Edinboro, Pa. -- The Edinboro football team will play host to visiting IUP Saturday afternoon in PSAC West play at Sox Harrison Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon.

Last Week
The Fighting Scots bring a 3-3 overall record and 1-2 mark in the PSAC West into today's contest after a 35-17 loss to Gannon a week ago. The Crimson Hawks moved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the PSAC West after a 22-21 victory over California (Pa.) last week.

The Scots couldn't overcome four turnovers in the setback to Gannon last Saturday. Clay Cunningham continued his stellar work on defense making 11 tackles including 3.0 tackles for loss. Allen Stritzinger, Malcolm Johnson and Wilfredo Diaz each added 10 stops for the Scots. Karamago Sylla led the Edinboro offense rushing for 72 yards on 17 carries and scored a 13-yard touchdown. Thaddeus Standfield made five catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.

The Crimson Hawks erased a 21-10 fourth quarter deficit with touchdowns from Isaiah Houser and Dayjur Stewart to defeat Cal 22-21. Hilton Ridley hauled in eight passes for 161 yards to lead the Crimson Hawks.

The Series
IUP Leads 62-24-2
Last Edinboro Win: Oct. 30, 2021, 21-17
Last IUP  Win: Nov. 9, 2019, 35-6
Largest Margin of Victory Edinboro: Sept. 23, 1989, 37-0
Largest Margin of Victory IUP: Oct. 5, 1968, 58-0

Stop Sign
Clay Cunningham has led as strong Edinboro defensive effort. He currently tops the PSAC and ranks third in Division II with 11.7 tackles per game. He ranks in the top 30 at 28th in D-II with 1.6 tackles for loss per contest. 

Pass Defense
The Fighting Scot defense leads the conference in passing defense holding opponents to 140.7 yards per game the 12th best mark in the country.

Turnovers
Edinboro's defense has also  been effective taking the ball away from other teams. The Scots have forced 13 turnovers ranking third in the PSAC and 23rd in the nation.

Behind the Line
The Edinboro defense has been disruptive in the opponent's backfield. Their average of 7.3 tackles for loss per game is the ninthth best mark in the PSAC. Clay Cunningham leads the team with 9.5 stops for a loss while Malcolm Johnson checks in with 8.0 tackles for loss. 

Honor Roll
Freshman defensive lineman JR Tellington made good on his first career start making 11 tackles and returning an interception for a touchdown and earning PSAC West Defensive Player of the Week honors after Edinboro defeated Mercyhurst 16-13 last week.

Reed Martin has been named the PSAC West Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season after Scot victories over Franklin Pierce and Bloomsburg. Martin is currently atop the PSAC in punting averaging 42.0 yards per punt ranking 15th in D-II.

Hidden Yards
The Edinboro coverage team is holding opponents to less than five yards per return. The result is the 13th best net punting margin in the nation at 39.9 yards per punt.

The special teams unit has also been strong on kickoff coverage. The 12.9 yards per kickoff return is the sixth best mark in the country. 

Stand(field) and Deliver
After no receiver went over 100 yards in the 2019 season, Thaddeus Standfield crossed the 100-yard threshold for the second time this season going for 129 on 12 catches against Mercyhurst. Standfield averages 6.7 catches per game third in the PSAC and 19th in D-II. He has also had success as a kick returner ranking 23rd in the nation in all-purpose yards with 137.8 yards per game.

Close Calls
After going 2-4 in games decided by one score a season ago, Edinboro has been on the other end of the results this season. The Scots are currently 3-0 in games decided by one score in 2022.

Possession
The Scots have controlled possession through five games. They rank ninth in the country and second in the PSAC with an average time of possession of 33:33 per contest. 

Scouting the Crimson Hawks
IUP is led by Mak Sexton with 1332 yards passing and 12 touchdowns. Duane Brown is his top target catching 39 passes for 604 yards and six scores. Hilton Ridley adds 25 catches for 413 yards and four touchdowns. Dayjure Stewart adds 533 yards on the ground with four rushing scores.

Defensively Drew DiNunzio-Biss has 40 tackles, 25 solo, to lead the way. Connor Kelly adds 20 solo stops and 18 assisted tackles making 6.5 tackles for loss including a pair of sacks. 

Jake Nulph Show