Family Weekend: Family Weekend is a campus-wide celebration in honor of parents, grandparents, and extended family takes place every September. This unique weekend experience will provide families with the opportunity to spend a fun time together, explore the campus, behold the beautiful Pocono scenery, and experience the wealth of activities that are in store. For more info and the full list of events on campus, visit esu.edu/family-weekend. Other athletic events on campus include the ESU Volleyball Tri-Match on Friday and Saturday, and women’s soccer taking on Shepherd on Saturday., at 7:00 p.m. at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
Last Time Out: After taking its final timeout with 26 seconds remaining and then taking a knee on 3rd down at the 3-yd line, No. 12 IUP failed to get off a snap for the potential game-winning field goal before time expired, as the East Stroudsburg University football team escaped George P. Miller Stadium with a 13-12 win on Saturday evening over the defending PSAC Champions. The win for the Warriors (2-0) is the first over IUP in seven chances, since defeating the Crimson Hawks (1-1), 33-31, at IUP during the 1997 season. The win for ESU also snapped a 22-game losing streak against ranked teams. The Warriors last took down AFCA ranked No. 25 Virginia Union, 14-11, at Eiler-Martin Stadium in 2008.
The Series: The Warriors have come out on top in each of the four previous meetings against programs. First battling in 2013, ESU has defeated SHU 70-7 (2013), 41-34 (2018), 2019 (31-18) and 22-7 (2022). The game marks just the second time that the squads have squared off in the Poconos, with the only other time happening in 2018.
Last Matchup in Greensburg: All-America kicker Devin Bartholomew was the star of the day the last season against Seton Hill in Greensburg on Sept 17, 2022. Bartholomew tied the program record with five field goal made on six attempts in a 22-7 win over the Griffins in a defensive battle. The Warrior defense forced five turnovers, with three interceptions, two forced fumbles and eight punts, allowing just 217 yards and 70 passing yards. 50 yards came in the fourth quarter alone. ESU took a 12-0 leader after four field goals, before a 75-yd run from Ky’ron Craggette made it a 12-7 contest. A 45-yd completion from Jake Cirillo to John Siggins extended the Warrior lead to 19-7. Bartholomew posted his fifth field goal with just over a minute left to wrap up the scoring.
Chaos: With the clock winding down and the Crimson Hawks holding possession near the goal-line, it appeared that IUP potentially could knock off ESU with a field goal as time expired for the second consecutive season. Except this time, the Crimson Hawks had called its final timeout with 26 seconds and kneeled the ball to allow the clock to run. Realizing they could not stop the clock, IUP rushed their field goal unit on the field, but could not get the snap in on time in the 13-12 upset win for the Warriors.
Historic: The victory for ESU was significant for historical purposes. It was the first win in six games against IUP, with the last victory against the Crimson Hawks coming during the 1997 season. Additionally, the triumph ended a 22-game losing streak against nationally-ranked teams. ESU’s win over No. 12 IUP is the program’s highest win over an AFCA ranked team since Jimmy Terwilliger led the No. 17 Warriors to a 52-39 win over No. 2 Bloomsburg during his Harlon Hill Trophy season in 2005.
Chuck E. Spirals: Due to an injury to Aaron Tobias, Charlie McKee made his first start at ESU against the Crimson Hawks. The 2021 New York State Gatorade Player of the Year completed 14-17 passes for 154 yards and tossed a 59-yd go-ahead touchdown to fellow FCS transfer Randy Fizer. McKee spent last season at Stony Brook, where he threw for 806 yards on 79 completions with six touchdowns and seven interceptions in five contests. He is expected to start against the Griffins.
McCarthy The Menace: Once again, Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List sand 2021 AFCA All-America selection Deshawn McCarthy made his presence known with eight tackles, two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. He was named the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Week for his performance against the nationally-ranked Crimson Hawks. It’s the third time in his career he has earned the honor after earning it twice during the 2021 campaign. McCarthy now has 27 career sacks, just 5.5 sacks away from becoming the Warriors’ all-time sacks leader.
Staten Island to the Poconos: Rourke Colligan and Randy Fizer, both transfers from FCS-member Wagner College, combined to score 12 of 13 points in the win against IUP. Colligan’s two-yd rushing touchdown was his first career touchdown, while the speedster Fizer 59-yd touchdown was his first at ESU. Fixer previously scored an 82-yd touchdown against Saint Francis as a true freshman in 2021.
Feed Tyriq: It’s hard to replace an All-PSAC East tailback, but Tyriq Lewis has filled in nicely as the starting running back for the Warriors in 2023. With Gunner Anglovich and Devante Robinson departing, Lewis has been the bell-cow back with 31 rushing attempts in two games, rushing for 207 yards. The Downingtown, Pa. native is averaging 6.7 yards per carry and posted two touchdowns against the Setters in week one. Tyriq is expected to get some help in the backfield from Deante Crawford and Tahir Mills, who is expected to return from injury this week. ESU’s rushing attack currently ranks third in the PSAC, with Tyriq Lewis leading the conference and ranks third 17th nationally.
Serge’in: After reaching the century mark a season ago in tackles, Sergei Felizor is off to another hot start this season. His 8.5 tackles per game this season ranks 50th in the county and 10th in the PSAC
Move the Chains: ESU’s offense leads all of NCAA Division II in 3rd down conversions percentage, moving the chains on 70 percent of its opportunities through two games. The Warriors ranked 124th of 163 teams last season in the category, earning first downs on just 32 percent of its 3rd down opportunities.
Accuracy: Tobias and McKee have led the Warriors as the most efficient quarterback room in NCAA DII, leading the country in completion percentage (81.8 percent.) The improvement is significant after ranking 122nd of 163 teams a season ago.
Paint the Town Red: The Warriors have dominated the red zone, tied for the national lead with 37 other programs in red zone offense, scoring points on all seven times ESU has reached the opponent's 40-yd line.
D-Fence: Allowing just 9.5 points per game through two weeks, ESU defense ranks ninth in the country and first in the county in scoring defense. Allowing just 271.5 yards per game, the Warrior defense ranks 37th nationally and second in the PSAC in Total Defense.
Up Next: After battling Seton Hill, ESU begins a two-game road stretch against Lock Haven (Sat, Sept. 23) and Kutztown (Sept. 29), before its Homecoming matchup with Millersville on Oct. 7th at 6:05 p.m.
