THE IUP Football Thread

[EyeoftheHawk]

Their football facility is amazing. Since IUP was last there in 2018, they have added a huge indoor facility at what was then the open end of the stadium.

It’s a really nice D2 facility. It’s a place I’d want to go if I was a recruit. Nice atmosphere as well on game day. There are also a ton of good football players in Ohio that might not cut it at D1 or FCS. If they’re down a bit initially, I can’t imagine it will be for long.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Looks like the rain will be in Indiana from about midnight to 2 p.m. tomorrow. So, a good chunk of it shouldn't have rain.

It will be windy all day with 10-20 mph winds expected. In Miller, those speeds increase.

So, not quite as bad as we thought. Temperature will be a non-issue in the low 50s.

The wind will be a factor. It will be blowing out of the SW so as far as The Mill is concerned, that’s from the corner of the end zone where the cannon is toward the business building, or parking lot area. This will be very similar to how it was blowing in the first game.

Given the forecasted gusts combined with the wind tunnel that seems to be there, you might be better off to prioritize what end of the field you defend versus whether or not to take possession of you win the toss. That said, IUP scored two touchdowns into the teeth of the wind in the third quarter in the last meeting.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Update on our esteemed cast of Pick 'Em experts (with several regulars having not yet posted):

Picks to win:

Shepherd - 14
IUP - 10


As of this moment, that is much tighter than last time. Shepherd was picked by about 80% of our gambling degenerates in the State Game.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Their AD is from Armstrong County and graduated from Mansfield & IUP. He worked in IUP athletics & at the IG many years ago. But you're right - they are able to sell a vision for small college football in rural Ohio from wealthy donors under the shadow of Ohio State.

Their football facility is amazing. Since IUP was last there in 2018, they have added a huge indoor facility at what was then the open end of the stadium.

[Fightingscot82]

Ashland has a lot of heavy hitter donors -- many in powerful positions within Ohio. This is a big job opening (if he indeed is retiring today).

They have a great following (filled up almost the entire visiting side at Miller last week).

Their AD is from Armstrong County and graduated from Mansfield & IUP. He worked in IUP athletics & at the IG many years ago. But you're right - they are able to sell a vision for small college football in rural Ohio from wealthy donors under the shadow of Ohio State.

[IUPNation]

Looks like the rain will be in Indiana from about midnight to 2 p.m. tomorrow. So, a good chunk of it shouldn't have rain.

It will be windy all day with 10-20 mph winds expected. In Miller, those speeds increase.

So, not quite as bad as we thought. Temperature will be a non-issue in the low 50s.

The juggernaut will be unstoppable.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

They should still be competitive. Just like previously said, they have money and a good recruiting area.

Correct. They aren't going to become Clarion by next September. But, I don't think they'll be near the level of team we just saw.

Contrary, Tort is going to be pretty loaded next year. He has some portal holes to fill but not too many.

Also consider Lockhart and Fowler return -- and the long-lost DL from TJ who has been hyped up for years but hasn't played a snap yet. So, those are three big additions right there. Ashland will also be having its new QB make his first start at Miller against what should be a very strong D.

[IUPalum]

They were built up for this year with a lot of upperclassmen. They weren't going to be the same come their visit next September. If this leads to portal exits (usually does) ... that game may lose some luster.

They should still be competitive. Just like previously said, they have money and a good recruiting area.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I haven't seen anything that says what their funding level is at. The only reason its discussed so much here is that nearly all PSAC members are state-owned so this info is public info and part of the conference culture. I know the privates HATE that this info gets out there.

Privates provide discounts up to 36 equivalencies and for whatever reason they tend to have trouble maximizing the dollar value vs the publics. It has been a while since a private has won a natty (1989) let alone played in the game (2013). In fact only two privates have ever won a D2 championship: Lehigh in 1977 (when FCS was D2) and Mississippi College in 1989.

Ashland has a lot of heavy hitter donors -- many in powerful positions within Ohio. This is a big job opening (if he indeed is retiring today).

They have a great following (filled up almost the entire visiting side at Miller last week).

[IUPbigINDIANS]

That could change the next 4 years in that IUP/Ashland series.

They were built up for this year with a lot of upperclassmen. They weren't going to be the same come their visit next September. If this leads to portal exits (usually does) ... that game may lose some luster.

[Fightingscot82]

Ashland might be the best opening in the entire Region. Recruiting area is good, stadium/facilities are really top notch for D2, and from what I recall they are fully funded as well right? I'd imagine they are going to get a ton of interest.

I haven't seen anything that says what their funding level is at. The only reason its discussed so much here is that nearly all PSAC members are state-owned so this info is public info and part of the conference culture. I know the privates HATE that this info gets out there.

Privates provide discounts up to 36 equivalencies and for whatever reason they tend to have trouble maximizing the dollar value vs the publics. It has been a while since a private has won a natty (1989) let alone played in the game (2013). In fact only two privates have ever won a D2 championship: Lehigh in 1977 (when FCS was D2) and Mississippi College in 1989.

[Ram040506]

There's a rumor circulating in the Twitter world that Ashland's Lee Owens may be retiring. He has a press conference scheduled for 1 p.m. today.

He's 66 so I'd say it's pretty unlikely he's taking another job. His Wikipedia page is actually already calling him the 'former' HC at Ashland.

Ashland might be the best opening in the entire Region. Recruiting area is good, stadium/facilities are really top notch for D2, and from what I recall they are fully funded as well right? I'd imagine they are going to get a ton of interest.

[IUPalum]

There's a rumor circulating in the Twitter world that Ashland's Lee Owens may be retiring. He has a press conference scheduled for 1 p.m. today.

He's 66 so I'd say it's pretty unlikely he's taking another job. His Wikipedia page is actually already calling him the 'former' HC at Ashland.

That could change the next 4 years in that IUP/Ashland series.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

There's a rumor circulating in the Twitter world that Ashland's Lee Owens may be retiring. He has a press conference scheduled for 1 p.m. today.

He's 66 so I'd say it's pretty unlikely he's taking another job. His Wikipedia page is actually already calling him the 'former' HC at Ashland.

[Ram040506]

Looks like the rain will be in Indiana from about midnight to 2 p.m. tomorrow. So, a good chunk of it shouldn't have rain.

It will be windy all day with 10-20 mph winds expected. In Miller, those speeds increase.

So, not quite as bad as we thought. Temperature will be a non-issue in the low 50s.

Should be a non issue I agree. Turnovers and sustaining drives will be the winning formula tomorrow, as it is almost always for evenly matched teams.