THE IUP Football Thread

[iupgroundhog]

Some reading to quell the anxiety over possibly losing to Clarion:

https://triblive.com/local/regional/...ic-each-other/

Thanks. Good article. Here's hoping they can rebuild it to the level of its former prominence.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

We’ll be waiting for the Shepherd we are the victims we are the little guy feel sorry for us, IUP are the meanies posts that usually accompany the times both schools play…

:-)

Well, just remember, next week may just be Round 1 between the two.

It wouldnt shock me if one wins the State Game and then the other wins the playoff game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Some reading to quell the anxiety over possibly losing to Clarion:

https://triblive.com/local/regional/...ic-each-other/

Better odds of IUPNation voting for The Donald than IUP losing today.

[Fightingscot82]

Some reading to quell the anxiety over possibly losing to Clarion:

https://triblive.com/local/regional/...ic-each-other/

[IUPNation]

Lol let the sand bagging begin…

We’ll be waiting for the Shepherd we are the victims we are the little guy feel sorry for us, IUP are the meanies posts that usually accompany the times both schools play…

:-)

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The Pennsylvania Western University at Clarion University Golden Eagles are in town. That just rolls off the tongue. Not sure it could all fit on a hat, however. I like it almost as much as The Slippery Rock The Rock.

Invasion of The Fly.


For those who remember history, not long ago this was typically the hangover game of the season.

In 2017, IUP's undefeated season, the Hawks won a dog fight up at Clarion.

In 2018, Clarion came to Miller and jumped out to a shocking, 20-0 lead. IUP rallied in the second half and won, 24-23.

Some 'wish list' items for today:

* If Clarion stacks the box, as everybody else has done lately, just go full freaking Air Raid. Spare us watching 17 runs up the middle for one yard each. Go crazy and throw on first down.

* IUP not being IUP's own worst enemy. Clarion will punt today. Hopefully a lot. Don't rush the punter. Don't even look at the punter. And, sure as f-bomb, don't touch the f-bombing punter.

* "No. 11" to have a big day (and him especially not touch the punter)

* Hot Dog Night in Indiana (the points ... not the crappie Sheetz dogs)

* Gym teachers beat Clarion's triad brother.

* Ideally be up big and get some rest. That means Duane Brown isn't returning punts up 35 points in the fourth quarter.

* Tort and his players look up in the stands and see IUP fans wearing IUP gear from the Co-Op Store. I hear it gets them really pumped up. Now I feel better owning a $65 shirt.

* Get Q. Carter the ball by some means other than a jet sweep. You'll like the results a whole lot better than having a 300 lb buffet crusher lying on top of him.

* A home win means there will be home parties tonight. Let's not kick any doors down the week prior to the State Game. Some pun intended.

Beautiful day for IUP to shake off that disgusting feeling from a week ago.

[Ram040506]

I think you said it without really saying it here. IUP collectively just isn’t that good. They have some talented individual players, but as a group they have issues on offense and defense. You’ll see a ton of guys end up on the PSAC first team in a few weeks and we’ll all be asking why the team wasn’t better, lost the State Game, etc. Sound familiar?

I recognize this is a harsh assessment but sometimes the truth is uncomfortable. It’s a very good program that will always have a winning season and occasionally make the playoffs and maybe the State Game one out of every three to five years. The bigger fear for the fan base should be whether or not IUP is closer to taking a step further back than they are a step closer to regional relevance. I think we’re going to find out over the next two weeks.

Shepherd is the big dog, not just in the PSAC, but the region. IUP has a chance to pull alongside them, but I expect the Rams to win the State Game and the region again this year.

Lol let the sand bagging begin…

[EyeoftheHawk]

Luckily, it hasn't hurt their recruiting all that much.

That’s the astonishing part. I give Tort super high marks for being able to bring in some of the talent he has despite the facilities.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Well, they did throw to Cole Laney three times Saturday -- and all three were dropped. The last one, he got blasted. But, the first two hit his hands and he dropped both. At one point I thought Grant Smith was going to be a big-time player in the passing game. That never happened. He's become essentially just a blocking TE.

They are predictable. It's driven other teams crazy that they pretty much know what's coming and still can't stop it. That's a luxury Mak Sexton, Duane Brown and Hilton Ridley have afforded IUP. Like I said earlier, IUP's defense got shredded Saturday but so did Gannon's.

I completely agree regarding the use of Qashah Carter. He should be drastically more involved in the offense -- i.e. Allen Wright role from a couple years ago. He has to get the ball in space to be effective. When his only involvement is a jet sweep and he gets crushed by some big DL (and then has to leave the game) ... I mean, how many weeks do we have to see the same thing with his use? He should be a dynamic tool to go along with Brown and Ridley. They both draw so much attention he should be the small burner that gets lost in the shuffle on the field. It just hasn't happened.

As discussed yesterday a bit, the running game is just non-existent. They tend to call a huge percentage directly up the middle. Jerome Bettis isn't carrying the ball. These are all 185-pound (if even) backs. If the goal is just to get two yards a carry on what seems 95 percent of the attempts ... well, it's working.

As for Dayjure Stewart, he does strike fear in to opponents. He's powerful and also has break-away speed. The two games he's missed, IUP nearly lost at East Stroudsburg and then did lose at Gannon. Probably not a coincidence. One week off the team was probably adequate punishment.

But, again here, a long rant about the offense. They did score 36 points Saturday. They weren't the problem. The defense blew chunks. Somebody else mentioned they held SRU to 12 points. Yeah, they did. It was also in a windy, cold monsoon. Play that game again on a dry field. You may not want to see what happens.

People are saying the offense is predictable. OCs have to be licking their chops looking at the defense. It gets masked much of the season due to so many easy games against undermanned opponents. Could anybody on here -- honestly -- say they'd want to see IUP play Shepherd or SRU on a dry field? The thought of it is giving me nightmares.

There's a ton of talented players on the defensive side. But, collectively, that unit looked lost up in Erie. I mean, 2 a.m. on a dark, stormy highway lost. I think we have two defensive coordinators now. You know what they say about having two QBs.

I think you said it without really saying it here. IUP collectively just isn’t that good. They have some talented individual players, but as a group they have issues on offense and defense. You’ll see a ton of guys end up on the PSAC first team in a few weeks and we’ll all be asking why the team wasn’t better, lost the State Game, etc. Sound familiar?

I recognize this is a harsh assessment but sometimes the truth is uncomfortable. It’s a very good program that will always have a winning season and occasionally make the playoffs and maybe the State Game one out of every three to five years. The bigger fear for the fan base should be whether or not IUP is closer to taking a step further back than they are a step closer to regional relevance. I think we’re going to find out over the next two weeks.

Shepherd is the big dog, not just in the PSAC, but the region. IUP has a chance to pull alongside them, but I expect the Rams to win the State Game and the region again this year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

What's the word on Dayjure Stewart? I know he returned to practice after being suspended the previous week/game. Is he starting tomorrow?

[CUlater]

I'll play along.

Here's what Clarion would have to do tomorrow to win:

* Score (at least) 42 points or more.
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has scored 24 (Gannon), 14 (California) and, most recently, 0 (SRU).
- That's an average of 12.66 ppg against teams similar to IUP. That's not going to cut it.

* Stop IUP's offense on a warm day
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has given up 47 (Gannon), 59 (California) and, most recently, 31 (SRU).
- That's an average of 45.66 points given up per game against teams similar to IUP.
- Clarion also somehow gave up 42 and 47 points to those offensive juggernauts Bloomsburg and Edinboro

* Crush the time of possession. Keep Sexton, Brown, et al., off the field.
- IUP's defense got embarrassed a week ago. They'll likely be out for blood tomorrow.

* Start fast and never let up. Clarion's offense isn't designed to win shootouts or make comebacks. If IUP jumps out early, it's probably over.

Thats a very accurate and logical breakdown. Agreed on all points, which is why I think this one will be over by halftime. you talked me out of CU covering, so thank you lol

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I’m honestly concerned about this matchup. Let’s be honest, the big game for Clarion is IUP. They could be 0-10 and if the last game is against IUP, they’ll look like a 10-0 team. For Clarion, playing IUP is like waking up on Christmas, having it be their birthday, and also the Super Bowl - it’s the one and only game they circle on the calendar every year. I think the offense will be fine, but I am VERY concerned about this IUP defense. I’m thinking it will be a lot closer than most on this board will think.

They could be fairly interesting in the years to come. This offense they are running, 'The Fly', is pretty unique. It's a lot for teams to digest in a couple practices. It was also probably a lot for their own players to digest entering the season. I think Clarion did get better as the season went along. You could tell when the injury bug landed because the quality depth just isn't there.

They'll come out swinging tomorrow. IUP just needs to be Ivan Drago and let them play Apollo Creed.

[IUsuallyPonder]

I'll play along.

Here's what Clarion would have to do tomorrow to win:

* Score (at least) 42 points or more.
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has scored 24 (Gannon), 14 (California) and, most recently, 0 (SRU).
- That's an average of 12.66 ppg against teams similar to IUP. That's not going to cut it.

* Stop IUP's offense on a warm day
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has given up 47 (Gannon), 59 (California) and, most recently, 31 (SRU).
- That's an average of 45.66 points given up per game against teams similar to IUP.
- Clarion also somehow gave up 42 and 47 points to those offensive juggernauts Bloomsburg and Edinboro

* Crush the time of possession. Keep Sexton, Brown, et al., off the field.
- IUP's defense got embarrassed a week ago. They'll likely be out for blood tomorrow.

* Start fast and never let up. Clarion's offense isn't designed to win shootouts or make comebacks. If IUP jumps out early, it's probably over.

I’m honestly concerned about this matchup. Let’s be honest, the big game for Clarion is IUP. They could be 0-10 and if the last game is against IUP, they’ll look like a 10-0 team. For Clarion, playing IUP is like waking up on Christmas, having it be their birthday, and also the Super Bowl - it’s the one and only game they circle on the calendar every year. I think the offense will be fine, but I am VERY concerned about this IUP defense. I’m thinking it will be a lot closer than most on this board will think.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

No offense to either of you, but the same could have been said last year before the Edinboro game.

I'll play along.

Here's what Clarion would have to do tomorrow to win:

* Score (at least) 42 points or more.
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has scored 24 (Gannon), 14 (California) and, most recently, 0 (SRU).
- That's an average of 12.66 ppg against teams similar to IUP. That's not going to cut it.

* Stop IUP's offense on a warm day
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has given up 47 (Gannon), 59 (California) and, most recently, 31 (SRU).
- That's an average of 45.66 points given up per game against teams similar to IUP.
- Clarion also somehow gave up 42 and 47 points to those offensive juggernauts Bloomsburg and Edinboro

* Crush the time of possession. Keep Sexton, Brown, et al., off the field.
- IUP's defense got embarrassed a week ago. They'll likely be out for blood tomorrow.

* Start fast and never let up. Clarion's offense isn't designed to win shootouts or make comebacks. If IUP jumps out early, it's probably over.

[IUPalum]

No offense to either of you, but the same could have been said last year before the Edinboro game.

IUP already lost their trap game. Good luck to Clarion b/c this team should be salivating.