PREVIEW: IUP football travels to California (Pa.) for the 15th Annual Coal Bowl

INDIANA, Pa. — With three games left on their schedule, IUP travels to California (Pa.) to play in the 15th annual Coal Bowl this Saturday. Kickoff from Adamson Stadium is set for 12:00 p.m.

After two last minute losses and a rough first half last week, IUP is looking to carry over their dominant second half against Seton Hill into the Coal Bowl.

IUP (5-2, 2-2) managed to pull ahead of Seton Hill (2-5, 0-3) in the second half, ultimately winning 20-13 after their scoreless first half that saw them punt four times and quarterback Karst Hunter throw three interceptions. However, key adjustments made during halftime turned the tide, allowing IUP to shut out SHU 20-0 in the second half. The momentum shift began with a 35-yard touchdown pass to Cole Laney on the first play of the third quarter. Followed by two rushing touchdowns from Hunter and JD Younger. The defense also stepped up significantly, led by Garrett Cox, who recorded 16 tackles and two sacks for a total loss of 16-yards. Darius Bruce intercepted a pass and returned it for 57-yards with under two minutes on the clock, to seal the game.

Meanwhile, California (Pa.)(6-1, 4-0) is riding a six-game winning streak after a stunning 28-7 victory over No. 6 Slippery Rock. Cal U dominated possession for 40 minutes, denied Slippery Rock on all eight third-down attempts, racked up 405 total yards of offense, and limited Slippery Rock to just 10 rushing yards.

QUICK NOTES / STORY LINES

• This marks the 15th meeting between IUP and Cal U in the Coal Bowl series with the resumption of the game in 2021. The Vulcans lead the Coal Bowl series 9-5 and have a home advantage of 4-1 since 2013.

• California (Pa.) slips into the D2 top 25 poll at 24, after upsetting undefeated No.6 Slippery Rock 28-7 last Saturday.

• Cal U remains undefeated in conference contests and since losing their first game, the Vulcans have been on a six game winning streak.

• IUP’s last shutout victory came against Clarion on September 28, a 31-0 blowout at Miller Stadium. Tortorella has had six shutouts during his time at IUP, each time scoring 30+ points.

• IUP’s defense is ranked second in the league, surrendering just 271.1 yards/game. 

•So far during the 2024 season QB Karst Hunter has thrown for 1,082-yards, nine touchdowns, and an average 61.7% passing rate. He has rushed for 319-yards and four touchdowns, through six games.

• California (Pa.) offense combines for 413.4 yards/game, ranking first in the PSAC.

•  Since Tortorella took over the program in 2017, IUP has performed slightly better on the road (29-6) than at home (30-12). The Crimson Hawks dropped multiple road games last season (3-2) for just the first time since 2016 (5-2).

• Both teams have put up impressive numbers this season, IUP is averaging 26.7 points a game while limiting their opponents to 16.3 (third in PSAC). Cal U is second in the conference with scoring 31.4 points a game, while limiting opponents to 19 points.

• Linebacker Garrett Cox is ranked 13th nationally with 70 total tackles and is averaging 10 per game.

• Gerald Comedy, Chad Layton, Cyair Clark and Hilton Ridley are all former All-PSAC honorees on offense.

• On the defensive side of the ball, three-time all- league selection Darius Bruce is part of a talented secondary alongside former All-PSAC selections Kalen Frazier and Jaheim Howard. 

NOTEBOOK

TORTORELLA THIRD IN IUP HISTORY IN WINS

IUP head coach Paul Tortorella was named the PSAC West Coach of the Year for 2022, a reflection on the overall strength of the program under his leadership. Coaching his 70th career game in the 2023 season finale against Bloomsburg and now in his eighth season, Tortorella is 59-18 (.766) overall with a 34-12 mark against PSAC West opponents. His 54 wins at the completion of the 2023 campaign surpassed Curt Cignetti (53) for third place. In his 62nd game on Sept. 16, 2023, against Shippensburg, Tortorella became the second fastest coach to reach 50 wins in IUP history, behind Frank Cignetti (59 games). He reached 30 wins faster than any other IUP coach (35 games), and has three NCAA playoff berths (2017, 2019, 2022), two PSAC West titles, two PSAC Championships and a regional title.

IUP AND CAL U BATTLE IN 15TH ANNUAL COAL BOWL

With a hiatus in 2020, the Cowl Bowl is back for its 15th edition on Saturday.The Vulcans lead the Coal Bowl series 9-5 and have a home advantage of 4-1 since 2013. 

The background and genesis of the Coal Bowl began in 2009 when California alumnus Bob Lippencott (class of 1966) and his brother Barry, a 1967 graduate of IUP, established football scholarships to their respective universities. As part of their initiatives, the families have donated a “Coal Pail” trophy that is presented to the winner of the rivalry between the two PSAC member institutions. Following the game, the winning team will receive the Lippencott Brothers Coal Miner’s Pail Trophy, which will be presented by the Lippencott brothers, to the winning university president and football coach. Additionally, the Lippencott brothers will also present a trophy to the Most Valuable Player.

IUP OFFENSE PREDICATED ON “SPLASH PLAYS” 

IUP has posted 47 total “splash plays” throughout the season, which is listed as a pass of 20+ yards or a run of 10+ yards.

OFFENSE SEEMS TO HIT ITS STRIDE IN THE SECOND HALF

With some new faces across multiple areas of the offense, IUP seems to improve as the game progresses. The Crimson Hawks have scored 93 points over the second half of games this season, compared to just 84 in the first half.

DEFENSE HAS FOUND CONSISTENCY  

Returning only half of the starters on the defensive side of the ball in 2024, the Crimson Hawks have not hesitated to make plays. Both Charles Ingram and redshirt freshman Ian Amegatcher recorded interceptions during week three against Millersville. Darius Bruce concealed a game-winning interception last weekend against Seton Hill with under two minutes to play. The Hawks allow an average of 271.1 yards and 16.3 points per game so far this season. Defense is coming up big with 10 sacks for 67 yards lost in just the first three games. During the first matchup at Ashland, the Hawks held them to negative one total rushing yards. The Hawks recovered a punt at the 11 yard line, marking a huge stop for the defense, allowing Adam Houser to score. Transfer Garrett Cox leads the team with 70 total tackles and is ranked 13th nationally in total tackles averaging 10 per game.

IUP IS NO STRANGER TO CLOSE GAMES

IUP has seen its fair share of one-score games, dating back to the 2021 season. Since the start of 2021, IUP is 10-7 in one-score games. IUP was 4-1 in one-score games two seasons ago, and now 2-2 since the beginning of the 2024 campaign. The opening two matchups of the 2023 season (ASH/ESU) were decided by a combined margin of eight points, while the Hawks fell by one score in three of their five setbacks in 2023.

VETERAN HAWKS TO LEAD IUP OFFENSIVE ATTACK

IUP will rely on its veteran line and signal caller to lead the offense. The Crimson Hawks ranked fifth in the league in scoring offense (26.3) and second in rushing (178.2) last season. IUP is boosted by the return of its starting QB for the first time since 2018 in Karst Hunter (7,225 Pass Yards, 58 TD, 28 Int; 1,363 Rush Yds, 24 Rush TD). The South Dakota native ranks sixth for second among D2 active career leaders in total TDs responsible for (81). All-PSAC honorees Chad Layton (center) and Gerald Comedy (right guard) anchor the offensive line unit that returns four of five starters. Wide receiver Hilton Ridley (115 Rec, 1,651 Yds, 17 TD), a 6-foot-3 redshirt-senior has hauled in 15 touchdown receptions over the past two seasons. Ridley had a breakout performance at Seton Hill with a career-high 11 catches for 131-yards last fall. Redshirt senior Adam Houser (278 ATT, 1,279 Yds, 12 Rush TDs) and senior all-league transfer Kaleb Monaco (2,362 Rush Yards, 399 Rec Yds, 14 Total TD) will carry the bulk of the load in the ground game.

SECONDARY SET TO PLAY PRIMARY ROLE

The IUP secondary features a pair of returning All-PSAC honorees in Darius Bruce and Jaheim Howard with the duo lined up for their fourth season starting together. Two-year starter Kalen Frazier also returns as the team’s top cornerback. The experienced trio will lead a Crimson Hawks unit that ranked second in the PSAC and 33rd nationally in scoring defense last season, allowing 19.7 points per game. IUP has kept the opponent scoring average under 20 points per game in back-to-back seasons. The Crimson Hawks allowed 11 passing touchdowns, the fewest since giving up nine in 2018, with only three of those surrendered inside the red zone last season. Key contributor Chuck Ingram has shifted to linebacker after appearing in all 40 games over the past three seasons. Redshirt junior Isaiah Towler (28 career games) and redshirt freshman Ian Amegatcher have stepped into starting roles, along with key contributions from Noah Johnston.

KEY TRANSFERS ADDED ON DEFENSE THROUGH THE PORTAL

Despite a huge void left in the linebacker room from losing leading tackler Drew DiNunzio-Bliss and fellow senior Jay Holmes, IUP has added experience by bringing in Millersville transfers Garrett Cox and Randy Okungu, along with Notre Dame College transfer Nathan Rosario-Santos. Cox, who is a two-time first-team All-PSAC performer, led the league in tackles (114) last year. He is a former high school teammate of Kalen Frazier. Okungu recorded 5.5 sacks for the Marauders last season. Rosario-Santos (67 tackles) is expected to become a heavy contributor after ramping up from preseason injury.

CRIMSON HAWKS ARE 26-1 SINCE 2011 WHEN THE DEFENSE SCORES A TOUCHDOWN

IUP had one defensive touchdown in 2023 – coming on a 21-yard scoop and score by LB Jay Holmes  against Shippensburg on September 16. The single defensive TD that season mirrors the team’s output 2021, 2018 and 2014. In every other year since 2011 the Crimson Hawks have had multiple defensive scores, including 4 in 2017, 5 in 2016, and 6 in 2015. In 2022, IUP had a pair of defensive scores, including a blocked punt in the postseason against Ashland’s first team offense along with a pick-six at Shippensburg.

CRIMSON HAWKS IN THE NFL

Highlighting two former Crimson Hawks who have made the jump to the NFL are current New York Jets wide receiver, Irvin Charles and Denver Broncos linebacker, Dondrea Tillman. Irvin Charles was signed to the Jets practice squad on August 31, 2022. On October 7, 2023, Charles was elevated to the active roster as a special team ace. Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season, Irvin Charles blocked a punt against the Titans, putting the Jets in excellent field position changing the momentum of the game. Dondrea Tillman was signed to the Broncos practice squad and has played snaps in weeks 3-6. Recording two sacks and three tackles in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and two tackles the following week against the New York Jets. Tillman was also nominated for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week for his defensive performance Week 3.

COMEDY AND TORTORELLA NOMINEES FOR AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM

IUP football offensive lineman Gerald Comedy and head coach Paul Tortorella are among the nominees for the 2024 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team. Established in 1992, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football athletes for their unwavering commitment to community service and their “good works” off the field. Comedy has been a key leader in IUP football’s community service throughout his accomplished career, actively involved socially and within the town of Indiana. Comedy and his teammates primary community service initiative was helping to beautify and clean up the woods at an area near campus last spring. He has joined the football program to assist with move-in, reading at various elementary schools in Indiana County and volunteering as an assistant football coach as his schedule permits. Tortorella is the only NCAA DII head coach and one of just 11 head football coaches in the country recognized as a Good Works Team nominee. The IUP head coach spearheads all community service initiatives within the program, which recently included a stop at the Indiana Regional Medical Center (IRMC) Healthy Kids’ Camp in late June 2024.

A WINNING TRADITION

IUP has a long winning tradition with its football program, recording 609 total victories since 1927. IUP has 20 NCAA DII Playoff appearances, the most in the PSAC and fourth most all-time. Additionally, IUP is eighth in NCAA DII history with 23 playoff victories.

Up Next

IUP stays on the road traveling to Erie, Pa. to matchup against Gannon Saturday, November 2. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m.

Follow

For coverage of the IUP football program, follow the Crimson Hawks on Twitter and Instagram @IUPfootball and online at IUPathletics.com.