THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPbigINDIANS]

For offenses to be successful, they need an identity. Whether it's lining up in Power-I, 5-wide and air raid, triple option, etc. They need a system, and something within that system they're really good at. I don't think this offense had any of that. I'm not sure they knew what they wanted to do. And I'm not sure they were any good at anything they tried to do within that system.

In my opinion, the best IUP offense I can remember watching was in 2017. Their identity was clear: run the football. That team had an embarrassment of riches at running back. But they were able to play downhill in the run game, which set up so much else for Lenny Williams. They would be able to line up in the I-formation and pound the ball with Samir Bullock, Justice Evans, etc., to set up Lenny Williams on a bootleg that he could throw or tuck and run for 25 yards. The ability to just set up everything from how they were able to function in the run game made them so effective.

Looking ahead - and assuming Karst is here -- I think he's actually perfect to run the 'Lenny' offense.

He's not a gunslinger. He's not going to be by September, either. What they tried to run with him this year was a disaster. It wasn't the right fit.

Plug him in to the Lenny role, and he could be pretty dangerous. Pound the ball until the defense has no choice but to cheat. Hit the play action passes. Scramble on some roll-outs. He's actually custom made for it. Not to mention he's half a foot taller than Lenny and just as fast.

[IUPNation]

In all honesty, 8-3 is still a good season. Not great, but good. Most PSAC teams would be happy with that.

It's not good in Indiana.

It's a disaster.

[IUPNation]

For offenses to be successful, they need an identity. Whether it's lining up in Power-I, 5-wide and air raid, triple option, etc. They need a system, and something within that system they're really good at. I don't think this offense had any of that. I'm not sure they knew what they wanted to do. And I'm not sure they were any good at anything they tried to do within that system.

In my opinion, the best IUP offense I can remember watching was in 2017. Their identity was clear: run the football. That team had an embarrassment of riches at running back. But they were able to play downhill in the run game, which set up so much else for Lenny Williams. They would be able to line up in the I-formation and pound the ball with Samir Bullock, Justice Evans, etc., to set up Lenny Williams on a bootleg that he could throw or tuck and run for 25 yards. The ability to just set up everything from how they were able to function in the run game made them so effective.

I miss Frank's 80's-90's Pro Style Offenses with at least one major bomb for a TD by a strong armed QB during the game

How they still got beat by a ****ing high school option offense on a god damn fluke pass in the 93 finals still haunts me.

[Chuck Norris]

I miss Frank's 80's-90's Pro Style Offenses with at least one major bomb for a TD by a strong armed QB during the game

How they still got beat by a ****ing high school option offense on a god damn fluke pass in the 93 finals still haunts me.

North Dakota State also ran it when they clubbed IUP in the 1990 title game. The option was still one of the ruling forces in college football in the early 90s and sadly IUP ran into two of the best to ever run it at the D2 level.

[IUPNation]

North Dakota State also ran it when they clubbed IUP in the 1990 title game. The option was still one of the ruling forces in college football in the early 90s and sadly IUP ran into two of the best to ever run it at the D2 level.

It’s not real foosball to me. It’s a gimmick.

It was also a bit unfair to be playing on their home field. Cheating Southern teams always get the advantages

[Chuck Norris]

It’s not real foosball to me. It’s a gimmick.

It was also a bit unfair to be playing on their home field. Cheating Southern teams always get the advantages

Yeah that was a tough bit of luck having North Alabama make the final, played in their home stadium, when IUP had their best shot at a championship. We’ll never know how that game may have played out on a neutral field.

[Fightingscot82]

It’s not real foosball to me. It’s a gimmick.

It was also a bit unfair to be playing on their home field. Cheating Southern teams always get the advantages

A lot of very small BFE high schools run it when they don't have a QB or can't spare a player to dedicate to QB.

[Ship69]

It’s not real foosball to me. It’s a gimmick.

It was also a bit unfair to be playing on their home field. Cheating Southern teams always get the advantages

Don't see why an option offense is any more of a gimmick than air raid offenses that toss the ball 45-50 times a game. At least you're getting off the line of scrimmage and doing some run blocking in an option.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Don't see why an option offense is any more of a gimmick than air raid offenses that toss the ball 45-50 times a game. At least you're getting off the line of scrimmage and doing some run blocking in an option.

I've always found the best offense to be the one that wins you games. LOL.

Staying on course, I do think it became evident this year the offense IUP was running wasn't best-suited for its personel.

[Fightingscot82]

I've always found the best offense to be the one that wins you games. LOL.

Staying on course, I do think it became evident this year the offense IUP was running wasn't best-suited for its personel.

I always interpreted that to be a challenge in past years when they had both traditional pocket passers and dual-threat running QBs. Its hard to juxtapose between schemes. Its one thing to have a mobile QB but another to have plays designed for movement.

[IUPNation]

A lot of very small BFE high schools run it when they don't have a QB or can't spare a player to dedicate to QB.

Ok but North Alabamastan may not have had any indoor plumbing in 1993 but they weren’t a podunk school in foosball.

[IUPNation]

Don't see why an option offense is any more of a gimmick than air raid offenses that toss the ball 45-50 times a game. At least you're getting off the line of scrimmage and doing some run blocking in an option.

That’s a gimmick too.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

It's not good in Indiana.

It's a disaster.

Well, they are a long way from finishing 8-3. They didn't exactly smash Edinboro last Saturday. They played one horrendous half and one very good half. Luckily, they were playing Edinboro.

I suspect another tussle this weekend in Greensburg (yes, I'm actually saying that). It's going to be another windy, rain festival. Seton Hill's defense isn't as bad as most would think. Their offense is a turnover machine, routinely putting the D in terrible situations. They are also fairly tough to run against, and blitz like crazy. IUP had some fits running against them a year ago. The caveat is their stacked boxes leave the backend open, resulting in lots of big plays against them through the air. That said, consider the weather will again be a big factor and IUP will be starting its backup QB.

It's going to be harder to run this weekend. SH is better up front and at LB than Edinboro. Tort isn't going to have the I-Formation surprise again, either.

I think IUP wins but that -13.5 is an interesting number.

[IUPNation]

Well, they are a long way from finishing 8-3. They didn't exactly smash Edinboro last Saturday. They played one horrendous half and one very good half. Luckily, they were playing Edinboro.

I suspect another tussle this weekend in Greensburg (yes, I'm actually saying that). It's going to be another windy, rain festival. Seton Hill's defense isn't as bad as most would think. Their offense is a turnover machine, routinely putting the D in terrible situations. They are also fairly tough to run against, and blitz like crazy. IUP had some fits running against them a year ago. The caveat is their stacked boxes leave the backend open, resulting in lots of big plays against them through the air. That said, consider the weather will again be a big factor and IUP will be starting its backup QB.

It's going to be harder to run this weekend. SH is better up front and at LB than Edinboro. Tort isn't going to have the I-Formation surprise again, either.

I think IUP wins but that -13.5 is an interesting number.

Question...Indiana High Foosball really hasn't been good in a long time.

Why doesn't the town then get behind IUP more?

Just wondering.

For the record, Indiana High should ditch the WPIAL.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Question...Indiana High Foosball really hasn't been good in a long time.

Why doesn't the town then get behind IUP more?

Just wondering.

For the record, Indiana High should ditch the WPIAL.

Hard to say. They (football) didn't draw terribly this year prior to last week (eliminated and crappy weather isn't a good combo).

IUP probably had 5k to 6k on average (realistically, not announced).

Don't get me wrong. Miller may get 5,500 but it's not an engaged crowd by any means. It's still dead in there. In addition, they allow you to keep tailgating after kickoff so every week there's another 500 or so who don't even come inside.

Being honest, it's still just a very dull atmosphere. Other than selling booze inside the gates (they should) I don't know what else to say.

One suggestion (on the Eberly end) would be to put a fence behind the end zone and let fans stand there (close to the goalpost). A ton of people stand down in that area (near the refreshments) but the view is terrible. Having that end zone lined with people (think Indiana High) would be a major upgrade compared to the now vast empty space.

Basketball gets way more enthusiastic crowds, but Joe also draws a much younger demographic. The KCAC also sells beer, wine and mixed drinks that you can take to your seats.

Section C has been the (enthusiasm) issue forever. They don't make a peep and they are right behind the team.

Best atmosphere this year - by a mile - was the Ashland game. It was a night game. What a shock. Coincidence, I'm sure. When Zinobile caught the game-winner, it was a loud moment.



As for Indiana High, it's tricky. IHS has an arrogance to it ... comes across like they are above the Heritage Conference. Add to it, forever IHS was so much bigger, enrollment-wise. Now, as these Heritage schools are combining, IHS is still bigger but not to the previous extent. The other option would be to go out with Altoona, etc. Travel-wise, it's not much better. Worse, perhaps. Now, if Ligonier Valley comes back to the Heritage (they aren't nearly as good in the WPIAL), who knows. Driving buses up across the mountain all winter isn't fun.

IHS actually has some good players this year (and most years). They just have far too few of them. I suspect Tort will recruit their Safety/LB (Kowchuck) in this upcoming class. They may even convert him to TE. He's big (6'5") but just needs to add some weight.