THE IUP Football Thread

[Ram040506]

A ton to unpack from Matt’s article in today’s Indiana Gazette. I’ll try to hit the highlights:

- Cole Weightman flunked out. I know some recognize this as a big loss but I don’t really. He had some moments but I think the newcomers are better.
- The Quadir Jacobs incident was explained. He had blood clots in both lungs and probably only survived because the incident happened in the Field House where there were people to save him. He’s on blood thinners now and his return to football is questionable but won’t be anytime soon. He’s a lucky young man.
- NDC transfer DL Lavell Gibson left IUP after he got NIL cash from Kent State. That’s a bigger loss than Weightman.
- There are 13 players not on the fall roster that were on the spring roster. Not going to rehash all of them here as the most significant were mentioned in previous posts.

And finally, this is pretty astonishing. Apparently our good friends at “cough, cough” D1 Mercyhurst didn’t want to take a loss to a D2 opponent this fall. Directly from the article: Tortorella said when Mercyhurst announced it was leaving Division II and the PSAC, he still wanted to play the Lakers on Nov. 9. He even made overtures to the Lakers and their head coach, Ryan Remedio, but it didn’t work out. “I tried to contact (Remedio) three times,” he said, “but he never returned my call.”

Mercyhurst is a joke, but if I were a new D1 program I wouldn't want to schedule a team that historically beat the crap out of us every year either and was a division down from us.

[EyeoftheHawk]

A ton to unpack from Matt’s article in today’s Indiana Gazette. I’ll try to hit the highlights:

- Cole Weightman flunked out. I know some recognize this as a big loss but I don’t really. He had some moments but I think the newcomers are better.
- The Quadir Jacobs incident was explained. He had blood clots in both lungs and probably only survived because the incident happened in the Field House where there were people to save him. He’s on blood thinners now and his return to football is questionable but won’t be anytime soon. He’s a lucky young man.
- NDC transfer DL Lavell Gibson left IUP after he got NIL cash from Kent State. That’s a bigger loss than Weightman.
- There are 13 players not on the fall roster that were on the spring roster. Not going to rehash all of them here as the most significant were mentioned in previous posts.

And finally, this is pretty astonishing. Apparently our good friends at “cough, cough” D1 Mercyhurst didn’t want to take a loss to a D2 opponent this fall. Directly from the article: Tortorella said when Mercyhurst announced it was leaving Division II and the PSAC, he still wanted to play the Lakers on Nov. 9. He even made overtures to the Lakers and their head coach, Ryan Remedio, but it didn’t work out. “I tried to contact (Remedio) three times,” he said, “but he never returned my call.”

[IUPbigINDIANS]

There will probably be some additions to the list. Is Stewart out for '24? He had a broken bone 3-4 months ago?

It was a gruesome broken bone. Put it that way. I would be absolutely shocked if he plays this year.

[iupgroundhog]

I'd assume some new names appear very shortly (similar to the former Wheeling player who arrived Thursday).

By my count that's already three lost for the season -- WR Omar Stewart, DL Jacobs and now DE Weightman (likely).

Not a good start.

There will probably be some additions to the list. Is Stewart out for '24? He had a broken bone 3-4 months ago?

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I'd assume some new names appear very shortly (similar to the former Wheeling player who arrived Thursday).

By my count that's already three lost for the season -- WR Omar Stewart, DL Jacobs and now DE Weightman (likely).

Not a good start.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Slippery Rock wins the recruiting battle again.

If Weightman doesn't reappear on the roster that's two huge losses for the defense -- before the first practice.

It doesn't appear he has transferred, however.

[IUPalum]

Slippery Rock wins the recruiting battle again.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP Roster is up on the website. Looks pretty much as expected. Don't see DE Weightman nor the WR Goodrich, who formerly was at West Florida. Other notables missing are DT Rozina, DL Murphy, DE Fowler, LB Rowe, and OL Marshall and OLSantiago ( I believe he transferred). Any that I am missing?

Comments?

https://iupathletics.com/sports/football/roster

Fowler was suspended and/or dismissed. Last I heard he landed at a small D1 (could be Norfolk State).

Weightman missed the Spring with academic issues, correct?

[iupgroundhog]

IUP Roster is up on the website. Looks pretty much as expected. Don't see DE Weightman nor the WR Goodrich, who formerly was at West Florida. Other notables missing are DT Rozina, DL Murphy, DE Fowler, LB Rowe, and OL Marshall and OLSantiago ( I believe he transferred). Any that I am missing?

Comments?

https://iupathletics.com/sports/football/roster

[Iupgh]

I suspect we see a very different Karst Hunter this year. Him missing the Spring prior to last year was a real killer. I don't think Tort (and staff) knew how to use him properly based on just Fall camp. It was almost like they wanted him to be another in the line of big-armed IUP pocket passers. He's clearly not a pocket passer. He looks the part but that isn't his game. He's a much, much bigger version of Lenny Williams in my opinion.

I still think we'll look back at those 3-4 games he missed last year as being the best thing that could have happened for him. That seemed to be his learning period and he looked much better the final two games. IUP also at least has an experienced backup now, too.

But, they have to customize things to his skill set. I thought the OC did a horrendous job doing that early last year. I get it. It's scary to have your QB running around. But, that's when he's at his best.

The OL was, frankly, mostly awful last year. They need to obviously take a major step.

I'm not in the doom/gloom camp. I think they are ready to roll. No more of that 'young team' b.s. This is no longer a young team. To be honest I'm more nervous about some of the staff than the players.

Valid questions for sure. I think 2 of the DB’s are high end guys Fraser and Bruce need 2 more to step up. Cox is a really good player at this level and the other transfer LB from Fake ND is very good and is a huge upgrade from whoever played with Biss. DE will be also an upgrade with the other Millersville transfer. Offensively there is weapons at RB and speed and size on the outside with the addition of the transfer wideouts who could be quite scary at this level. Hunter is the wild card, he will either light it up cause the talent and wheels are there or be a concern with the turnover bug and missed throws. We shall see as it starts on Friday.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I have a strong preference for "The Good."

As someone mentioned, it probably comes down to the QB and OL and we won't know how they are going to be until that first game.

I suspect we see a very different Karst Hunter this year. Him missing the Spring prior to last year was a real killer. I don't think Tort (and staff) knew how to use him properly based on just Fall camp. It was almost like they wanted him to be another in the line of big-armed IUP pocket passers. He's clearly not a pocket passer. He looks the part but that isn't his game. He's a much, much bigger version of Lenny Williams in my opinion.

I still think we'll look back at those 3-4 games he missed last year as being the best thing that could have happened for him. That seemed to be his learning period and he looked much better the final two games. IUP also at least has an experienced backup now, too.

But, they have to customize things to his skill set. I thought the OC did a horrendous job doing that early last year. I get it. It's scary to have your QB running around. But, that's when he's at his best.

The OL was, frankly, mostly awful last year. They need to obviously take a major step.

I'm not in the doom/gloom camp. I think they are ready to roll. No more of that 'young team' b.s. This is no longer a young team. To be honest I'm more nervous about some of the staff than the players.

[iupgroundhog]

It would be extremely risky -- and, scary -- to place an actual bet on this team. I think Las Vegas would set the total wins over/under at 7.5 based on their 10-game schedule. You can certainly make a case to bet it either way.

Ironically, I'm completely torn which way it could go. Yes, last year was a disaster. And, yes, most of that team is back. But, they are a year older. Here's my two (in my mind) most likely scenarios:


The Good

at Ashland - Tort is 4-0 in this series -- but could easily be 0-4. He seems to have a little magic here. IUP wins, 24-21 (1-0)

at Lock Haven - The first half will be a fight. The Bald Eagles will certainly be hyped for this one. Tort pulls away in second half. (2-0)

at Millersville - This is a better Marauders group than the one that came to Miller years ago, but the portal hasn't been kind. IUP wins fairly easily. (3-0)

Clarion - Tort's teams are iffy in home openers. Golden Eagles hang around for a bit but IUP pulls away. (4-0)

Slippery Rock - IUP was embarrassed a year ago. That will surely be the theme all week. Tort gets his payback. (5-0)

at Edinboro - IUP (barely) wins an ugly, hungover, post-Homecoming game. (6-0)

Seton Hill - Don't think for a minute IUP isn't waiting for this one. (7-0)

at California - Tort broke the Adamson Curse two years ago - in fluke fashion. IUP will be due for a loss. It comes here. (7-1)

at Gannon - Weather will likely be a factor in early November. Another team on the payback list. (8-1)

PSAC Title Game - Tort is 2-0 in this game and will get to host it. Make that 3-0. (9-1)



The Not Good

at Ashland - As said above, Tort is 4-0 here. Barely. IUP is due for one to go the other way. (0-1)

at Lock Haven - IUP is tough off a loss. (1-1)

at Millersville - (2-1)

Clarion - (3-1)

SRU - Slow start in front of HC crowd dooms the Hawks. (3-2)

at Edinboro - (4-2)

Seton Hill - (5-2)

at California - With playoff hopes on the line IUP stumbles in Adamson -- likely in fluke fashion. (5-3)

at Gannon - IUP wins a chippy road contest (6-3)

Week 10 - Opponent TBD in front of 127 on a cold day at Miller Stadium. (7-3)

I have a strong preference for "The Good."

As someone mentioned, it probably comes down to the QB and OL and we won't know how they are going to be until that first game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Sad to say, but I have IUP at 7-3 and likely missing the post-season. I know some things didn’t go IUP’s way last year but I also think they just weren’t that good. It’s largely the same roster this year. I don’t think they added any difference makers. The LB coming in from Millersvill, Cox, was a nice addition, but I don’t know that he’s much of an upgrade over DiNunzio-Biss. I still think QB and O-line won’t be as good as they need to be to make the playoffs. Defensively, they’re going to need a lot more out of the D-line and frankly, the D-backs stunk last year and it’s mostly the same group.

I wish I was more optimistic.

It would be extremely risky -- and, scary -- to place an actual bet on this team. I think Las Vegas would set the total wins over/under at 7.5 based on their 10-game schedule. You can certainly make a case to bet it either way.

Ironically, I'm completely torn which way it could go. Yes, last year was a disaster. And, yes, most of that team is back. But, they are a year older. Here's my two (in my mind) most likely scenarios:


The Good

at Ashland - Tort is 4-0 in this series -- but could easily be 0-4. He seems to have a little magic here. IUP wins, 24-21 (1-0)

at Lock Haven - The first half will be a fight. The Bald Eagles will certainly be hyped for this one. Tort pulls away in second half. (2-0)

at Millersville - This is a better Marauders group than the one that came to Miller years ago, but the portal hasn't been kind. IUP wins fairly easily. (3-0)

Clarion - Tort's teams are iffy in home openers. Golden Eagles hang around for a bit but IUP pulls away. (4-0)

Slippery Rock - IUP was embarrassed a year ago. That will surely be the theme all week. Tort gets his payback. (5-0)

at Edinboro - IUP (barely) wins an ugly, hungover, post-Homecoming game. (6-0)

Seton Hill - Don't think for a minute IUP isn't waiting for this one. (7-0)

at California - Tort broke the Adamson Curse two years ago - in fluke fashion. IUP will be due for a loss. It comes here. (7-1)

at Gannon - Weather will likely be a factor in early November. Another team on the payback list. (8-1)

PSAC Title Game - Tort is 2-0 in this game and will get to host it. Make that 3-0. (9-1)



The Not Good

at Ashland - As said above, Tort is 4-0 here. Barely. IUP is due for one to go the other way. (0-1)

at Lock Haven - IUP is tough off a loss. (1-1)

at Millersville - (2-1)

Clarion - (3-1)

SRU - Slow start in front of HC crowd dooms the Hawks. (3-2)

at Edinboro - (4-2)

Seton Hill - (5-2)

at California - With playoff hopes on the line IUP stumbles in Adamson -- likely in fluke fashion. (5-3)

at Gannon - IUP wins a chippy road contest (6-3)

Week 10 - Opponent TBD in front of 127 on a cold day at Miller Stadium. (7-3)

[EyeoftheHawk]

Usually every July I'll talk to several people close to the program to get a gage on the temperature. Typically, it's the same old IUP hype train. It's been a little different this summer. Some are still in the normal 'this team is loaded' camp. Others tend to think this is a team in the 8-2 or 7-3 range. A few think worse.

Tort's been here long enough his numbers can start to get analyzed a bit.

2017 - 13-1 (PSAC Champions)
2018 - 8-3
2019 - 10-2
2021 - 7-3
2022 - 10-2 (PSAC Champions)
2023 - 6-5

Overall: 54-16

Playoff record: 3-3 (all at Miller)

Record vs Cal: 3-3
Record vs. SRU: 3-3


We haven't seen the actual roster yet (although I'm not expecting any major surprises). Anybody have a prediction?

I do think last year was simply the perfect storm -- from the Timeout to massive injuries at QB, TE, WR, RB, etc., to a star player being arrested/suspended to losing on a 53-yard FG that bounces of both posts to totally no-showing in Greensburg ... just an absolute train wreck. It did end well, albeit against inferior competition. Question is was it simply a blip?

Two of IUP's toughest games are on the road (Ashland and Cal) and don't forget about that pesky trip to Erie.

Sad to say, but I have IUP at 7-3 and likely missing the post-season. I know some things didn’t go IUP’s way last year but I also think they just weren’t that good. It’s largely the same roster this year. I don’t think they added any difference makers. The LB coming in from Millersvill, Cox, was a nice addition, but I don’t know that he’s much of an upgrade over DiNunzio-Biss. I still think QB and O-line won’t be as good as they need to be to make the playoffs. Defensively, they’re going to need a lot more out of the D-line and frankly, the D-backs stunk last year and it’s mostly the same group.

I wish I was more optimistic.

[IUPNation]

Not getting hyped up for IUP is a better route to go….