Stadium
Steve Roach Frank Cignetti Field at
CIGNETTI vs. THE PSAC EAST HC Curt Cignetti is 9-4 against the PSAC East since coming to IUP in 2011, including 3-0 records in 2012 and 2013. Cignetti is 3-0 against Lock Haven, including 21-16 road win last season. He also has wins of 42-0 in 2012 and 56-6 in 2011.
George P. Miller Stadium Capacity
6,000
IUP is 25-6 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A RUNNING BACK REACHES 100 YARDS In his four-plus seasons as head coach, Cignetti has a 25-6 record when an IUP running back rushes for at
SPORTS INFORMATION
least 100 yards in a game. There are two running backs on the 2015 roster who have 100-yard games to
Sports Information Director
Ryan Rebholz
their credit: So. Luigi Lista-Brinza with five and So. Chris Temple with two. Temple ran for a career-high
Office Phone
724-357-2747
195 yards in the 34-33 season-opening loss to Kutztown. During the Cignetti era at IUP, De’Antwan
Email
[email protected]
FOOTBALL HISTORY
“Rocket” Williams has the most 100-yard games with 12 while Harvie Tuck had six. THE DAWN OF A NEW OFFENSIVE ERA
First Year of Football (Modern Year)
1927
2015 marks a new era for the IUP offense as the Crimson Hawks have switched to an up-tempo spread set.
Last Playoff Appearance
2012
New OC Marty Higgins joined the coaching staff this summer from Upper Iowa University, bringing with
All-Time Record (Pct)
528-261-23 (.664)
Division II Playoff Appearances
15
him an offensive philosophy that averaged 34.5 points and 461 yards in 11 games last season. It will be the first time since the 1970s that IUP will not run an “I” formation or pro set. The comparison below shows the
Division II National Semifinal Apperances
6
Crimson Hawks’ offensive numbers in 2014 and their 2015 averages under Higgins.
Division II Championship Appearances
2
Category
2015
Rush Yds/Game
273.0
162.3
Pass Yds/Game
224.0
210.8
Total Yds/Game
497.0
373.1
Points/Game
33.0
25.6
All-Time Division II Playoff Record
18-15
COACHING STAFF Head Coach
Curt Cignetti
Alma Mater
West Virginia, 1982
IUP Record (Years)
34-12 (four)
Offensive Coordinator
Marty Higgins
Alma Mater
THE NEW OC - MARTY HIGGINS Higgins spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons as UIU’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, helping the Peacocks score 680 points in 22 games (31.0 ppg). UIU boasted five All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate
Defensive Coordinator Alma Mater
2014
Paul Tortorella Slippery Rock, 1985
Football Office
Conference (NSIC) players last season, including QB Cole Jaeschke (304.5 pyds/game); RB Chris Smith (127.1 ryds/game); and WR Derek Giesking (9.3 rec/game).
724-357-2780 IUP IS ONE OF YOUNGEST TEAMS AT QB IN THE PSAC
TEAM INFORMATION 2014 Overall Record 2014 PSAC Record/West Finish
The Crimson Hawks have one of the youngest quarterback units in the PSAC, with two true freshmen and 6-5
a redshirt freshman listed among the four total players. Only Gr. QB Chase Haslett played a collegiate
5-4/5th
game before this season, and he and R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams split time in the season-opener against
Final Ranking
n/a
Kutztown. Here is a list of PSAC teams, split up by division, and their quarterback’s career games and
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost
5/6
starts.
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost
8/3
Rank
West Team
QB Games Played
Specialists Starters Returning/Lost
1/1
1.
Seton Hill
12
4
2.
IUP
13
11 11
COACHING ASSIGNMENTS
Career Starts
3.
Edinboro
19
Curt Cignetti - Head Coach
Sideline
4.
Cal
25
18
Paul Tortorella - Def. Coord./Safties
Sideline
5.
Clarion
30
20
Jim Smith - Linebackers/Spec. Teams
Sideline
6.
Slippery Rock
33
14
Mike Campolo - Offensive Line
Sideline
7.
Gannon
35
34
Rod Rutherford - Wide Receivers
Sideline
8.
Mercyhurst
37
12
Bryant Haines - Defensive Line
Sideline Career Starts
Luke Barker - Running Backs
Sideline
Rank
East Team
QB Games Played
Dale Boston - Volunteer Asst.
Sideline
1.
Shippensburg
13
3
2.
West Chester
15
9
Marty Higgins - Off. Coord./QBs
Booth
3.
Cheyney
16
4
Johnny Franco - Cornerbacks
Booth
4.
Kutztown
17
13
John Pettina - Volunteer Asst.
Booth
5.
Millersville
20
4
6.
Lock Haven
33
18
7.
Bloomsburg
38
38
8.
East Stroudsburg
41
31
2
HASLETT AND WILLIAMS SPLIT QB REPS IN THE OPENER
AFCA COACHES POLL
Haslett made his 11th career start in the season opener against Kutztown, with Williams coming off the bench and playing most of the second half. The two combined to go 20-36 for 224 yards and 2 touch-
RK
SCHOOL (1st VOTES)
downs with no turnovers. Cignetti has stated that both will play, with the depth chart listing Haslett “or”
1.
Minnesota St. (30)
2-0
1
Williams as the starter. Haslett was the incumbent coming into this year with 11 games played, 2,178 yards
2.
West Georgia (1)
2-0
3
and 16 touchdowns in 2014. Williams joined the Crimson Hawks this summer after transferring from
3.
Northwest Missouri St. (1)
2-0
4
Temple, where he redshirted during his only year on campus.
4.
Pittsburg St. (Kan.)
2-0
5
5.
Ferris St. (Mich.)
1-0
6
THE CHASE IS ON
6.
Delta St. (Miss.)
2-0
10
Haslett has played in 12 career games with 11 starts, including the season-opener against Kutztown. He
7.
Minnesota-Duluth
1-1
9
finished 8-12 (66.7 pct) against the Golden Bears with 61 yards and a touchdown. Last year, his first season
8.
Angelo St. (Texas)
2-0
12
at IUP after transferring from Illinois, he averaged 198.0 passing yards per game and completed 60.4 pct
9.
Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
2-0
11
of his passes, which is tied for 5th in program single season history. He threw for 359 yards against Cal
10. North Alabama
2-0
13
and 361 against Slippery Rock. Below are the seven games that Haslett has a passing efficiency rating of
11.
Valdosta St. (Ga.)
2-0
14
at least 140.0 last season.
12.
Sioux Falls (S.D.)
2-0
15
13.
Colorado St.-Pueblo Grand Valley St. (Mich.)
Date
‘15 REC
LAST
1-1
2
2-0
20
Opponent
C-A-I
Pct
Yds
TD
Effec
14.
Sept 6
St. Augustine’s
14-20-1
70.0
176
3
183.42
15.
Colorado School of Mines
2-0
16
Sept 20
at Lock Haven
14-20-2
70.0
176
1
140.42
16.
Harding (Ark.)
2-0
19
Sept 27
Mercyhurst
12-15-0
80.0
157
2
211.42
17.
Ohio Dominican
1-1
7
Oct 4
at Edinboro
13-21-0
61.9
157
1
140.42
18.
Slippery Rock (Pa.)
2-0
21
Oct 11
Seton Hill
14-23-0
60.9
225
1
157.39
19.
Ashland (Ohio)
2-0
24
Nov 8
Gannon
19-34-2
55.9
288
3
144.39
20. Shepherd (W.Va.)
No 15
#17 West Chester
14-19-1
73.7
147
1
145.52
21.
2-0
15
1-1
22
22. Texas A&M-Commerce
1-1
18
WILLIAMS PROVIDES IUP WITH FIRST TRUE DUAL THREAT QB IN YEARS
23. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.)
1-1
8
Williams added another dimension to the IUP quarterback position with the ability to run as well as throw.
24. Tuskegee (Ala.)
2-0
NR
the redshirt freshman put up 215 yards of total offense (163 pass, 52 rush) with a 63-yard passing
25. Humboldt St. (Calif.)
2-0
NR
Concord (W.Va.)
touchdown and a 33-yard rushing touchdown against Kutztown. • Four-year starting quarterback at Sto-Rox HS in McKees Rocks, Pa.
D2FOOTBALL.COM MEDIA POLL
• Three-star member of Temple’s 2014 recruiting class • Finished HS career has the WPIAL’s all-time leading passer with 8,509 yards and 102 touchdowns
RK
SCHOOL
• Also rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in HS career
1
Minnesota State
2-0
1
• Fab 22 selection, WPIAL Co-Offensive Player of the Year, and the 2012 Big 7 Player of the Year
2
West Georgia
2-0
3
‘15 REC
LAST
3
Ferris State
1-0
4
NEW LOOK OFFENSE PROVIDED BIG PLAYS IN SEASON-OPENER
4
Pittsburg State
2-0
6
IUP’s new spread offense provided excitement against Kutztown with six plays of 20 yards or more. Four
5
Northwest Missouri
2-0
7
of those plays were rushes covering 23 (TD), 33 (TD), 37 and 43 yards; in addition to a pair of pass plays
6
Sioux Falls
2-0
9
of 23 and 63 (TD) yards. Last season, IUP averaged 3.5 plays of 20-plus yards each game and only had 10
7
Minnesota Duluth
1-1
10
rushes that covered that distance all season long.
8
Delta State
2-0
11
9
CSU-Pueblo
1-1
2
CRIMSON HAWKS ARE DEEP AT THE RUNNING BACK POSITION
10
North Alabama
2-0
13
Even with the change in offensive philosophy, the Crimson Hawks are still very deep in the backfield in
11
Valdosta State
2-0
14
2015. So. RB Chris Temple ran for a career-high 195 yards and a touchdown against Kutztown while So. RB
12
Angelo State
2-0
12
Luigi Lista-Brinza received 14 carries. Lista-Brinza was IUP’s leading rusher last year with 846 yards and
13
Colorado Mines
2-0
15
10 touchdowns while Temple added 444 yards and two scores in 2014. Adding depth this year is R-So. RB
14
Ohio Dominican
1-1
5
Drew Harris and R-Fr. RB Shannon Jackson, who both saw time against Kutztown.
15
Ouachita Baptist
2-0
16
16
Grand Valley
2-0
21
TEMPLE PROVIDES BIG PLAYS AND CAREER RUSHING DAY
17
Harding
2-0
20
Temple’s career-high 195 yards against Kutztown came on just 18 carries, as he averaged 10.8 yards per
18
Slippery Rock
2-0
23
rush. Five of his carries went for more than 10 yards, including rushes of 37, 23 (TD) and 43 yards. Over his
19
Shepherd
2-0
24
last four games, Temple is averaging 121 yards per game and 6.5 yards per carry. Here’s a look at Temple’s
20
Michigan Tech
2-0
22
production in his last four games:
21
Lenoir-Rhyne
1-1
8
1-1
17
Date
Opponent
Att
Yds
Avg
LG
TD
22
Texas A&M-Commerce
9/12/15
Kutztown
18
195
10.8
43
1
23
Concord
1-1
25
Humboldt State
2-0
NR
Emporia State
2-0
NR
11/15/14
#17 West Chester
19
93
4.9
30
0
24
11/8/14
at Gannon
17
82
4.8
22
0
25
11/1/14
Clarion
20
114
5.7
15
1
HEY, IT’S LUIGI! Lista-Brinza was one of the top freshman backs in Division II last year, averaging 76.9 rushing yards per game while earning 2nd team All-PSAC West honors. He totaled 100 all-purpose yards six times in his first seven games, with the Crimson Hawks going 5-1 in those games.
3
Lista-Brinza’s 100-yard games in 2014:
RECORD BREAKDOWN 2015 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0
September October November December IUP’s Record vs. PSAC Teams at home 0-1 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 0-1 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 0-1 decided by 3 pts or less 0-1 home during day 0-1 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 0-1 IUP’s Record When Allowing... 14 or fewer points 0-0 24 or fewer points 0-0 25+ points 0-1 IUP’s Record When... leading after the 1st qtr 0-1 trailing after the first qtr 0-0 tied after the 1st qtr 0-0 leading at halftime 0-1 trailing at halftime 0-0 tied at halftime 0-0 leading after the 3rd qtr 0-1 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 0-1 500+ 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 0-1 less than 200 yards pass 0-0 200+ yards passing 0-1 250+ 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 0-1 less than 100 yards rush 0-1 100+ yards rush 0-0 less than 200 yards pass 0-0 less than 300 yards pass 0-0 300+ yards pass 0-1
Cignetti 12-5 12-5 10-2 0-1 15-6 14-6
Date
Opponent
Result
Rush Yds
TDs
Rec Yds
AP Yds
Sept 6
St. Augustine’s
W 41-19
111
2
0
111
Sept 20
at Lock Haven
W 21-16
114
2
0
114
Sept 27
Mercyhurst
W 41-7
103
3
0
103
Oct 4
Edinboro
W 18-8
118
0
12
130
Oct 11
Seton Hill
W 51-28
108
1
0
108
Nov 18
at Cal
L 21-13
97
0
20
117
CRIMSON HAWKS HAVE YOUTHFUL GROUP OF WIDEOUTS 11-3 9-5
Of the 14 wide receivers on the Crimson Hawks’ 2015 roster, 11 carry freshman or sophomore eligibility. The two-deep for the Crimson Hawks’ game against Lock Haven includes five freshmen or sophomores, including starters So. Walt Pegues, R-Fr. Swahneek Brown and R-Fr. Jordan Brown.
4-3 5-1
WALT’S WORLD Pegues was IUP’s top receiving threat against Kutztown, catching seven passes for 115 yards, including a
4-3 1-3
63-yard touchdown from Williams. Since the stretch run of his true freshman season, Pegues has come on strong with 32 receptions for 517 yards and four touchdowns in the last five games. Here’s a look at Pegues’ last five games:
4-5 2-2 18-5 0-1 15-6 1-1 3-8 31-4 24-2
Date
Opponent
Rec
Yds
Avg
LG
TD
9/12/15
Kutztown
7
115
16.4
63
1
11/15/14
#17 West Chester
5
51
10.2
19
0
11/8/14
at Gannon
13
193
14.8
55
1
11/1/14
Clarion
2
40
20.0
30
1
10/25/14
Slippery Rock
5
118
23.6
63
1
PEGUES IS AN ALL-PURPOSE THREAT Not only did Pegues excel as a receiver in 2014, but he led the Crimson Hawks with 1,466 all-purpose yards. Pegues added 56 rushing yards, 213 punt return yards and 590 kickoff return yards, and averaged
24-0 31-4 3-9 27-4 2-5 5-4 31-1 2-10 1-2 33-2 1-11 0-0 4-4 30-8 19-4 5-0 0-3 34-9 33-3 24-2 12-2 23-7 11-6 4-4 2-3 1-2
133.3 all-purpose yards per game. Three times he totaled more than 200 all-purpose yards, including a season-high 282 at Gannon. Here’s a look at his three games of 200-plus yards: Date
Opponent
Ru Yds
Rec Yds
KR Yds
PR Yds
AP Yds
10/11/14
Seton Hill
13
36
98
96
243
10/25/14
Slippery Rock
0
118
46
48
212
11/8/14
at Gannon
19
193
70
0
282
HOLD THAT LINE Like many other positional groups, the offensive line is very young, with nine redshirt or true freshmen among the 16 total players. The most seasoned member of the line is R-Sr. OL Jorge Vicioso, who has 24 games and 22 starts under his belt. He’s returned to his familiar right tackle spot this year. Jr. OL Ethan Cooper has played in 18 games and has 15 starts in two-plus seasons, and saw time at both left guard and left tackle during fall camp. The current offensive line has a combined 79 games played and 53 starts. IUP LINEBACKERS AGAIN PROVIDE DEPTH IN 2015 The Crimson Hawks welcome back a seasoned linebacking corps in 2015. Three players - R-Sr. Dorian Lane, R-Jr. Kevin Clarke and Jr. Myles Catlin - have combined for 72 games played and 29 starts. They have each produced during their time on the field, combining for 325 tackles and 31.5 TFLs. Player
GP/GS
Tkl
Solo
TFL
FR/FF
Clarke
22/13
155
58
14.0
1/3
Lane
29/12
120
46
13.5
1/1
Catlin
21/4
65
25
4.5
0/0
Totals
72/29
340
129
33.0
2/4
CLARKE NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN Clarke was named a first team preseason All-American by D2Football.com after posting 117 total tackles as a first-year starter in 2014. That number led the PSAC West as he earned first team all-conference honors. He had five double-figure tackle games, including a season-high 21 against Slippery Rock. Below are
12-0 24-1 33-5 1-8 21-5 13-8 25-2 32-8 2-5
Clarke’s five double-figure tackle games. He opened up the 2015 season with nine tackles, 1.5 tackles-forloss and a pass broken up. Date
Opponent
Tkl
Solo
TFL
Sept 6
St. Augustine’s
13
5
2.0
Sept 13
at Kutztown
19
5
2.0
Oct. 18
at Cal
12
6
1.0
Oct. 25
Slippery Rock
21
12
1.0
Nov. 8
at Gannon
11
0
0.0
4
GIBSON HIGHLIGHTS THE DEFENSIVE LINE Sr. DL Karon Gibson has made the move to defensive end this season, posting nine tackles and 1.5 sacks
CAREER GAMES PLAYED/STARTED
against Kutztown. Gibson started all 11 games last year at nose guard, leading all defensive linemen and
Player
‘11
‘12
‘13
‘14
finishing third on the team with 54 total tackles and 8.0 TFLs. He also led the Crimson Hawks with 6.0
Jemal Averette, DL
--
--
--
11/0
‘15 Tot 1/1
sacks, forced a fumble and recovered another.
Jordan Batts, DL
--
11/0
11/0
7/2
1/0 30/2
12/1
Ed Bier, OL
--
--
2/0
7/1
1/0
MOWAD MAKES PLAYS ALL OVER THE FIELD
Jordan Brown, WR
--
--
--
--
1/1
1/1
R-So. DE Matt Mowad made several key plays against Kutztown, but none bigger than his 23-yard inter-
Swahneek Brown, WR
--
--
--
--
1/1
1/1
ception return for a touchdown in the second quarter. Dropping back in coverage from his end position,
Cameron Casciole, LB
--
--
--
9/0
0/0
9/0
Mowad picked off a pass on the sideline and raced into the end zone. He also made five tackles in the
Myles Catlin, LB
--
--
9/0
11/4
1/0 21/4
game - three solo - and had a sack.
Dan Charmo, OL
--
--
-- 10/9
0/0 10/9
Kevin Clarke, LB
--
--
10/1
11/11
THE CRIMSON HAWKS BOAST INCREDIBLE DEPTH IN THE SECONDARY
Ethan Cooper, OL
--
--
6/3
11/11
1/1 18/15
With last year’s losses of R-Sr. SS Eric Williams and R-So. CB Jay Watkins, multiple true freshmen saw
Chris David, DB
--
--
--
11/3
1/1 12/4
playing time for the Crimson Hawks. With the return of both players, IUP now boasts a deep secondary
Andrew DeGol, DB
--
--
9/0
8/0
1/0 18/0
unit that includes seven players who have combined for 110 games and 75 starts.
Gabriel Diaz, OL
--
--
--
2/0
1/1
3/1
Eric Doe, DB
--
--
-- 10/0
1/0
11/0
Nick Dubowski, LB
--
--
5/2 10/7
Deandre Easterling, DL
--
--
--
--
Kevin Edwards, TE
--
--
11/1
9/1
1/0 21/2
Steve Franco, DB
--
--
3/0
11/11
1/1 15/12
Karon Gibson, DL*
--
11/1 12/12
11/11
Drew Harris, RB
--
--
--
Chase Haslett, QB
--
--
-- 11/10
1/1 12/11
C.J. Jackson, TE
--
--
--
10/1
1/0
Conor Jackson, LS
--
--
11/0
--
1/0 12/0 1/0
Player
GP/GS
Tkl
INT
PBU
Eric David
12/4
19
0
1
Steve Franco
12/12
53
0
3
Ackeno Robertson
21/12
52
1
4
Takhi Turner
11/9
49
1
7
Jay Watkins Eric Williams Allen Wright
11/7 28/24 12/7
23 74 41
0 7 0
5 9 4
--
10/1
1/1 22/13
1/0 16/9 1/0
1/0
1/1 35/25 1/0
1/0 11/1
ALL-REGION SAFETY WILLIAMS RETURNS
Shannon Jackson, RB
--
--
--
--
The defensive secondary is highlighted by the return of Williams. An all-region selection in 2013, Williams
Dorian Lane, LB
-- 14/0
11/10
3/1
led the PSAC and tied for eighth in Division II with six interceptions while also totaling 48 tackles. The Pitt
Luigi Lista-Brinza, RB
--
--
-- 11/10
1/1 12/11
transfer played in 16 games in two seasons with the Panthers, including 11 starts as an outside linebacker
Mikale Makle, DB
--
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
in 2012.
Sean McVay, WR
4/0
--
11/0
6/1
0/0
21/1
Tony Morgante, OL
--
--
8/1
4/2
PEGUES COULD BE ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS RETURN MEN IN THE NATION
Matt Mowad, DL
--
--
--
11/3
Last year as a freshman, Pegues earned first team All-PSAC West honors as a kick returner. He averaged
CJ Odegbo, DL
--
--
--
--
24.6 yards on 24 kickoff returns and a school-record 19.4 yards on 11 punt returns. His most exciting play
Jeff Palmer, DL
--
9/0
10/2
11/7
came against Seton Hill on Homecoming, taking back a punt 96 yards untouched for a touchdown. It was
Rex Pearce, FB
--
--
--
8/0
the longest punt return and fourth longest play in IUP history.
Walt Pegues, WR
--
--
--
11/2
Mike Pietropola, QB
--
--
--
--
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Ackeno Robertson, DB
--
--
9/0
11/11
1/0
1/1 29/12
1/1 13/4 1/1 12/4 1/0
1/0
1/1 31/10 0/0
8/0
1/1 12/3 1/0
1/0
1/1 21/12
With a different recruiting style over the last two offseasons, the Crimson Hawks go into 2015 with a very
Jordan Spangler, P*
--
--
11/0
11/0
1/0 23/0
young roster of 86 players. Included in those 86 are: 35 freshmen, 25 sophomores, 16 juniors, and 10
Matt Spegal, P
--
3/0
11/0
11/0
0/0 25/0
seniors/graduate students. 11 sophomores saw playing time as true freshmen last year, combining for 41
Ryan Stewart, PK*
--
--
10/0 10/0
1/0 21/0
total starts during the season.
Chris Temple, RB
--
--
--
9/1
1/0
Mason Tortorice, DL
--
--
--
3/0
1/0
4/0
IUP AT HOME IN MILLER STADIUM
Takhi Turner, DB
--
--
-- 10/9
1/0
11/9
Since 1986, IUP has a 138-31-1 (.815) overall record at George P. Miller Stadium. In those 29-plus seasons,
Jorge Vicioso, OL
--
1/0
11/10
11/11
1/1 24/22
IUP posted a perfect 7-0 home record six times and had 25 consecutive wins between 1989 and 1992. 11
B. Wahl-Schwartz, DB
--
--
3/0
9/0
1/0 13/0
times IUP has hosted an NCAA playoff game at Miller Stadium, boasting a 9-2 mark in those games.
Jay Watkins, DB
--
--
9/5
1/1
1/1
11/7
Justin Weldon, DL
--
--
--
7/0
1/0
8/0
3/0 13/12
10/1
EIGHT TRANSFERS JOIN CRIMSON HAWKS IN 2015
Eric Williams, DB*
11/11
--
1/1 28/24
IUP welcomed eight transfers this year, including R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams from Temple, R-Fr. WR Kyler
Lenny Williams, QB
--
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
Diehl from Penn State, and R-So. RB Drew Harris from UMass. The Crimson Hawks also have transfers
Miles Williamson, WR
--
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
from the Division II and Division III levels and a pair from junior colleges.
Kidus Woldeyes, OL
--
--
--
--
1/1
1/1
Ronald Womack, DB
--
--
-- 10/0
1/0
11/0
THE NEW DRESS CODE
Zack Woznichak, DB
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
2/0
The Crimson Hawks will take the field in 2015 with brand new Nike uniforms. The “Air Attack” uniforms are
Allen Wright, DB
--
--
--
11/7
1/0 12/7
made of Nike Dri-FIT fabric and include crimson home and white away jerseys, with the gray pants. IUP will
Gabriel Yuille, WR
--
--
--
--
also wear a new matte gray helmet with the familiar IUP football logo on the side.
*Transfers; not all years played at IUP
MARYLAND - THE OLD LINE STATE 70 of IUP’s 88 players hail from Pennsylvania, but the state with the second most players on the roster is Maryland with eight. Three of those players are from Frederick, Md., including Fr. WR Isiah Mims and Fr. LB Drew Yarborough from Oakdale HS and Fr. DL Casey Alvarado from Lingapore HS.
5
1/0
1/0
CURT CIGNETTI (5th SEASON) Curt Cignetti enters his fifth year at the helm of the IUP football program in 2015. Through four seasons, Cignetti has a record of 34-12, going 20-8 in PSAC West play and 2-1 in the NCAA playoffs. He has a record of 18-5 at home and 16-7 on the road. The young Crimson Hawks finished 6-5 in 2014, going 5-4 in PSAC play. A former QB himself, Cignetti helped IUP set several records in the passing game over the course of the season. Chase Haslett completed over 60 percent of his passes, a mark that ranked as sixth best all-time and the highest from an IUP quarterback since 2008. Three recievers etched their names into the IUP record books, as seniors Drew Carswell and Brock DeCicco caught 15 and 11 passes respectively against California in the sixth annual Coal Bowl. Freshman wideout Walt Pegues also set records with 13 catches and 193 yards against Gannon.
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
Pitt Davidson
IUP
YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORD YEAR
RECORD
PSAC
2011
7-3
5-2
3rd in PSAC West
2012
12-2
6-1
PSAC Champions,
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. 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.
QUICK FACTS
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.
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) 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 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.
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. 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. 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 2000-02 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.
NOTES
Div. II Regional Finals
BY THE NUMBERS: CURT CIGNETTI AT IUP 2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
vs. Unranked teams
6-1
9-0
8-2
6-3
0-0
TOTALS 29-6
1-2
3-2
1-0
0-2
0-0
5-6
2013
9-2
5-2
2nd in PSAC West
vs. Top 25 teams
2014
6-5
5-4
5th in PSAC West
vs. Top 10 teams
0-1
2-2
0-0
0-0
0-0
2-3
vs. PSAC
7-3
9-1
8-2
5-5
0-1
29-12
vs. PSAC West
5-2
6-1
5-2
4-3
0-0
20-8
vs. PSAC East
2-1
3-0
3-0
1-2
0-1
9-4
PSAC West home games
2-1
4-0
2-1
3-1
0-0
11-3
4 YEARS
34-12
21-9
CIGNETTI’S START Best Three Year Starts by IUP Head Coaches COACH (YEARS)
1.
Curt Cignetti (2011-13)
RECORD
PCT.
28-7
.800
2.
Frank Cignetti (1986-88)
27-7
.794
3.
Chuck Klausing (1964-66)
22-7
.759
4. Lou Tepper (2006-08)
24-8
.750
5.
20-7
.741
Bill Neal (1970-72)
PSAC West road games
3-1
2-1
3-1
1-2
0-0
9-5
All home games
3-2
7-0
4-1
4-2
0-1
18-6
All road games
4-1
5-2
5-1
2-3
0-0
16-7
Postseason
0-0
2-1
0-0
0-0
0-0
2-1
IUP rushes for 200+ yards
4-0
11-1
6-0
3-1
0-1
24-3
IUP scores
2
vs. LOCK HAVEN September 19, 2015 1:00 PM Indiana, Pa. Frank Cignetti Field @ George P. Miller Stadium (6,000)
RANK
OPPONENT
Kutztown Lock Haven at Mercyhurst *
RANK
SEPTEMBER 3 NR/NR 12 NR/NR 19 NR/NR 26 OCTOBER 3 10 17 24 31 NOVEMBER 7 14
OPPONENT
Clarion at Seton Hill at IUP East Stroudsburg West Chester at Shippensburg Cheyney at Millersville Kutztown at Bloomsburg California (PA)
RECORD
0-2, 0-0 PSAC East
RANKING
NR in AFCA Coaches
RANKING
NR in AFCA Coaches
LAST GAME
Sept. 12 lost to
Sept. 12 lost to
NR in D2Football Media Seton Hill, 27-10
HEAD COACH
Curt Cignetti
HEAD COACH
David Traynor
CAREER RECORD
34-13 / 5th year
CAREER RECORD
37-42 / 8th year
IUP RECORD
34-13 / 5th year y r yea
LHU RECORD
0-2 / 2nd year
CIGNETTI vs. LHU
3-0
vs. IUP
0-0
IUP vs. KU
9-1-1
vs. Cignetti
0-0
RESULT/TIME
L 34-33 1 PM 1 PM
1 PM 12 PM
Lock Haven (0-2, 0-0 PSAC East) DATE
0-1, 0-0 PSAC West
Kutztown 34-33
Edinboro * 2 PM at Seton Hill * 3 PM California (Pa.) * 6 PM at #18 Slippery Rock * 6 PM at Clarion * 12 PM Gannon * at West Chester
Lock Haven Bald Eagles
RECORD
LAST GAME
IUP (0-1, 0-0 PSAC West) SEPTEMBER 12 NR/NR 19 NR/NR 26 OCTOBER 3 10 17 24 31 NOVEMBER 7 14
IUP Crimson Hawks NR in D2Football Media
2015 SCHEDULES DATE
BREAKDOWN
RESULT/TIME
L 40-13 L 27-10 1 PM 12 PM 12 PM 1 PM 2 PM 1 PM 1 PM 2 PM 1 PM
TABLE OF CONTENTS Game Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Game Storylines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2015 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 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 IUP Scoring Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 IUP Roster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14-15 2015 IUP Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16-20
THE GAME The Crimson Hawks will look to rebound after last week’s loss as they host Lock Haven at Frank Cignetti Field on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 PM. IUP is coming off of a disappointing 34-33 defeat at the hands of Kutztown in the season-opener last Saturday, even though the Crimson Hawks totaled 497 yards of offense. Lock Haven enters the game with an 0-2 record, losing to Clarion and Seton Hill by a combined score of 67-23. IUP will look to extend its streak of 32 straight wins over the Bald Eagles, last losing to Lock Haven in 1981 (41-14). The game will be broadcast on WQMU 92.5 FM with the voice of IUP Athletics, Jack Benedict, calling the action. IUP will honor it’s 1985 team in a ceremony at halftime.
HOW TO FOLLOW WQMU 92.5 FM/U92radio.com Jack Benedict, play-by play Ab Dettorre, analyst Greg Drahuschak, sideline *pregame show begins 30 minutes prior to kickoff
IUP-TV/BackLightTV.com Josh Hill, play-by-play Kyle Kondor, analyst
Live Stats Live stats for all IUP home games: sidermstats.com/iup/football/
WIUP 90.1 FM Jake DeLuca, play-by-play Cody Benjamin, analyst
Twitter @IUPfootball @IUPCrimsonHawk
STORYLINES • The Crimson Hawks hope for
• The Crimson Hawks again have
• The IUP defense will be looking
a repeat offensive performance
two quarterbacks listed at the
for a bounce-back performance
against Lock Haven after totaling
top of the depth chart as Gr. QB
after giving up 486 yards of total
497 yards against Kutztown last
Chase Haslett and R-Fr. QB
offense - including 406 passing
week. The 497 yards was the
Lenny Williams will each see
yards to QB Chad Barton - in last
most for IUP since gaining 562
playing time. Last week the two
week’s loss. Lock Haven could be
yards against Shippensburg in
combined to go 20-36 for 224
the perfect cure for IUP, as the
2013.
yards with two touchdowns and
Bald Eagles have averaged just
no interceptions.
11.5 points and have a -3.5
• IUP has a streak of 32 straight
turnover margin in their two
wins over Lock Haven, dating
• IUP’s traditionally strong
losses to Clarion and Seton Hill
back to the 1981 season. The
rushing attack looks to continue
this year.
Bald Eagles won that game 41-14
in 2015 after So. RB Chris
in Lock Haven.
Temple’s career-high 195 yards last week against Kutztown. So.
• IUP hopes to perform better
RB Luigi Lista-Brinza will be
against Lock Haven than in last
the starter while Williams adds
year’s narrow 21-16 road victory.
another rushing threat from the
The Crimson Hawks totaled 371
quarterback position.
yards and threw two interceptions.
1
QUICK FACTS
NOTEBOOK
Location
Indiana, Pa.
Enrollment
14,369
Founded
1875
Athletics Affiliation
NCAA Division II
Conference
PSAC (West)
Colors
IUP vs. THE PSAC EAST Since 2006, IUP is 24-7 (.774) against teams from the PSAC East. The Crimson Hawks did hold a seven-game win streak that began with their 34-7 at West Chester in 2011 and ended with the 44-7 loss at Kutztown last season. IUP is 5-1 against Millersville, 4-0 against East Stroudsburg and Cheyney, and 3-1 against West Chester.
Crimson & Gray
Nickname
Crimson Hawks
President
Dr. Michael Driscoll
Interim Athletic Director Stadium
Steve Roach Frank Cignetti Field at
CIGNETTI vs. THE PSAC EAST HC Curt Cignetti is 9-4 against the PSAC East since coming to IUP in 2011, including 3-0 records in 2012 and 2013. Cignetti is 3-0 against Lock Haven, including 21-16 road win last season. He also has wins of 42-0 in 2012 and 56-6 in 2011.
George P. Miller Stadium Capacity
6,000
IUP is 25-6 UNDER CURT CIGNETTI WHEN A RUNNING BACK REACHES 100 YARDS In his four-plus seasons as head coach, Cignetti has a 25-6 record when an IUP running back rushes for at
SPORTS INFORMATION
least 100 yards in a game. There are two running backs on the 2015 roster who have 100-yard games to
Sports Information Director
Ryan Rebholz
their credit: So. Luigi Lista-Brinza with five and So. Chris Temple with two. Temple ran for a career-high
Office Phone
724-357-2747
195 yards in the 34-33 season-opening loss to Kutztown. During the Cignetti era at IUP, De’Antwan
[email protected]
FOOTBALL HISTORY
“Rocket” Williams has the most 100-yard games with 12 while Harvie Tuck had six. THE DAWN OF A NEW OFFENSIVE ERA
First Year of Football (Modern Year)
1927
2015 marks a new era for the IUP offense as the Crimson Hawks have switched to an up-tempo spread set.
Last Playoff Appearance
2012
New OC Marty Higgins joined the coaching staff this summer from Upper Iowa University, bringing with
All-Time Record (Pct)
528-261-23 (.664)
Division II Playoff Appearances
15
him an offensive philosophy that averaged 34.5 points and 461 yards in 11 games last season. It will be the first time since the 1970s that IUP will not run an “I” formation or pro set. The comparison below shows the
Division II National Semifinal Apperances
6
Crimson Hawks’ offensive numbers in 2014 and their 2015 averages under Higgins.
Division II Championship Appearances
2
Category
2015
Rush Yds/Game
273.0
162.3
Pass Yds/Game
224.0
210.8
Total Yds/Game
497.0
373.1
Points/Game
33.0
25.6
All-Time Division II Playoff Record
18-15
COACHING STAFF Head Coach
Curt Cignetti
Alma Mater
West Virginia, 1982
IUP Record (Years)
34-12 (four)
Offensive Coordinator
Marty Higgins
Alma Mater
THE NEW OC - MARTY HIGGINS Higgins spent the 2013 and 2014 seasons as UIU’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, helping the Peacocks score 680 points in 22 games (31.0 ppg). UIU boasted five All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate
Defensive Coordinator Alma Mater
2014
Paul Tortorella Slippery Rock, 1985
Football Office
Conference (NSIC) players last season, including QB Cole Jaeschke (304.5 pyds/game); RB Chris Smith (127.1 ryds/game); and WR Derek Giesking (9.3 rec/game).
724-357-2780 IUP IS ONE OF YOUNGEST TEAMS AT QB IN THE PSAC
TEAM INFORMATION 2014 Overall Record 2014 PSAC Record/West Finish
The Crimson Hawks have one of the youngest quarterback units in the PSAC, with two true freshmen and 6-5
a redshirt freshman listed among the four total players. Only Gr. QB Chase Haslett played a collegiate
5-4/5th
game before this season, and he and R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams split time in the season-opener against
Final Ranking
n/a
Kutztown. Here is a list of PSAC teams, split up by division, and their quarterback’s career games and
Offensive Starters Returning/Lost
5/6
starts.
Defensive Starters Returning/Lost
8/3
Rank
West Team
QB Games Played
Specialists Starters Returning/Lost
1/1
1.
Seton Hill
12
4
2.
IUP
13
11 11
COACHING ASSIGNMENTS
Career Starts
3.
Edinboro
19
Curt Cignetti - Head Coach
Sideline
4.
Cal
25
18
Paul Tortorella - Def. Coord./Safties
Sideline
5.
Clarion
30
20
Jim Smith - Linebackers/Spec. Teams
Sideline
6.
Slippery Rock
33
14
Mike Campolo - Offensive Line
Sideline
7.
Gannon
35
34
Rod Rutherford - Wide Receivers
Sideline
8.
Mercyhurst
37
12
Bryant Haines - Defensive Line
Sideline Career Starts
Luke Barker - Running Backs
Sideline
Rank
East Team
QB Games Played
Dale Boston - Volunteer Asst.
Sideline
1.
Shippensburg
13
3
2.
West Chester
15
9
Marty Higgins - Off. Coord./QBs
Booth
3.
Cheyney
16
4
Johnny Franco - Cornerbacks
Booth
4.
Kutztown
17
13
John Pettina - Volunteer Asst.
Booth
5.
Millersville
20
4
6.
Lock Haven
33
18
7.
Bloomsburg
38
38
8.
East Stroudsburg
41
31
2
HASLETT AND WILLIAMS SPLIT QB REPS IN THE OPENER
AFCA COACHES POLL
Haslett made his 11th career start in the season opener against Kutztown, with Williams coming off the bench and playing most of the second half. The two combined to go 20-36 for 224 yards and 2 touch-
RK
SCHOOL (1st VOTES)
downs with no turnovers. Cignetti has stated that both will play, with the depth chart listing Haslett “or”
1.
Minnesota St. (30)
2-0
1
Williams as the starter. Haslett was the incumbent coming into this year with 11 games played, 2,178 yards
2.
West Georgia (1)
2-0
3
and 16 touchdowns in 2014. Williams joined the Crimson Hawks this summer after transferring from
3.
Northwest Missouri St. (1)
2-0
4
Temple, where he redshirted during his only year on campus.
4.
Pittsburg St. (Kan.)
2-0
5
5.
Ferris St. (Mich.)
1-0
6
THE CHASE IS ON
6.
Delta St. (Miss.)
2-0
10
Haslett has played in 12 career games with 11 starts, including the season-opener against Kutztown. He
7.
Minnesota-Duluth
1-1
9
finished 8-12 (66.7 pct) against the Golden Bears with 61 yards and a touchdown. Last year, his first season
8.
Angelo St. (Texas)
2-0
12
at IUP after transferring from Illinois, he averaged 198.0 passing yards per game and completed 60.4 pct
9.
Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
2-0
11
of his passes, which is tied for 5th in program single season history. He threw for 359 yards against Cal
10. North Alabama
2-0
13
and 361 against Slippery Rock. Below are the seven games that Haslett has a passing efficiency rating of
11.
Valdosta St. (Ga.)
2-0
14
at least 140.0 last season.
12.
Sioux Falls (S.D.)
2-0
15
13.
Colorado St.-Pueblo Grand Valley St. (Mich.)
Date
‘15 REC
LAST
1-1
2
2-0
20
Opponent
C-A-I
Pct
Yds
TD
Effec
14.
Sept 6
St. Augustine’s
14-20-1
70.0
176
3
183.42
15.
Colorado School of Mines
2-0
16
Sept 20
at Lock Haven
14-20-2
70.0
176
1
140.42
16.
Harding (Ark.)
2-0
19
Sept 27
Mercyhurst
12-15-0
80.0
157
2
211.42
17.
Ohio Dominican
1-1
7
Oct 4
at Edinboro
13-21-0
61.9
157
1
140.42
18.
Slippery Rock (Pa.)
2-0
21
Oct 11
Seton Hill
14-23-0
60.9
225
1
157.39
19.
Ashland (Ohio)
2-0
24
Nov 8
Gannon
19-34-2
55.9
288
3
144.39
20. Shepherd (W.Va.)
No 15
#17 West Chester
14-19-1
73.7
147
1
145.52
21.
2-0
15
1-1
22
22. Texas A&M-Commerce
1-1
18
WILLIAMS PROVIDES IUP WITH FIRST TRUE DUAL THREAT QB IN YEARS
23. Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.)
1-1
8
Williams added another dimension to the IUP quarterback position with the ability to run as well as throw.
24. Tuskegee (Ala.)
2-0
NR
the redshirt freshman put up 215 yards of total offense (163 pass, 52 rush) with a 63-yard passing
25. Humboldt St. (Calif.)
2-0
NR
Concord (W.Va.)
touchdown and a 33-yard rushing touchdown against Kutztown. • Four-year starting quarterback at Sto-Rox HS in McKees Rocks, Pa.
D2FOOTBALL.COM MEDIA POLL
• Three-star member of Temple’s 2014 recruiting class • Finished HS career has the WPIAL’s all-time leading passer with 8,509 yards and 102 touchdowns
RK
SCHOOL
• Also rushed for nearly 3,000 yards in HS career
1
Minnesota State
2-0
1
• Fab 22 selection, WPIAL Co-Offensive Player of the Year, and the 2012 Big 7 Player of the Year
2
West Georgia
2-0
3
‘15 REC
LAST
3
Ferris State
1-0
4
NEW LOOK OFFENSE PROVIDED BIG PLAYS IN SEASON-OPENER
4
Pittsburg State
2-0
6
IUP’s new spread offense provided excitement against Kutztown with six plays of 20 yards or more. Four
5
Northwest Missouri
2-0
7
of those plays were rushes covering 23 (TD), 33 (TD), 37 and 43 yards; in addition to a pair of pass plays
6
Sioux Falls
2-0
9
of 23 and 63 (TD) yards. Last season, IUP averaged 3.5 plays of 20-plus yards each game and only had 10
7
Minnesota Duluth
1-1
10
rushes that covered that distance all season long.
8
Delta State
2-0
11
9
CSU-Pueblo
1-1
2
CRIMSON HAWKS ARE DEEP AT THE RUNNING BACK POSITION
10
North Alabama
2-0
13
Even with the change in offensive philosophy, the Crimson Hawks are still very deep in the backfield in
11
Valdosta State
2-0
14
2015. So. RB Chris Temple ran for a career-high 195 yards and a touchdown against Kutztown while So. RB
12
Angelo State
2-0
12
Luigi Lista-Brinza received 14 carries. Lista-Brinza was IUP’s leading rusher last year with 846 yards and
13
Colorado Mines
2-0
15
10 touchdowns while Temple added 444 yards and two scores in 2014. Adding depth this year is R-So. RB
14
Ohio Dominican
1-1
5
Drew Harris and R-Fr. RB Shannon Jackson, who both saw time against Kutztown.
15
Ouachita Baptist
2-0
16
16
Grand Valley
2-0
21
TEMPLE PROVIDES BIG PLAYS AND CAREER RUSHING DAY
17
Harding
2-0
20
Temple’s career-high 195 yards against Kutztown came on just 18 carries, as he averaged 10.8 yards per
18
Slippery Rock
2-0
23
rush. Five of his carries went for more than 10 yards, including rushes of 37, 23 (TD) and 43 yards. Over his
19
Shepherd
2-0
24
last four games, Temple is averaging 121 yards per game and 6.5 yards per carry. Here’s a look at Temple’s
20
Michigan Tech
2-0
22
production in his last four games:
21
Lenoir-Rhyne
1-1
8
1-1
17
Date
Opponent
Att
Yds
Avg
LG
TD
22
Texas A&M-Commerce
9/12/15
Kutztown
18
195
10.8
43
1
23
Concord
1-1
25
Humboldt State
2-0
NR
Emporia State
2-0
NR
11/15/14
#17 West Chester
19
93
4.9
30
0
24
11/8/14
at Gannon
17
82
4.8
22
0
25
11/1/14
Clarion
20
114
5.7
15
1
HEY, IT’S LUIGI! Lista-Brinza was one of the top freshman backs in Division II last year, averaging 76.9 rushing yards per game while earning 2nd team All-PSAC West honors. He totaled 100 all-purpose yards six times in his first seven games, with the Crimson Hawks going 5-1 in those games.
3
Lista-Brinza’s 100-yard games in 2014:
RECORD BREAKDOWN 2015 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0
September October November December IUP’s Record vs. PSAC Teams at home 0-1 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 0-1 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 0-1 decided by 3 pts or less 0-1 home during day 0-1 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 0-1 IUP’s Record When Allowing... 14 or fewer points 0-0 24 or fewer points 0-0 25+ points 0-1 IUP’s Record When... leading after the 1st qtr 0-1 trailing after the first qtr 0-0 tied after the 1st qtr 0-0 leading at halftime 0-1 trailing at halftime 0-0 tied at halftime 0-0 leading after the 3rd qtr 0-1 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 0-1 500+ 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 0-1 less than 200 yards pass 0-0 200+ yards passing 0-1 250+ 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 0-1 less than 100 yards rush 0-1 100+ yards rush 0-0 less than 200 yards pass 0-0 less than 300 yards pass 0-0 300+ yards pass 0-1
Cignetti 12-5 12-5 10-2 0-1 15-6 14-6
Date
Opponent
Result
Rush Yds
TDs
Rec Yds
AP Yds
Sept 6
St. Augustine’s
W 41-19
111
2
0
111
Sept 20
at Lock Haven
W 21-16
114
2
0
114
Sept 27
Mercyhurst
W 41-7
103
3
0
103
Oct 4
Edinboro
W 18-8
118
0
12
130
Oct 11
Seton Hill
W 51-28
108
1
0
108
Nov 18
at Cal
L 21-13
97
0
20
117
CRIMSON HAWKS HAVE YOUTHFUL GROUP OF WIDEOUTS 11-3 9-5
Of the 14 wide receivers on the Crimson Hawks’ 2015 roster, 11 carry freshman or sophomore eligibility. The two-deep for the Crimson Hawks’ game against Lock Haven includes five freshmen or sophomores, including starters So. Walt Pegues, R-Fr. Swahneek Brown and R-Fr. Jordan Brown.
4-3 5-1
WALT’S WORLD Pegues was IUP’s top receiving threat against Kutztown, catching seven passes for 115 yards, including a
4-3 1-3
63-yard touchdown from Williams. Since the stretch run of his true freshman season, Pegues has come on strong with 32 receptions for 517 yards and four touchdowns in the last five games. Here’s a look at Pegues’ last five games:
4-5 2-2 18-5 0-1 15-6 1-1 3-8 31-4 24-2
Date
Opponent
Rec
Yds
Avg
LG
TD
9/12/15
Kutztown
7
115
16.4
63
1
11/15/14
#17 West Chester
5
51
10.2
19
0
11/8/14
at Gannon
13
193
14.8
55
1
11/1/14
Clarion
2
40
20.0
30
1
10/25/14
Slippery Rock
5
118
23.6
63
1
PEGUES IS AN ALL-PURPOSE THREAT Not only did Pegues excel as a receiver in 2014, but he led the Crimson Hawks with 1,466 all-purpose yards. Pegues added 56 rushing yards, 213 punt return yards and 590 kickoff return yards, and averaged
24-0 31-4 3-9 27-4 2-5 5-4 31-1 2-10 1-2 33-2 1-11 0-0 4-4 30-8 19-4 5-0 0-3 34-9 33-3 24-2 12-2 23-7 11-6 4-4 2-3 1-2
133.3 all-purpose yards per game. Three times he totaled more than 200 all-purpose yards, including a season-high 282 at Gannon. Here’s a look at his three games of 200-plus yards: Date
Opponent
Ru Yds
Rec Yds
KR Yds
PR Yds
AP Yds
10/11/14
Seton Hill
13
36
98
96
243
10/25/14
Slippery Rock
0
118
46
48
212
11/8/14
at Gannon
19
193
70
0
282
HOLD THAT LINE Like many other positional groups, the offensive line is very young, with nine redshirt or true freshmen among the 16 total players. The most seasoned member of the line is R-Sr. OL Jorge Vicioso, who has 24 games and 22 starts under his belt. He’s returned to his familiar right tackle spot this year. Jr. OL Ethan Cooper has played in 18 games and has 15 starts in two-plus seasons, and saw time at both left guard and left tackle during fall camp. The current offensive line has a combined 79 games played and 53 starts. IUP LINEBACKERS AGAIN PROVIDE DEPTH IN 2015 The Crimson Hawks welcome back a seasoned linebacking corps in 2015. Three players - R-Sr. Dorian Lane, R-Jr. Kevin Clarke and Jr. Myles Catlin - have combined for 72 games played and 29 starts. They have each produced during their time on the field, combining for 325 tackles and 31.5 TFLs. Player
GP/GS
Tkl
Solo
TFL
FR/FF
Clarke
22/13
155
58
14.0
1/3
Lane
29/12
120
46
13.5
1/1
Catlin
21/4
65
25
4.5
0/0
Totals
72/29
340
129
33.0
2/4
CLARKE NAMED PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN Clarke was named a first team preseason All-American by D2Football.com after posting 117 total tackles as a first-year starter in 2014. That number led the PSAC West as he earned first team all-conference honors. He had five double-figure tackle games, including a season-high 21 against Slippery Rock. Below are
12-0 24-1 33-5 1-8 21-5 13-8 25-2 32-8 2-5
Clarke’s five double-figure tackle games. He opened up the 2015 season with nine tackles, 1.5 tackles-forloss and a pass broken up. Date
Opponent
Tkl
Solo
TFL
Sept 6
St. Augustine’s
13
5
2.0
Sept 13
at Kutztown
19
5
2.0
Oct. 18
at Cal
12
6
1.0
Oct. 25
Slippery Rock
21
12
1.0
Nov. 8
at Gannon
11
0
0.0
4
GIBSON HIGHLIGHTS THE DEFENSIVE LINE Sr. DL Karon Gibson has made the move to defensive end this season, posting nine tackles and 1.5 sacks
CAREER GAMES PLAYED/STARTED
against Kutztown. Gibson started all 11 games last year at nose guard, leading all defensive linemen and
Player
‘11
‘12
‘13
‘14
finishing third on the team with 54 total tackles and 8.0 TFLs. He also led the Crimson Hawks with 6.0
Jemal Averette, DL
--
--
--
11/0
‘15 Tot 1/1
sacks, forced a fumble and recovered another.
Jordan Batts, DL
--
11/0
11/0
7/2
1/0 30/2
12/1
Ed Bier, OL
--
--
2/0
7/1
1/0
MOWAD MAKES PLAYS ALL OVER THE FIELD
Jordan Brown, WR
--
--
--
--
1/1
1/1
R-So. DE Matt Mowad made several key plays against Kutztown, but none bigger than his 23-yard inter-
Swahneek Brown, WR
--
--
--
--
1/1
1/1
ception return for a touchdown in the second quarter. Dropping back in coverage from his end position,
Cameron Casciole, LB
--
--
--
9/0
0/0
9/0
Mowad picked off a pass on the sideline and raced into the end zone. He also made five tackles in the
Myles Catlin, LB
--
--
9/0
11/4
1/0 21/4
game - three solo - and had a sack.
Dan Charmo, OL
--
--
-- 10/9
0/0 10/9
Kevin Clarke, LB
--
--
10/1
11/11
THE CRIMSON HAWKS BOAST INCREDIBLE DEPTH IN THE SECONDARY
Ethan Cooper, OL
--
--
6/3
11/11
1/1 18/15
With last year’s losses of R-Sr. SS Eric Williams and R-So. CB Jay Watkins, multiple true freshmen saw
Chris David, DB
--
--
--
11/3
1/1 12/4
playing time for the Crimson Hawks. With the return of both players, IUP now boasts a deep secondary
Andrew DeGol, DB
--
--
9/0
8/0
1/0 18/0
unit that includes seven players who have combined for 110 games and 75 starts.
Gabriel Diaz, OL
--
--
--
2/0
1/1
3/1
Eric Doe, DB
--
--
-- 10/0
1/0
11/0
Nick Dubowski, LB
--
--
5/2 10/7
Deandre Easterling, DL
--
--
--
--
Kevin Edwards, TE
--
--
11/1
9/1
1/0 21/2
Steve Franco, DB
--
--
3/0
11/11
1/1 15/12
Karon Gibson, DL*
--
11/1 12/12
11/11
Drew Harris, RB
--
--
--
Chase Haslett, QB
--
--
-- 11/10
1/1 12/11
C.J. Jackson, TE
--
--
--
10/1
1/0
Conor Jackson, LS
--
--
11/0
--
1/0 12/0 1/0
Player
GP/GS
Tkl
INT
PBU
Eric David
12/4
19
0
1
Steve Franco
12/12
53
0
3
Ackeno Robertson
21/12
52
1
4
Takhi Turner
11/9
49
1
7
Jay Watkins Eric Williams Allen Wright
11/7 28/24 12/7
23 74 41
0 7 0
5 9 4
--
10/1
1/1 22/13
1/0 16/9 1/0
1/0
1/1 35/25 1/0
1/0 11/1
ALL-REGION SAFETY WILLIAMS RETURNS
Shannon Jackson, RB
--
--
--
--
The defensive secondary is highlighted by the return of Williams. An all-region selection in 2013, Williams
Dorian Lane, LB
-- 14/0
11/10
3/1
led the PSAC and tied for eighth in Division II with six interceptions while also totaling 48 tackles. The Pitt
Luigi Lista-Brinza, RB
--
--
-- 11/10
1/1 12/11
transfer played in 16 games in two seasons with the Panthers, including 11 starts as an outside linebacker
Mikale Makle, DB
--
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
in 2012.
Sean McVay, WR
4/0
--
11/0
6/1
0/0
21/1
Tony Morgante, OL
--
--
8/1
4/2
PEGUES COULD BE ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS RETURN MEN IN THE NATION
Matt Mowad, DL
--
--
--
11/3
Last year as a freshman, Pegues earned first team All-PSAC West honors as a kick returner. He averaged
CJ Odegbo, DL
--
--
--
--
24.6 yards on 24 kickoff returns and a school-record 19.4 yards on 11 punt returns. His most exciting play
Jeff Palmer, DL
--
9/0
10/2
11/7
came against Seton Hill on Homecoming, taking back a punt 96 yards untouched for a touchdown. It was
Rex Pearce, FB
--
--
--
8/0
the longest punt return and fourth longest play in IUP history.
Walt Pegues, WR
--
--
--
11/2
Mike Pietropola, QB
--
--
--
--
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Ackeno Robertson, DB
--
--
9/0
11/11
1/0
1/1 29/12
1/1 13/4 1/1 12/4 1/0
1/0
1/1 31/10 0/0
8/0
1/1 12/3 1/0
1/0
1/1 21/12
With a different recruiting style over the last two offseasons, the Crimson Hawks go into 2015 with a very
Jordan Spangler, P*
--
--
11/0
11/0
1/0 23/0
young roster of 86 players. Included in those 86 are: 35 freshmen, 25 sophomores, 16 juniors, and 10
Matt Spegal, P
--
3/0
11/0
11/0
0/0 25/0
seniors/graduate students. 11 sophomores saw playing time as true freshmen last year, combining for 41
Ryan Stewart, PK*
--
--
10/0 10/0
1/0 21/0
total starts during the season.
Chris Temple, RB
--
--
--
9/1
1/0
Mason Tortorice, DL
--
--
--
3/0
1/0
4/0
IUP AT HOME IN MILLER STADIUM
Takhi Turner, DB
--
--
-- 10/9
1/0
11/9
Since 1986, IUP has a 138-31-1 (.815) overall record at George P. Miller Stadium. In those 29-plus seasons,
Jorge Vicioso, OL
--
1/0
11/10
11/11
1/1 24/22
IUP posted a perfect 7-0 home record six times and had 25 consecutive wins between 1989 and 1992. 11
B. Wahl-Schwartz, DB
--
--
3/0
9/0
1/0 13/0
times IUP has hosted an NCAA playoff game at Miller Stadium, boasting a 9-2 mark in those games.
Jay Watkins, DB
--
--
9/5
1/1
1/1
11/7
Justin Weldon, DL
--
--
--
7/0
1/0
8/0
3/0 13/12
10/1
EIGHT TRANSFERS JOIN CRIMSON HAWKS IN 2015
Eric Williams, DB*
11/11
--
1/1 28/24
IUP welcomed eight transfers this year, including R-Fr. QB Lenny Williams from Temple, R-Fr. WR Kyler
Lenny Williams, QB
--
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
Diehl from Penn State, and R-So. RB Drew Harris from UMass. The Crimson Hawks also have transfers
Miles Williamson, WR
--
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
from the Division II and Division III levels and a pair from junior colleges.
Kidus Woldeyes, OL
--
--
--
--
1/1
1/1
Ronald Womack, DB
--
--
-- 10/0
1/0
11/0
THE NEW DRESS CODE
Zack Woznichak, DB
--
--
--
1/0
1/0
2/0
The Crimson Hawks will take the field in 2015 with brand new Nike uniforms. The “Air Attack” uniforms are
Allen Wright, DB
--
--
--
11/7
1/0 12/7
made of Nike Dri-FIT fabric and include crimson home and white away jerseys, with the gray pants. IUP will
Gabriel Yuille, WR
--
--
--
--
also wear a new matte gray helmet with the familiar IUP football logo on the side.
*Transfers; not all years played at IUP
MARYLAND - THE OLD LINE STATE 70 of IUP’s 88 players hail from Pennsylvania, but the state with the second most players on the roster is Maryland with eight. Three of those players are from Frederick, Md., including Fr. WR Isiah Mims and Fr. LB Drew Yarborough from Oakdale HS and Fr. DL Casey Alvarado from Lingapore HS.
5
1/0
1/0
CURT CIGNETTI (5th SEASON) Curt Cignetti enters his fifth year at the helm of the IUP football program in 2015. Through four seasons, Cignetti has a record of 34-12, going 20-8 in PSAC West play and 2-1 in the NCAA playoffs. He has a record of 18-5 at home and 16-7 on the road. The young Crimson Hawks finished 6-5 in 2014, going 5-4 in PSAC play. A former QB himself, Cignetti helped IUP set several records in the passing game over the course of the season. Chase Haslett completed over 60 percent of his passes, a mark that ranked as sixth best all-time and the highest from an IUP quarterback since 2008. Three recievers etched their names into the IUP record books, as seniors Drew Carswell and Brock DeCicco caught 15 and 11 passes respectively against California in the sixth annual Coal Bowl. Freshman wideout Walt Pegues also set records with 13 catches and 193 yards against Gannon.
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
Pitt Davidson
IUP
YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORD YEAR
RECORD
PSAC
2011
7-3
5-2
3rd in PSAC West
2012
12-2
6-1
PSAC Champions,
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. 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.
QUICK FACTS
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.
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) 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 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.
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. 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. 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 2000-02 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.
NOTES
Div. II Regional Finals
BY THE NUMBERS: CURT CIGNETTI AT IUP 2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
vs. Unranked teams
6-1
9-0
8-2
6-3
0-0
TOTALS 29-6
1-2
3-2
1-0
0-2
0-0
5-6
2013
9-2
5-2
2nd in PSAC West
vs. Top 25 teams
2014
6-5
5-4
5th in PSAC West
vs. Top 10 teams
0-1
2-2
0-0
0-0
0-0
2-3
vs. PSAC
7-3
9-1
8-2
5-5
0-1
29-12
vs. PSAC West
5-2
6-1
5-2
4-3
0-0
20-8
vs. PSAC East
2-1
3-0
3-0
1-2
0-1
9-4
PSAC West home games
2-1
4-0
2-1
3-1
0-0
11-3
4 YEARS
34-12
21-9
CIGNETTI’S START Best Three Year Starts by IUP Head Coaches COACH (YEARS)
1.
Curt Cignetti (2011-13)
RECORD
PCT.
28-7
.800
2.
Frank Cignetti (1986-88)
27-7
.794
3.
Chuck Klausing (1964-66)
22-7
.759
4. Lou Tepper (2006-08)
24-8
.750
5.
20-7
.741
Bill Neal (1970-72)
PSAC West road games
3-1
2-1
3-1
1-2
0-0
9-5
All home games
3-2
7-0
4-1
4-2
0-1
18-6
All road games
4-1
5-2
5-1
2-3
0-0
16-7
Postseason
0-0
2-1
0-0
0-0
0-0
2-1
IUP rushes for 200+ yards
4-0
11-1
6-0
3-1
0-1
24-3
IUP scores
