What to Watch: YSU


The Jacks hit the road to face Youngstown State University.  YSU comes in at 4-1 and fresh off their first loss of the season at UNI.

1. YSU Defensive Line vs. Jackrabbit Offensive Line

  • As we detailed in the podcast and the blog, YSU's defensive line is weird this year.  Their entire defensive line rotation is actually all defensive ends.  They don't have the beef that they normally do at the defensive tackle position.  However, it appears that the four starters are creating havoc and have been pretty effective vs. the run.  It reminds me of LIU.  I rewatched YSU's matchups with UNI and Duquesne. For the most part, they are sound against the run.  However, if the offensive linemen can get into the defensive tackles they are movable and there has been some running lanes that you can drive a semi through.  As you can expect, the lateral and stretch plays on the perimeter were not as effective.  The Jackrabbit offensive line has been inconsistent in 2019.  They have been able to wear out most of their opponents and really gash them for some big gains in the second half.  Will that trend continue or can the Jacks come out and dominate the line of scrimmage from the start?     

2. Jackrabbit Wide Receivers vs. YSU Cornerbacks

  • YSU has given up some yardage through the air this year.  They have a smaller secondary so I could easily see Adam Anderson, Jaxon Janke, Blake Kunz or Kal Hart having a big day..  In both the UNI and Duquesne game, receivers were open on RPOs but were just missed by the quarterback.  None of the YSU defensive backs are over 6' tall and their linebackers are undersized as well.  This may be a good game for J'Bore to trust his big talented receivers and see what happens.  Cade Johnson will likely be shadowed by their best cornerback, Bryce Gibson leaving Janke, Anderson, and others free to work.   

3. The Weather and Ball Security

  • There is a 90% chance of rain on Saturday in Youngstown, Ohio.  The early forcast calls for the rain to fall mostly in the morning but if it does extend into the afternoon I'm nervous.  The Jacks have not had a good ball security in 2019 and have fumbled more frequently than I can remember.  The Jacks have fumbled 9 times, losing 5 of them.  Any bit of moisture may make the ball harder to hold onto.   

4.  SDSU Run Defense

  • YSU wants to run the ball.  It is no secret.  The 5 game breakdown for their rushing effort is: 277 yards, 454 yards, 197 yards, 257 yards, and 55 yards.  Obviously, UNI shut them down and that made them pass the ball more than they are used to.  I would expect and hope the Jacks to do the same.  YSU has a big and powerful offensive line but the Jacks are rotating 11 or 12 guys through. If the Jacks can win on 1st and 2nd down, YSU will need to go to the air.  BUT the Jacks defense is not completely out of the woods as YSU QBs Nathan Mays and/or true freshman Mark Waid are very capable runners and can certainly earn first downs with their legs.  One other fact that is important to remember is that YSU loves to control the ball.  In their 2017 win against the Jacks they held the ball for 45 minutes.  That was something I didn't think was possible but I remember our defense was just gassed for the entire second half.  Forcing 3 and outs or 6 and outs would be huge for the defense!
Go Jacks!
Matt 

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