Indiana St. sees battle Saturday

Coach Tim McGuire said playing at Stambaugh Stadium is a tough task.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Indiana State has played a rugged non-conference schedule this season, and it doesn't get any easier with the Sycamores about to begin Gateway Conference play.
Saturday, the Sycamores (2-3) visit No. 22 ranked Youngstown State in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Stambaugh Stadium.
"Playing Youngstown State is always a difficult task," said ISU coach Tim McGuire. "Playing Youngstown State in Youngstown is even more difficult.
"The atmosphere there in that stadium is unbelievable and our kids are going to have to remain very focused for us to have a chance on Saturday."
Indiana State has lost two games to Division I-A programs this season -- 48-17 at Western Michigan and 23-21 at Ball State. They also lost 26-19 to Eastern Illinois.
Won in two Overtimes
Last week the Sycamores defeated Murray State 34-31 in two overtimes, and they also own a 14-0 win over Cumberland University.
"The program here is starting to shape up a little," said McGuire, 14-35 in his fifth season at ISU. "It's been a very trying non-conference schedule, although in two of the losses [Ball State and Eastern Illinois] we played very well."
McGuire said is preparing for Youngstown State, despite the fact the Penguins have had three different starting quarterbacks the last three games.
"You have to prepare for what you see," he said, "and what we see is P.J. Mays and Josiah Doby running the football very well. Whoever is handing off the football to them doesn't make much difference.
"Mays is such a tremendous runner and Doby looked awful good against Southwest Missouri State," McGuire added.
QB Reese is leader
McGuire has a pretty good athlete in his own camp, senior quarterback Julian Reese (6-3, 205), who leads the team in passing, rushing and total offense. He has completed 62 of 109 passes for 878 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for 287 yards on 69 attempts and one touchdown.
"Julian is a great leader and our offense revolves around his abilities," McGuire said.
Senior tailback Soso Dede (5-8, 190) is second in rushing with 214 yards, and leads the team in scoring with five touchdowns.
Dede is also the Sycamores' leading receiver with 11 receptions for 144 yards and one score.
15 different receivers
Already this season, Reese and his backup Damien Cunningham have thrown to 15 different receivers. Wide receiver Tommy Signars has 10 catches and is averaging 23.5 yards per reception.
The Sycamores' defense, although allowing 21 points and 330 total yards per game, is much improved over a year ago.
The leader is senior linebacker Dietrich Lapsley (5-11, 205), who has 55 tackles in five games, with four of them for losses, and one sack.
Freshman defensive end Kyle Mitchell (6-2, 230) has also been a standout with 13 tackles behind the line of scrimmages and five quarterback sacks, both team-highs.
Turnovers
The Sycamores have forced five turnovers, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, but they have also committed 11 turnovers, including five interceptions.
ISU also had a solid kicking game, led by senior Mike Megyesi, who made two field goals over more than 50 yards against Murray State, including a 54-yard thump to win the game in the second overtime. Junior punter Pat Jordan got off a 74-yard effort in that game.
mollica@vindy.com