THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I would say IUP's offense is in an evolving state. You really don't know what to expect week-to-week. Nobody expected what you are describing as an offense built around Hunter's style, although it may become that. Yesterday, it seemed like there were more designed QB running plays and also that Karst is quicker to take off when pass plays don't seem to be looking good. However, I think the thinking from everybody who follows IUP football coming into the season was that IUP would have a balanced attack similar to what we've had for the last several years (or decades). It may very well start to revolve around Hunter's style, as you say.

If you watched Penn State/Iowa last night, they replayed running plays so you could see the gaping holes the PSU OL was creating. Much of the IUP conversation seems to be about "the push". I get that but springing RB's loose is contingent on creating "space" as you call it. IUP OL does not seem to be doing that. Stewart is quick enough to hit small openings. The others do not seem to be able to.

Look, we all agree that a whole lot comes down to this Saturday's game. The result will set the tone for the rest of the season. IUP has a lot of weapons and some of them I don't think we've seen yet. I'm looking forward to a great game against SRU. I think it comes down to who executes the best game plan. Of particular interest is SRU's passing attack versus the IUP secondary.

As a fan, I am "all in" and I'm picking the Crimson Hawks.

Well, the past two years IUP has gone in to this game hearing about how great SRU supposedly was ... we saw how those games ended.

Lot of green Kool-Aid being chugged on these boards. Let's keep in mind SRU's best win so far is against Millersville. Solid team but not likely a playoff contender. SRU's opponents have a combined 7-9 record. Only Millersville is above .500. The West Chester win looked good at the time, but, the Rams aren't very good.

SRU is a good team. No doubt about it. But, let's see how they respond when the team across from them can punch back, has the same depth, size, speed, etc. IUP will be -- by far -- the best defense SRU will have faced this season.

IUP isn't going up there to lose. I can promise you that much.

The Rock may win and turn out to be very strong. However, Tort and the Timeout Slingers are standing in their way. I know IUP is actually one of the few (if any) teams that actually enjoys going up there. They seem to really rise up in the hostile environment, etc. This is also (by a mile) the biggest road crowd IUP takes all season. The big crowd certainly played a part two years ago up there when IUP blasted them.

Just think, if the math team on the sidelines could count to three, ... this game would probably have a much different outlook right now.

[iupgroundhog]

Why does it matter how IUP gets its rushing yards? I get it that there’s frustration they can’t just line up and get 4, 7, 5, 20 per carry from the backs, but IUP’s overall offense isn’t set up that way anymore. When you’re operating from the shotgun in one back sets on most plays, the single back just isn’t going to be as successful. That formation provides multiple ways to move the ball with several different personnel. The design favors the style of the QB currently on campus and I think we saw the best version of it so far yesterday.

I am not trying to say that the offensive line is where it needs to be to play championship football, that’s for sure. When the RB’s do get the ball there’s not a lot of push or room to run. If you watch their first step on most running plays they seem to come out high and are slow off the ball. They’re getting beat at the point of attack. That has to be fixed or there need to be some changes in that group. They did pass protect very well yesterday, but Mercyhurst is not Slippery Rock.

As was pointed out earlier, we’ll see how good IUP is next Saturday night.

I would say IUP's offense is in an evolving state. You really don't know what to expect week-to-week. Nobody expected what you are describing as an offense built around Hunter's style, although it may become that. Yesterday, it seemed like there were more designed QB running plays and also that Karst is quicker to take off when pass plays don't seem to be looking good. However, I think the thinking from everybody who follows IUP football coming into the season was that IUP would have a balanced attack similar to what we've had for the last several years (or decades). It may very well start to revolve around Hunter's style, as you say.

If you watched Penn State/Iowa last night, they replayed running plays so you could see the gaping holes the PSU OL was creating. Much of the IUP conversation seems to be about "the push". I get that but springing RB's loose is contingent on creating "space" as you call it. IUP OL does not seem to be doing that. Stewart is quick enough to hit small openings. The others do not seem to be able to.

Look, we all agree that a whole lot comes down to this Saturday's game. The result will set the tone for the rest of the season. IUP has a lot of weapons and some of them I don't think we've seen yet. I'm looking forward to a great game against SRU. I think it comes down to who executes the best game plan. Of particular interest is SRU's passing attack versus the IUP secondary.

As a fan, I am "all in" and I'm picking the Crimson Hawks.

[IUPNation]

IUP’s SOS took another hit..Ashland lost to Tiffany.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I agree with what you say here. Felt like an improvement in the penalty department, but run game was deceptive.

If the stats on the IUP site are correct, then Hurst averaged 5.6 yards per carry (not including sacks on the qb). If you include rushes by both QB's and Lockhart, IUP averaged 5.4 yards per carry. If you look at yards from our running backs, they averaged 3.96 yards per carry. So we played an extremely average run game against Hurst's D(4 YPC), while their backs averaged 5.6 YPC against our highly touted defense.

Not fully blaming our backs here either! If our OLine can't get push off the line of scrimmage or at the very least open a hole against Mercyhurst, then how can we expect to run against other teams. I think it seemed the gameplan for today was to try to get our run game going to get the line and backs some confidence, putting up big numbers against a worse team. If that was indeed the plan, I don't think it worked.

I know I sound like a broken record, always harping on the team, but it's only because I think they have SO MUCH potential. I'm sure the last thing these guys want is a mediocre season, but that's where I think things are headed if they don't shape up soon.

Why does it matter how IUP gets its rushing yards? I get it that there’s frustration they can’t just line up and get 4, 7, 5, 20 per carry from the backs, but IUP’s overall offense isn’t set up that way anymore. When you’re operating from the shotgun in one back sets on most plays, the single back just isn’t going to be as successful. That formation provides multiple ways to move the ball with several different personnel. The design favors the style of the QB currently on campus and I think we saw the best version of it so far yesterday.

I am not trying to say that the offensive line is where it needs to be to play championship football, that’s for sure. When the RB’s do get the ball there’s not a lot of push or room to run. If you watch their first step on most running plays they seem to come out high and are slow off the ball. They’re getting beat at the point of attack. That has to be fixed or there need to be some changes in that group. They did pass protect very well yesterday, but Mercyhurst is not Slippery Rock.

As was pointed out earlier, we’ll see how good IUP is next Saturday night.

[IUPNation]

LOL. So now you're going back 45 years? Gee, then let's bring the Frank Chance Cubs of 1908 into the picture if we're going into ancient history. The only real edge for Chicago over Philly in the 21st century has been hockey, where the Hawks won three Stanley Cups (their first Cups since 1961 when I was in junior high school watching Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita). They've won two World Series to the Phillies one, but they also have two baseball teams to Philadelphia's one. The Eagles have a Super Bowl win, which the Bears haven't had since 1985. The Bulls have seldom been relevant since Michael Jordan. Basically outside of hockey the 21st century has been a wash.

Philadelphia has 4 championships in the last 45 years. We went 25 years without anything.

The Sixers haven’t won a title in 40 years.

The Flyers are clocking at 48 years without a title.

[iupgroundhog]

I know I sound like a broken record, always harping on the team, but it's only because I think they have SO MUCH potential. I'm sure the last thing these guys want is a mediocre season, but that's where I think things are headed if they don't shape up soon.

We'll know a whole lot more next week.

[DeepBallEnjoyer]

Yeah, I was going to ask if this was a good win. I think the answer would be no, overall. I do think Hunter was quicker releasing the ball and threw a lot of good passes today.

It's over, though, and it's all about next week now.

I think Hunter seemed better at times today. threw a couple good balls and a couple bad ones. He really raised my expectations in the first half. Saw him get the snap stare at Zinobile running downfield in coverage, then actually decide to hit another receiver. Think that was the only read I saw him make as he went back to staring down receivers after, but it excited me nonetheless. Another pass that stood out to me was an overthrown ball to Lockhart. It was an incompletion, but had pretty good loft on it and was barely overthrown. Hard to say whether or not it was a good week of improvement for his passing game, but as I said previously, I think the focus of the game today was to try to get the ground game up and running. In that regard, he did his part. Broke a LOT of tackles and picked up a LOT of rushing yards for the team. Overall a decent performance on less passing attempts, and a really good rushing game for him.

Also, not explicitly a bad throw from Hunter, but how about that one handed snag from Lockhart! Good hands!

[DeepBallEnjoyer]

Yes....agree.... IUP ran for over 200 yards today. But when half of the rushing yards came from the 2 QBs and the runs by WR Lockhart, I do not think IUP ran the ball all that great, with 103 yards on 27 carries. But agree that I am VERY happy IUP did not turn over the ball and did not commit too many penalties. But there's still work need to be done with that OL, and that needs to be fix rather quick with Slippery Rock and Cal U up next.

I agree with what you say here. Felt like an improvement in the penalty department, but run game was deceptive.

If the stats on the IUP site are correct, then Hurst averaged 5.6 yards per carry (not including sacks on the qb). If you include rushes by both QB's and Lockhart, IUP averaged 5.4 yards per carry. If you look at yards from our running backs, they averaged 3.96 yards per carry. So we played an extremely average run game against Hurst's D(4 YPC), while their backs averaged 5.6 YPC against our highly touted defense.

Not fully blaming our backs here either! If our OLine can't get push off the line of scrimmage or at the very least open a hole against Mercyhurst, then how can we expect to run against other teams. I think it seemed the gameplan for today was to try to get our run game going to get the line and backs some confidence, putting up big numbers against a worse team. If that was indeed the plan, I don't think it worked.

I know I sound like a broken record, always harping on the team, but it's only because I think they have SO MUCH potential. I'm sure the last thing these guys want is a mediocre season, but that's where I think things are headed if they don't shape up soon.

[ShoNuff]

I’m confused about the posts downgrading IUP’s win today. They dominated in every facet of the game. They ran for over 200 yards, which we’ve all been waiting for. They didn’t turn the ball over and had less than 30 yards in penalties. The QB made good throws in and out of the pocket and also had some big runs. The defense played really well and Hurst wasn’t really able to sustain much. What does it take to be satisfied with a win? When it was 30-7, IUP called off the dogs and played a lot of reserves because they have bigger things ahead of them. I thought they put together about as good of a game as they’ve had this season.

If IUP had won 50-6, would that have been better? I don’t think it’s fair to move the goal posts on what an acceptable looking win looks like. It was a divisional game on the road. I’m not going to pretend that Mercyhurst is good but they played hard today for the entirety and like everyone else, gave IUP their best shot. It looked to me like IUP wanted to just take care of business and get out of there healthy considering their next two opponents. I say mission accomplished.

Yes....agree.... IUP ran for over 200 yards today. But when half of the rushing yards came from the 2 QBs and the runs by WR Lockhart, I do not think IUP ran the ball all that great, with 103 yards on 27 carries. But agree that I am VERY happy IUP did not turn over the ball and did not commit too many penalties. But there's still work need to be done with that OL, and that needs to be fix rather quick with Slippery Rock and Cal U up next.

[Ship69]

Chicago has won far more championships in the last 45 years than Philly. The Chickenhawks stole the 2010 Stanley Cup.
Philly.

LOL. So now you're going back 45 years? Gee, then let's bring the Frank Chance Cubs of 1908 into the picture if we're going into ancient history. The only real edge for Chicago over Philly in the 21st century has been hockey, where the Hawks won three Stanley Cups (their first Cups since 1961 when I was in junior high school watching Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita). They've won two World Series to the Phillies one, but they also have two baseball teams to Philadelphia's one. The Eagles have a Super Bowl win, which the Bears haven't had since 1985. The Bulls have seldom been relevant since Michael Jordan. Basically outside of hockey the 21st century has been a wash.

[IUPalum]

IUP loses by 20 next week.

[IUPNation]

LOL. Chicago is a continual gut punch. At least Philly was IN the World Series and Super Bowl.

Chicago has won far more championships in the last 45 years than Philly. The Chickenhawks stole the 2010 Stanley Cup ftom
Philly.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I’m confused about the posts downgrading IUP’s win today. They dominated in every facet of the game. They ran for over 200 yards, which we’ve all been waiting for. They didn’t turn the ball over and had less than 30 yards in penalties. The QB made good throws in and out of the pocket and also had some big runs. The defense played really well and Hurst wasn’t really able to sustain much. What does it take to be satisfied with a win? When it was 30-7, IUP called off the dogs and played a lot of reserves because they have bigger things ahead of them. I thought they put together about as good of a game as they’ve had this season.

If IUP had won 50-6, would that have been better? I don’t think it’s fair to move the goal posts on what an acceptable looking win looks like. It was a divisional game on the road. I’m not going to pretend that Mercyhurst is good but they played hard today for the entirety and like everyone else, gave IUP their best shot. It looked to me like IUP wanted to just take care of business and get out of there healthy considering their next two opponents. I say mission accomplished.

[iupgroundhog]

IUP beats one of the worst teams in the PSAC by 2 and a half scores and celebrates like they won nationals. I’m beyond confused at how a good football team could be that happy with that outcome. Once again a win is a win, but we’re NOT going to beat (Insert any decent team) with this performance.

Sorry to seem so pessimistic all the time guys but geez. My confidence in this team falls lower every week.

Yeah, I was going to ask if this was a good win. I think the answer would be no, overall. I do think Hunter was quicker releasing the ball and threw a lot of good passes today.

It's over, though, and it's all about next week now.

[DeepBallEnjoyer]

IUP beats one of the worst teams in the PSAC by 2 and a half scores and celebrates like they won nationals. I’m beyond confused at how a good football team could be that happy with that outcome. Once again a win is a win, but we’re NOT going to beat (Insert any decent team) with this performance.

Sorry to seem so pessimistic all the time guys but geez. My confidence in this team falls lower every week.