THE IUP Football Thread

[Fightingscot82]

Without question, Tort has a strong overall record at IUP. There are some layers to the onion, however. And, 2017 was a long, long time ago. Things are not trending in the right direction.

These are the 'factual' items regarding the last (20) games IUP has played:


* In IUP's last (20) games, Tort is 11-9. Obviously, that's just barely over .500

* During this stretch, Tort is 0-4 against SRU/Cal (including a humiliating road loss in 2023 at SRU)

* During this stretch, the infamous 'timeout' disaster loss occurred.

* During this stretch, IUP has somehow managed to lose to Gannon, Edinboro and Seton Hill.

* During this stretch, IUP is 5-5 at Miller Stadium

* During this stretch, IUP (this season) has blown three late (2 minutes or less) leads and lost all three games.



Now, one could dig in to this 11-9 run and spin it in many different ways -- bad luck, blown calls, poor time management, poor game management, blown assignments, etc.

My opinion: They should be 18-2 over the past 20 games. They are not. Far, in fact, from it. They are 11-9. Not a math major, but that's a gigantic 7-game swing in games they should have won but didn't.

So, I'll ask, why is this program 11-9 over its past 20 games? This isn't an attack on Tort. You are what your record says you are -- and, over its past 20 games, IUP is a 'slightly' above .500 program. That's factual.

Please do not tell me about 9 sets of suspended officiating crews, phantom spots, scoreboard operators, etc.

This isn't a 'talent thing'. This team should be 8-0 right now. So, what is it? Why is this program 11-9 over its past 20 games? If it's not declining coaching, what is it?

I don't know if you can fairly say that IUP *should* be 8-0 right now. IUP was picked third in the preseason poll. So likely not 8-0 but probably 7-1 or 6-2.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I don't know if you can fairly say that IUP *should* be 8-0 right now. IUP was picked third in the preseason poll. So likely not 8-0 but probably 7-1 or 6-2.

I could care less about meaningless preseason polls. I watched three times - in person - IUP lose (with the lead) in the final two minutes while the other team went 70+ yards. Tort should have put all three of those games away. That said, I'll give one 'stuff happens' loss. Worst-case, IUP should be 7-1. To blow three of them ... that's rough.

[Fightingscot82]

I could care less about meaningless preseason polls. I watched three times - in person - IUP lose (with the lead) in the final two minutes while the other team went 70+ yards. Tort should have put all three of those games away. That said, I'll give one 'stuff happens' loss. Worst-case, IUP should be 7-1. To blow three of them ... that's rough.

I'll give Tort and Larry Wilson a pass on offense. They lost their starting RB at the 11th hour. Theoretically, they should have been a qualified reserve to take Stewart's place but that's not always the case. But defensively, they had a mess that allowed some teams with much less talent be in the game. IUP's defense should have held Gannon, Edinboro, and Seton Hill to very low yards and points regardless of how much the offense scored.

But the coaches who know IUP best also didn't pick them as the best. Only one first place vote who we can safely assume was Shawn Lutz.

[Ship69]

Quite a scene at Miller tonight. IUP upset Shippensburg in Field Hockey. The Hawks won, 1-0, in OT.

Congrats. Nice game by the IUP goalie, who had 12 saves, which is a ton in field hockey. It was a strange bit of scheduling by Ship, who had played Frostburg the day before and had already beaten IUP 4-0 Nov. 26 in the match that counted toward PSAC standings. Bet they don't do that again for a while.

[IUPalum]

I'll give Tort and Larry Wilson a pass on offense. They lost their starting RB at the 11th hour. Theoretically, they should have been a qualified reserve to take Stewart's place but that's not always the case. But defensively, they had a mess that allowed some teams with much less talent be in the game. IUP's defense should have held Gannon, Edinboro, and Seton Hill to very low yards and points regardless of how much the offense scored.

But the coaches who know IUP best also didn't pick them as the best. Only one first place vote who we can safely assume was Shawn Lutz.

Stewart should've never been on the roster with all the charges he has pending against him. That's on TORT!!!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Stewart should've never been on the roster with all the charges he has pending against him. That's on TORT!!!

Obviously what they lost in Dayjure was his ability to hit home runs.

We never got to see a healthy Monaco. Even when he's played, he hasn't been near 100 percent.

Houser has missed essentially the whole season. Younger has done a solid job -- especially considering he was a DB for the first week of Fall camp. He's just a different style back than Dayjure.

I don't know what IUP's longest run from scrimmage is this year but they've had very few go more than 10--11 yards.

There were two runs in the Cal game that Dayjure would have probably taken to the house. That's probably the biggest thing they lost due to his dismissal. In turn, teams knew IUP wasn't really a 'home run' threat and could play them differently than usual.

For all you Dayjure fans out there, I'm sure we'll get to see him next year -- likely playing against us.

[iupgroundhog]

Obviously what they lost in Dayjure was his ability to hit home runs.

We never got to see a healthy Monaco. Even when he's played, he hasn't been near 100 percent.

Houser has missed essentially the whole season. Younger has done a solid job -- especially considering he was a DB for the first week of Fall camp. He's just a different style back than Dayjure.

I don't know what IUP's longest run from scrimmage is this year but they've had very few go more than 10--11 yards.

There were two runs in the Cal game that Dayjure would have probably taken to the house. That's probably the biggest thing they lost due to his dismissal. In turn, teams knew IUP wasn't really a 'home run' threat and could play them differently than usual.

For all you Dayjure fans out there, I'm sure we'll get to see him next year -- likely playing against us.

He'll probably play for D1 Mercyhurst. Or some other FCS school. Regardless of his ability, with his background I don't think another PSAC state school will bring him in. I'm not even sure he'll be allowed on PASSHE campuses.

[WarriorVoice]

Obviously what they lost in Dayjure was his ability to hit home runs.

We never got to see a healthy Monaco. Even when he's played, he hasn't been near 100 percent.

Houser has missed essentially the whole season. Younger has done a solid job -- especially considering he was a DB for the first week of Fall camp. He's just a different style back than Dayjure.

I don't know what IUP's longest run from scrimmage is this year but they've had very few go more than 10--11 yards.

There were two runs in the Cal game that Dayjure would have probably taken to the house. That's probably the biggest thing they lost due to his dismissal. In turn, teams knew IUP wasn't really a 'home run' threat and could play them differently than usual.

For all you Dayjure fans out there, I'm sure we'll get to see him next year -- likely playing against us.

Karst Hunter has the longest run from scrimmage this season...35 yards.

[Fightingscot82]

Obviously what they lost in Dayjure was his ability to hit home runs.

We never got to see a healthy Monaco. Even when he's played, he hasn't been near 100 percent.

Houser has missed essentially the whole season. Younger has done a solid job -- especially considering he was a DB for the first week of Fall camp. He's just a different style back than Dayjure.

I don't know what IUP's longest run from scrimmage is this year but they've had very few go more than 10--11 yards.

There were two runs in the Cal game that Dayjure would have probably taken to the house. That's probably the biggest thing they lost due to his dismissal. In turn, teams knew IUP wasn't really a 'home run' threat and could play them differently than usual.

For all you Dayjure fans out there, I'm sure we'll get to see him next year -- likely playing against us.

IUP's longest run from scrimmage is 35 yards. By Karst.

The second-longest is 25 yards. By Marchitelli.

Younger has the third-longest run at 21 yards.

Roughly 40% of IUP's rushing yards are by guys not playing RB.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

He'll probably play for D1 Mercyhurst. Or some other FCS school. Regardless of his ability, with his background I don't think another PSAC state school will bring him in. I'm not even sure he'll be allowed on PASSHE campuses.

It depends what sticks (legally).

Now, the legal system in Indiana doesn't plea nearly as much when you're no longer a part of the program. I'm sure the boys uptown took care of his first ordeal.

Dayjure isn't a bad young man, btw. I'm sure it seems that way. He certainly had some screw-ups.

[iupgroundhog]

It depends what sticks (legally).

Now, the legal system in Indiana doesn't plea nearly as much when you're no longer a part of the program. I'm sure the boys uptown took care of his first ordeal.

Dayjure isn't a bad young man, btw. I'm sure it seems that way. He certainly had some screw-ups.

I partially stuck up for him on here after the 1st incident. I just remember him in an interview after his 200+ yard game I think it was against ESU. He seemed very polite and respectful and, actually, humble. However, regardless of whether the first charges stuck or not it was a violent crime. Then this time to get pulled over for a traffic violation and flee from the state police indicates some serious issues. Seems like he needs to straighten himself out or trouble is going to keep following him.

[IUPalum]

Karst Hunter has the longest run from scrimmage this season...35 yards.

No ****! That's the point we're making with the RB situation!

Stay in your lane!

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Well, for all you gambling degenerates out there ... the 'heavy money' for tomorrow came in on IUP. In the Pick 'Em, 82.6% put their faith in Team Timeout to cover the -3.5 spread.

From a pure gambling perspective, I don't think I'd touch this game. Here's why:

1) A promising season is over for IUP. The Crimson Hawks have lost/blown three gut-wrenching games in the past 4 weeks. Where will this team be mentally come 12 p.m. tomorrow?

2) Gannon has played a monster schedule (ESU, Kutz, Cal, SRU). They are also coming off a win and have some momentum.

3) The Knights always get up for this game -- and have won the past two in the series. Last year they won on a 53-yard, walk-off FG (that is still bouncing off uprights). That was a meaningless game between two average teams. The year prior, however, Gannon upset IUP in Erie (when the Hawks were 7-0 and ranked in the Top 5).

4) Gannon has won two last-minute games this year. As some may be aware, IUP has not fared well in last-minute games.

5) Tort is allegedly leaving behind a vast sea of suspended officiating crews. Are the Zebra's out to get him? Insert sarcasm if you wish.

6) IUP's inability to close out tight games. The Hawks' offense has its moments -- good and bad. It's probably safe to assume Larry Wilson's unit won't suddenly explode tomorrow for the first time all season. Odds are this will be another narrow margin.

7) IUP's offense doesn't show up until the third quarter. What will yet another sluggish first half do to an already (likely) mentally fragile team?


Part of me thinks IUP will totally blast them tomorrow. The pressure is gone. They'll just have fun and let it rip. Part of me also thinks they'll have a severe SRU/Boro/Cal hangover and not be real interested.

Gamblers beware.

[iupgroundhog]

Well, for all you gambling degenerates out there ... the 'heavy money' for tomorrow came in on IUP. In the Pick 'Em, 82.6% put their faith in Team Timeout to cover the -3.5 spread.

From a pure gambling perspective, I don't think I'd touch this game. Here's why:

1) A promising season is over for IUP. The Crimson Hawks have lost/blown three gut-wrenching games in the past 4 weeks. Where will this team be mentally come 12 p.m. tomorrow?

2) Gannon has played a monster schedule (ESU, Kutz, Cal, SRU). They are also coming off a win and have some momentum.

3) The Knights always get up for this game -- and have won the past two in the series. Last year they won on a 53-yard, walk-off FG (that is still bouncing off uprights). That was a meaningless game between two average teams. The year prior, however, Gannon upset IUP in Erie (when the Hawks were 7-0 and ranked in the Top 5).

4) Gannon has won two last-minute games this year. As some may be aware, IUP has not fared well in last-minute games.

5) Tort is allegedly leaving behind a vast sea of suspended officiating crews. Are the Zebra's out to get him? Insert sarcasm if you wish.

6) IUP's inability to close out tight games. The Hawks' offense has its moments -- good and bad. It's probably safe to assume Larry Wilson's unit won't suddenly explode tomorrow for the first time all season. Odds are this will be another narrow margin.

7) IUP's offense doesn't show up until the third quarter. What will yet another sluggish first half do to an already (likely) mentally fragile team?


Part of me thinks IUP will totally blast them tomorrow. The pressure is gone. They'll just have fun and let it rip. Part of me also thinks they'll have a severe SRU/Boro/Cal hangover and not be real interested.

Gamblers beware.

I don't know how much the mental part affects the defense. I think we'll see the D take out their frustrations on Gannon. As for the offense, they still have pride to play for.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I don't know how much the mental part affects the defense. I think we'll see the D take out their frustrations on Gannon. As for the offense, they still have pride to play for.

The 'mental part' I was referring to was similar to the 2018 season finale when the team clearly quit and got blasted at home by Shippensburg. That's the type of performance I'm hoping we don't see tomorrow. That was the most disinterested team I've ever seen in person.