THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPNation]

It’s starting to look pretty bad for Ashland in the series though, the old version and now the new one. Throw in a playoff loss to IUP as well during that stretch. The New Haven/Slippery Rock arrangement has had similar lopsided results. The games in these series have been competitive, but the outcomes end up the same.

Ashland has all of the ingredients needed to build a powerhouse D2 program, but they’re just not getting over the hump. I wonder why? Where are the kids going that Ashland can’t land? Are they ending up at nearby MAC schools? Hard to say but I would have never predicted that the Eagles wouldn’t have won at least one of the games. I know they’ve been close but you know how the saying goes.

Private religious schools at this level are not attractive places for college students who actually want to have some fun. The Harding Bible Camp broke through with that gimmick offense but i doubt they have staying power as a national contender.

I mean would you rather go to Grove City where you repressed at every turn and graduate as another Cult weirdo or go to IUP whereyou can have fun?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Hannibal ad portus

[Fightingscot82]

Private religious schools at this level are not attractive places for college students who actually want to have some fun. The Harding Bible Camp broke through with that gimmick offense but i doubt they have staying power as a national contender.

I mean would you rather go to Grove City where you repressed at every turn and graduate as another Cult weirdo or go to IUP whereyou can have fun?

Harding is doing pretty well.

[IUPNation]

Harding is doing pretty well.

For now..but there is a limit of how much right wing Jesus..no sex and no fun…college football players are going to endure.

[IUsuallyPonder]

That was one of the roughest games I’ve seen. I’m not sure if IUP was playing that bad or Lock Haven has improved that much. Honestly, probably both, but that was brutal.

[IUPNation]

That was one of the roughest games I’ve seen. I’m not sure if IUP was playing that bad or Lock Haven has improved that much. Honestly, probably both, but that was brutal.

I didn't watch it live.. hopefully on a replay.

So Lock Haven is a dirty team?

[IUsuallyPonder]

I didn't watch it live.. hopefully on a replay.

So Lock Haven is a dirty team?

Undisciplined, absolutely, and then some. Dirty, I’m not sure if I’d go that far. Just seemed like they were a bunch of one year mercenaries that lack discipline. Tons of flags and many unsportsmanlike conduct, but I’m thinking the spotlight was a little bright.

[IUPNation]

Undisciplined, absolutely, and then some. Dirty, I’m not sure if I’d go that far. Just seemed like they were a bunch of one year mercenaries that lack discipline. Tons of flags and many unsportsmanlike conduct, but I’m thinking the spotlight was a little bright.

Well hopefully the locals enjoyed it because a young coach importing players to get a forever doormat somewhat relevant again means this is his job interview for a pening job at some FCS directional school that is looking for a hot young coach on the cheap...and when that happens...everything goes back to normal in Clinton County and Ms Taylor's voodoo dolls are back in full control.

Even if he stays...relying heavily on one year mercenaries isn't a sustainable way to go...

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That was one of the roughest games I’ve seen. I’m not sure if IUP was playing that bad or Lock Haven has improved that much. Honestly, probably both, but that was brutal.

We haven't seen IUP yet.

They have a TON of guys out. Not joking they were down 7-8 rotation players tonight. They need Monaco back desperately. Williams (best DL) hasn't played yet this year. Ridley was out. Houser hurt. Karst hurt. It's bad.

IUP terribly blew that coverage late. It was botched before the snap. So, they made it more interesting than needed.

I don't know if I'd call LH 'dirty' but they are incredibly undisciplined. They have a ton of talent. But, they play like a mercenary team. Tons of stupid penalties.

[Fightingscot82]

They remind me of some of those Cal teams that were 1/3 transfers. IUP definitely played Tort Ball in the first quarter and then some. Also typical IUP ball with lots of penalties called in the first half, but some of that may have been to bait Lock Haven. Just lucky it didn't backfire.

[IUPalum]

We haven't seen IUP yet.

They have a TON of guys out. Not joking they were down 7-8 rotation players tonight. They need Monaco back desperately. Williams (best DL) hasn't played yet this year. Ridley was out. Houser hurt. Karst hurt. It's bad.

IUP terribly blew that coverage late. It was botched before the snap. So, they made it more interesting than needed.

I don't know if I'd call LH 'dirty' but they are incredibly undisciplined. They have a ton of talent. But, they play like a mercenary team. Tons of stupid penalties.

I'm not so sure that was a blown coverage. It looked like the DB went for the int and missed. You can't do that late in a close game knowing you have no safety help over the top. That's just a bone headed play that hopefully he learns from.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well hopefully the locals enjoyed it because a young coach importing players to get a forever doormat somewhat relevant again means this is his job interview for a pening job at some FCS directional school that is looking for a hot young coach on the cheap...and when that happens...everything goes back to normal in Clinton County and Ms Taylor's voodoo dolls are back in full control.

Even if he stays...relying heavily on one year mercenaries isn't a sustainable way to go...

I don't think it's sustainable even if he stays. Some years it will work. Other years it will be a disaster.

Let's also be clear that in its current state IUP is NOT a good football team. They are decimated. It's actually a miracle Tort is 2-0. Their patchwork defense has carried them.

What I'm getting at is LH had the perfect setting, record crowd, IUP without at least 8 regulars ... and LH still didn't win.

At full strength I think IUP clobbers them.

[LOCKHAVENLOCKEDIN]

“One year mercenaries”??? There’s players on that team that been there since 2020 that are now seniors who are playing big roles on the team.

Undisciplined, absolutely, and then some. Dirty, I’m not sure if I’d go that far. Just seemed like they were a bunch of one year mercenaries that lack discipline. Tons of flags and many unsportsmanlike conduct, but I’m thinking the spotlight was a little bright.

“One year mercenaries”??? There’s players on that team that been there since 2020 that are now seniors who are playing big roles on the team.

[Fightingscot82]

“One year mercenaries”??? There’s players on that team that been there since 2020 that are now seniors who are playing big roles on the team.

Welcome to the world outside the hollow

[iupgroundhog]

I don't think it's sustainable even if he stays. Some years it will work. Other years it will be a disaster.

Let's also be clear that in its current state IUP is NOT a good football team. They are decimated. It's actually a miracle Tort is 2-0. Their patchwork defense has carried them.

What I'm getting at is LH had the perfect setting, record crowd, IUP without at least 8 regulars ... and LH still didn't win.

At full strength I think IUP clobbers them.

You guys are right. LH just has a ragtag group of 1 yr. transfers. It won't last. In fact, most of these transfers never even saw the field at their prior institutions. If IUP wasn't so beat up they would have beaten the crap out of LHU. LHU's ascent to a competitive level is nothing more than a mirage. No way they can sustain it. And that coach - he's the Coach Prime of D2 - even dances on the field. What a flake. In fact, I don't even think this is real. I expect to wake up soon and life will go back to normal.

I'm being sarcastic, of course. But I can't believe the collective denial of LHU's ascent in football. Is it that painful to lose your fall back conference doormat?

I think IUP was lucky yesterday to escape with a W. LHU is pretty solid at all positions. I think their WR Young might be the best candidate from the PSAC to play at a higher level.

People are crediting Mulrooney with 100% of the program comeback. He is good. No doubt. But there was a concerted effort to lift up the program. A lot of people involved. And it's working. Hiring the right guy was just a part of it. Even if he ultimately leaves, I have no reason to believe there won't be continuity. The program has a higher profile now.

Regarding building the program on transfers. Everybody agrees that is the name of the game now. But it seems to be viewed as a negative for LHU. What's up with that? Plus, in a rebuilding process, starting with transfers and moving into more of a homegrown roster is legitimate and takes place over a few year period.

In the current environment, nobody can predict where any of these programs will be in 3 years. Look at Bloom, look at Ship, look at Clarion. Even look at IUP.

In 2024, LHU presents a threat to every team on their formidable schedule. It should be fun to watch.