THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The real play of the game was that IUP INT deep in Crimson Hawks territory when Shep was threatening for points that was returned about 70 yards and set up an IUP touchdown. That touchdown put IUP up 24-7 and gave them the cushion to hold off Shepherd's late rally.

Tell you what, they picked Bagent twice and IUP dropped three other picks. I mean in the hands dropped. Tort talked about it tonight. They should have had 5 picks in that game.

[CHIP72]

They recover and it’s the Mon Valley U game all over again. The slide by Houser was the second play of the game.

The real play of the game was that IUP INT deep in Crimson Hawks territory when Shep was threatening for points that was returned about 70 yards and set up an IUP touchdown. That touchdown put IUP up 24-7 and gave them the cushion to hold off Shepherd's late rally.

[Ram040506]

I believe Beach may move on from football after this year anyway…

You another one of those inside scoop folks who wants to tease everyone?

[Ramhead]

I think Shepherd was outcoached for 3 quarters at least. Tort and his staff had a much better weather proof game plan together, and they executed very well on offense. I think the Brown absence was a blessing in disguise as it forced the OC to be a bit more creative and got some other guys involved, it was obvious the Rams had no idea Brown was going to be out. That is going to benefit the offense greatly going forward I would think.

The Rams WR corps had its worst game in several years. Had to be at least 6/7 times it just bounced right off their hands and up for potential interceptions, weather certainly was a factor. Missing Ryan Beach on the short crossing routes and quick's to the outside was felt in this game too. He's sure handed and very quick, don't think he'll be back this season and that is a huge loss for the Rams.

Rams offense while productive, can be maddening at times. Did they not read a weather report leading up to the game, do they not realize a 51 passes to 13 rushes ratio in a downpour against a championship caliber opponent is ill advised? Oh and 5 of those "rushes" were by Bagent, who was probably running from the pass rush and it just was recorded that way. So 8 carries by the leading rusher in the conference...

No bones about it, IUP won the game and was the better team. I genuinely am hoping the Rams can refocus and get back to Miller Stadium for another try, and will pray for a clean weather day as well. IUP will be improved with Brown back hopefully, and possibly a stronger run game for a complete game with Stewart. Here's to both teams taking care of business over the next 2 weeks and getting/staying healthy!

Your analysis is spot on. Shep came out throwing and looked shaky with a three and out. We let IUP set the tone and drive down the field. Nonetheless, half time score just 10-7. I was hopeful we could make adjustments and come out with a better game plan. Unfortunately, IUP drove it down the field with the help of an awful pass interference call. We did not use Blake Hartman who is a north to south runner and hit the holes hard and fast. Anyway, the second season has started. Hopefully we will meet again.

[RamPride]

I think Shepherd was outcoached for 3 quarters at least. Tort and his staff had a much better weather proof game plan together, and they executed very well on offense. I think the Brown absence was a blessing in disguise as it forced the OC to be a bit more creative and got some other guys involved, it was obvious the Rams had no idea Brown was going to be out. That is going to benefit the offense greatly going forward I would think.

The Rams WR corps had its worst game in several years. Had to be at least 6/7 times it just bounced right off their hands and up for potential interceptions, weather certainly was a factor. Missing Ryan Beach on the short crossing routes and quick's to the outside was felt in this game too. He's sure handed and very quick, don't think he'll be back this season and that is a huge loss for the Rams.

Rams offense while productive, can be maddening at times. Did they not read a weather report leading up to the game, do they not realize a 51 passes to 13 rushes ratio in a downpour against a championship caliber opponent is ill advised? Oh and 5 of those "rushes" were by Bagent, who was probably running from the pass rush and it just was recorded that way. So 8 carries by the leading rusher in the conference...

No bones about it, IUP won the game and was the better team. I genuinely am hoping the Rams can refocus and get back to Miller Stadium for another try, and will pray for a clean weather day as well. IUP will be improved with Brown back hopefully, and possibly a stronger run game for a complete game with Stewart. Here's to both teams taking care of business over the next 2 weeks and getting/staying healthy!

I believe Beach may move on from football after this year anyway…

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Plus, I think they want their starters to be in the routine of playing at least 3 quarters. It's an exercise for what is to come. And these games aren't 60-0 blowouts.

Yeah, but we aren't talking about freshmen getting experience. This is Duane Brown and your starting QB -- both of whom have played a ton of college football. Playing another half a quarter against Clarion isn't going to help them much at this point. If anything, it's going to get them hurt (as we saw).

It is what it is at this point. I'm sure that killed Duane to miss that game. Hopefully he's back in 12 days. But a sprained knee ... no guarantees.

[iupgroundhog]

I see your logic, But at the same time, I don't see many coaches taking their stars out that early at the college level. Personal stats I think are part of it. Not wanting to have to put them back in if some flukey things happen, I don't know, but standard practice seems to be sit the starters in the 4th quarter. Maybe its just tradition, but outside of the pros I don't see very strategic subs of the starters.

Plus, I think they want their starters to be in the routine of playing at least 3 quarters. It's an exercise for what is to come. And these games aren't 60-0 blowouts.

[Ship69]

I think Shepherd was outcoached for 3 quarters at least. Tort and his staff had a much better weather proof game plan together, and they executed very well on offense. I think the Brown absence was a blessing in disguise as it forced the OC to be a bit more creative and got some other guys involved, it was obvious the Rams had no idea Brown was going to be out. That is going to benefit the offense greatly going forward I would think.

The Rams WR corps had its worst game in several years. Had to be at least 6/7 times it just bounced right off their hands and up for potential interceptions, weather certainly was a factor. Missing Ryan Beach on the short crossing routes and quick's to the outside was felt in this game too. He's sure handed and very quick, don't think he'll be back this season and that is a huge loss for the Rams.

Rams offense while productive, can be maddening at times. Did they not read a weather report leading up to the game, do they not realize a 51 passes to 13 rushes ratio in a downpour against a championship caliber opponent is ill advised? Oh and 5 of those "rushes" were by Bagent, who was probably running from the pass rush and it just was recorded that way. So 8 carries by the leading rusher in the conference...

No bones about it, IUP won the game and was the better team. I genuinely am hoping the Rams can refocus and get back to Miller Stadium for another try, and will pray for a clean weather day as well. IUP will be improved with Brown back hopefully, and possibly a stronger run game for a complete game with Stewart. Here's to both teams taking care of business over the next 2 weeks and getting/staying healthy!

I was baffled that Shepherd didn't try to run the ball more, given the conditions. They have an outstanding tailback.

[ironmaniup]

It was 28-0 at halftime and Clarion was completely lifeless. No chance they were coming back. Being honest, I was shocked Duane, Sexton and Ridley played in the third quarter. I was expecting to see them come out of the half with their shoulder pads off.

It got up to 35-0 and those three were still all in the game.

It wasn't a smart decision. There's no reward with that risk. He may be out several weeks.

Sure, one can say it's a hindsight decision. But, it shouldn't have to be. That's a cop-out to me. There is ABSOLUTELY no reason the stars were still in that game at this stage of the season. None. Why? Because this is what happens. We've seen it two years in a row in men's basketball and now this year in football.

I see your logic, But at the same time, I don't see many coaches taking their stars out that early at the college level. Personal stats I think are part of it. Not wanting to have to put them back in if some flukey things happen, I don't know, but standard practice seems to be sit the starters in the 4th quarter. Maybe its just tradition, but outside of the pros I don't see very strategic subs of the starters.

[iupgroundhog]

They recover and it’s the Mon Valley U game all over again. The slide by Houser was the second play of the game.

These are pretty big if's you guys are talking about. When a team has to try an onsides kick to try to steal a win, there are always if's. There is no guarantee Shep scores even if they did recover. Also, I agree that Houser's slide was a very heads-up move and preserved the victory - however, had he scored there is even less of a chance that Shep would have scored 2 TD's in the time remaining. Thirdly, I'm in the kick the FG camp. It was a great win for IUP.

[Ram040506]

To say Tort out coaches them is laughable. I'd bet there would've been a different outcome if Shep catches all the balls they dropped. They certainly didn't drop them all year. If there is a round 2, I'm not so certain is plays out in favor of IUP. BUT what do I know? I don't know football even though I've won championships.

I think Shepherd was outcoached for 3 quarters at least. Tort and his staff had a much better weather proof game plan together, and they executed very well on offense. I think the Brown absence was a blessing in disguise as it forced the OC to be a bit more creative and got some other guys involved, it was obvious the Rams had no idea Brown was going to be out. That is going to benefit the offense greatly going forward I would think.

The Rams WR corps had its worst game in several years. Had to be at least 6/7 times it just bounced right off their hands and up for potential interceptions, weather certainly was a factor. Missing Ryan Beach on the short crossing routes and quick's to the outside was felt in this game too. He's sure handed and very quick, don't think he'll be back this season and that is a huge loss for the Rams.

Rams offense while productive, can be maddening at times. Did they not read a weather report leading up to the game, do they not realize a 51 passes to 13 rushes ratio in a downpour against a championship caliber opponent is ill advised? Oh and 5 of those "rushes" were by Bagent, who was probably running from the pass rush and it just was recorded that way. So 8 carries by the leading rusher in the conference...

No bones about it, IUP won the game and was the better team. I genuinely am hoping the Rams can refocus and get back to Miller Stadium for another try, and will pray for a clean weather day as well. IUP will be improved with Brown back hopefully, and possibly a stronger run game for a complete game with Stewart. Here's to both teams taking care of business over the next 2 weeks and getting/staying healthy!

[IUP Crimson Hawk]

WTF? In year 5 under Frank, he made it to the finals. So Tort has to make the finals this season.

Now you are putting words into my mouth. I never said Frank. I said Curt. Again I thought Coach Cignetti was a hell of a Coach, and did great things for the program, but when your talking PSAC Championships, Regional Championships, Statistics Coach Tort is better in all 3 categories.

[IUPNation]

Correct. For all this dominating, the final score was 24-21. It never should have been. But, it was.

Hilton Ridley recovering that onside kick was the play of the day. That was a good kick, too, by their kicker. That ball was coming fast and was slippery as heck. That was also the first time the 'hands team' had been on the field all season.

They recover and it’s the Mon Valley U game all over again. The slide by Houser was the second play of the game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

…and yet it came down to recovering an on sides kick to save themselves…

Correct. For all this dominating, the final score was 24-21. It never should have been. But, it was.

Hilton Ridley recovering that onside kick was the play of the day. That was a good kick, too, by their kicker. That ball was coming fast and was slippery as heck. That was also the first time the 'hands team' had been on the field all season.

[IUPNation]

According to the Gazette game story, Duane has a sprained knee.

That's not a one size fits all injury. Some can come back in a couple weeks while others can take 1-2 months.

So, again, this bye is crucial. But, I'd say no guarantees he's back for Round 2.

Put some Bactine on it….

:-)