Quite literally, it’s a new season for the IUP Crimson Hawks.
The first three games –– two blowout wins and one four-point loss –– mean nothing now. For the Crimson Hawks to reach their goals (the PSAC and Super Region One titles), all that matters now is the next seven games over eight weeks.
The first one comes Saturday, when IUP (2-1) visits Seton Hill (2-2) in its PSAC West opener.
That’s the reality of 2025, where a change by the NCAA has expanded the NCAA Division II playoffs and awarded each conference champion an automatic bid to the playoffs. That means that, unlike every year until now, each team has its destiny in its hands.
“We talk about it like a three-game exhibition season, and now it’s the regular season—conference games,” said IUP head coach Paul Tortorella. “It’s laid out so clearly now: if you win, you’re in. That wasn’t always the case.”
Before this season, there were no automatic bids, so even winning a conference championship didn’t guarantee a playoff spot.
It should be said that since the league reinstated the conference title game in 2008, every PSAC champion has made it to the playoffs, but it came via selection from a committee. And it also created a system where teams knew that there was only so much they could control about their season.
Now, it’s in each team’s hands.
“Winning the next game is the first step,” Tortorella said.
So, first things first. That means Seton Hill is the only thing Tortorella wants his Crimson Hawks focusing on, and the Griffins will present a lot to look at.
Seton Hill is 2-2. Had a couple bounces gone their way, or maybe not gone their way, the Griffins could be 4-0. Or 0-4. They have had two close games and two not-so-close games, and they have split them down the middle.
Seton Hill opened the season with a three-point loss in overtime to Fairmont State, and they beat Bloomsburg two weeks later when Huskies kicker K.J. Riley missed a 23-yard field goal in the game’s final minute. Both of those games were at home.
On the road, the Griffins beat West Liberty by 21 and got whacked by West Chester last week by 18.
“They’ve been in all four games and had a chance to win each,” Tortorella said.
That’s a bit of a contrast to where Tortorella’s Crimson Hawks have been. After falling to Ashland on opening night, IUP rebounded to hammer Lock Haven and Millersville by a combined score of 112-34.
But this week, the Seton Hill defense will likely put up more of a fight than IUP’s last two opponents did.
Once again, it will be the IUP offense against an unusual Seton Hill scheme.
Head coach (and then defensive coordinator) Kevin May received some national attention last summer thanks to a feature on ESPN.com spotlighting its innovative “Flex” defense. The unconventional approach sees multiple defenders remain upright until the snap, then swiftly transition into coverage or rush to stop the run. This dynamic tactic keeps opposing quarterbacks guessing, often disrupting offensive rhythm and execution.
It has had some successes and some failures. The Griffins rank eighth in scoring defense in the PSAC (26.8 ppg.) and second in total defense (260.0 ypg.) but allowed 58 points in the two losses.
IUP has given up only 47 points all year. The Crimson Hawks are scoring 40.3 points per game.
This will be an interesting chess match between IUP offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. and May, who became the head coach this summer when Daniel Day resigned.
If it turns out in IUP’s favor, that’s just the first of seven games to determine how well the season could turn out.
“If you keep winning, you’ve got a chance to win the league. You’ve got to win the West to get to the PSAC championship. Then try to get to the playoffs and win the region.”
