The Portal, 2025 Style

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I understand why the HC said enough is enough. I assume he told Stewart that there wouldn’t be any more chances after his prior court cases and you can’t back down from something like that because other “talented but troubled” players will take it as a sign they can walk all over you.

I just have to laugh because when this news broke some people were acting like Stewart had led the cops on a three county chase or gotten into a brawl with the trooper. In the grand scheme of the legal system his offenses were minor enough that they could be papered over with cash fines. If he hadn’t allegedly taken off he might have been able to get through it with something like traffic court and a three game suspension depending on how lenient the judge and HC were feeling.

If he hadn't allegedly taken off ... this would have never even been a story. It would have been, well, handled.

[TheBigCat2192]

Correct. That's my point. What's alleged (initial charges) didn't hold up. I don't know why they didn't. I don't care why they didn't.

'Charged' isn't 'guilty'.

His 'alleged' door incident (first incident) amounted to less than a slap on the wrist (legally). Granted, he was still part of the program then. And, well, charges tend to eventually go away in those circumstances in towns like Indiana. He was suspended (1) game. Time served.

I understand why the HC said enough is enough. I assume he told Stewart that there wouldn’t be any more chances after his prior court cases and you can’t back down from something like that because other “talented but troubled” players will take it as a sign they can walk all over you.

I just have to laugh because when this news broke some people were acting like Stewart had led the cops on a three county chase or gotten into a brawl with the trooper. In the grand scheme of the legal system his offenses were minor enough that they could be papered over with cash fines. If he hadn’t allegedly taken off he might have been able to get through it with something like traffic court and a three game suspension depending on how lenient the judge and HC were feeling.

[Fightingscot82]

I can honestly say I couldn't disagree with this comment more. The program is as clean as it has been in 40 years. There are next to no arrests. The academics are pretty strong. The team does a lot in the community.

You wouldn't believe how many stud transfers they couldn't get admitted over the past 5 years. The bow-tie wouldn't sign off on them. IUP eventually played 'against' most of them.

This program has had a game management problem. It's had an X's and O's problem. It's had a MAJOR problem keeping players healthy. Off-the-field stuff (with one exception) hasn't been the issue at all.

Yes and some of the high cost impact players haven't been exceptional. Good to very good but not really making the difference to get over the SRU and/or Cal hump.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I think Tort has had a lot of players running amuck in the program. There's a lack of accountability and control. There's been off the field issues. I don't know the root of those problems or why they exist, but I would argue that Tort probably is where he is because he has taken risks where he shouldn't have on particular characters.

Perhaps young men of higher character will be more trustworthy and reliable in terms of being available when the games start.

They can do what they want, and that's fine. But I am not going to go to the mat for somebody who has already had a slew of off field concerns within the program already.

I can honestly say I couldn't disagree with this comment more. The program is as clean as it has been in 40 years. There are next to no arrests. The academics are pretty strong. The team does a lot in the community.

You wouldn't believe how many stud transfers they couldn't get admitted over the past 5 years. The bow-tie wouldn't sign off on them. IUP eventually played 'against' most of them.

This program has had a game management problem. It's had an X's and O's problem. It's had a MAJOR problem keeping players healthy. Off-the-field stuff (with one exception) hasn't been the issue at all.

[Fightingscot82]

Its not the last incident as much as it is the multiple incidents.

Incident #1: March 2022 - DUI from combination of alcohol/drugs, hit a car during the DUI. Got first time offender deal: 10 days alcohol treatment, 6 months probation, safe driving classes, etc.

Incident #2: October 2022 - Felony criminal trespass, misdemeanor resisting arrest and criminal mischief, and citation for disorderly conduct. Got a plea deal for citations for criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Incident #3: August 2024 - Misdemeanor fleeing or eluding, driving with suspended license, traffic offenses. Pled down to citations for disorderly conduct and driving on a suspended license.

Stewart is super talented and it appears that his grades should have been acceptable, but the market for above average running backs is strong with the current rules. Stewart's got that good ol' boy IUP football booster for his attorney, so that helps.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

He fled the scene of a routine traffic stop. How does the cop exaggerate that?

Cops lie? Never.

Happens all the time. That could be why the charges were dropped.

Whatever the case, that big to-do amounted in two minor items.

[IUP24]

Nobody seemed to mind signing Max Redfield, who had a much, much worse past than Dayjure. Max was a banner citizen in Indiana. He grew up and changed - but, he certainly came here with a checkered history.

Frank built an empire on guys with rap sheets. We didn't mind back then.

All I can promise you is if Dayjure would put up 225 yards on Slippery Rock this October, not a soul on here would care about his relationship with apartment doors.

I'd further add, most of his serious charges were dropped or severely lessened.

If he truly changed -- and Tort trusted the fact he truly changed -- why not. They desperately need a game-breaker. He needs a home. He sat out a full season. He did his time.

Would he be a risk for Tort? Absolutely.

But, maybe Tort needs to take some risks. The program isn't exactly cooking right now.

I have a hunch Dayjure is going to land in the PSAC in the next month or so. I'd rather play with him than against him.

I think Tort has had a lot of players running amuck in the program. There's a lack of accountability and control. There's been off the field issues. I don't know the root of those problems or why they exist, but I would argue that Tort probably is where he is because he has taken risks where he shouldn't have on particular characters.

Perhaps young men of higher character will be more trustworthy and reliable in terms of being available when the games start.

They can do what they want, and that's fine. But I am not going to go to the mat for somebody who has already had a slew of off field concerns within the program already.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Someone posted a link to his initial court docket last year. He was pulled over for a mix of improper tint (frequently a ticky-tack charge imo) and lane control violation and then allegedly fled the scene on foot after the trooper ran his suspended license. Nothing in the initial report was a higher grade than a summary offense except for fleeing. I followed the old link and it looks like when it was all said and done he probably got hit with two summary offenses; one for disorderly conduct and one for driving on a suspended license. So either the state pled him down on the fleeing charge or the trooper was exaggerating. I don’t see any sign of DUI and the link doesn’t show what ultimately got decided in traffic court for the suspended license.

Correct. That's my point. What's alleged (initial charges) didn't hold up. I don't know why they didn't. I don't care why they didn't.

'Charged' isn't 'guilty'.

His 'alleged' door incident (first incident) amounted to less than a slap on the wrist (legally). Granted, he was still part of the program then. And, well, charges tend to eventually go away in those circumstances in towns like Indiana. He was suspended (1) game. Time served.

[IUP24]

I am not with you on several points here. Redfield's case was a lot different. He got caught up in a bad situation. He paid his dues (big time). Plus, it was only a single occurrence.

Let me qualify this before I type it. After Stewart's first problem, I was one of the posters (maybe the only one) who said he deserved a second chance because I believe in second chances and I remember him in a post-game interview after he ran for over 250 yards against ESU (this was some kind of an IUP record). He seemed to be humble and well-spoken. So, I had a positive impression.

But Redfield was an exceptional person both on and off the field. Redfield was accepted to Notre Dame. Stewart had to go the JC route. Both were good, but Redfield was probably in the top 5 players to ever play for IUP. There were schools all over the country willing to pick Redfield up. Remember, he said he picked IUP because they had a Philosophy major and the Critical Languages program because he was studying Chinese.

As far as whether people minded the criminal histories of players, I think they did. That is why Cig's tenure ended and they brought in Tepper.

I think Stewart's untimely departure was a major reason for IUP's underperformance last year. It was right before the season started. Tort could not recover from that.

I don't want to re-litigate Stewart's problems. I don't think that's necessary or right. But both of the incidents included what could be considered a loss of control, so I don't think there is a guarantee that it doesn't happen again. There is also an aspect of lack of respect and cooperation with other people, so that is probably something to consider.

That is all just my assessment, though. If they want to bring him back, it's their business and their decision. I think they will be able to sign someone after the Spring to help out in the backfield.

I tend to agree with that statement I bolded specifically. College football, now more than ever, is a workplace. If your boss can't trust you to do the job, you'll be out of one quickly. And being available to do said job is at least half the battle. If you can't be trusted to be available, whether that is legally, health, etc., then the boss probably won't want you around.

[IUP24]

Someone posted a link to his initial court docket last year. He was pulled over for a mix of improper tint (frequently a ticky-tack charge imo) and lane control violation and then allegedly fled the scene on foot after the trooper ran his suspended license. Nothing in the initial report was a higher grade than a summary offense except for fleeing. I followed the old link and it looks like when it was all said and done he probably got hit with two summary offenses; one for disorderly conduct and one for driving on a suspended license. So either the state pled him down on the fleeing charge or the trooper was exaggerating. I don’t see any sign of DUI and the link doesn’t show what ultimately got decided in traffic court for the suspended license.

I must have been thinking of somebody else regarding a DUI. But that story checks out. I just couldn't remember the details.

[iupgroundhog]

Someone posted a link to his initial court docket last year. He was pulled over for a mix of improper tint (frequently a ticky-tack charge imo) and lane control violation and then allegedly fled the scene on foot after the trooper ran his suspended license. Nothing in the initial report was a higher grade than a summary offense except for fleeing. I followed the old link and it looks like when it was all said and done he probably got hit with two summary offenses; one for disorderly conduct and one for driving on a suspended license. So either the state pled him down on the fleeing charge or the trooper was exaggerating. I don’t see any sign of DUI and the link doesn’t show what ultimately got decided in traffic court for the suspended license.

He fled the scene of a routine traffic stop. How does the cop exaggerate that?

[TheBigCat2192]

Been so long and there were a long list of issues with that group.

Was it a DUI and he fled the scene? Or was it a suspended license? I can't remember.

Someone posted a link to his initial court docket last year. He was pulled over for a mix of improper tint (frequently a ticky-tack charge imo) and lane control violation and then allegedly fled the scene on foot after the trooper ran his suspended license. Nothing in the initial report was a higher grade than a summary offense except for fleeing. I followed the old link and it looks like when it was all said and done he probably got hit with two summary offenses; one for disorderly conduct and one for driving on a suspended license. So either the state pled him down on the fleeing charge or the trooper was exaggerating. I don’t see any sign of DUI and the link doesn’t show what ultimately got decided in traffic court for the suspended license.

[iupgroundhog]

Nobody seemed to mind signing Max Redfield, who had a much, much worse past than Dayjure. Max was a banner citizen in Indiana. He grew up and changed - but, he certainly came here with a checkered history.

Frank built an empire on guys with rap sheets. We didn't mind back then.

All I can promise you is if Dayjure would put up 225 yards on Slippery Rock this October, not a soul on here would care about his relationship with apartment doors.

I'd further add, most of his serious charges were dropped or severely lessened.

If he truly changed -- and Tort trusted the fact he truly changed -- why not. They desperately need a game-breaker. He needs a home. He sat out a full season. He did his time.

Would he be a risk for Tort? Absolutely.

But, maybe Tort needs to take some risks. The program isn't exactly cooking right now.
, and I remember an interview with him after he ran for a record 250+ yards against ESU and he seem
I have a hunch Dayjure is going to land in the PSAC in the next month or so. I'd rather play with him than against him.

I am not with you on several points here. Redfield's case was a lot different. He got caught up in a bad situation. He paid his dues (big time). Plus, it was only a single occurrence.

Let me qualify this before I type it. After Stewart's first problem, I was one of the posters (maybe the only one) who said he deserved a second chance because I believe in second chances and I remember him in a post-game interview after he ran for over 250 yards against ESU (this was some kind of an IUP record). He seemed to be humble and well-spoken. So, I had a positive impression.

But Redfield was an exceptional person both on and off the field. Redfield was accepted to Notre Dame. Stewart had to go the JC route. Both were good, but Redfield was probably in the top 5 players to ever play for IUP. There were schools all over the country willing to pick Redfield up. Remember, he said he picked IUP because they had a Philosophy major and the Critical Languages program because he was studying Chinese.

As far as whether people minded the criminal histories of players, I think they did. That is why Cig's tenure ended and they brought in Tepper.

I think Stewart's untimely departure was a major reason for IUP's underperformance last year. It was right before the season started. Tort could not recover from that.

I don't want to re-litigate Stewart's problems. I don't think that's necessary or right. But both of the incidents included what could be considered a loss of control, so I don't think there is a guarantee that it doesn't happen again. There is also an aspect of lack of respect and cooperation with other people, so that is probably something to consider.

That is all just my assessment, though. If they want to bring him back, it's their business and their decision. I think they will be able to sign someone after the Spring to help out in the backfield.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

He's a victim?

Nobody seemed to mind signing Max Redfield, who had a much, much worse past than Dayjure. Max was a banner citizen in Indiana. He grew up and changed - but, he certainly came here with a checkered history.

Frank built an empire on guys with rap sheets. We didn't mind back then.

All I can promise you is if Dayjure would put up 225 yards on Slippery Rock this October, not a soul on here would care about his relationship with apartment doors.

I'd further add, most of his serious charges were dropped or severely lessened.

If he truly changed -- and Tort trusted the fact he truly changed -- why not. They desperately need a game-breaker. He needs a home. He sat out a full season. He did his time.

Would he be a risk for Tort? Absolutely.

But, maybe Tort needs to take some risks. The program isn't exactly cooking right now.

I have a hunch Dayjure is going to land in the PSAC in the next month or so. I'd rather play with him than against him.

[iupgroundhog]

Former IUP star RB Dayjure Stewart is still looking for a home.

Must admit I'm fairly shocked. He had his issues. But, legally speaking, nothing crazy.

Many, many less talented guys with much more severe baggage get signed.

He's a victim?