YSU FOOTBALL N. Iowa defense has been porous

The loser of Saturday's game is almost certainly out of the running for a playoff berth.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Northern Iowa was the surprise champion of the Gateway Conference last year and went on to reach the semifinals of the Division I-AA playoffs.
With most of their starting players returning, the Panthers were an overwhelming choice to repeat as Gateway champions.
Northern Iowa opened the season by winning three of its first four games, the only loss to Oklahoma State. But, two weeks ago the Panthers opened Gateway play with a stunning 31-12 loss to Western Kentucky in the UNI-Dome. Then last week, UNI was routed by Southern Illinois, 42-13.
The Panthers (3-3, 0-2 Gateway) come to Youngstown State (4-2, 2-1) for a playoff-like game. The loser is almost certainly out of the running for a postseason berth.
Coach not happy
"We've had two tough losses back-to-back," said UNI coach Mark Farley. "We're not happy about a lot of things and we are definitely not playing up to our capabilities right now.
"Our situation right now is very similar to Youngstown State's," he said. "We've both got great tradition and we both have our backs up against the wall. Neither of us can afford to lose again."
Farley got a first-hand look at Southern Illinois' Muhammad Abdulqaadir, who rushed for over 200 yards last week, scoring four TDs and passing for a fifth.
"Muhammad is a great running back, but so is [YSU's] P.J. Mays," Farley said. "I think that Mays is a stronger runner than Muhammad. He's a more physical runner also."
Sophomore quarterback Tom Petrie (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) will make his second start of the season. Last week he replaced senior Griff Jurgens, who had started the first five games.
Petrie is 26-for-61 for 367 yards and two touchdowns, but has been intercepted three times. Jurgens passed for 733 yards (57-of-114) and four TDs, but was intercepted eight times.
The Panthers are averaging 336 yards per game on offense, but are giving up 353 yards per game. They have rushed for 152.7 yards per contest.
Their leading rusher is senior tailback Adam Benge, who has 633 yards and scored four touchdowns. His backup was Richard Carter, but the junior suffered an ankle injury and will be out for the rest of the season.
Wide receiver Marlus May has 27 catches and four touchdowns, and is averaging 21.7 yards per catch. Senior Ben Sanderson has 22 receptions for 243 yards and two scores.
Panthers and points
The Panthers have allowed 28 points and 342 yards per game. Opponents are rushing for 152 yards rushing per game and 190 yards through the air.
Junior middle linebacker Casey Tierney (6-4, 237) leads in tackles (41 1/2). Outside linebacker Jon Harrell (6-1, 220) leads the team in tackles for losses with seven. The Panthers have only four sacks.
UNI has one of the top kickers in the league, senior Mackenzie Hoambrecker, who is 11-of-13 on field goals and 12-of-13 on extra points. In a 29-26 victory over Cal Poly, Hoambrecker kicked six field goals, including a 57-yarder to win the game. He is 4-of-5 from over 40 yards this season.
Senior punter Derrick Frost averages 42.3 yards per kick.
mollica@vindy.com