THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It looks like Monaco won’t play against Ashland per Matt’s Gazette article today. Several others are still banged up. Backup DB and special teams regular Ezeekai Thomas is out for the year after being hurt in the scrimmage, likely a broken tibia.

I can't remember an IUP team having more drama/injuries in camp - ever - than this one.

If you start with Spring Ball, that's now either 5 or 6 players lost for the 2024 season due to injuries. Another (a star player) was arrested and kicked out. A key LB reserve quit the team 8 days before the opener. They were signing players off the street in August. Another whole slew of players missed substantial time in camp due to injuries.


All of that said, the team going to Ashland is still pretty good. It cannot, however, sustain too many more losses. If it does, the path to 6-4 or 5-5 will be starting to clear.

Tort and his crew aren't exactly X's and O's geniuses. IUP isn't going to win games in the details or with superb game management. They need to out-talent and out-physical teams.

The trickle-down of these mass injuries is the starters are getting very little 'live' work in practice. The positive, however, is the deeper depth chart is getting a lot more work. The way things are going, that's going to be important.

[iupgroundhog]

I can't remember an IUP team having more drama/injuries in camp - ever - than this one.

If you start with Spring Ball, that's now either 5 or 6 players lost for the 2024 season due to injuries. Another (a star player) was arrested and kicked out. A key LB reserve quit the team 8 days before the opener. They were signing players off the street in August. Another whole slew of players missed substantial time in camp due to injuries.


All of that said, the team going to Ashland is still pretty good. It cannot, however, sustain too many more losses. If it does, the path to 6-4 or 5-5 will be starting to clear.

Tort and his crew aren't exactly X's and O's geniuses. IUP isn't going to win games in the details or with superb game management. They need to out-talent and out-physical teams.

The trickle-down of these mass injuries is the starters are getting very little 'live' work in practice. The positive, however, is the deeper depth chart is getting a lot more work. The way things are going, that's going to be important.

There is also an article about the Miller turf. What's going on with that?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Per the Gazette, Miller Stadium has turf issues. They are working to get it fixed as fast as possible.


On this topic, there's a rumor circulating that a group of former athletes are filing a suit against Seton Hill. They allegedly had a huge number of knee injuries due to the turf at their soccer field. It makes me wonder if the turf at Miller Stadium is being blamed for the large number of injuries IUP is currently dealing with this season.

[iupgroundhog]

Per the Gazette, Miller Stadium has turf issues. They are working to get it fixed as fast as possible.


On this topic, there's a rumor circulating that a group of former athletes are filing a suit against Seton Hill. They allegedly had a huge number of knee injuries due to the turf at their soccer field. It makes me wonder if the turf at Miller Stadium is being blamed for the large number of injuries IUP is currently dealing with this season.

Seems more than coincidental.

[Ship69]

It probably sounds crazy but I am still optimistic. Washington and Major are unknowns at RB. Every season, there are surprises.

Whatever the injuries are at other positions I think IUP has sufficient depth to cover those positions. It still comes down to the O-line.

Artificial turf has come a long way — if it is maintained properly. I'll never forget walking onto the field at the University of Richmond stadium after Ship had played Virginia Union there in the 1981 NCAA playoffs. That field was like walking on concrete. I couldn't believe they were playing football on it.

[IUPNation]

There is also an article about the Miller turf. What's going on with that?

It’s probably old.

Bring back the old goat pasture.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It’s probably old.

Bring back the old goat pasture.

It's not that old. The issue is they allow it to be a freaking playground for the students and townies.

Very, very few schools allow their field to be used for recreation.

Blows my mind.

[IUPNation]

It's not that old. The issue is they allow it to be a freaking playground for the students and townies.

Very, very few schools allow their field to be used for recreation.

Blows my mind.

Walk On U was open to the public years ago but they shut that down. In the 2000’s I used Farrell to walk the track…but they got an all new field and track and that was it. No more.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP's perceived new star WR had a simple Tweet this morning -- to the IUP Football account. It read:


Get the ball to Massey




Not something you see every day. He's going to fit right in.


As Keyshawn said ... "Just gimme the damn ball"

[Fightingscot82]

It's not that old. The issue is they allow it to be a freaking playground for the students and townies.

Very, very few schools allow their field to be used for recreation.

Blows my mind.

Depends on space. Duquesne, RMU, and CMU all have intramurals and club sports on their stadium turf.

I'm not sure that could cause an issue, either. Could be a faulty installation or poor maintenance. I'll assume the former.

[Iupgh]

IUP's perceived new star WR had a simple Tweet this morning -- to the IUP Football account. It read:


Get the ball to Massey




Not something you see every day. He's going to fit right in.


As Keyshawn said ... "Just gimme the damn ball"

Other interesting transfer news as I see old IUP DE starting at Ferris State..…Didn’t think he was that good or my theory of the playing field leveling in D2 due the Upward portal world…curious indeed.

[IUPalum]

Other interesting transfer news as I see old IUP DE starting at Ferris State..…Didn’t think he was that good or my theory of the playing field leveling in D2 due the Upward portal world…curious indeed.

Fowler was really good but he had an off field incident I do believe.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Fowler was really good but he had an off field incident I do believe.

He was dismissed from the IUP program around Game 6 or 7 last year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The DL from Notre Dame (OH) that signed with IUP - but then somehow left and signed with Kent State -- didn't record any defensive statistics in KSU's loss at Pitt. It appears he only played on Special Teams.

I get it's 'D1' and all ... but going from an every snap player to a special teams guy (as a senior) has to suck.

[iupgroundhog]

The DL from Notre Dame (OH) that signed with IUP - but then somehow left and signed with Kent State -- didn't record any defensive statistics in KSU's loss at Pitt. It appears he only played on Special Teams.

I get it's 'D1' and all ... but going from an every snap player to a special teams guy (as a senior) has to suck.

...at Kent State.