THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I agree with this statement. I know I’ve irritated people when pointing this out before but I still maintain IUP is as close to being a perennial middle of the pack PSAC team as it is to being a perennial contender. I’d argue that it’s more likely they’ll slip to the middle if there aren’t some significant changes soon, and the fundraising and recruiting limitations are tied to the desire to win those aspects by the administration. It’s lack of leadership.

There is still money there like there was when Cignetti, Sr. was in charge and if we’re being honest, it starts with money. There are some great donors here but they’re getting tired and losing interest. They’re tired of being told why IUP can’t do this or that. They’re tired of being told why something can’t be done as opposed to working to figure out how it can be. They’re tired of not getting return calls from the AD’s office when they’re trying to help, whether it be money or otherwise.

You might be right that IUP and the Indiana community will always be a step behind the D2 elites, but there’s no reason this program shouldn’t be in the playoffs 9-10 years and even make it into the national semi-finals or better once or twice a decade. I don’t think that’s unrealistic. As it is, IUP can’t even hold on to a spot in the top 25.

All they had to do was finish out games and they'd have been 10-0.

Donors' money can't get you off the field when a team has to go 75 yards in 90 seconds -- and does so (3) times.

It was there this year. They didn't finish. Among those three losses, not showing up at Edinboro was inexcusable.

Tort had the players for a 10-0 season. Why they coughed up three late leads ... well, everybody under the sun has been blamed for those.

But, you are what your record says you are. In this teams case, 7-3.

[EyeoftheHawk]

I think the game has changed quite a bit and IUP has adjusted to some but not all of what is now D2 football. It took Pittsburg State a long time to adapt.

IUP has the resources to be a nationally competitive D2 football program. But in my opinion they don't have what it takes to be a top D2 football program. That is not a knock on anyone. Just comparing what they have to teams with a legit shot at a national championship and IUP comes up well short. I don't think they have the money & fundraising capacity nor a recruiting advantage like those schools.

I agree with this statement. I know I’ve irritated people when pointing this out before but I still maintain IUP is as close to being a perennial middle of the pack PSAC team as it is to being a perennial contender. I’d argue that it’s more likely they’ll slip to the middle if there aren’t some significant changes soon, and the fundraising and recruiting limitations are tied to the desire to win those aspects by the administration. It’s lack of leadership.

There is still money there like there was when Cignetti, Sr. was in charge and if we’re being honest, it starts with money. There are some great donors here but they’re getting tired and losing interest. They’re tired of being told why IUP can’t do this or that. They’re tired of being told why something can’t be done as opposed to working to figure out how it can be. They’re tired of not getting return calls from the AD’s office when they’re trying to help, whether it be money or otherwise.

You might be right that IUP and the Indiana community will always be a step behind the D2 elites, but there’s no reason this program shouldn’t be in the playoffs 9-10 years and even make it into the national semi-finals or better once or twice a decade. I don’t think that’s unrealistic. As it is, IUP can’t even hold on to a spot in the top 25.

[Fightingscot82]

I think the game has changed quite a bit and IUP has adjusted to some but not all of what is now D2 football. It took Pittsburg State a long time to adapt.

IUP has the resources to be a nationally competitive D2 football program. But in my opinion they don't have what it takes to be a top D2 football program. That is not a knock on anyone. Just comparing what they have to teams with a legit shot at a national championship and IUP comes up well short. I don't think they have the money & fundraising capacity nor a recruiting advantage like those schools.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Tort has lost to them in back to back years. There is no excuse to lose to them the way they have the last two years. ZERO! I know it irritates you that I say it but it's the truth. IUP has far more resources and shouldn't lose to them regularly. I understand an upset here and there. Back to back is now a trend and a trend that just so happens to happen after losing to Cal/Rock. The team came out flat with zero game plan both times. No excuse for that especially since they would've made the playoffs if they won that game this year! It's terrible and a horrible look for a team that is suppose to be a top D2 program.

It wasn't back to back ... but he has lost to them twice.


He had lost two straight to Gannon prior to blowing them out this year.

[IUPalum]

I love how triggered you are by losing to Edinboro.

Tort has lost to them in back to back years. There is no excuse to lose to them the way they have the last two years. ZERO! I know it irritates you that I say it but it's the truth. IUP has far more resources and shouldn't lose to them regularly. I understand an upset here and there. Back to back is now a trend and a trend that just so happens to happen after losing to Cal/Rock. The team came out flat with zero game plan both times. No excuse for that especially since they would've made the playoffs if they won that game this year! It's terrible and a horrible look for a team that is suppose to be a top D2 program.

[Fightingscot82]

Oh, the jackass shows up again! Of course I don't like the HC. He's never won a big game EVER!!! Any coach can pad their stats against the PSAC cream puffs. He once again lost to two hard games on his schedule and choked it off against a ****ty Edinboro team. Sorry, time to go!!!

I love how triggered you are by losing to Edinboro.

[IUPalum]

11-8 over the last two years is not acceptable

I think he forgets the first one was with Curt's roster and the second one he choked off and got blasted by Shep in the regionals.

[IUPalum]

Guess the truth pisses you off! You don't like it, then don't read it! Tell Tort to keep playing prevent in crunch time and blow games, LOSER!!!

[IUPNation]

11-8 over the last two years is not acceptable

[Iupgh]

Oh, the jackass shows up again! Of course I don't like the HC. He's never won a big game EVER!!! Any coach can pad their stats against the PSAC cream puffs. He once again lost to two hard games on his schedule and choked it off against a ****ty Edinboro team. Sorry, time to go!!!

Big game , guess those 2 PSAC chips aren’t big games one against a guy that is in the LEAGUE…Get lost…Your beyond clueless…u don’t like the HC no beef but don’t make BS statements and think u won’t get scorched….just sayin

[IUPalum]

Back up plan was a 3 time all PSAC east player who all of the sudden couldn’t get out of the tub…this isn’t D1 u can’t have 5 quality tailbacks…wake up it’s obvious u just don’t like the HC and his guys which is your choice….just sayin

Oh, the jackass shows up again! Of course I don't like the HC. He's never won a big game EVER!!! Any coach can pad their stats against the PSAC cream puffs. He once again lost to two hard games on his schedule and choked it off against a ****ty Edinboro team. Sorry, time to go!!!

[jrshooter]

I also don't know what you do when the other "backup" RB is playing through a tear that completely separated his adductor tendon from his pelvic bone.

[Iupgh]

Let's not get into the Stewart situation. That is all on Tort. He new Stewart was in trouble with the law and is an awful human but yet still put all the stakes of this team on him. Tort should've had a back up plan better than Younger/Houser.

No matter what the situation is, YOU DON'T LOSE TO EDINBORO!

BigIndians is right, you don't give up three 75 yards drives with zero resistance to lose games in the last two minutes. That's a coaching problem.

The rest of the region is glad IUP will most likely be out because they know they are a hard out unlike a couple teams that will get in. That's also on the coaching staff!

Back up plan was a 3 time all PSAC east player who all of the sudden couldn’t get out of the tub…this isn’t D1 u can’t have 5 quality tailbacks…wake up it’s obvious u just don’t like the HC and his guys which is your choice….just sayin

[Iupgh]

Let's not get into the Stewart situation. That is all on Tort. He new Stewart was in trouble with the law and is an awful human but yet still put all the stakes of this team on him. Tort should've had a back up plan better than Younger/Houser.

No matter what the situation is, YOU DON'T LOSE TO EDINBORO!

BigIndians is right, you don't give up three 75 yards drives with zero resistance to lose games in the last two minutes. That's a coaching problem.

The rest of the region is glad IUP will most likely be out because they know they are a hard out unlike a couple teams that will get in. That's also on the coaching staff!

U do realize the HC with this staff is 61-19 or maybe u don’t hard to tell….just sayin

[Iupgh]

It's sad. That's a good team.

I couldn’t agree with u more. That team had awful luck. 3 losses by 8 points with 2 horrendous calls directly affecting the outcome. Literally 3 losses in about 50 total seconds. Never seen anything like it. Overcame numerous injuries and limped out of camp to go 3-0 before an awful last second loss to their heated rival. They played hard all year and cut down on all the senseless 15 yard penalties that haunted previous squads. They would have been a nice road dawg in the playoffs that’s for sure. Although 2 all stars would have been out Comedy and Bruce. Also the crowds all year and atmosphere have been very good for this level. Even yesterday….just sayin.