Why IUP Is Ranked #1

This past weekend we stopped by IUP to watch them play Wester Virginia, a game the Crimson Hawks won 52-3.

For various reasons (it was cold and wet, I had a three-hour drive after the game) I didn't write a detailed game report, so instead I thought I would approach this a little differently and tell you why IUP is ranked #1 among D2 teams right now.

Confidence Tempered with Humility

The night before IUP held an alumni dinner and inducted their first Hall of Fame class in a lovely event. The current players were in attendance and were very appreciate of what the former players (the program is 52 years old) had done. But what struck me was when it came time to award the players their championship rings for winning the 2023 CRC. They all came up, smiled and put on the rings and were very happy to get them, but you didn't get that arrogance vibe. The sense was more — this is nice, this is great, but we're not going to get carried away with thing. There's more to do.

Talent

It's quite possible that RJ Beach is the best D2 player in the country. If he's not, then he's in the top five. A powerfully-built scrumhalf who has played several other positions, and makes an impact wherever he is, he also has a brain and a work ethic. Yes, he's that good. But he's not alone. Despite graduating some really special athletes over the summer, IUP has talent all over the place. Cam Taylor, who plays prop or flanker, is a force. He is probably the most emotional player IUP has and is physically strong, and loves to get involved. When he picks up a loose ball, he always—always—straightens the run and attacks the line.

Trent Stalling, who can play as a center or No. 8, is what we like to call a "classy" player. What that usually means is he has an almost casual athleticism. Getting to the right place, and doing something good, unselfish, or smart, just looks natural to him.

They lost Colton Moyer to graduation (and you know we think he was huge for the team), but the young players in the second row now are athletic and well-coached and get the job done. In the backs, Lukas Massikas and Dom Holmes are an impressive freshman-senior combination in the midfield, and while we hadn't seen much of Blanton Tolbert until this past weekend, the fullback is fast, elusive, and good under the high ball.

Team Approach

IUP takes pride in their defense and they work hard to be a defensive unit, not just a bunch of individuals. Against WVU they knew that the Mountaineers' strength was in their kicking game. They worked together to negate that—the deep three worked together to counter-attack—they scored tries that way—and if they made a mistake and WVU got a lineout, the forwards quietly went back to the line and handled it.

Defensive pressure leading to turnovers and then scoring opportunities was a key aspect of IUP's win, and that succeeds in part because players are looking to offload or pass and keep the play going at pace. 

Were they perfect? Heck no. Later in the game there were several odd-man rushes that didn't get exploited because the IUP players went toward traffic as opposed to space. But at the same time, if that's the wrong option, they worked to make it succeed.