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Wells look to help YSU end drought in Brookings
By Joe Scalzo
SIOUX FALLS, S.D.
True to his name, Youngstown State’s true freshman quarterback, Hunter Wells, has spent his first three games as the hunter, not the hunted.
Penguins wide receiver Christian Bryan doesn’t expect that to change today when Wells makes his first road start today at South Dakota State.
“The kid’s just a baller; that’s what he is, plain and simple,” Bryan said.
“For him to play as a true freshman, in two big conference games, he’s justnot rattled at all. He’s so calm and composed back there.”
Wells, the reigning Missouri Valley newcomer of the week, will try to do something no YSU quarterback has done since 1974: win a game in Brookings.
The Penguins (5-2, 2-1 MVFC) are 0-4 against the Jackrabbits (5-2, 2-1)under Coach Eric Wolford — their last win came in 2007 at Stambaugh Stadium when Jon Heacock was coaching — and, like the last three years, the key to beating SDSU is stopping running back Zach Zenner.
Zenner, the league’s all-time rushing leader, ran for 186 yards and three TDs in last year’s 42-13 win over YSU. With QB Austin Sumner (broken foot) missed all but one game this season, the Jackrabbits have leaned on him as much as ever this season and he’s delivered with 1,018 yards and nine TDs.
He has 5,547 career yards and could make a run at the FCS record of 6,559, set by Georgia Southern’s Adrian Peterson.
“I really like the way he carries himself and handles his business,” Wolford said of Zenner. “I love the way he runs. He’s a good football player.
“I love good running backs, as much as anything.”
When asked how to stop Zenner, Wolford laughed and said, “That’s a good question, right there.”
Sumner’s replacement, Zach Lujan, has been solid in seven games, completing 117 of 197 passes for 1,582 yards and 11 TDs, although he does have 10 interceptions. His main targets are Jason Schneider (36 catches, 491 yards, 3 TDs) and Jake Wieneke (29 catches, 545 yards, 7 TDs), whose numbers are better than anyone on YSU’s offense.
The Penguins fell behind 41-7 early in the third quarter of their last trip to Brookings, eventually losing 41-28. But there’s reason to believe this year’s game could be different, from YSU’s defensive line (which was dominated in last year’s loss to SDSU but has been a strength this year) to its entire defense (which has played well in its two conference wins) to Wells’ development.
The Penguins still have games against the league’s top two teams — Illinois State and North Dakota State are a combined 13-0 — and a win today would be a big boost heading into their November schedule.
“We know what’s at stake in this game,” Wolford said. “No different from last year’s game. Two teams that are right there, neck-and-neck for the same spot. They’re 5-2, we’re 5-2. They have a conference loss, we have a conference loss. This game could have implications for the end of the year.”
Notes
YSU kicker Joey Cejudo is banged up but made the trip and is expected to play. … YSU’s radio analyst, Chris Sammarone, did not make the trip because of a back injury, so sideline reporter Tim Pozsgai will serve as analyst. … Until last week’s win over Southern Illinois, the Penguins had lost seven straight times the week before playing South Dakota State. … The Jackrabbits rank third in the FCS in time of possession at 33:49 per game.