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That's all that's left in Youngstown's season unless the Penguins win.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Just three weeks ago, Western Kentucky was sitting atop of the Division I-AA football world.
The Hilltoppers were 6-1 and 4-0 in the Gateway Conference, and ranked No. 1 in both I-AA national polls.
But Western Kentucky has since dropped back-to-back contests to Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa. At 6-3, 4-2 Gateway, the Hilltoppers are now fighting for their playoff lives.
Saturday in their conference finale, the Hilltoppers will travel to Youngstown to meet the Penguins in a crucial game for both teams.
No option
Both teams have three season losses and four losses eliminate everybody but conference champs from playoff contention.
"This is not what we expected at this point in the season, but we have nobody to blame but ourselves and nobody to pull us out of this slump but ourselves," Western Kentucky coach David Elson said.
The Hilltoppers have been banged up by injuries the past two weeks, but expect to have most of their injured players back.
Senior tailback Lerron Moore (5-10, 200) missed last week's game with injuries, but is listed in this week's starting lineup.
Moore has rushed for 811 yards on 133 carries in eight games to lead the Hilltoppers and has scored eight touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Justin Haddix (6-1, 210) also has had a big season for the Hilltoppers. He has completed 106-of-181 passes for 1,601 yards and 12 touchdowns, and has been intercepted eight times.
Top receiver
His top receiver is wideout Maurice Perkins (5-7, 170, Sr.) who has 30 receptions for 546 yards and three touchdowns. Two other top receivers are junior wide receiver Chris Jackson (19 catches and two TDs) and sophomore Curtis Hamilton (17 catches and three TDs).
The Hilltoppers also have one of the most consistent placekickers in the Gateway in sophomore Chris James. He has connected on 14-of-16 field goals, the longest being 52 yards. He is a perfect 36-of-36 in points after touchdowns.
Defensively, free safety Marion Rumph is the team leader in tackles. The 6-2, 190 pound sophomore has 74 tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception.
Defensive end Daniel Williams (6-2, 270, Sr.) has made nine tackles for losses and six sacks.
Offensively, the Hilltoppers are averaging 418 yards per game (233 on the ground). They've struggled somewhat on defense where they have allowed 321.9 yards per game (219 passing).
They have created 20 turnovers, but have given up 15.
The series
The Hilltoppers have had great success against Youngstown State, winning 10 of the 14 games between the teams including the last four in a row since joining the Gateway Conference.
But Elson knows with everything riding on this game that the Penguins will be tough to beat on their home field.
"I have been very impressed having seen YSU several times on film this year," Elson said. "Defensively, they are very athletic and they fly to the football, while on offense they have a lot of weapons and they are also solid on special teams.
"Overall, it's a typical Youngstown State team that is well-coached and well-disciplined that plays hard for 60 minutes."
mollica@vindy.com