YSU football rockets in polls

Staff report

Youngstown

Youngstown State’s impressive 31-28 victory over defending Missouri Valley Conference champion Southern Illinois must have opened a lot of eyes around the country.

The Penguins (3-1, 1-0 MVFC) made an impressive jump in this week’s Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) polls, garnering the No. 20 spot in the FCS coaches poll and No. 22 position in The Sports Network/Fathead.com balloting.

“We’ll worry about the rankings at the end of the year,” YSU coach Eric Wolford said. “We’re only worried about one ranking and that’s the one at the end of the year. Because that’s the standard that’s been set here and it’s not going to change.

“That’s a lot of pressure, but I love it. I love pressure. My staff and my players are going to thrive on it.”

Youngstown State is one of five MVFC teams in the polls this week.

“Last time I checked, we’re still the team that was ranked seventh in our conference,” said Wolford, referring to the league’s preseason poll. “I told my team, ‘Let’s go take care of business. Let’s not worry about rankings.’”

North Dakota State is ranked 13th in both polls, while Northern Iowa is No. 17 in the TSN/Fathead.com poll and No. 22 in the coaches poll.

Also, Illinois State is No. 19 in the coaches poll and No. 23 in the TSN/Fathead.com poll, and Southern Illinois is No. 23 in the coaches poll and No. 24 in the TSN/Fathead.com poll.

Led by quarterback Kurt Hess, who leads the MVFC in pass efficiency and is ranked No. 11 nationally, the Penguins are second in the conference with a scoring average of 34.8 points per game.

Youngstown State travels to face Missouri State (1-2, 0-1) on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Bears beat YSU 17-7 last season at Stambaugh Stadium, forcing four Penguin turnovers.

“They came out and stole one from us last year,” said Wolford. “I watched the game today and it made me sick, I had to turn it off.”

MSU lost a double overtime game to Illinois State on Saturday and Wolford expects a motivated opponent.

“I think their backs are a little bit against the wall,” he said. “It’s an emotional game for them.”