SPORTS

Sports Editor: Jeff Hart – J.R.Hart2@iup.edu

(The Penn Archives)

The crimson hawks look to kickoff their 2020 season with a bang and win it all with a national title.

IUP student predictions for 2020 football season

AUSTIN SMITH

Staff Writer A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

He could go all the way. Sixty-three yards to the house are the words we heard for Justice Evans (senior, business management) about two years ago at Frank Cignetti Field. By now, I am sure we would be hearing plenty more of that and the cannon booming off after each Crimson Hawk touchdown and or score. All hawk nation can do now is predict and speculate what is next for their squad this season.

So, what do people expect from the Crimson Hawks in the next upcoming season? They finished at a 10-2 overall record going 5-1 at home and 5-1 on the road last season: staying consistent while putting a gruesome 44.2 points per game against their opponents.

To gather insight about the IUP football team, a few IUP students were interviewed to see what they had to say about how they think the team will perform next season.

This squad has potential to grab the PSAC West Title in the upcoming season which is not out of the question. The Hawks finished at a 10-2 record last season and played strong defensively, allowing just 17.2 points to their opponents.

Both offense and defense are needed to win games. Last season,Nazir Streater (senior, management) was making big plays in the secondary. Streater was a huge reason why IUP led in points allowed per game last season in the PSAC. He had six interceptions, tied for 16th in the country, and 48 tackles. He lead for interceptions on the team and 48 tackles put him in second on the squad. If Streater can put these numbers up again for the Hawks, the team will be closer to a PSAC West Title victory.

Offense is vital to have success in football and coaching is the start to that for sure. Quarterbacks are the ignition to the fire for the offense and with Quinton Maxwell having graduated, where does that leave the Crimson Hawks?

Trevor Cratty (senior, communications media) shared his concerns on the QB situation.

“I think this year’s football team is capable to live up to last year’s 10-2 record,” said Cratty. “With losing their number one and two QBs, it’s going to be interesting to see if the offense will be affected by the change or not.”

Cratty makes a very valid point here considering the numbers (Teddy Jeanette/The Penn)

Maxwell put up as a transfer from Ohio University. He was one of the biggest reasons why the Hawks were able to boast to a 10-2 record last season.

Maxwell threw for 34 touchdowns last season and had a 172.2 efficiency rating that put a spark in this offense. He was the anchor for this offense and example of how good his leadership was on the field. The hawks now have to play even harder without him to have another stellar season.

IUP was expected to have a QB battle over the spring. Javon Davis (redshirt sophomore, math education and accounting) and Akron University transfer Alex Ramart (redshirt sophomore, kinesiology health and sport science) were battling to be QB1 during the season.

With a veteran backfield consisting of Justice Evans (senior, business management) and Malik Anderson (redshirt senior, kinesiology health and sports science) the running attack will be alive and well. In combination with Head Coach Paul Tortorella manning the helm, I think this team can be just as successful.

Joseph Docal (junior, finance) is hopeful for this squad this season.

“I think the Hawks will have around the same record as last year,” said Docal.

“If they had an excellent record last year, they can most definitely do it again. I have confidence,” said Dwayne Bryant (junior, kinesiology health and sports science)

(Case Marshall/The Penn)

Outside of White Township Recreation Complex where the IUP Hockey teams looks to put it all together for a championship run.

IUP hockey looks to repeat championship run

JAKE TAYLOR

Staff Writer J.M.Taylor8@iup.edu @JakeTaylor8726

Alexa, play, “The Boys Are Back in Town” by Thin Lizzy. The boys are back and buzzing. The IUP Men’s Ice Hockey team is preparing to repeat as College Hockey Mid-America (CHMA) champions. Despite losing the team’s top two scorers the boys have their sight set on another championship run.

Last year, this squad was unstoppable and made a run towards a title. Like other sports, their season was unconventionally ended by COVID-19, but they are ready and hungry for another run.

Head Coach Joe Honzo is confident in his group and stated, “We return the core of our team, our goaltending and defense remain very strong and we also expect some of our forwards to take a step forward next year, we will be a physical hard to play against team.”

This is the feeling throughout the locker room. The team knows what it takes to be successful and works daily to sit atop the division for a third straight year.

Coach Honzo clarifies what separates IUP’s Hockey Program from the rest of the division, “We like to think of our team as a family with a culture of winning, we expect to contend every year, winning is contagious our kids have worked hard the past two years securing the regular season championship two years ago and winning the CHMA title last year.”

Not only is this team experienced, they are accomplished. Captain Gavin Cummings (senior, sports administration) has been to the dance before and leads the ragtag group of players who are just as close off the ice as they are on.

Cummings reflects on the long break, “At this point were just ready to play hockey and compete, we feel like our nationals trip was taken from us so we’re looking to repeat and actually get to experience the full trip from flying, to playing, and just being around your teammates in an environment you’re all experiencing for the first time.”

The men are closer than just teammates and Cummings emphasizes the importance of the seniors they lost.

“Last year's seniors were a key group to our success last year but they will mostly be missed in the locker room and off the ice, they were all such great people that brought a lot of positivity to our team.”

It is clear this is what makes a championship caliber team. The roster is loaded with talent from top to bottom but what's talent without teamwork? Kyle Harris (junior, athletic training) another big contributor to this team’s success, speaks on the team's recipe for success.

“I think what sets IUP apart from previous teams I’ve been on is the comradery and how tightly knit our team is. There is no better feeling than knowing no matter what you have 30 guys who have your back.”

The team still has aspects to improve on. When alternate captain, Harris, was asked about what the team needs to fix he said “I think the most important aspect the team needs to improve on is keeping our game simple and not try to do too much. We are a hardworking team which plays a very fast game and once we try to get fancy, we get away from our playing style.”

Harris put last year's run-in perspective and reflected on his growth as a player.

“Last year’s run really helped my game as a player and as a leader. Coming in as the third seed, we weren’t expected to win but we all rose to another level come playoffs and seeing your teammates push themselves to achieve a goal is a great feeling as a leader of the team. It taught me to go into every game with the same mindset because anything can happen.”

Coach Honzo also spoke about their run last year and the team being unable to compete for the natty.

“We are highly motivated after last year’s national tournament being cancelled, We were extremely disappointed we were not able to travel to Dallas, Our players are hungry to get another shot at nationals, They have worked hard over the off season.”

IUP Men’s Ice Hockey team is a force to be reckoned with. Hawks are going to be back to back champions this year.

Sports

UFC fights on, pinning the best against another

Stipe Miocic getting his hand raised after defending his title at UFC 252 on Aug. 15. (CGTN)

BRAD O’HARA top of the heavyweight division is Sports Writer stacked with power and potential. B.L.Ohara@iup.edu Alistair Overeem has won four of @ThePennIUP his last five and continues to put

Since the UFC restarted on himself in position for a final title May 9, we have seen four payrun. per-views, eleven fight nights and Jairzinho Rozenstruik is a rising three UFC on ESPN cards. In that star in the division with only one time, rankings have shifted, new loss in his professional career from contenders have emerged, old Ngannou. Curtis Blaydes has an contenders showed why they are almost identical story with his only still in line for a title and champitwo losses in his seventeen-fight ons showed why they are still at career coming from Ngannou. the top. Lastly, former light heavyweight

The UFC was the first major champion and No. 1 pound-forsports organization to get back pound fighter in the UFC, Jon in action following the COVID-19 Jones, announced his move to the shutdown and they have yet to heavyweight division. The heavyslow down. Fight cards are being weight division is riddled with pumped out almost weekly with possible champions and will only main contenders and champions get more entertaining as the year headlining all of them. continues.

One of the most intriguing diMultiple champions have also visions solidified their spots at the top of since the division. the Seven title restart fights have has taken place been since the the return. heavyHenry weight Cejudo divi(commonswikimedia.org) solidified his sion. spot as one The title scene has been interestof the best of all time with another ing for the past couple years as title defense. He deemed the fight Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier as his last as he relinquished the have passed the belt back and title and retired from fighting all forth in their first two bouts. together.

The rubber match finally came at The vacated title fight took UFC 252. After their first two fights place two months later with Petr ended by knockout, both fighters Yan looking dominant with a came in prepared and cautious knockout victory over Jose Aldo. drawing out their final fight to a Amanda Nunes, Kamaru Usunanimous decision in Miocic’s man and Alexander Volkanovski favor. Following the match, Cormretained their respective titles and ier officially retired from fighting showed why they are on top. ending his eight-year UFC career Looking ahead, the fight night and leaving an opening for the on Sept. 19 is sure to please. next challenger for the title. The main event features Colby

However, these top two are Covington taking on rival and top not the only heavyweights that contender, Tyron Woodley. Both have showed they belong. Francis fighters have exchanged their Ngannou has looked like one of fair share of blows on the microthe most dominant fighters this phones, at the press conference year. Ngannou is riding a four-fight and the same will be expected in win streak, with all four ending by their fight. knockout in the first round. Three “Colby’s got a good pace and of those four wins came within the he can keep it up,” said Jesse first minute of the fight. Brown (graduate student, student

“Ngannou has the type of powaffairs in higher education). “Tyron er and conditioning that makes needs a good hit but that’s just not him too dominant to be beat,” reliable enough. Either way, I think said IUP student, Caitlyn McMaster it’ll be a good fight.” (senior, religious studies) “I see We will also see the returns of him quickly getting the title and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and not letting it up for a very long Johnny Walker as they both try time.” and get back in the win column.

Yet, Miocic and Ngannou do not The entire card will be one that make a division on their own. The you do not want to miss.