After 0-for-October, YSU needs a win

By Joe Scalzo | October 7, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

For the Youngstown State football team, Halloween is just one of 31 frightening days in October.

The Penguins have gone 1-11 in October over the last three years, including an 0-5 mark last season.

It’s one of many reasons why Saturday’s game against South Dakota State is so important, but here’s the biggest: With Northern Iowa (3-1, 2-0 Missouri Valley) and North Dakota State (4-0, 1-0) looking like playoff locks, the Penguins (2-2, 1-1) can’t afford to stumble before playing those teams next month.

“This is a crucial game,” said YSU coach Eric Wolford. “I think all games are crucial. I think all games are big. You either come out of this game taking care of business or you don’t.

“If we want to stay in the conference chase, you guys can see the standings. It’s all in front of you, but if you don’t care of business this week it doesn’t matter.”

Last season, six of the league’s nine teams went 4-4 in conference play, with North Dakota State snagging one of three playoff berths. That type of parity seems unlikely this season, and the Penguins are already in a tough spot after losing to Indiana State two weeks ago.

When asked if Saturday’s game is a must-win, YSU quarterback Kurt Hess said, “I definitely think so. You can definitely feel it in the locker room.

“We know our ultimate goals and we know the championships we want to achieve and in order to do that, we need this step. It’s a big step for us.”

Here’s another reason why it’s a must-win: It’s a should-win.

The Jackrabbits (1-4), who have the second-worst record in the league, enter the game on a four-game losing streak. Their three-year starting quarterback quit two weeks ago, they’ve struggled to run the ball or defend the run and they’re making their longest road trip of the season with little to no chance of winning a conference title or making the playoffs.

In short, if the Penguins can’t beat South Dakota State, they’re in big trouble.

“If you can’t get ready to play this team, this week, this game, in front of our home crowd, then there’s something wrong,” Wolford said.

Three weeks ago, YSU drew its biggest home crowd in years for a 34-27 win over Illinois State. But the Indiana State loss may have turned off a few casual fans who are wary of a repeat of last year’s 3-8 season.

A win over South Dakota State could help erase that skepticism.

“The Illinois State game was a great crowd and I felt it was potentially the difference in the ballgame,” said Wolford. “We obviously want to play hard and give them something to cheer about.They’ve stuck by us so we’ll continue to work on that.”

Saturday’s forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 80, which should help. Plus, YSU is honoring the 1991 national championship team.

But if Wolford wants to keep drawing fans, he knows he can’t rely on weather and past winners. He needs Ws.

And if he can’t get some this month, November will be even scarier.