THE IUP Football Thread

[IUPbigINDIANS]

ya there's no doubt Clarion is a very different team. In years past when they have been this banged up the would go down to SRU and lose 75-0. This team was in a position where it was anyone's game halfway through the 4th qtr. As many good things are there are to say about Jase, it would have been really interesting to see how that game played out if Guercio were healthy. ultimately the difference in that game was a redzone pick late in the 4th that would have completely changed the dynamic of the game, and then a pick 6 late that made the score look a little lopsided. Guercio is a 5th year senior that's seen a lot...that experience matters in these types of games, to your point.

As far as Saturday goes, Clarion can make this interesting if they can do 3 things. They need to be able to run the ball and be at least a little effective, they don't need to dominate on the ground but they need to be able to supplement the pass game. they need to be able to give Jase/Guercio a little bit of time to throw, they don't need all day but they need a clean pocket for 2-3 seconds to be able to make the read and get the ball out. they have WR's that we can win all over the place, just need to be able to get the ball out. Defensively, they need to be able to knock the QB off his spot. They don't have to get a bunch of sacks but they need to make him move his feet a bit and disrupt timing. If they can do that, it will be a ball game but you have an O line that is missing both of their big boy upperclassman tackles and has folks out of position across the board facing the best D line that they have seen to this point. Defensively a D line group that's going to be missing some pass rushers as well which isn't going to help.

the Larry Wilson thing is puzzling to me. I've heard the IUP folks consistently throw shade at his play calling and predictability but i've watched him this season be anything but. He's the biggest reason they are in the position they are in. By and large his play calling has been phenomenal and his game planning has been off the charts. This comes out in the confidence of his QB's, they know exactly how they want to attack a defense. It's been really fun to watch and I think the reason you will see them continue to elevate in the next year or two. Also doesn't hurt that he's an excellent recruiter.

The past is the past but his offense at IUP was extremely vanilla. In fairness, perhaps he didn't actually have full authority over it. I don't know.

He had two years of Karst Hunter. They wanted him to be a traditional drop-back passer but that wasn't his game. He was best as a playmaker ... running, throwing on the run, etc. So, it was a strange two years, offensively. The one thing Larry did that drove IUP fans crazy was run up the middle with his smaller (more speedster type) RBs. Over and over. They weren't built for that Jerome Bettis stuff. They were more outside types.

The offense was so predictable -- especially last year -- that I could (not joking) call the play correctly before the snap at about a 75% clip. And, I'm a nobody. So, actual football people were probably calling it correctly 95% of the time. Granted, they still had to stop it.

Larry's offense this year doesn't even remotely resemble the cut-n-dry offense he ran at IUP. Polar opposites. He's a good guy. I'm glad to see him doing well.

[EyeoftheHawk]

The last time I heard that story ... the local kids name was Randy McKavish.

That didn't work out too well, either.

You mentioned the 'if he stays' ... that will be the big question.

Regarding Ferguson, I remember you preaching for IUP to recruit him last year at this time.

The 'more' local guys I think IUP missed were those big boys from West Shamokin. Names slip me but I think they are brothers ... one is at Edinboro and the other at SRU.

The Swartz brothers, Bo and Lou. Bo is a redshirt junior and the dual threat QB at Boro and is good enough to be the starter. Lou is a redshirt freshman but already the starting tight end at Slippery Rock. Great kids with tremendous work ethic. Lou was maybe the strongest kid I’ve ever seen in this area when he was at West Shamokin. He’s an absolute beast.

[EyeoftheHawk]

the Larry Wilson thing is puzzling to me. I've heard the IUP folks consistently throw shade at his play calling and predictability but i've watched him this season be anything but. He's the biggest reason they are in the position they are in. By and large his play calling has been phenomenal and his game planning has been off the charts. This comes out in the confidence of his QB's, they know exactly how they want to attack a defense. It's been really fun to watch and I think the reason you will see them continue to elevate in the next year or two. Also doesn't hurt that he's an excellent recruiter.

I wasn’t a Wilson fan as OC while he was here. Doesn’t mean he’s not a good coach and none of us know what he was free to do or not do while he was here. Or, maybe it just wasn’t a great fit for him here. Hard to say, but glad to hear it’s working out for him there and that it has been a fit so far.

Coaching any position group and especially being a coordinator is hard but offensive coordinator may be the hardest. We’re all good at calling plays from the stands after the ones that were called failed of course.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

The Swartz brothers, Bo and Lou. Bo is a redshirt junior and the dual threat QB at Boro and is good enough to be the starter. Lou is a redshirt freshman but already the starting tight end at Slippery Rock. Great kids with tremendous work ethic. Lou was maybe the strongest kid I’ve ever seen in this area when he was at West Shamokin. He’s an absolute beast.

Ironic. The school inside the boundaries of the Heritage Conference rarely recruits from it.

Yet, the rest of the PSAC West does.

We've seen this year after year in women's basketball. In particular, Seton Hill and UPJ have found some really talented players.

I get it ... you can't sign everybody. But, we've seen some locals leave town and have really good careers (playing against IUP).

[IUPNation]

Ironic. The school inside the boundaries of the Heritage Conference rarely recruits from it.

Yet, the rest of the PSAC West does.

We've seen this year after year in women's basketball. In particular, Seton Hill and UPJ have found some really talented players.

I get it ... you can't sign everybody. But, we've seen some locals leave town and have really good careers (playing against IUP).

My thought is they stay home and then duck in front of everyone they know..might be better to go away and have done breathing space.

I wish IUP would recruit heavier in SEPA. They need to go after who Kutztown recruits…

[IUPNation]

Classic trap game. I just hope they aren't already mentally in Kutztown.

Clarion is a heck of a lot better than most realize. IUP also hammered them last year which I'm sure left a sour taste.

I fully suspect this is going to be a battle.

They need to be told beating Clarion gets them in the playoffs and Kutztown determines what seed they get. They probably won’t win in Kutztown so focus on Clarion. This game is bigger.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

They need to be told beating Clarion gets them in the playoffs and Kutztown determines what seed they get. They probably won’t win in Kutztown so focus on Clarion. This game is bigger.

They are ready to go. That doesn't guarantee they win but the vibe I'm getting is they are pretty locked in on tomorrow. I think they had their wake-up / recovery game last week (the week after SRU/Cal is usually a rough one). The hangover kinks got worked out.

I fully expect Clarion to come out pretty juiced up. It's their Senior Day (they have a big class). And, frankly, everybody gets juiced up to play IUP. There's something about that helmet that brings the best out of other teams.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Rueve 355 yards and (6) TDs


He had (2) picks. The first was on the WR. The second was a foot out of the end zone and an atrocious call.


The defense played pretty well from about the final 5-6 minutes of the half on.

The first quarter and a half ... yikes.

Lot of film review coming tomorrow.

Regardless, massive road win.

[iupgroundhog]

Rueve 355 yards and (6) TDs


He had (2) picks. The first was on the WR. The second was a foot out of the end zone and an atrocious call.


The defense played pretty well from about the final 5-6 minutes of the half on.

The first quarter and a half ... yikes.

Lot of film review coming tomorrow.

Regardless, massive road win.

Guercio was really good, especially in the first half.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Guercio was really good, especially in the first half.

I have to re-watch it tonight. They gave up a couple fluke big plays ... play broke down and he can make some magic happen. They were blitzing like crazy early and he was escaping every time. Once they backed off a bit the game changed.

[iupgroundhog]

I have to re-watch it tonight. They gave up a couple fluke big plays ... play broke down and he can make some magic happen. They were blitzing like crazy early and he was escaping every time. Once they backed off a bit the game changed.

IUP did eventually come up with 4 sacks. Guercio is quick. When he's under pressure he doesn't run around a lot, he just darts through holes.

[iupgroundhog]

BTW, Ashland lost to undefeated Findlay.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

IUP did eventually come up with 4 sacks. Guercio is quick. When he's under pressure he doesn't run around a lot, he just darts through holes.

Clarion certainly played well.

When Tort decided to punt at the end I thought here we go again.

When they went up 10 it should have been over. Turning around and giving up that huge kickoff return brought the whole stadium back to life.

This program certainly loves theatrical endings.

[Tdobson]

That was an exciting game. I’m glad that IUP pulled it out.

What time will IUP vs. kutztown game be played?

[IUPNation]

That was an exciting game. I’m glad that IUP pulled it out.

What time will IUP vs. kutztown game be played?

Noon.

I wish I could go but I have to work and I’m covering a vacation so I’m stuck. I certainly didn’t expect we’d actually be playing in The State Game.