THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Man this sure took a turn from the last 4 months of hype.

Four months? Try 35 years.

I don't read too much in to Tort's comments. I think he's being a little coy. Every team has some depth issues or concerns heading in to camp. Reality is there may be some games they give up 21-24 points -- but score 49-56 points. These two new OL they added (and spent a lot for) are proven guys at this level. They'll be fine.

My wish list item for Tort this year is to get his stars out of blowouts. Duane Brown got hurt in the second half of the Clarion game with IUP up 35-some points. He eventually came back but wasn't near the same.

I agree with EyeoftheHawk that Tort is going to have to coach through some blowouts this year. He has not been good at pulling starters. He should have ample time to get whomever is the No. 2 QB some actual game experience. The worst thing that can happen (aside from a star getting hurt up by 5-6 TDs) is to have a QB have to take his first actual game snap of the season up at Slippery Rock, against Cal, etc.

RB-wise, they have two solid ones returning in Houser and Younger. Yes, Houser is a concern due to his injury history (which is extensive). Because of that, I actually see him getting a lighter load and Younger being the feature back. The DB they moved to RB in the Spring is actually pretty legit on the offensive side.

Now, as I said yesterday, I think Dayjure Stewart playing this year is a pipe dream -- which likely prompted the DB to RB move last March. At the end of August, he'll be just (8) months removed from ACL surgery. Is it physically possible he's ready by mid- to late-October? Yes. The mental part is the tricky item to deal with coming back from that injury -- especially for a brutal position like RB.

QB-wise, they probably have as good as backups as anybody else. It's extremely difficult to have quality QB depth at this level. If they are legit players and aren't playing, well, they just go play somewhere else.

[Ship69]

Four months? Try 35 years.

I don't read too much in to Tort's comments. I think he's being a little coy. Every team has some depth issues or concerns heading in to camp. Reality is there may be some games they give up 21-24 points -- but score 49-56 points. These two new OL they added (and spent a lot for) are proven guys at this level. They'll be fine.

My wish list item for Tort this year is to get his stars out of blowouts. Duane Brown got hurt in the second half of the Clarion game with IUP up 35-some points. He eventually came back but wasn't near the same.

I agree with EyeoftheHawk that Tort is going to have to coach through some blowouts this year. He has not been good at pulling starters. He should have ample time to get whomever is the No. 2 QB some actual game experience. The worst thing that can happen (aside from a star getting hurt up by 5-6 TDs) is to have a QB have to take his first actual game snap of the season up at Slippery Rock, against Cal, etc.

RB-wise, they have two solid ones returning in Houser and Younger. Yes, Houser is a concern due to his injury history (which is extensive). Because of that, I actually see him getting a lighter load and Younger being the feature back. The DB they moved to RB in the Spring is actually pretty legit on the offensive side.

Now, as I said yesterday, I think Dayjure Stewart playing this year is a pipe dream -- which likely prompted the DB to RB move last March. At the end of August, he'll be just (8) months removed from ACL surgery. Is it physically possible he's ready by mid- to late-October? Yes. The mental part is the tricky item to deal with coming back from that injury -- especially for a brutal position like RB.

QB-wise, they probably have as good as backups as anybody else. It's extremely difficult to have quality QB depth at this level. If they are legit players and aren't playing, well, they just go play somewhere else.

I think it's safe to say that most of the other teams in the PSAC would love to have IUP's problems.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Man this sure took a turn from the last 4 months of hype.

Not from me. I’m more on the “believe it when I see it” train.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Four months? Try 35 years.

I don't read too much in to Tort's comments. I think he's being a little coy. Every team has some depth issues or concerns heading in to camp. Reality is there may be some games they give up 21-24 points -- but score 49-56 points. These two new OL they added (and spent a lot for) are proven guys at this level. They'll be fine.

My wish list item for Tort this year is to get his stars out of blowouts. Duane Brown got hurt in the second half of the Clarion game with IUP up 35-some points. He eventually came back but wasn't near the same.

I agree with EyeoftheHawk that Tort is going to have to coach through some blowouts this year. He has not been good at pulling starters. He should have ample time to get whomever is the No. 2 QB some actual game experience. The worst thing that can happen (aside from a star getting hurt up by 5-6 TDs) is to have a QB have to take his first actual game snap of the season up at Slippery Rock, against Cal, etc.

RB-wise, they have two solid ones returning in Houser and Younger. Yes, Houser is a concern due to his injury history (which is extensive). Because of that, I actually see him getting a lighter load and Younger being the feature back. The DB they moved to RB in the Spring is actually pretty legit on the offensive side.

Now, as I said yesterday, I think Dayjure Stewart playing this year is a pipe dream -- which likely prompted the DB to RB move last March. At the end of August, he'll be just (8) months removed from ACL surgery. Is it physically possible he's ready by mid- to late-October? Yes. The mental part is the tricky item to deal with coming back from that injury -- especially for a brutal position like RB.

QB-wise, they probably have as good as backups as anybody else. It's extremely difficult to have quality QB depth at this level. If they are legit players and aren't playing, well, they just go play somewhere else.

A key point here is that all teams have these “issues” to deal with, which I didn’t mention in my post. I would also agree that Tort tends to understate what he has and overstate his problem areas. He’s an experienced guy when it comes to the media.

[Fightingscot82]

A key point here is that all teams have these “issues” to deal with, which I didn’t mention in my post. I would also agree that Tort tends to understate what he has and overstate his problem areas. He’s an experienced guy when it comes to the media.

Yep I've noticed that too. And like Ship69 said, his situation is a problem most coaches would love to have. IUP should be just fine. They have depth few others in the PSAC can recognize. The only time IUP has positional issues is when injuries force them to play inexperienced guys.

[iupgroundhog]

A key point here is that all teams have these “issues” to deal with, which I didn’t mention in my post. I would also agree that Tort tends to understate what he has and overstate his problem areas. He’s an experienced guy when it comes to the media.

It's the first write-up of the year and it's about who isn't back.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

A key point here is that all teams have these “issues” to deal with, which I didn’t mention in my post. I would also agree that Tort tends to understate what he has and overstate his problem areas. He’s an experienced guy when it comes to the media.

Tort is pretty careful about what he says in the newspaper. That's the main reason I love the Hawk Talk Show during the season. Both him and Lombardi occasionally slip up and reveal some info that normally wouldn't make the articles. As expected Jack is pretty careful what he asks them. Usually the 'slips' come when the coaches get asked the fan questions. The fans often ask more direct questions relating to specific items, so I think they get caught off guard a bit and can't rely on the same boring 'coach speak' answers. It's also 'live' on air so there's no going back.

Lombardi is by far the best interview around -- on many levels. He can be asked what day it is ... and his answer will be a 6-minute diatribe about playing for one another. It will sound fantastic and you'll be enthralled ... but then realize he totally blew off your question. Then the interview ends. LOL.

[CUlater]

I think I'd be getting very concerned if i was an Indiana fan about now. The word I'm hearing is a lot of the talent brought in has disappointed thus far in summer workouts. guys not returning, injuries, this thing is coming off the rails quick. I'll wait to pop into a camp practice or two before making my final assessment but as of now, things are looking a little shaky at best.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I think I'd be getting very concerned if i was an Indiana fan about now. The word I'm hearing is a lot of the talent brought in has disappointed thus far in summer workouts. guys not returning, injuries, this thing is coming off the rails quick. I'll wait to pop into a camp practice or two before making my final assessment but as of now, things are looking a little shaky at best.

3-7 at best

[Iupgh]

I think I'd be getting very concerned if i was an Indiana fan about now. The word I'm hearing is a lot of the talent brought in has disappointed thus far in summer workouts. guys not returning, injuries, this thing is coming off the rails quick. I'll wait to pop into a camp practice or two before making my final assessment but as of now, things are looking a little shaky at best.

That’s funny I heard the exact opposite. In fact the old Clarion Eagle has looked unreal and they expect a monster year from him. Also the 3 transfer OL are physically imposing in person. With the best OL coach in the region the OL without a doubt the best unit on roster. And to think they may get a guy with 30 career starts granted another year of eligibility. So u say???

[EyeoftheHawk]

IUP has found some defensive line help by signing Cyler Rozina from Lackawanna College. His recruitment path seems like quite the affair as he had many D2 and a couple D1 offers. He signed briefly with Shepherd before announcing on Twitter yesterday that he’s 100% committed to IUP. Of course in January he Tweeted that he was 100% committed to Shepherd before jumping into the transfer portal in May. Anyway, he’s not heavy but still good sized at 6’3” and about 260 lbs.

[Ram040506]

IUP has found some defensive line help by signing Cyler Rozina from Lackawanna College. His recruitment path seems like quite the affair as he had many D2 and a couple D1 offers. He signed briefly with Shepherd before announcing on Twitter yesterday that he’s 100% committed to IUP. Of course in January he Tweeted that he was 100% committed to Shepherd before jumping into the transfer portal in May. Anyway, he’s not heavy but still good sized at 6’3” and about 260 lbs.

Oh interesting. From what I had heard Shepherd was pretty excited about him. Wonder why it didn’t work out, but good pull for IUP either way I’d think.

[Boro33]

Oh interesting. From what I had heard Shepherd was pretty excited about him. Wonder why it didn’t work out, but good pull for IUP either way I’d think.

Was at Millersville prior to Shepherd. From what I understand they were not too excited about his maturity....

[CUlater]

That’s funny I heard the exact opposite. In fact the old Clarion Eagle has looked unreal and they expect a monster year from him. Also the 3 transfer OL are physically imposing in person. With the best OL coach in the region the OL without a doubt the best unit on roster. And to think they may get a guy with 30 career starts granted another year of eligibility. So u say???

I say good luck to you, I hope it works out but I don't think this is going to be the team everyone thought it would be say a month or two ago. at least not from what i'm hearing/seeing. time will tell.

[CUlater]

Was at Millersville prior to Shepherd. From what I understand they were not too excited about his maturity....

4th school inside of 2 years....I think we can all read between the lines here. Hopefully they've built a stronger culture than in the past but it has never been a strong suit of this staff. strong recruiters, not so strong at development and building character/discipline....