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Missouri State’s explosive offense to test YSU
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YSU WR Dominique Barnes (29) is tackled by Missouri State’s Mat Hottleman (20) in last year’s game at Stambaugh Stadium. Barnes and the Penguins are hoping to snap a two-game losing skid to the Bears.
By JOE SCALZO
YOUNGSTOWN
In late July, fifth-year Missouri State coach Terry Allen said he was entering training camp with the “best football team we’ve had since I’ve been here.”
“How that equates to wins, we’ll have to wait and see,” he said at the time. “We finally have some pieces in place to hopefully make some noise in the conference.”
The Bears (1-2, 0-1) still can, but to do so, they’ll have to rebound quickly after a 44-41 double overtime loss at Illinois State last weekend.
“Obviously, that’s tough,” said Allen, who is 19-28 at MSU. “But we’ve got a couple older kids and they’re resilient.
“So far, so good.”
The Bears’ offense has been terrific so far, particularly senior quarterback Cody Kirby. The preseason all-conference honorable mention pick is second in the Missouri Valley in passing yards (667) and leads the league in total offense (262 yards per game) and scoring (10 points per game). He has more than 6,500 career passing yards and 500 rushing yards.
“He’s a playmaker, we know that,” said YSU junior LB John Sasson. “I remember playing him last year and he got a couple deep balls on us. He’s experienced and he knows what he’s doing.”
Offensively, the Bears are averaging 417 yards and 32 points per game, which are both third in the MVFC. Running back Chris Douglas is averaging 76 yards per game and WR Jermaine Saffold has caught 16 passes for 263 yards and two TDs.
“And they’ve got a pretty dang good offensive line,” said YSU coach Eric Wolford. “Offensively, they do some things to stress you. They have the ability to run the quarterback. They try to outgap you or get you misaligned and take advantage of you that way.
“They’re a good football team.”
Defensively, MSU has struggled a bit, although some of that is due to the competition. The Bears lost to Big 12 member Kansas State 48-24 and Illinois State is ranked in the top 25 in both national polls.
The Bears are giving up 462 yards per game, which is last in the league and 112th in the country. They’re also surrendering 34 points per game, which is eighth in the league.
“Their [defensive] scheme is very similar to Southern Illinois,” said Wolford, whose team beat the Salukis 31-28 last week. “They’re constantly coming and they love tackles for loss.”
MSU has won two straight against the Penguins, including a 17-7 victory last year at Stambaugh Stadium. Overall, YSU leads the series 11-3, with the teams splitting the last six meetings.
“I expect them to be a confident team,” said Wolford, whose team is also ranked in the top 25 in both polls. “They’re coming off a disappointing loss that was very emotional and we’re gonna get a good shot from them.
“Coach Allen has a track record of beating teams that are ranked.”
Allen, a five-time conference coach of the year at UNI, said Saturday’s game is important not just because it’s a conference game but because it’s the Bears’ first home game since Sept. 3.
MSU played the previous two games on the road and will be back on the road for the two games following Saturday’s contest.
“Being 0-1 in the league, it’s very important to hopefully find a way to get a victory,” he said.