The Portal, 2025 Style

[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.

[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.

[IUP24]

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.

I'm genuinely curious as to who these guys are and who they played for. Who are they?

Were they not admitted due to grades, legal issues, or both?

We aren't seeing a lot of stud drop downs anymore at this level. So the ones who "show out" down here are few and far between.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I don’t know anything about his academics but there’s a reason he’s not signed somewhere. We only know what made the police blotter. He had a second chance and messed it up. When there’s that much noise around a guy it’s a strong indication there’s more to the story than what we know. I’m disappointed that IUP isn’t the powerhouse it once was, but I’m pretty happy we’re not reading or hearing about trouble from players at the pace we used to.

Just think ... the worst cover-up in IUP Athletics history didn't even involve the football team.

[EyeoftheHawk]

Just think ... the worst cover-up in IUP Athletics history didn't even involve the football team.

LOL, I’m not sure how good of a cover up it was when so many people know about it. The best cover ups never see the light of day. I saw one first hand back when I was in school there that never got out. That one involved baseball.

I’m all for 2nd chances, but not 3rd, 4th, etc. Kids make mistakes, no doubt about that. Even really good kids have a lapse in judgement. Then there are some that just can’t seem to help themselves and constantly have noise around them. Those ones need to go. Let’s also not forget the recent IUP coach that really messed up. No need to dig up the dead but I’m glad when those things get cleaned up and not swept under the rug.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

LOL, I’m not sure how good of a cover up it was when so many people know about it. The best cover ups never see the light of day. I saw one first hand back when I was in school there that never got out. That one involved baseball.

I’m all for 2nd chances, but not 3rd, 4th, etc. Kids make mistakes, no doubt about that. Even really good kids have a lapse in judgement. Then there are some that just can’t seem to help themselves and constantly have noise around them. Those ones need to go. Let’s also not forget the recent IUP coach that really messed up. No need to dig up the dead but I’m glad when those things get cleaned up and not swept under the rug.

Ironic being it was the Holy program.

To your point, it was the worst-kept secret in Indiana. However, it was kept quiet until well after that season ended.

[Bart]

Ironic being it was the Holy program.

To your point, it was the worst-kept secret in Indiana. However, it was kept quiet until well after that season ended.

Everyone knew. I forget, what happened anyway?

[iupgroundhog]

Everyone knew. I forget, what happened anyway?

Yeah, which program, what year, which coach?

[IUPalum]

You guys are all missing the point. I'm not sure Stewart was dismissed from IUP because of just his alleged police involved incidents. Stewart was already working out in fall camp when he was dismissed. What happened in fall camp that put Tort over the edge and booted him. Obviously, if Stewart was working out, he wasn't getting the boot. Something happened in camp that I'm sure we'll never know. Zero chance Stewart returns.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

You guys are all missing the point. I'm not sure Stewart was dismissed from IUP because of just his alleged police involved incidents. Stewart was already working out in fall camp when he was dismissed. What happened in fall camp that put Tort over the edge and booted him. Obviously, if Stewart was working out, he wasn't getting the boot. Something happened in camp that I'm sure we'll never know. Zero chance Stewart returns.

His last legal incident happened during fall camp.

[WarriorVoice]

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.

3 strikes anybody?? Jeez!

[EyeoftheHawk]

Nico Marchitelli, IUP backup QB has entered the portal. The biggest surprise about that is an IUP player entering the portal. Otherwise it makes sense if the kid wants to start somewhere. Nobody should have been surprised when IUP went out and found a new starting QB though, including Nico. The downside is IUP loses an experienced backup, but the Gazette article says IUP will be looking to the portal for another one as the other two QB’s on the roster haven’t taken a college snap.

I wish him well, but I never saw Nico as a full time starter at this level. Maybe he could be if given all the first team reps each week but the coaching staff saw him every day for two years and still felt the need to go out and get Rueve.

[Fightingscot82]

Nico Marchitelli, IUP backup QB has entered the portal. The biggest surprise about that is an IUP player entering the portal. Otherwise it makes sense if the kid wants to start somewhere. Nobody should have been surprised when IUP went out and found a new starting QB though, including Nico. The downside is IUP loses an experienced backup, but the Gazette article says IUP will be looking to the portal for another one as the other two QB’s on the roster haven’t taken a college snap.

I wish him well, but I never saw Nico as a full time starter at this level. Maybe he could be if given all the first team reps each week but the coaching staff saw him every day for two years and still felt the need to go out and get Rueve.

I think being backup QB is one of the hardest positions in football. Teams rarely use the backup like they used to decades ago - similar to how a baseball team uses a closer. Anymore they only get time when QB1 is injured. Basically you play in practice then quietly hope that something happens that gives you a chance.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Nico Marchitelli, IUP backup QB has entered the portal. The biggest surprise about that is an IUP player entering the portal. Otherwise it makes sense if the kid wants to start somewhere. Nobody should have been surprised when IUP went out and found a new starting QB though, including Nico. The downside is IUP loses an experienced backup, but the Gazette article says IUP will be looking to the portal for another one as the other two QB’s on the roster haven’t taken a college snap.

I wish him well, but I never saw Nico as a full time starter at this level. Maybe he could be if given all the first team reps each week but the coaching staff saw him every day for two years and still felt the need to go out and get Rueve.

Inevitable.

Nico does have some starts under his belt. Hopefully he finds a good home. He'd have been a great luxury for IUP but it's fully understandable.

[iupgroundhog]

Nico Marchitelli, IUP backup QB has entered the portal. The biggest surprise about that is an IUP player entering the portal. Otherwise it makes sense if the kid wants to start somewhere. Nobody should have been surprised when IUP went out and found a new starting QB though, including Nico. The downside is IUP loses an experienced backup, but the Gazette article says IUP will be looking to the portal for another one as the other two QB’s on the roster haven’t taken a college snap.

I wish him well, but I never saw Nico as a full time starter at this level. Maybe he could be if given all the first team reps each week but the coaching staff saw him every day for two years and still felt the need to go out and get Rueve.

It was inevitable. In my opinion, he would have been better off football-wise if he had transferred prior to this year. I thought he was better than Hunter, all around. I think they had a commitment (over-commitment?) to Hunter because he was "the guy they went out and got." I don't believe they thoroughly vetted Hunter because only when he was on-board they found out that he wasn't a deep passer. Then you had his decision-making, which is something you can't perfectly judge ahead of time.

I guess I'm happy they went out and got Rueve but I still don't like all of this player shuffling. I guess, in that regard, I'm an old traditionalist.

As an IUP fan, I am eager to see what Rueve and the receiver corps can do and, at the same time, I hope Nico does well. Unfortunately, I think he stood on the sideline and held the proverbial clipboard a year too long. His options are probably not as great as they would have been had he seen the writing on the wall earlier.

I'm conflicted, I guess. I want IUP to win and win big. So, in the current environment, the reality is that they have to go out and get the best QB they can. However, I still have a longing for the days when a guy would come in to the system, pay his dues, and eventually be the starter. So now, even the highly-touted young QB's they have don't have a future at IUP and they feel the need to go pick up a more experienced back up? I am not sure that is the best philosophy to follow with the QB position.

Meanwhile, of course I'm hoping Rueve has a huge season in '25. Go IUP!