IUP’s postseason hopes remain on solid ground, but head football coach Paul Tortorella insists the focus is squarely on the next opponent—not the NCAA Division II regional rankings.
With the NCAA Division II Super Region One rankings released Monday, IUP finds itself inside the Top 10, a position that keeps the Crimson Hawks in the playoff conversation. But Tortorella isn’t interested in looking at possible matchups or opponents.
“All that really matters is what happens from here on,” he said. “It’s not even worth looking at. If you win out, everything’s there in front of you.”
IUP is one of 10 schools in the region to be listed in the rankings. The NCAA does not list them 1 through 10 until later in the year, and the top 8 go to the NCAA Division II playoffs at the conclusion of the regular season.
At 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the PSAC West, IUP rebounded from a tough loss to Slippery Rock on October 18 with a gritty 38-30 win over California last Saturday, keeping its division and conference title hopes alive.
“It was a good rebound,” Tortorella said. “Back-to-back games against Slippery Rock and Cal are always tough. We do it every year, but it’s not easy.”
The message to his team after the Rock loss was simple: “Get up off the canvas,” Tortorella said.
He didn’t mince words about the defeat, calling it “our own doing” due to penalties and missed opportunities.
“You’d like to win them both,” he said, “but all that mattered was rebounding.”
Now, the Crimson Hawks turn their attention to Gannon (1-7), a team Tortorella says is better than its record suggests.
“They beat Slippery Rock,” he said of their 38-35 win on October 4. “They’ve had a lot of close losses. There’s no easy game in the West. It’s the cliché, and I say it a lot, but just worry about the next game. If it’s ever true to say that it’s this year.”
IN A RUSH: One reason IUP remains in the hunt is the consistent play of its defensive front, led by sophomore defensive end Logan Goodwin. With six sacks and 32 total tackles, Goodwin ranks fourth on the team in stops—a rare feat for a lineman.
“If you’re a defensive end and you’re fourth in tackles, you’re running all over the place,” Tortorella said.
So, what makes Goodwin so good?
“His body,” Tortorella said, of the 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge rusher. “He’s got great length. He’s got quickness you don’t expect. He covers a lot of ground. He’s smart. He’s consistent. He doesn’t really have a bad game. To be fourth on the team in tackles as a (defensive end), you’ve got to play pretty good every Saturday. He’s a really good player.
PROPS FOR THE PUNTER: Special teams have also played a pivotal role, particularly punter Aiden Spitler.
Averaging nearly 41 yards per punt on 21 attempts, Spitler has delivered in key moments.
“He’s been great,” Tortorella said. “He’s come through for us in a lot of situations. Against Slippery Rock, he had a big punt in the second half. Last week, he put one out of bounds at the 14-yard line. He set it up on a tee for us.”
MR. DO-IT-ALL: Another unsung hero is Parker Gregg, a fullback who practices most of the week with the defense at linebacker, although he is yet but has yet to appear in a game on that side of the ball. Still, his versatility has been invaluable.
“He’s really good on special teams,” Tortorella said. “When we use him on offense, he does a good job. He’s money on short yardage.”
Gregg has also contributed as a pass catcher and blocker.
“He’s good out of the backfield, good in pass protection. He’s what we need over there when we use him.”
With injuries to backup linebackers Roderick Jeter and Stanley Lozius, Gregg has been pressed into duty at middle linebacker, behind starter Tai’Don Strickland.
NOTES: After seven games, IUP is still without a 100-yard rusher this season. The closest anyone has come is Leon Parson’s 68-yard effort against Edinboro. IUP has had at least one 100-yard rusher every season since at least 1977. Individual stats prior to 1977 are not available. … The Crimson Hawks are averaging just 64.9 rushing yards per game. If that holds up, it will be by far the fewest by an IUP team since at least 1980. That dubious honor currently belongs to the 1982 IUP team, which averaged 106.5 yards per game on the ground in head coach George Chaump’s first season. …Conversely, the IUP offense is averaging 322.9 passing yards per game, which is on pace to set the school record, currently held by the 2019 Crimson Hawks, who averaged 300.8 yards per game through the air, behind quarterback Quinton Maxwell.
