YSU notebook More from Stambaugh Stadium

October 23, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

That’s one good Cookie: Jamaine Cook’s four rushing touchdowns tied P.J. Mays’ school record set in 2001 against Indiana State. Cook has carried 164 times for 949 yards this year. He entered the game fourth in the FCS in rushing with 131.2 yards per game. “Jamaine Cook is obviously a good running back and he continues to show that,” YSU coach Eric Wolford said. Cook is on the watch list for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in the FCS. When asked if he ever thinks about it, he said, “Not necessarily. It’s kind of a team game so that’s what I focus on. If those accolades come down the road, that’s what comes.”

Renowned on the ground: YSU’s 450 rushing yards were just short of a season best; the Penguins had 453 against Valparaiso. The school record is 532, set against Wayne State in 1974. Like Southern Illinois last week, St. Francis plays a “plus-one” defense where a defensive back, usually a safety, plays up near the line of scrimmage to stop the run. “We have a bunch of talented backs and we’re all taught and know how to handle one in the box,” said sophomore Jordan Thompson, who gained 135 yards on four carries. “We know we’ve got to beat one and the offense leads us to the one.”

Spreading it around: Nine different receivers caught passes, including senior Ely Ducatel, who caught his first pass of the season. Ducatel was YSU’s second-leading receiver last season but has played sparingly this year. Freshman Christian Bryan led the team in catches (four), yards (49) and touchdowns (one).

This and that: Sir Aaron Taylor recorded his first career interception, picking off John Kelly late in the second quarter and returning it 42 yards to set up YSU’s final TD of the first half. ... Safety Josh Garner and DT Arounde Stanton tied for the team-high with five tackles. DT Andrew Johnson added two tackles for loss, including a sack. ... Safety Jeremey Edwards forced a fumble and LB Teven Williams recovered it. ... YSU was penalized eight times for 70 yards, including back-to-back defensive offsides penalties at the beginning of St. Francis’ second possession. ... YSU’s homecoming game will be Saturday against Western Illinois.

Joe Scalzo