Wolford: Missouri State best team YSU has seen in 2014

October 3, 2014 at 12:09a.m.

Wolford: Missouri State best

team YSU has seen in 2014

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State coach Eric Wolford believes Saturday’s opponent, Missouri State, is the best team the Penguins have seen so far this season.

And that includes Illinois.

“I would say yes,” he said. “I just think as a whole body of work, they’re a good football team.”

One with a very good quarterback. Senior Kierra Harris has completed 56 of 94 passes for 892 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception for the Bears (3-1), who host the Penguins for the first time since 2010. Harris has also run 51 times for 207 yards and four TDs.

“Their quarterback is their best player, if you ask me,” said sophomore defensive end Derek Rivers. “He moves well with his feet, he’s really fast and if we can contain him, I think we have a good chance of winning the game.”

YSU has faced two mobile quarterbacks this season — Duquesne’s Dillon Buechel and Butler’s Matt Shiltz — but those two were more in the Aaron Rodgers mold, quarterbacks who use their feet to extend pass plays.

Harris is a different animal.

“This guy, he’s way faster,” Rivers said. “He’s got receiver speed, if you ask me. He’s really fast. Those [other QBs] helped us out because they’re pretty mobile themselves, but by far, speed-wise, this will probably be the fastest quarterback that we face.”

Harris’ main target is senior wideout Julian Burton, who has 21 receptions for 412 yards and three TDs. Redshirt freshman Calan Crowder is the main running back, carrying 47 times for 297 yards and a TD.

The Bears’ biggest strength offensively is up front, where they have three preseason all-conference linemen: junior Robert Booker, senior Zack Cooley and senior Richard Galbrierz. They’re a big reason why MSU has outscored opponents 88-33 in the second half this season.

“In some of those cases, we’ve been able to wear people down,” Bears coach Terry Allen said. “We’re pretty good up front offensively and that makes a difference.

“Hopefully we can continue to do that.”

Defensively, the Bears are led by senior safety Caleb Schaffitzel (33 tackles) and senior linebacker Andrew Beisel (30 tackles, 3.0 for loss). Both were preseason all-conference selections. Sophomore Dylan Cole has been a terror in the first month with 9.5 tackles for loss, tied for tops in the Missouri Valley.

“They’re aggressive up front on the edges,” Wolford said. “Their two outside linebackers like to get upfield and they do a great job getting off blocks. We’ve got to have bodies on those guys.”

The Bears also have a weapon at kicker in Marcelo Bonani, whose 53-yard field goal as time expired gave MSU a 33-31 win at Central Arkansas on Sept. 20.

“They have a lot of playmakers,” YSU tight end Nate Adams said. “We have to execute at the top of our game to play with those guys for sure.”

Roster notes

YSU junior DT Jimmie Kitchen, who played in eight games for Georgia Tech last season, will play against MSU, Wolford said. Kitchen had not been active for the Penguins’ first four games. He was dismissed from Georgia Tech in June. “Excited to see him play,” Wolford said. “He’s got a chance to be a pretty good player.” ... Wolford said TE Kintrell Disher, who is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last season, will redshirt. ... Junior WR Michael Wheary, who injured his hamstring in August, is still unavailable. “We’re trying to get that thing squared away because he’s a guy who can help us on special teams and obviously on offense he’s a deep threat and runs good routes,” Wolford said. ... Junior CB Kenneth Durden, a transfer from South Florida, is still not cleared to play. YSU is awaiting paperwork from USF. ... Freshman RB Ryan Moore was the only rotation player who did not practice on Monday but should be available Saturday, Wolford said. Wolford is closing practices to the media on Wednesdays and Thursdays during conference play.