OT: D1

[iupgroundhog]

Well, Curt said something about IUP in the post-game ceremony. I didn't exactly follow what he was saying but he said IUP.

[laker]

Just think- this happened in 2021. Now they are national champions. Great team, great coaches.

[IUPNation]

Aren't you glad he didn't thank Trump? LOL

I was waiting for Donnie to waddle down and take the trophy. I guess he had to leave to get whatever illegal fusion he gets to stay alive….

[IUPNation]

"Back when I was waxing the staff table at IUP on Thanksgiving weekend and the school was shut down for the playoffs, did i ever think something like this was possible? Probably not, but if you keep your nose down in life and keep working, anything is possible!"

-Curt Cignetti

[Ship69]

Lol ... .500 against Cal and SRU

Unbeatable in major D1

Go figure. Amazing story.

It's all in whom you're playing, when you're playing them, and the personnel you have at the time. One odd Northwestern stat I haul out on occasion is that they have a losing record lifetime against Miami, Ohio, but are 3-1 vs. Oklahoma.

[Chuck Norris]

Just finished watching, what a great game. Miami was really impressive in defeat. What a tremendous run they had. Every time it looked like Indiana was just about ready to finish them they responded.

What more can you say about Indiana? Curt has this era of college football nailed down to a science. It’s crazy how easily he did this at a place like Indiana.

Great playoff capped off by an outstanding final game.

[IUPNation]

Just finished watching, what a great game. Miami was really impressive in defeat. What a tremendous run they had. Every time it looked like Indiana was just about ready to finish them they responded.

What more can you say about Indiana? Curt has this era of college football nailed down to a science. It’s crazy how easily he did this at a place like Indiana.

Great playoff capped off by an outstanding final game.

Yes..amazing what Curt can do when well funded. Imagine if IUP had been as well funded during his time. His father had it figured out 35 years ago but got punished for it.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Yes..amazing what Curt can do when well funded. Imagine if IUP had been as well funded during his time. His father had it figured out 35 years ago but got punished for it.

Until some rules change and the college football powers to be figure it out, D2 is going to be largely mired in mediocrity. It’s going to be hard for any program other than in unique situations to maintain a level of excellence. The money isn’t there. The better players are going to move up. The good but not great players will switch uniforms every couple years. Playing the portal game is like playing the lottery. Even if you do land a stud, is he going to fit in? It feels like constant chaos.

If we’re being honest, none of the PSAC West teams were great. IUP and Cal made the playoffs, but they were far from great teams. Kutztown was the best in the conference, but does anyone believe they were truly a top five team in the country? Those of us who have been around a while were spoiled by the annual quality of play and consistent level of talent we used to see on Saturday afternoons. I’m interested in any proposals the NCAA might have to allow that to happen again.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Until some rules change and the college football powers to be figure it out, D2 is going to be largely mired in mediocrity. It’s going to be hard for any program other than in unique situations to maintain a level of excellence. The money isn’t there. The better players are going to move up. The good but not great players will switch uniforms every couple years. Playing the portal game is like playing the lottery. Even if you do land a stud, is he going to fit in? It feels like constant chaos.

If we’re being honest, none of the PSAC West teams were great. IUP and Cal made the playoffs, but they were far from great teams. Kutztown was the best in the conference, but does anyone believe they were truly a top five team in the country? Those of us who have been around a while were spoiled by the annual quality of play and consistent level of talent we used to see on Saturday afternoons. I’m interested in any proposals the NCAA might have to allow that to happen again.

Put it this way:

Frank's best team would beat Tort's best team by 28 points (or more).

Joe's best teams would beat his current team by 30-40 points.


To your point, the overall talent level available today is far less than it used to be at this level.

[Fightingscot82]

Never realized that Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt started out at St Francis.

[Ram040506]

Until some rules change and the college football powers to be figure it out, D2 is going to be largely mired in mediocrity. It’s going to be hard for any program other than in unique situations to maintain a level of excellence. The money isn’t there. The better players are going to move up. The good but not great players will switch uniforms every couple years. Playing the portal game is like playing the lottery. Even if you do land a stud, is he going to fit in? It feels like constant chaos.

If we’re being honest, none of the PSAC West teams were great. IUP and Cal made the playoffs, but they were far from great teams. Kutztown was the best in the conference, but does anyone believe they were truly a top five team in the country? Those of us who have been around a while were spoiled by the annual quality of play and consistent level of talent we used to see on Saturday afternoons. I’m interested in any proposals the NCAA might have to allow that to happen again.

I think Kutztown was a really good team and if they aren't top 5, they were a top 10 outfit. A better question might be, is Ferris State so far ahead of everyone that unless they show up with their C game, nobody can compete? Harding was a great team this year, and got their doors blown off 2 years in a row against Ferris. Harding was the CLEAR 2nd best team in the country, and stood no chance.

Last 5 years, Ferris is 18-1 in the playoffs with 4 national titles. In those 19 playoff games, the average score is 45-17.

SR1 was bad this year, worse than I can remember it really. There really wasn't anyone but Kutztown.

[ctrabs74]

What a gutsy call by Cignetti. 4th and 5 on the Miami 13. Mendoza runs it in for a TD. IU ahead 24-14 w/ 9 minutes left.

I don't think it's an exaggeration that Fernando Mendoza's touchdown might be the single most memorable play in the history of the state of Indiana, regardless of sport or level. It's one thing to go for it on 4th down in that situation, but the way Mendoza kept upright and willed his way into the end zone? Wow... just wow.

[ctrabs74]

The Big Guy is smiling .

But Curt where the **** was this when you were at IUP?

Curt didn't exactly have the financial resources of a certain billionaire from Mt Lebanon and prominent Indiana (Ind.) alumni when he was running the show at IUP.

For that matter, if only Mark Cuban was as financially committed in recent years to the Dallas Mavericks, then imagine the number of NBA titles they'd have won in Dallas. As it stands, they were lucky to win it all in 2011.

[boatcapt]

I think Kutztown was a really good team and if they aren't top 5, they were a top 10 outfit. A better question might be, is Ferris State so far ahead of everyone that unless they show up with their C game, nobody can compete? Harding was a great team this year, and got their doors blown off 2 years in a row against Ferris. Harding was the CLEAR 2nd best team in the country, and stood no chance.

Last 5 years, Ferris is 18-1 in the playoffs with 4 national titles. In those 19 playoff games, the average score is 45-17.

SR1 was bad this year, worse than I can remember it really. There really wasn't anyone but Kutztown.

Ferris State will depend on how many players transfer to D1 and then how many D1's transferring down they get.to fill those holes and the holes of graduating players. Looks like 8 top tier Ferris players including several All-GLIAC players have entered the portal. And thus far, they have signed several D1 and DII transfers.

Sadly, DII is now a place where HS players settle for on their way up to D1 stardom (read NIL-$$)...and D1 scout team players fall to to try and get one last year of actual on-field performance to finish their football career. DII's should count themselves lucky if they get 2 years out of top performers...Effectively, DII has become JUCO.

[Fightingscot82]

Curt didn't exactly have the financial resources of a certain billionaire from Mt Lebanon and prominent Indiana (Ind.) alumni when he was running the show at IUP.

For that matter, if only Mark Cuban was as financially committed in recent years to the Dallas Mavericks, then imagine the number of NBA titles they'd have won in Dallas. As it stands, they were lucky to win it all in 2011.

I'd argue this is why IUP football will never return to elite status - the lack of scion donors to bring back a chasmic funding advantage. IUP has some big money donors, but none that view IUP football as a priority.