Rycraft wins top awards in YSU's loss

The junior quarterback from West Branch had an outstanding performance.
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;By PETE MOLLICA & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Matt Rycraft is a competitor and wants to be playing more for Youngstown State. He doesn't care where.
In two seasons with the Penguins, Rycraft has played sparingly as a wide receiver, a kick-return man and at quarterback.
Saturday, the junior from West Branch High got his first real opportunity at quarterback, and turned in a remarkable effort.
Taking over the offense with the Penguins trailing No. 2-ranked Western Illinois 27-0 in the second quarter, Rycraft brought YSU back to within 27-14, but they eventually lost the game, 54-20.
It was a game that saw the Penguins lose four fumbles in the first quarter, and Rycraft was involved in a fifth fumble when YSU was rallying that gave the advantage back to the Leathernecks.
Good numbers
Rycraft rushed for 152 yards on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns, and completed 6-for-10 passes for 85 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mike Roberts.
Rycraft's 152 rushing yards set a school record for rushing yards by a quarterback, breaking the old mark of 139 by Cliff Stoudt in 1975 against South Dakota State.
"I thought I played OK," Rycraft said. "They put me in to try and get some spark into the offense and I think I did that, but the bottom line is that we didn't win, so I'm not completely satisfied."
Rycraft was named the MVR's offensive player of the game. He was also named the Haines Family player of the game by the YSU radio broadcasters.
Rycraft came to YSU in 2001 and sat out his freshman season while meeting the NCAA's initial eligibility requirements.
Last season, he was 2-for-2 passing for 68 yards, but both attempts came on trick plays. He also had three rushes for 25 yards and caught two passes for 24 yards.
Other asward winners
The MVR's defensive player of the game was junior defensive tackle Matt Briggs of Parma Holy Name.
The 6-foot-4, 246-pound performer finished with three tackles and the only quarterback sack, when he threw Western Illinois quarterback Russ Michna for a 16-yard loss.
The MVR special teams player of the game was sophomore long snapper Tanner Dunlap of Zanesville. The 5-9, 190-pound player handles all the snaps on punts and placement kicks, and has been perfect this season.
The Jim Zdelar offensive lineman of the game was red-shirt freshman Ryan Jewell of Warren. The 6-4, 262-pound former Warren Harding standout helped the offense to 220 rushing yards and 303 yards of total offense.
Steve Durbin of McDonald was the Jermaine Hopkins defensive lineman of the game. The 6-5, 282-pound nose tackle had with four tackles.
Junior wide receiver Phil Larmon, a 6-0, 175-pound performer from Worthington, was credited with the Wash-on-Wheels Derrick Pixley hit of the week.
The Penguins (4-3, 1-1 Gateway) will play their first road game in the conference Saturday, when they visit Indiana State (3-4, 0-2) at 2:05 p.m. in Memorial Stadium.
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;mollica@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;