The PSAC held its media day yesterday, coinciding with the release of the preseason coaches’ poll, and IUP is picked to finish first in the West. The Crimson Hawks received five of the eight first-place votes by the Western Division coaches. Slippery Rock is second with three first-place votes. The rest of the West features Cal at number three, followed by Edinboro, Clarion, Seton Hill, Lock Haven, and Gannon.
IUP coach Paul Tortorella begins his ninth season with a career head coaching record of 68-23 and a playoff record of 3-4. He’s been at IUP as a defensive coordinator and head coach since 1995. New offensive coordinator Marco Pecora played for IUP in his college career and arrives from St. Francis, where he coached under former IUP All-American Chris Villareal.
IUP returns seven starters on offense and five on defense. Pecora will have a lot of quarterbacks to sort through, led by Ohio State transfer Mason Maggs, with the returning Zac Hahn and Zayd Etheridge, and newcomers Roman Blanks and Ryan Messina.
Tortorella says his team is a blend of youth and experience.
Tortorella sees a lot of potential with the Crimson Hawks’ offense, if they can put it all together.
Training camp opens next week and the first game is a Thursday night affair September 3rd at Ashland.
