NoTEBOOK

Snapped or not: YSU’s senior wide receiver Ferlando Williams had caught at least one pass in 18 straight games going into Saturday’s contest with Northern Iowa. Technically, his streak ended against the Panthers since he was injured and didn’t play. But should he return before the season ends, he can add to the streak. Williams, who leads the team in receptions with 26, was hospitalized last week with an infection in his arm.

Crowd miserable: The attendance figure of 15,937 was missing only one thing, about 10,000 people. Even the annual homecoming events and the latest YSU Hall of Fame induction class couldn’t bring out the fans, who missed a really good game.

Close but no cigar: In three of the last five games between YSU and Northern Iowa, the contests were decided by two points or less. The Penguins have dropped back-to-back one-point losses the past two years. And who can forget the 2004 battle when Northern Iowa won the game with a field goal after time had expired because of a penalty 22-20.

Onside kicks: The Penguins surprised the Panthers on the game’s opening kickoff when sophomore kicker Stephen Blose executed the perfect onside kick with freshman Mike Williams recovering, but it led to nothing. Blose had another onside kickoff in the final quarter after the Penguins pulled to within one point. It was almost picked up in mid-air by Da’Michael Horne, but he couldn’t hold onto it and it ended up with the Panthers. The Penguins were offsides on the kick.

Defensive stars: YSU’s defense came through with a strong effort led by sophomore Torrance Nicholson, who was playing his first game since the season’s second game because of injuries. The Penguins came up with nine tackles for losses, three of them by Nicholson and two sacks. Senior cornerback De’Angelo Wilson came up with his fourth interception of the season and he also had three breakups.

Up next: The Penguins will head back on the road Saturday when they travel to Normal, Ill., to take on the Illinois State Redbirds in a 2:30 p.m. kickoff in another Missouri Valley Football Conference contest. The Redbirds (2-5, 1-3) dropped a 25-7 contest to North Dakota State on Saturday.

Pete Mollica