YSU FOOTBALL New offense, same results

Indiana State's new scheme has helped produce one win this season.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- When Tim McGuire took over as coach at Indiana State four years ago, he made a decision to change the offense to a run-oriented, triple option attack.
It didn't prove to be very successful, as evidenced by the Sycamores' 9-24 record in that time.
McGuire has changed to a more balanced multiple offensive scheme, but victories have continued to elude Indiana State (1-3), which plays host to Youngstown State (3-1, 1-1 Gateway Conference) Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Struggling team: Indiana State, making its conference debut, lost its home opener last Saturday to Stephen F. Austin, 31-13. The Sycamores' only win was at Eastern Michigan, 21-14, with their other losses to Tulsa 51-0 and Eastern Illinois 44-14.
"We made the commitment to the triple option four years ago, but it just didn't work," said McGuire, who brought in new offensive coordinator Scott Anderson this year.
"We've been hanging in there on defense, which has shown much improvement in the first four games."
McGuire said he was impressed by Youngstown State, which fell to No. 9 in The Sports Network I-AA poll after last week's 30-11 loss at Northern Iowa. The Penguins are ranked No. 8 in the USA Today/ESPN poll.
"Youngstown State is just so physical," he added. "Jeff Ryan is the kind of quarterback everybody wants on their team. He's a leader and always finds a way to come up with the big play.
"Defensively, they just fly around to the football with a bunch of hard-nosed kids."
Costly mistakes: McGuire said three mistakes against Stephen F. Austin cost Indiana State the game.
"We gave up two long touchdown plays and had a punt blocked for a score, or it would have been a different game," he said.
The Sycamores are led by junior quarterback Julian Reese (6-foot-3, 190 pounds), a transfer from Iowa Central Community College.
Reese leads the team in rushing (51 rushes, 172 yards and three touchdowns) and has completed 46-of-85 passes for 422 yards and two scores. He's been intercepted three times.
Junior Soso Dede (5-8, 195), a transfer from the U.S. Naval Academy, will make his first start on Saturday.
The leading receiver is junior Ken Dean (5-8, 165), who has 15 catches for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Chris Lewis (5-8, 180) has 13 receptions.
The Sycamores' offensive line is not big in comparison to other Gateway teams, with only one starter over 275 pounds. They also start two freshmen.
Giving ground: Defensively, Indiana State is allowing 430 yards per game, including 284 yards rushing. The Sycamores have forced just one turnover, a fumble, this season.
Junior free safety Terrance Miles (5-8, 160) has 33 tackles and five pass deflections. Linebacker Dietrich Lapsley (5-11, 200) has 31 stops, including five for losses, and senior tackle Justin Hess (6-1, 270) has three of the Sycamores' seven sacks.
Youngstown State has never lost in five games at Memorial Stadium and leads the all-time series 9-1. The Penguins have won the last four meetings.
mollica@vindy.com