Game Preview: The Youngstown State University Penguins
Offense
The penguin offense features a balanced attack. Gone are the leading rushers of 2016, but back is the quarterback who sparked the 2016 run, Hunter Wells. YSU has averaged 492 yards of total offense so far with the run game racking up 281 yards per game compared to 211 for the pass. They return 8 starters on offense with the new starters, besides running back, all playing meaningful reps or having some starting experience prior to this season.
At quarterback the Penguins have a dual attack. Senior, #6 Hunter Wells, really gave the offense a spark last season when he was named the starting quarterback following their loss in Brookings. Wells has only played in a game and a half this season due to a shoulder injury he suffered against Robert Morris. The SDSU coaching staff expects Wells to be out there on Saturday. If Wells, does or does not play, the Jacks will also face option quarterback #7 Nathan Mays. Mays has a 72% completion percentage, 260 yards passing and 1 TD on the season. He also has run for 161 yards and 3 TDs on just 12 attempts. Wells has passed for 351 yards and 2 touchdowns in his limited action. Mays was seeing playing time even before Wells injured his shoulder so I'm sure the Jackrabbit defense will be ready for both.
At running back, YSU graduated a pair of 1,000 yard rushers in Jody Webb and Martin Ruiz. Both were capable of big games at any time. They have been replaced by junior #37 Tevin McCaster and true freshman #20 Christian Turner. McCaster has scampered for 274 yards and 3 TD's and has a 5.3 yards per carry average. Turner has gone for 212 yards and 1 TD while boasting a 6.8 avg. Turner is also a threat to catch passes out of the backfield. He already has 8 receptions for 174 yards and 2 TD's on the season. YSU doesn't use a traditional fullback but will use their tight ends as "H-back" type blockers.
#5 Alvin Bailey is back for his senior year as the leader of the wide receiver group. Bailey had a breakout 2016, catching 47 passes for over 500 yards. He is off to a good start this year with 12 grabs for 144 yards. Bailey isn't physically imposing but he is quick and elusive. Bailey is joined in the starting lineup by #1 Isiah Scott (2 rec 27 yards) and #4 Damoun Patterson (4 rec 58 yards). A player to watch is former starting quarterback, #12 Ricky Davis who is now playing wide receiver. Davis has had 5 attempts rushing for 67 yards and 2 touchdowns. Davis has also completed one pass for 23 yards. He hasn't caught a pass yet so I imagine if he is in the game a gadget play is on the way. Also returning for his senior season is hero of last year's semi-final game, tight end, #83 Kevin Radar. Radar has 8 receptions on the season for 116 yards and 1 touchdown.
Along the offensive line, the Penguins bring back 3 starters and 1 part-time starter. Left tackle #61 Justin Spencer has made 41 starts in his time at YSU. Next to him at left guard, #60 Gavin Wiggins, is making his 23rd start and center, #70 Vigas Hrynkiewicz is making start number 19. The right side of the offensive line is less experienced with right guard, #74 Jacob Zinni making his first starts this season. Senior right tackle #71 Cameron Fraser has played on and off in his time at YSU. The line has good size with all starters standing over 6'4 with an average of 299 pounds. Spencer and Hrynkiewicz were also recognized for their efforts as All-MVFC preseason selections.
Defense
YSU's defense is off to a hot start only allowing 37 points total through 3 games. Have allowed just 3.5 yards per carry and only 333 total yards passing. Again, most analysts figured this unit would be down with the graduation of defensive ends Avery Moss and Derek Rivers, who are now playing in the NFL, along with 6 other starters. However, due to an influx of transfers and development of younger players, YSU's defense is as strong as ever.
Upfront the Penguins still play an aggressive 4-3 defense. They expect their defensive ends to wreck havoc on opposing tackles. This years starters are #98 Fazson Chapman (2.5 sacks, 11 tackles) and #33 Johson Louigene (12 tackles) but they also rotate in Florida transfer #4 Justus Reed (4 sacks, 13 tackles), #50 Shereif Bynum (2 tackles, 1 sack), and #12 Ma'lik Richmond who was a four star recruit prior to his conviction of rape in the infamous Steubenville rape case. At the defensive tackle position, #9 Donald Mesier (275 pounds) is back after starting part-time in 2016 and has registered 1 sack so far. He is joined in the starting lineup by #76 Lamont Ragland (295 pounds). #52 Savon Smith, who is listed as the starting DT and started 12 games last season, has yet to register a tackle yet in 2017 so I'm assuming he is injured.
Because of how active the defensive line is, the linebackers are free to run around and make plays. #42 Armand Dellovade is a familiar name and is now entering his 3rd season as the starting MLB. The junior isn't physically imposing or an athletic freak, but he is smart and is always in the right position. Dellovade lead the team in tackles in 2016 with 105 stops and 3 sacks. He was recognized as a Pre-Season All-MVFC selection and has so far made 15 stops in 2017. He is flanked by sophomore #3 Cash Mitchell (7 tackles) and senior #5 Lee Wright (21 tackles) who has played in 16 games in his career with 3 starts.
The secondary lost all four preferred starters from 2016. However, safety #10 Kyle Hegedus is off to a fast start, leading the team in tackles with 22. At the other safety spot is #2 Jalyn Powell who made four starts last season and has so far made 21 tackles this year. At cornerback, #7 Bryce Gibson, a freshman, and senior #17 Billy Nicoe Hurst have made 7 and 6 tackles. I think if the pass rush doesn't get home, this unit will be tested. Yes, their defensive pass stats are phenomenal, but YSU has not faced a passing offense yet in 2017.
Special Teams
#99 Zak Kennedy is back for his third season of full-time duty. Kennedy has connected on 4-6 FG's with both misses come outside of 40 yards. He only has 4 touchbacks on 11 kickoffs so far this season. #91 Colin Burdette has also kicked off 10 times with zero touchbacks. #85 Mark Schuler is also back for his second season as the punter. In 2017, Schuler has only punted 3 times for a 39 yard average.
The kickoff return unit has only had 5 opportunities but so far has been unimpressive. Similarly, the punt return team has only averaged 4.7 yards per attempt.
Prediction
The Jacks took care of business last year in a Hobo Day victory 24-10. The Penguins bring a balanced attack offensively and if Hunter Well's plays they are a better passing team. The YSU defense is good but untested. Yes, they pushed Pitt to the limit, but Pitt is a bad FBS team this year. Pitt has only scored 14, 21, and 17 points this season so using them as a measuring stick offers an incomplete picture. If the Jackrabbit offensive line can hold up against the wave of YSU pass rushers, I think Taryn should be able to pick this inexperienced secondary apart. I predict a Jackrabbit victory 32-17.
Go Jacks!
-Matt
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