Rushing Redbirds face YSU defense

Illinois State is good at
running the ball and YSU is good at stopping it.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Illinois State is one of the top rushing teams in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Youngstown State is ranked very high nationally in rushing defense.

“It should be just one whale of a football game on Saturday,” said Redbirds coach Denver Johnson.

Johnson, in his eighth season at Illinois State, watched as the Redbirds manhandle Indiana State last Saturday, 69-17, rolling up 444 rushing yards.

The Redbirds (3-4, 1-2 Gateway) take on the Penguins (5-2, 1-1) Saturday in another Gateway Conference battle in a 4 p.m. kickoff at Stambaugh Stadium. It is also YSU’s homecoming game.

Southern Illinois is averaging 236.4 rushing yards per game, which is second in the Gateway Conference and 15th in the FCS.

The Penguins are holding opponents to 120.14 yards per game, also second in the Gateway and 26th nationally.

The Redbirds had three backs rush for over 100 yards against Indiana State. Senior Rafael Rice (5-foot-11, 220 pounds) led the way with 182 yards, while sophomore Geno Blow (5-11, 200) added 122 and sophomore Cortes Rice (6-2, 215) had 110.

“I don’t think things will be quite as easy as that this week because Youngstown State has an outstanding defense,” said Johnson.

“Our offensive line, which has been outstanding recently, will have a big test this week against the defensive front of the Penguins,” he added.

That offense line has helped Rafael Rice amass 664 yards in six games for a 110.7 yards per game average. Blow has 612 yards and the two have combined for 13 rushing touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Luke Drone (6-2, 210) is the guy that makes the offense work.

He’s thrown for 1,235 yards, hitting 104 of 173 passes and 11 touchdowns, but he’s also been intercepted 12 times.

“Turnovers have really hurt us this season,” said Johnson.

Besides the 12 interceptions the Redbirds also have lost two fumbles and are a minus-1 in turnover margin compared to the Penguins’ plus-6.

“We can’t afford to make those mistakes against Youngstown State or we won’t be in the ball game very long,” he said.

The Redbirds, who were picked to finish second in the preseason Gateway poll, have had an up-and-down season.

They opened the season losing at home to Drake 27-24 in the final seconds, but bounced back to beat Murray State 43-17 and No. 14-ranked Eastern Illinois 24-21.

They then went into a three-game tailspin against Missouri (38-17), then back-to-back Gateway losses to Northern Iowa (23-13) and Missouri State (58-41) before rebounding last week against the Sycamores.

Defensively the Redbirds have allowed 28.7 points and 415 yards per game this year, but they’ve scored 32 touchdowns compared to 25 for YSU.

mollica@vindy.com