2025 Non-Conference Games

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Given the St. Francis action, I'm inclined to agree with you. It's possible there could be more lower-level D1 programs dropping to D2 or D3. I don't find either St. Vincent or Lackawanna to be especially compelling.

Neither is.

[RocknTheSnackBar]

That is correct. I know they applied. They have a lot of money and continue to improve. 25 years ago they were only a JUCO, and now they are transitioning to 4 year programs. built up many dorms over the last 5 years too. They would have to upgrade their facilites though, particulary football (which I know is what this board is based off). Basketbll/wresting would be fine. They do have a lot of money as they fly their football team around the country numerous times a year for games. Been to Utah, Georgia, and the midwest recently.

They play at Scranton High School which sounds cheap but it would be clearly the biggest stadium in the PSAC. They have done very well pitching themselves as a major D-1 feeder. Not sure they'd have same recruiting oomph in PSAC. Media coverage would improve for the league too

[Fightingscot82]

They play at Scranton High School which sounds cheap but it would be clearly the biggest stadium in the PSAC. They have done very well pitching themselves as a major D-1 feeder. Not sure they'd have same recruiting oomph in PSAC. Media coverage would improve for the league too

I get what you're saying but I disagree on most points. Bigger stadiums aren't needed. Fuller and livelier stadiums are needed. They're a D1 feeder because they're a JUCO. That status changes when they become an also-ran in the PSAC. JUCO's know they're a temporary placeholder for recruits and are trying to give them meaningful experience before they leave. 4-year school coaches aren't interested in borrowing someone for one year so they can bounce somewhere else. I also don't think it will do anything to improve media coverage. Scranton isn't that big of a media market. Sure, its one more market that gives our games a blurb that that's not going to push anyone over the edge to dedicate a writer to do anything more than with permission rephrase the SID story. The days of a Matt Burglund covering our programs are over. We're lucky we've got Cary Moyer doing what he does for fun.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

They play at Scranton High School which sounds cheap but it would be clearly the biggest stadium in the PSAC. They have done very well pitching themselves as a major D-1 feeder. Not sure they'd have same recruiting oomph in PSAC. Media coverage would improve for the league too

They were a major D1 feeder ... because they'd take all the guys the D1s couldn't get admitted. Which, of course, is common in the JUCO world.

One could have viewed them as a gateway to greener pastures in that instance. Now, however, they'll be just another D2 PSAC program. Those same big-time, high-risk guys won't be coming to Scranton.

There is a cool beet farm nearby.

[Bart]

Lackawanna College does supply players to the PSAC, so they could just stay at Lackawanna to play. The way players transfer, Lackawanna could still be someplace to send D1 players to get grades. They have kids from all over the country and have a reputation on the Jr. College national stage in bowl games, and already get their share of local tv coverage. I don't think they are academically a good fit for the conference.

[ctrabs74]

When the new team does arrive IUP should just schedule there 11th and non conference matchup with another PSAC East team and call it a day . Home and home. Makes no sense to schedule Ashland again after 2026 as they are no longer in Region 1. See what the next schedule grid looks like and cut a deal with one of the remaining 5 schools that are not crossovers.

But, Ashland is still an in-region opponent for IUP since Ashland is in the neighboring state of Ohio (unless that element of the D2 regionalization scheme has ended).

[EastStroud13]

They play at Scranton High School which sounds cheap but it would be clearly the biggest stadium in the PSAC.

Capacity means nothing if they don't fill it. Playing in a high school stadium at 10% capacity would be a very bad look.

[IUPNation]

Capacity means nothing if they don't fill it. Playing in a high school stadium at 10% capacity would be a very bad look.

You’d get a built in local rivalry.

[ctrabs74]

A few updates:

Clarion's non-conference schedule: 8/28 vs Wheeling; 9/4 at West Virginia Wesleyan
Gannon: 8/30 vs. Davenport, 9/6 at Saginaw Valley
Seton Hill: 8/28 vs. Fairmont, 9/4 at West Liberty

[Iupgh]

A+ for Clarion AD looking at 2-0 before crossovers….MEC dying for games as NC Penbrook gone.

[ESU Warrior]

A+ for Clarion AD looking at 2-0 before crossovers….MEC dying for games as NC Penbrook gone.

It would be nice if the MEC can grab another full time playing member.

[Fightingscot82]

Holding out hope for a quality OOC game for Edinboro. Glad they moved ESU to Week 0 to give greater flexibility.

[IUPNation]

Just waiting for the usual suspects to start bagging on IUP for not scheduling an 11th game.

[Fightingscot82]

Just waiting for the usual suspects to start bagging on IUP for not scheduling an 11th game.

I usually do but I won't. Week 0 or Week 1 is much easier to schedule than Week 6 - plus Week 0/1 is always a vacancy and nobody saw Hurst cutting and running.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Just waiting for the usual suspects to start bagging on IUP for not scheduling an 11th game.

If they were playing a tomato can in Week 1 (like so many others) I'd say schedule an 11th game. Being they are playing a real opponent (Ashland), I'd rather they leave it alone and take the bye week prior to SRU/Cal.

There could certainly be some positives of them lining up a Week 0 throw-away game. Work some kinks out prior to the 'real' opener. But, they'd have to find a peasant willing to play them.