Gameday Central / Complete Game Notes (PDF) / PSAC Notes

THE MATCHUP
In what is now a battle between two “500-win” teams, IUP will take on West Chester for just the 18th time Saturday when they look to reach seven wins for the first time since 2008.

The Crimson Hawks have locked up a winning record in conference play for the first time in three years, while the Golden Rams look to avoid finishing under .500 for the 2nd consecutive season.

THE HEAD COACHES
IUP head coach Curt Cignetti (West Virginia '82) begins his first season at the helm of the Crimson Hawks as he looks to bring the program back to national prominence.

The oldest son of legendary IUP head coach Frank Cignetti (1986-2005), he brings with him a wealth of Division I experience, serving as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator from 2007-10 under Nick Saban at Alabama. He's also served as the recruiting coordinator at NC State and has spent time at Temple, Rice and Davidson.

Bill Zwaan (Delaware '79) has won three PSAC Eastern Division Titles in his nine seasons as the West Chester head coach. Zwaan signed on as the Golden Rams head coach in 2003 after serving as the head football coach and Athletic Director at Widener for six seasons.

Zwaan was a two-time MAC Coach of the Year while at Widener, and was the PSAC East Coach of the Year in 2004. As a player, Zwaan played quarterback at the University of Delaware, where he led the Blue Hens to the 1974 Division II National Championship game.

THE SERIES
The Crimson Hawks lead the all-time series with West Chester 11-6, including a 27-10 victory over the Golden Rams a season ago. IUP defeated West Chester 45-35 in the NCAA Regional Playoffs in 2007, and  the Golden Rams last win over IUP was at home in 2005.

LAST TIME OUT
IUP jumped out to a lead on the first play from scrimmage and never looked back as the Crimson Hawks rolled to a 56-6 road win over Lock Haven on Saturday. So. QB Pat Smith (Hollidaysburg/Hollidaysburg)'s 69-yard touchdown pass to So. WR Pat Brewer (Coatesville/Coatesville) on IUP's first offensive play was just one of several big plays for the Crimson Hawks.

Smith finished with 241 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while Brewer caught 5 passes for 204 yards, all in the first half. So. RB James Johnson (Philadelphia/Glen Mills) was equally as impressive, pounding in a career-high 4 rushing touchdowns. Johnson finished with 97 yards on just 6 carries.

On defense, it was the IUP secondary that shined brightest Saturday, intercepting the Lock Haven quarterbacks 5 times. Sr. SS Andre Henderson (Erie/Strong Vincent) came away with 2 picks in the game, while So. CB Marvens Toussaint (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Port Charlotte) took an interception back for a touchdown to open the third quarter.

YOU ALL KNOW JACK
The radio voice of the Crimson Hawks for 42 years, Jack Benedict will reach another milestone when he calls his 450th game Saturday. The IUP football team has compiled 322 wins since Benedict began as the radio play-by-play announcer in 1969.

THE “500-WIN” CLUB
IUP became just the 17th program in Division II history to win 500 games Sunday, which ties them with Northwest Missouri State for 16th place on the D-II all-time wins list. The Crimson Hawks join West Chester as the only schools in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference that have reached the 500-win plateau.

CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Jr. RB Harvie Tuck (Akron, OH/St. Vincent-St. Mary) only played in the first half and rushed for 31 yards on 9 carries against Lock Haven but did have a rushing touchdown. Tuck inched closer to breaking into the top five of the IUP all-time rushing yardage chart, and is now just 18 yards away from passing James Suber for 5th place. Michael Mann (1990-93) is IUP's all-time leading rusher with 4,805 career yards.

PAT'S PASSING GAME
Smith was the definition of efficiency Saturday, completing 7-9 pass attempts for 241 and 2 scores in just three quarters. Smith hooked up with Brewer on 69-yard strike in the first quarter and So. WR Terrill Barnes (Gettysburg/Gettysburg) for 31 yards and a score in the third.

A STAR IS BREWING
So. WR Pat Brewer (Coatesville/Coatesville) has established himself as a legitimate deep threat receiver after a breakout performance Saturday. Brewer hauled in 5 catches for 204 yards and a 69-yard touchdown that came on the Crimson Hawks first play from scrimmage. He leads IUP in receptions and averages 26.9 yards per grab this season.

BRING THE “D”
IUP leads the PSAC and is 3rd in Division II in scoring defense this season, allowing just 14.3 points per game. The Crimson Hawks have been excellent run stoppers this year, and are 3rd in the conference in rush defense, allowing just 114.3 yards per game.

AIR DEFENSE
The IUP secondary came away with a season-high 5 interceptions against Lock Haven, including a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown by So. CB Marvens Toussaint (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Port Charlotte) to open the third quarter. Sr. SS Andre Henderson (Erie/Strong Vincent) had two picks on Saturday, while So. CB Jerrell McFadden and So. DB Mike Meriweather also had interceptions.

HOLDING THE LINE
The IUP offensive line has helped lead the Crimson Hawks to the 6th best rushing offense in the PSAC, averaging 181.1 yards per game this year. The Crimson Hawks have worn out opposing defenses this season, dominanting time-of-possession in nearly every game. IUP ranks 4th in the PSAC in that category, holding the ball for 31:23 per game.