THE IUP Football Thread

[Ram040506]

I think you said it without really saying it here. IUP collectively just isn’t that good. They have some talented individual players, but as a group they have issues on offense and defense. You’ll see a ton of guys end up on the PSAC first team in a few weeks and we’ll all be asking why the team wasn’t better, lost the State Game, etc. Sound familiar?

I recognize this is a harsh assessment but sometimes the truth is uncomfortable. It’s a very good program that will always have a winning season and occasionally make the playoffs and maybe the State Game one out of every three to five years. The bigger fear for the fan base should be whether or not IUP is closer to taking a step further back than they are a step closer to regional relevance. I think we’re going to find out over the next two weeks.

Shepherd is the big dog, not just in the PSAC, but the region. IUP has a chance to pull alongside them, but I expect the Rams to win the State Game and the region again this year.

Lol let the sand bagging begin…

[EyeoftheHawk]

Luckily, it hasn't hurt their recruiting all that much.

That’s the astonishing part. I give Tort super high marks for being able to bring in some of the talent he has despite the facilities.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Well, they did throw to Cole Laney three times Saturday -- and all three were dropped. The last one, he got blasted. But, the first two hit his hands and he dropped both. At one point I thought Grant Smith was going to be a big-time player in the passing game. That never happened. He's become essentially just a blocking TE.

They are predictable. It's driven other teams crazy that they pretty much know what's coming and still can't stop it. That's a luxury Mak Sexton, Duane Brown and Hilton Ridley have afforded IUP. Like I said earlier, IUP's defense got shredded Saturday but so did Gannon's.

I completely agree regarding the use of Qashah Carter. He should be drastically more involved in the offense -- i.e. Allen Wright role from a couple years ago. He has to get the ball in space to be effective. When his only involvement is a jet sweep and he gets crushed by some big DL (and then has to leave the game) ... I mean, how many weeks do we have to see the same thing with his use? He should be a dynamic tool to go along with Brown and Ridley. They both draw so much attention he should be the small burner that gets lost in the shuffle on the field. It just hasn't happened.

As discussed yesterday a bit, the running game is just non-existent. They tend to call a huge percentage directly up the middle. Jerome Bettis isn't carrying the ball. These are all 185-pound (if even) backs. If the goal is just to get two yards a carry on what seems 95 percent of the attempts ... well, it's working.

As for Dayjure Stewart, he does strike fear in to opponents. He's powerful and also has break-away speed. The two games he's missed, IUP nearly lost at East Stroudsburg and then did lose at Gannon. Probably not a coincidence. One week off the team was probably adequate punishment.

But, again here, a long rant about the offense. They did score 36 points Saturday. They weren't the problem. The defense blew chunks. Somebody else mentioned they held SRU to 12 points. Yeah, they did. It was also in a windy, cold monsoon. Play that game again on a dry field. You may not want to see what happens.

People are saying the offense is predictable. OCs have to be licking their chops looking at the defense. It gets masked much of the season due to so many easy games against undermanned opponents. Could anybody on here -- honestly -- say they'd want to see IUP play Shepherd or SRU on a dry field? The thought of it is giving me nightmares.

There's a ton of talented players on the defensive side. But, collectively, that unit looked lost up in Erie. I mean, 2 a.m. on a dark, stormy highway lost. I think we have two defensive coordinators now. You know what they say about having two QBs.

I think you said it without really saying it here. IUP collectively just isn’t that good. They have some talented individual players, but as a group they have issues on offense and defense. You’ll see a ton of guys end up on the PSAC first team in a few weeks and we’ll all be asking why the team wasn’t better, lost the State Game, etc. Sound familiar?

I recognize this is a harsh assessment but sometimes the truth is uncomfortable. It’s a very good program that will always have a winning season and occasionally make the playoffs and maybe the State Game one out of every three to five years. The bigger fear for the fan base should be whether or not IUP is closer to taking a step further back than they are a step closer to regional relevance. I think we’re going to find out over the next two weeks.

Shepherd is the big dog, not just in the PSAC, but the region. IUP has a chance to pull alongside them, but I expect the Rams to win the State Game and the region again this year.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

What's the word on Dayjure Stewart? I know he returned to practice after being suspended the previous week/game. Is he starting tomorrow?

[CUlater]

I'll play along.

Here's what Clarion would have to do tomorrow to win:

* Score (at least) 42 points or more.
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has scored 24 (Gannon), 14 (California) and, most recently, 0 (SRU).
- That's an average of 12.66 ppg against teams similar to IUP. That's not going to cut it.

* Stop IUP's offense on a warm day
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has given up 47 (Gannon), 59 (California) and, most recently, 31 (SRU).
- That's an average of 45.66 points given up per game against teams similar to IUP.
- Clarion also somehow gave up 42 and 47 points to those offensive juggernauts Bloomsburg and Edinboro

* Crush the time of possession. Keep Sexton, Brown, et al., off the field.
- IUP's defense got embarrassed a week ago. They'll likely be out for blood tomorrow.

* Start fast and never let up. Clarion's offense isn't designed to win shootouts or make comebacks. If IUP jumps out early, it's probably over.

Thats a very accurate and logical breakdown. Agreed on all points, which is why I think this one will be over by halftime. you talked me out of CU covering, so thank you lol

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I’m honestly concerned about this matchup. Let’s be honest, the big game for Clarion is IUP. They could be 0-10 and if the last game is against IUP, they’ll look like a 10-0 team. For Clarion, playing IUP is like waking up on Christmas, having it be their birthday, and also the Super Bowl - it’s the one and only game they circle on the calendar every year. I think the offense will be fine, but I am VERY concerned about this IUP defense. I’m thinking it will be a lot closer than most on this board will think.

They could be fairly interesting in the years to come. This offense they are running, 'The Fly', is pretty unique. It's a lot for teams to digest in a couple practices. It was also probably a lot for their own players to digest entering the season. I think Clarion did get better as the season went along. You could tell when the injury bug landed because the quality depth just isn't there.

They'll come out swinging tomorrow. IUP just needs to be Ivan Drago and let them play Apollo Creed.

[IUsuallyPonder]

I'll play along.

Here's what Clarion would have to do tomorrow to win:

* Score (at least) 42 points or more.
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has scored 24 (Gannon), 14 (California) and, most recently, 0 (SRU).
- That's an average of 12.66 ppg against teams similar to IUP. That's not going to cut it.

* Stop IUP's offense on a warm day
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has given up 47 (Gannon), 59 (California) and, most recently, 31 (SRU).
- That's an average of 45.66 points given up per game against teams similar to IUP.
- Clarion also somehow gave up 42 and 47 points to those offensive juggernauts Bloomsburg and Edinboro

* Crush the time of possession. Keep Sexton, Brown, et al., off the field.
- IUP's defense got embarrassed a week ago. They'll likely be out for blood tomorrow.

* Start fast and never let up. Clarion's offense isn't designed to win shootouts or make comebacks. If IUP jumps out early, it's probably over.

I’m honestly concerned about this matchup. Let’s be honest, the big game for Clarion is IUP. They could be 0-10 and if the last game is against IUP, they’ll look like a 10-0 team. For Clarion, playing IUP is like waking up on Christmas, having it be their birthday, and also the Super Bowl - it’s the one and only game they circle on the calendar every year. I think the offense will be fine, but I am VERY concerned about this IUP defense. I’m thinking it will be a lot closer than most on this board will think.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

No offense to either of you, but the same could have been said last year before the Edinboro game.

I'll play along.

Here's what Clarion would have to do tomorrow to win:

* Score (at least) 42 points or more.
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has scored 24 (Gannon), 14 (California) and, most recently, 0 (SRU).
- That's an average of 12.66 ppg against teams similar to IUP. That's not going to cut it.

* Stop IUP's offense on a warm day
- Against good teams this year, Clarion has given up 47 (Gannon), 59 (California) and, most recently, 31 (SRU).
- That's an average of 45.66 points given up per game against teams similar to IUP.
- Clarion also somehow gave up 42 and 47 points to those offensive juggernauts Bloomsburg and Edinboro

* Crush the time of possession. Keep Sexton, Brown, et al., off the field.
- IUP's defense got embarrassed a week ago. They'll likely be out for blood tomorrow.

* Start fast and never let up. Clarion's offense isn't designed to win shootouts or make comebacks. If IUP jumps out early, it's probably over.

[IUPalum]

No offense to either of you, but the same could have been said last year before the Edinboro game.

IUP already lost their trap game. Good luck to Clarion b/c this team should be salivating.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Sure is going to be an incredible weather to watch the Golden Eagles end your season.

Odds aren't too good for the Eddie Dogs.

[Fightingscot82]

That's funny!

No offense to either of you, but the same could have been said last year before the Edinboro game.

[IUPalum]

Sure is going to be an incredible weather to watch the Golden Eagles end your season.

That's funny!

[CUlater]

75 and sunny expected for kickoff on Saturday in Indiana ... incredible

Sure is going to be an incredible weather to watch the Golden Eagles end your season.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

75 and sunny expected for kickoff on Saturday in Indiana ... incredible

[IUPNation]

Blah blah. You've trashed Miller Stadium on this very message board...

No....not really. I've said what can be improved but people on here make it out to be worse than it really is...because there isn't one stadium in the Pee Sack that wows anyone outside of the view at Bloomsburg. I've been to Walk On U, and Millersville as my most recent visits and neither one makes IUP fans jealous. Everyone has old facilities.

The Cig has a new visitor side with new rest rooms.

It got a video board about 5-6 years ago.

The turf and track is newish....it has been a few years since it was installed but it wasn't a long time ago.

The fencing around the track is fairly new.

What it needs is a new home side with a new press box and the prison fencing around the outside perimeter that has been there forever needs to go. It could use a nicer entrance with a new ticket office....and maybe some nice landscaping on the ends of the stadium. The home side is now 60 years old. It's served it's purpose, they need to fund raise to tear it down and rebuild it.