THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPNation]

Definitely a lot to look forward to with the program.

The Indiana area has been enjoying some good baseball this spring. In addition to the IUP run, Indiana High School (4A) and Punxsutawney High School (3A) are both in the PIAA semi-finals. Both have their hands full as Fleetwood (Indiana’s opponent) has already knocked of WPIAL champion North Catholic and Montour in the tournament and Avonworth (Punxsy’s opponent) is the WPIAL champion.

The fun is probably over for whoever advances as privates Holy Ghost Prep will be waiting in 4A and Neumann-Goretti will be waiting in 3A. Neither has lost to a public school in forever.

So it was split 3-3 public’s to privates.

Public Schools look 5 and 6A.

Public’s took 2a

Privates took 1, 3,and 4A

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The season is still 3 months away but I am excited about IUP in 2024. After a 6-5 season we don't have the usual high expectations e.g. no mention in the "Top 25."

I think they have to build their offensive schemes around Hunter's strengths. While they will strive for the usual balance on offense, I think it will be a little more run dominated. As I recall, the problems with the OL last year came into focus more with the passing game (a lot of pressure on our QB's), although Hunter wasn't the most decisive or quick back there. Even if Santiago leaves (which I don't think is a given) the OL is pretty experienced and IUP always touts the OL playing together over time as a goal. So, we shall see with the OL.

I think the TE's will play an important role in the offense. Unfortunately, we haven't seen Hunter as a deep threat passer yet.

I think the Defense is going to be smothering, for lack of a better word. I think they are going to be really tough.

I also expect the kicking game to come of age this year and be a lot more effective. IUP should also be dangerous on punt and kick returns.

Funny you mention that. I was down at the track the other day. It was 85 degrees, sunny ... and it felt like the wind was blowing 85 mph toward Eberly. We don't talk about it much, but that stadium is a b!tch to kick/punt inside.

The wind certainly needs accounted for on any given day. There are games it comes down off the cemetery ridge and you have no chance to kick in to it. It's almost like a mini jet stream coming down off that hill lol.

[iupgroundhog]

You hit a huge part of it. No matter how good you are, it's real hard to block properly or run the ball when the defense knows what's coming. They do call the play in the huddle but the defense knows all the counts, signals, cadences, etc. The defense doesn't have to think. They just play. Big difference there. That split second of thinking usually propels big plays by the offense. Add to it IUP's QB is a legit home run threat when he runs -- and, they know dang-sure he's not taking off in a meaningless Spring Game. In a real game, teams have to be aware of him at all times because he can break one real quick. With that element gone, well, it's time to tee off.

I do think the OL is going to be better this year. They had some guys not in the Spring Game who will be key pieces come August. Let's be honest, I'm not sure it can be much worse than it was a year ago.

Remember, too, Cole Laney had to sit the Spring session to preserve a semester. He's a dominating blocker from the TE position at 6'6", 250 lbs. I know how 'program' heights and weights typically work. They aren't lying with Laney. He might even be 6'7". With this being his last season, Joe Lombardi should be all over him come November. He'd be a terror in basketball.

That said, he MUST be more involved in the offense this year. TEs of his size and speed don't exist on this level. Hell, they line him up at WR occasionally. He had a huge Opening Night last year then was rarely seen again before being lost for the season with an injury.

Que the traditional comment here, but IUP does appear pretty strong at RB and WR. Ridley is a stud and the guy they just signed from Pueblo (former Karst teammate) is legit. Some others return there, too. Obviously, they have several starter quality RBs.

End of the day, IUP is always going to have talent. Tort recruits well. Last year's team dealt with a ton of crap -- lengthy injuries to stars and off the field garbage. It didn't respond well. We'll see if they learned from it.

The season is still 3 months away but I am excited about IUP in 2024. After a 6-5 season we don't have the usual high expectations e.g. no mention in the "Top 25."

I think they have to build their offensive schemes around Hunter's strengths. While they will strive for the usual balance on offense, I think it will be a little more run dominated. As I recall, the problems with the OL last year came into focus more with the passing game (a lot of pressure on our QB's), although Hunter wasn't the most decisive or quick back there. Even if Santiago leaves (which I don't think is a given) the OL is pretty experienced and IUP always touts the OL playing together over time as a goal. So, we shall see with the OL.

I think the TE's will play an important role in the offense. Unfortunately, we haven't seen Hunter as a deep threat passer yet.

I think the Defense is going to be smothering, for lack of a better word. I think they are going to be really tough.

I also expect the kicking game to come of age this year and be a lot more effective. IUP should also be dangerous on punt and kick returns.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I wasn’t impressed and saw some of the same things that were a problem last year, especially missed assignments. However, the spring game is probably the worst place to get a gauge on that since everyone knows what’s coming on defense and I’m sure they were trying some different looks. I don’t expect O-line to be a strength of this team though.

You hit a huge part of it. No matter how good you are, it's real hard to block properly or run the ball when the defense knows what's coming. They do call the play in the huddle but the defense knows all the counts, signals, cadences, etc. The defense doesn't have to think. They just play. Big difference there. That split second of thinking usually propels big plays by the offense. Add to it IUP's QB is a legit home run threat when he runs -- and, they know dang-sure he's not taking off in a meaningless Spring Game. In a real game, teams have to be aware of him at all times because he can break one real quick. With that element gone, well, it's time to tee off.

I do think the OL is going to be better this year. They had some guys not in the Spring Game who will be key pieces come August. Let's be honest, I'm not sure it can be much worse than it was a year ago.

Remember, too, Cole Laney had to sit the Spring session to preserve a semester. He's a dominating blocker from the TE position at 6'6", 250 lbs. I know how 'program' heights and weights typically work. They aren't lying with Laney. He might even be 6'7". With this being his last season, Joe Lombardi should be all over him come November. He'd be a terror in basketball.

That said, he MUST be more involved in the offense this year. TEs of his size and speed don't exist on this level. Hell, they line him up at WR occasionally. He had a huge Opening Night last year then was rarely seen again before being lost for the season with an injury.

Que the traditional comment here, but IUP does appear pretty strong at RB and WR. Ridley is a stud and the guy they just signed from Pueblo (former Karst teammate) is legit. Some others return there, too. Obviously, they have several starter quality RBs.

End of the day, IUP is always going to have talent. Tort recruits well. Last year's team dealt with a ton of crap -- lengthy injuries to stars and off the field garbage. It didn't respond well. We'll see if they learned from it.

[EyeoftheHawk]

How did your OL do in spring ball? I took a look at the roster, seems like you guys are going to be pretty young as a group there. Only 4 juniors, no seniors.

I wasn’t impressed and saw some of the same things that were a problem last year, especially missed assignments. However, the spring game is probably the worst place to get a gauge on that since everyone knows what’s coming on defense and I’m sure they were trying some different looks. I don’t expect O-line to be a strength of this team though.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

How did your OL do in spring ball? I took a look at the roster, seems like you guys are going to be pretty young as a group there. Only 4 juniors, no seniors.

The Spring roster is a bit misleading with some guys sitting out to save eligibility and others not arriving until Fall camp (officially). It should be much better than last year ... put it that way.

[Ram040506]

OL Santiago has entered the portal.

How did your OL do in spring ball? I took a look at the roster, seems like you guys are going to be pretty young as a group there. Only 4 juniors, no seniors.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

OL Santiago has entered the portal.

[IUP24]

Definitely a lot to look forward to with the program.

The Indiana area has been enjoying some good baseball this spring. In addition to the IUP run, Indiana High School (4A) and Punxsutawney High School (3A) are both in the PIAA semi-finals. Both have their hands full as Fleetwood (Indiana’s opponent) has already knocked of WPIAL champion North Catholic and Montour in the tournament and Avonworth (Punxsy’s opponent) is the WPIAL champion.

The fun is probably over for whoever advances as privates Holy Ghost Prep will be waiting in 4A and Neumann-Goretti will be waiting in 3A. Neither has lost to a public school in forever.

Not specifically related or unrelated, but baseball is one of the few high school sports across the state, and across each classification where there is some semblance of balance between east, west, public, and private. Generally having 1-2 really good pitchers can do that. When I was in high school, the best programs in the state seemed to be in central part of PA around Lancaster, York, and Harrisburg, but it really seems more balanced overall now.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Today was a long shot. Bullpen games are tough. Take away the disastrously bad 2nd inning and it was pretty close.

One thing to keep in mind is this all kind of came a year early. Next year was the season getting most of the buzz earlier. This team is incredibly young. They return a ton next year. Kline has been very good at building around high school players while filling needs with transfers. I suspect he will land a very strong transfer class. This was only his third season. The pitching depth wasn't quite there.

They are certainly on the map now.

It was without question the best story of the year at IUP.

Definitely a lot to look forward to with the program.

The Indiana area has been enjoying some good baseball this spring. In addition to the IUP run, Indiana High School (4A) and Punxsutawney High School (3A) are both in the PIAA semi-finals. Both have their hands full as Fleetwood (Indiana’s opponent) has already knocked of WPIAL champion North Catholic and Montour in the tournament and Avonworth (Punxsy’s opponent) is the WPIAL champion.

The fun is probably over for whoever advances as privates Holy Ghost Prep will be waiting in 4A and Neumann-Goretti will be waiting in 3A. Neither has lost to a public school in forever.

[ShoNuff]

Congrats to former IUP teammates Damon Lloyd and Dondrea Tillman.for helping the Birmingham Stallions defeat the Michigan Panthers 31-18 to win the USFL Conference Championship game. Next week they play the XFL Conference champs for the UFL Championship.

[IUPNation]

Tampa beats Angelo St. Not a surprise.

https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/a...acket-schedule

They went undefeated down there. Losing your first game really makes it harder..but IUP has nothing to be dejected about. Wonderful run..hopefully more to come.

[iupgroundhog]

Tampa beats Angelo St. Not a surprise.

https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/a...acket-schedule

[iupgroundhog]

Can you imagine Torts takes the foosball title next season.

Joe ball gets back on top.

Then we take beisbol.

Then they hand the Dixon trophy to the school that won lawn darts, dodge ball and ping pong.

I always liked lawn darts, dodge ball, and ping pong. Too bad the lawn darts impaled so many people and they had to take them off the market.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Can you imagine Torts takes the foosball title next season.

Joe ball gets back on top.

Then we take beisbol.

Then they hand the Dixon trophy to the school that won lawn darts, dodge ball and ping pong.

Lol