Sunday, September 27, 2009
Long streak: Indiana State moved into third place on the list of longest losing streaks in NCAA Division I football history Saturday. The Sycamores have lost 31 straight games since the 2006 season. They had been tied with St. Francis, Pa., which lost 30 straight from 1999 to 2002. The No. 2 spot is held by Columbia University with 44 consecutive losses from 1983 to 1988. No. 1 is Prairie View University which lost 80 straight from 1989 to 1998. The Sycamores hold the longest active losing streak in the country.
Problems again: The Penguins again had some behavorial problems last week that resulted in disciplinary action with five members of the football team. None of the five were suspended and only sophomore safety Sir Demarco Bledsoe was a starter among the group. Bledsoe didn’t start, but did play against Indiana State. The Penguins had no comment about the disciplinary actions, but it was reported that some of the players were involved in a fight last week after returning home from the Northeastern game.
Missing in action: Three of YSU’s regular performers did not make the trip to Terre Haute, Ind., because of injuries. Sophomore defensive lineman Josh Myers, junior offensive tackle Chris Gammon and junior defensive tackle Roger Gillium were not with the Penguins on Saturday. Senior tailback Jabari Scott, who missed last week’s contest with injuries, played against the Sycamores.
Few seniors: Indiana State has just nine seniors on the roster, which ties them with South Carolina and Duke for the second-fewest seniors in the nation. The leader is Boise State, which has just four seniors on its roster. The Sycamores have 38 true or redshirt freshmen on the roster and 19 players have seen their first collegiate action this season, including 18 freshmen.
Improvements: Indiana State might not be winning many football games, but the university is still putting money into the program. The Sycamores have added a new locker room to its old building and also have added a portable video board, which is attached to a trailer and wheeled into the stadium each game.
Won toss: For the first time in four games the Penguins won the coin toss prior to kickoff and deferred to the second half and didn’t have to go on offense for the first series, didn’t have to punt early and didn’t have the opposition score a touchdown off that first punt.
Up next: The Penguins will return home next Saturday for their second Missouri Valley Football Conference contest when they play host to Missouri State in a 6 p.m. kickoff at Stambaugh Stadium.
Pete Mollica