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YSU learns how to run out clock
Penguins getting better at closing
out games with 4th-quarter leads
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
The Youngstown State football team’s struggles against Albany on Saturday may have overshadowed an encouraging development — twice in the first three games, the Penguins have been able to put the game away in the fourth quarter.
In Week 1 against Pitt, the Penguins used a 12-play, 67-yard drive to set up David Brown’s 25-yard field goal with 3:02 left. It stretched an 11-point lead to 14 and ended Pitt’s comeback hopes.
Then, on Saturday, the Penguins used a 1-yard touchdown run by Torrian Pace on fourth-and-goal to take a 10-point lead with 2:48 left.
This is no small thing. In three of YSU’s five losses last season, the Penguins had the lead — and the ball — in the fourth quarter, only to let the game slip away. As a result, YSU coach Eric Wolford has devoted extensive practice time to scenarios in which the team has to run out the clock with a lead.
It’s finally starting to pay off.
“I was encouraged by us there late in the game, finding a way to win in the fourth quarter,” Wolford said. “We needed a tight game. We needed some adversity and we got it.”
That could come in handy on Saturday night when the Penguins play host to Northern Iowa. The Panthers have won 11 straight against YSU, with the last win coming in 2000 — Jim Tressel’s final season. Both of Wolford’s losses to UNI have been heart-breakers, with the Panthers scoring the game-winning TD with 1:59 left last year and 2:08 left in 2010.
“It’s conference play,” Wolford said. “[UNI coach Mark] Farley is a great football coach. He does a great job recruiting and we’ll have our hands full.”
The Panthers’ 1-2 record is misleading, having lost to Big Ten members Wisconsin (26-21) in Week 1 and Iowa (27-16) last week. If they can survive the early part of their schedule — the Panthers play defending FCS champion North Dakota State in Week 5 — they should make their eighth playoff appearance in the last 12 years.
“They’re a good football team,” said Wolford. “This place will be rocking next Saturday night, you can bank on that.”
Like Northern Iowa, the strength of YSU’s schedule is up front. The Penguins have an open date next week, then travel to North Dakota State for the second straight year, followed by a road game to unbeaten Illinois State.
If the Penguins want to survive the next few weeks, they’ll need to close out games like they did against Pitt and Albany.
“We can fight, we can,” said quarterback Kurt Hess. “In our conference, we’re going to get some fights. People are going to hit us in the mouth.
“It’s really all about how we respond.”