THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Tort said Monaco will practice tomorrow and could play Saturday

[IUPbigINDIANS]

BTW, if Kraggette (SH RB) enters the portal as a grad transfer ... get your checkbooks out.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Officials don't have press conferences. I wish they did.


For those who saw the Seton Hill game at IUP in person - and also those watching online with the Valley Girls -- there were two blatantly clear taunting instances. One by each team. Neither was called.

The first was on Seton Hill''s TD run. The RB clearly turned around and taunted his last 10 yards. Duane Brown was called for this in the exact spot a couple years ago.

The second was against IUP's Frazier on a punt return. This was at a very key time of the game. He is extremely lucky. Talking and taunting are different. He was taunting.


These players are going to talk. I fully get it. My issue is the inconsistentsy of which it is called.

Frazier could probably get 2-3 of these a game. Further, when they actually do call it, it's almost always the least offensive item of the whole game.

I know this stuff drives coaches insane -- players who won't shut up and officials who don't call blatant instances.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I appreciate your optimism. I don’t see it happening, but it’s not impossible. I will say if IUP does pull an upset they would be favored in their remaining games and would very likely get into the playoffs. This is the biggest roadblock and they have to try to get over it with a suspect defense, inconsistent offense and kicker (I see missed XP’s are back in style), and one healthy running back.

I look away on extra points.

From 40 he's money. XP's say a prayer.

Very odd

Obviously all mental with him at this stage.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I appreciate your optimism. I don’t see it happening, but it’s not impossible. I will say if IUP does pull an upset they would be favored in their remaining games and would very likely get into the playoffs. This is the biggest roadblock and they have to try to get over it with a suspect defense, inconsistent offense and kicker (I see missed XP’s are back in style), and one healthy running back.

IUP could be up for the game and still not win. I just have a hunch it won't be a typical show up at halftime type effort.

[EyeoftheHawk]

You know when Tort's teams are the most dangerous? When they are forgotten about. They will be ready to play Saturday.

They haven't played a full game yet this season. Saturday would be a good time.

I appreciate your optimism. I don’t see it happening, but it’s not impossible. I will say if IUP does pull an upset they would be favored in their remaining games and would very likely get into the playoffs. This is the biggest roadblock and they have to try to get over it with a suspect defense, inconsistent offense and kicker (I see missed XP’s are back in style), and one healthy running back.

[IUPNation]

Even the Golf team slumped this year.

They finished 4th.

We need a new AD.

Preferably one not from our most hated enemy that would love to see us crash and burn.

[IUPNation]

There won't be a QB derby if Tort signs a high-profile transfer. Nico will be on the first bus out of town. I wouldn't blame him.

I also suspect one of the young QBs on this current roster will leave - likely after Spring ball.

Personally, I'm in Nico's camp for the next two years. He's big. He can run. Solid arm. He's intelligent. He knows the system inside and out. He's well liked and respected by his teammates.

Could they find a better option? Maybe. But, they'll have some other pressing needs.

Tort is pretty high on Nico. Something to keep in mind.

But ... plenty of time to discuss this topic later. The circus hasn't left town just yet.

You know when Tort's teams are the most dangerous? When they are forgotten about. They will be ready to play Saturday.

They haven't played a full game yet this season. Saturday would be a good time.

Have we had a home grown QB since Andrew Krewatch?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I think these are two different arguments. I didn’t say I agree with the approach of bringing in a transfer versus developing a QB in the system. I actually agree with you that developing a kid from within is the preferred way to go. What I’m saying is I expect they will bring in a transfer based on recent history. The last two transfer QB’s they brought in came from the D2 level, not D1. Mak Sexton came from Pittsburgh State and Karst Hunter from Colorado Mesa. I would be more than a little surprised if they don’t bring in a transfer again.

As far as Nico goes, that’s just a difference in opinion about what we’ve seen. You like what you’ve seen, but for me the jury is still out. I certainly haven’t seen enough to say he’s the guy to hand the reigns over to. My opinion. He has a completion percentage of just 52%. He does have 8 TD’s compared to 3 INT’s, which is good, but his record as a starter is 3-2 with two of those wins against awful teams. The Cal game last year was still winnable when he took the field after Hunter’s injury, but it would be unfair to count that against him. Everyone loves the backup QB, I get it, but I just don’t see how he walks into 2025 as the anointed starter.

There won't be a QB derby if Tort signs a high-profile transfer. Nico will be on the first bus out of town. I wouldn't blame him.

I also suspect one of the young QBs on this current roster will leave - likely after Spring ball.

Personally, I'm in Nico's camp for the next two years. He's big. He can run. Solid arm. He's intelligent. He knows the system inside and out. He's well liked and respected by his teammates.

Could they find a better option? Maybe. But, they'll have some other pressing needs.

Tort is pretty high on Nico. Something to keep in mind.

But ... plenty of time to discuss this topic later. The circus hasn't left town just yet.

You know when Tort's teams are the most dangerous? When they are forgotten about. They will be ready to play Saturday.

They haven't played a full game yet this season. Saturday would be a good time.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I think you are completely wrong. I don't know what they will do in the offseason but I think the internal development route is their best bet at this point.

"Nico doesn't have a long resume at this level", you say. All you have to do is watch him when he has played. Look, he's not a panacea for their offensive woes but he's probably the top option they have right now. None of the other teams who are beating IUP have QB's who had long resumes at this level when they came in. Whether it's Long, Novak, Cooper at WCU, Guercio at Clarion, etc. everybody starts with zero college experience.

I think the better way forward is to build the QB's around the offense rather than keep trying to build the offense around a 1 yr. transfer QB. LHU is going with the D1 transfer route right now but they are the only PSAC team succeeding with that. Plus, Tort has stated that they can't bring in the D1 talent like in the past. With Karst they went the D2 transfer route and it would be hard to say it's matched the expectations.

Currently, they have good QB's on the roster. Starting with Nico but also Etheridge is highly touted as is the true freshman Hahn. Develop them.

Before Hunter, IUP was able to bring in a long line of QB transfers with so much talent that they could adapt quickly, lead the team, and win. They are saying they can't get those guys anymore.

I think these are two different arguments. I didn’t say I agree with the approach of bringing in a transfer versus developing a QB in the system. I actually agree with you that developing a kid from within is the preferred way to go. What I’m saying is I expect they will bring in a transfer based on recent history. The last two transfer QB’s they brought in came from the D2 level, not D1. Mak Sexton came from Pittsburgh State and Karst Hunter from Colorado Mesa. I would be more than a little surprised if they don’t bring in a transfer again.

As far as Nico goes, that’s just a difference in opinion about what we’ve seen. You like what you’ve seen, but for me the jury is still out. I certainly haven’t seen enough to say he’s the guy to hand the reigns over to. My opinion. He has a completion percentage of just 52%. He does have 8 TD’s compared to 3 INT’s, which is good, but his record as a starter is 3-2 with two of those wins against awful teams. The Cal game last year was still winnable when he took the field after Hunter’s injury, but it would be unfair to count that against him. Everyone loves the backup QB, I get it, but I just don’t see how he walks into 2025 as the anointed starter.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

If IUP can beat Cal they have renewed life. Still no guarantees but it will get more interesting. RB is unreal. Losing Stewart, Monaco, and Houser makes life difficult. Okungo, also, but the backups have done pretty well, especially Goodwin. There was somebody missing on the OL Saturday, too. Can't remember who but I believe the guy from Indiana High started.

Nelson (Indiana) played. The one starting guard missed the Boro game and yesterday. He has mono. No timetable on return.

[iupgroundhog]

It was interesting yesterday because the whole stadium was yelling for Tort to make the switch. He had to be tempted. Karst was awful in the first half.

Tort stuck with him and Karst looked like a different player in the second half. It was impressive he was able to flip the switch mentally.

That's the polarizing aspect of Karst. He can be horrible and then fantastic.

Once he realized he had other players on the field aside from Massey yesterday their offense took off. Laney and Day can change everything from the TE position. They just won't get them involved.

SH's gadget defense also seems to work for about a half. Once teams get used to it they start to get shredded.

If IUP can beat Cal they have renewed life. Still no guarantees but it will get more interesting. RB is unreal. Losing Stewart, Monaco, and Houser makes life difficult. Okungo, also, but the backups have done pretty well, especially Goodwin. There was somebody missing on the OL Saturday, too. Can't remember who but I believe the guy from Indiana High started.

[iupgroundhog]

It was interesting yesterday because the whole stadium was yelling for Tort to make the switch. He had to be tempted. Karst was awful in the first half.

Tort stuck with him and Karst looked like a different player in the second half. It was impressive he was able to flip the switch mentally.

That's the polarizing aspect of Karst. He can be horrible and then fantastic.

Once he realized he had other players on the field aside from Massey yesterday their offense took off. Laney and Day can change everything from the TE position. They just won't get them involved.

SH's gadget defense also seems to work for about a half. Once teams get used to it they start to get shredded.

They did seem to use the TE's more in the second half. Also, Karst had some designed run plays that I don't recall in the first half.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I think you are completely wrong. I don't know what they will do in the offseason but I think the internal development route is their best bet at this point.

"Nico doesn't have a long resume at this level", you say. All you have to do is watch him when he has played. Look, he's not a panacea for their offensive woes but he's probably the top option they have right now. None of the other teams who are beating IUP have QB's who had long resumes at this level when they came in. Whether it's Long, Novak, Cooper at WCU, Guercio at Clarion, etc. everybody starts with zero college experience.

I think the better way forward is to build the QB's around the offense rather than keep trying to build the offense around a 1 yr. transfer QB. LHU is going with the D1 transfer route right now but they are the only PSAC team succeeding with that. Plus, Tort has stated that they can't bring in the D1 talent like in the past. With Karst they went the D2 transfer route and it would be hard to say it's matched the expectations.

Currently, they have good QB's on the roster. Starting with Nico but also Etheridge is highly touted as is the true freshman Hahn. Develop them.

Before Hunter, IUP was able to bring in a long line of QB transfers with so much talent that they could adapt quickly, lead the team, and win. They are saying they can't get those guys anymore.

It was interesting yesterday because the whole stadium was yelling for Tort to make the switch. He had to be tempted. Karst was awful in the first half.

Tort stuck with him and Karst looked like a different player in the second half. It was impressive he was able to flip the switch mentally.

That's the polarizing aspect of Karst. He can be horrible and then fantastic.

Once he realized he had other players on the field aside from Massey yesterday their offense took off. Laney and Day can change everything from the TE position. They just won't get them involved.

SH's gadget defense also seems to work for about a half. Once teams get used to it they start to get shredded.

[iupgroundhog]

I don’t see this at all. Nothing against Nico but I’ll be absolutely shocked if they don’t bring in another transfer. Nico doesn’t have a long resume at this level, but what he has produced has been just okay. Maybe as a full time starter he’d show more recognizing it’s not easy to start a few games here or there. If one of the other QB’s currently on the roster stays, you have to believe there will at least be an internal QB competition.

I don’t dislike what he’s produced but I also don’t think it’s enough to say he’s IUP’s starter come 2025.

I think you are completely wrong. I don't know what they will do in the offseason but I think the internal development route is their best bet at this point.

"Nico doesn't have a long resume at this level", you say. All you have to do is watch him when he has played. Look, he's not a panacea for their offensive woes but he's probably the top option they have right now. None of the other teams who are beating IUP have QB's who had long resumes at this level when they came in. Whether it's Long, Novak, Cooper at WCU, Guercio at Clarion, etc. everybody starts with zero college experience.

I think the better way forward is to build the QB's around the offense rather than keep trying to build the offense around a 1 yr. transfer QB. LHU is going with the D1 transfer route right now but they are the only PSAC team succeeding with that. Plus, Tort has stated that they can't bring in the D1 talent like in the past. With Karst they went the D2 transfer route and it would be hard to say it's matched the expectations.

Currently, they have good QB's on the roster. Starting with Nico but also Etheridge is highly touted as is the true freshman Hahn. Develop them.

Before Hunter, IUP was able to bring in a long line of QB transfers with so much talent that they could adapt quickly, lead the team, and win. They are saying they can't get those guys anymore.