43
YSU should progress: Held Michigan State to 28 points
Photo
Youngstown State’s Jamaine Cook (35) tries to elude Michigan State defender Johnny Adams (5) during the Penguins’ season opener Friday in Lansing, Mich. YSU fell to the Spartans, 28-6.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo
Michigan State's B.J. Cunningham (3) works for extra yardage on a pass reception against Youngstown State's Donald D'Alesio during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, in East Lansing, Mich. Cunningham caught nine passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
After fielding the second-worst defense in the Missouri Valley Football Conference last season — both in points and yards allowed — Youngstown State University coach Eric Wolford brought in 29 new players on defense this summer in hopes that an influx of talent — and competition — would help.
“The big question mark coming into this game was ... are they going to be able to play together?” Wolford said after Friday’s 28-6 loss to Michigan State. “I think they showed tonight they can play together.”
YSU held the co-Big Ten champs to under 30 points, which was significant since the last time the Penguins held a team under 28 points was in Week 4 last season against Southern Illinois.
Not coincidentally, that was also the last time YSU won a game.
“We did some good things,” said linebacker John Sasson, who tied safety Jeremey Edwards for the team lead in tackles Friday night with 11. “It was nice to see a big, physical football team early because we will see some big, physical football teams down the road.
“It was a nice measuring stick to see what we can do.”
Six players got their first starts Friday night and, for the most part, the team played cohesively.
Michigan State struck for a few big plays — most notably a 55-yard pass from Kirk Cousins to B.J. Cunningham, who terrorized YSU’s secondary for nine catches and 130 yards on the night — but there were fewer breakdowns and missed tackles than last season.
“I think we’re getting closer on defense,” Wolford said.
The Penguins did have problems in their kicking game, with junior transfer David Brown getting an extra point blocked and missing a 42-yard attempt wide right.
With senior long snapper Nate Schkurko injured, Wolford was forced to turn to true freshman Nathan Gibbs, which meant that senior holder Marc Kanetsky was the only member of the snap-hold-kick trio with FCS playing experience.
But YSU looked better on kick coverage — a trouble spot last year — and forced a fumble on a Michigan State punt return.
“We’re getting there,” Wolford said.
Obviously, Wolford will get a better idea about his team when the Penguins open conference play at home against Illinois State on Sept. 17.
But YSU earned good reviews from its first opponent.
“Credit Youngstown,” said Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, who coached at YSU from 1986-1990. “As I said, last year they were ahead in every football game that they played — and you can see why.”
Added Spartans offensive coordinator Dan Roushar, “We’ve got a long way to go, that’s obvious; but credit Youngstown State, they played hard.”
Familiar foe: Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi faced his former team Friday night and came away impressed with Youngstown State’s offense. “Youngstown, give them credit, I’ve known [offensive coordinator] Shane Montgomery for 10 years now and worked with him,” said Narduzzi, who was a freshman linebacker on YSU’s 1985 team under his father, Bill. “They do a great job on offense. They were averaging 30 points a game last year in their first year as a staff, and I think you’ll see those guys win seven, eight, nine games this year.” The Penguins scored just six points but held the edge in total plays (69-58) and time of possession (31:09-28:51). They also nearly equaled Michigan State in first downs (22-20) as YSU’s spread gave Narduzzi’s defense some fits. “It’s our first look at a spread offense and since we don’t see that from our offense, it’s a little harder to get our scout team to do something like that,” he said. “Overall, I talked to a bunch of the players after the game here and they were saying, ‘Coach, we’ve got to do better against that spread.’ I think we played a good football team and I think we played OK. They dinged us a little bit, we bent but didn’t break and gave up six points.”
More Youngstown connections: Michigan state redshirt freshman Kurtis Drummond saw his first collegiate action, making one tackle at safety. Drummond is a Hubbard High graduate. Also, Michigan State linebackers/special teams coach Mike Tressel is the nephew of former Penguins head coach Jim Tressel.
Record vs FBS: The Penguins dropped to 19-25-1 all-time against FBS foes. They’ve lost nine straight against FBS teams since beating Kent State in 2000. Friday’s margin was the closest against a BCS opponent since YSU started playing guarantee games in 2005. The previous-closest was 30 points against Penn State last year (44-14). The biggest margin came in 2008 when the Penguins lost to Ohio State 43-0.
Moving on up: Michigan State WR B.J. Cunningham had career highs in receptions (nine) and receiving yards (130) as he tied Matt Trannon’s record for career receptions with 148. Cunningham also moved into a tie for eighth place on MSU’s all-time list with his 14th career TD reception. It also marked Cunningham’s third career 100-yard receiving game.