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YSU Notes: More from the Uni-Dome
Playoff situation: Two years ago, Youngstown State lost at UNI after giving up a late touchdown at UNI on a fourth and goal at the 1. The Penguins then came back the following week to win at North Dakota State, handing the Bison their only loss that season. When asked if that’s the plan again this year, senior DE Kyle Sirl said, “The plan is we’re going to put in the work to go out and win the next game. We still have everything in front of us this season. We can’t let this loss affect us for the rest of the season. We’ve got to come ready to work on Monday. We’ve got to bounce back.” If the Penguins can beat NDSU and South Dakota State over the next two weeks, they’ll earn one of the top eight seeds in the FCS playoffs, giving them a first-round bye. If they lose both, they’ll be on the playoff bubble. “This week will be another tough fight,” YSU coach Eric Wolford said. “The good thing is we’ll be at home, which is encouraging.” YSU has had to play at NDSU the past two seasons.
Hess completions: With his first throw of the second half — an incomplete pass to Andre Stubbs — YSU quarterback Kurt Hess broke the school’s career attempts record, passing Tom Zetts, who had 1,094 from 2003-07. Hess entered the game with 1,085. He finished 15 of 22 for 207 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Bryan milestone: Christian Bryan caught a 22-yard pass in the second quarter to become the 14th Penguin to reach 100 for his career. He needs two more to tie Dave DelSignore (1966-69), who ranks 10th in school history with 102 catches.
New starter: YSU junior LB Travis Williams was suspended for the first half after getting ejected in the third quarter of last week’s game for targeting, which carries an automatic suspension. Senior LB Ali Cheaib got the start. Cheaib finished with five tackles, including three for loss. Williams played in the second half but did not record any statistics.
Testing fate: Youngstown State had won its last 10 games while wearing black pants, but the team’s captains voted to wear white pants. The Penguins also wore white pants in the loss to Michigan State.
This and that: CB Dale Peterman led the Penguins with eight tackles, recovered a fumble, forced a fumble and returned an interception 51 yards. … S Donald D’Alesio also forced a fumble but dropped an interception on UNI’s game-winning drive. … YSU was penalized nine times for 44 yards, while the Panthers were called for one penalty for 10 yards.