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Penguins eye better performance against SFU
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
A block away from Stambaugh Stadium, there’s a sign outside the CVS pharmacy that reads, “You gotta Bo-lieve.”
That’s only part of the prescription for a Penguin team that looked sickly at times in last week’s overtime win over Robert Morris.
“I don’t feel like we played up to our potential in any phase of the game,” YSU coach Bo Pelini said. “We made enough mistakes in every phase to cause problems and you saw the result.”
The Penguins (1-1) trailed Robert Morris by a touchdown until midway through the fourth quarter, then needed two big fourth-down plays (one on offense, one on defense) to escape with a 21-14 victory. Playing in a steady rain, YSU missed two field goals and completed just 11 of 27 passes for 107 yards.
While the Penguins dominated most categories, they struggled defending the run for the second straight week and looked far less explosive offensively than they did against Pitt.
“There’s a lot more out there for this team,” Pelini said. “We’ve still got a ways to go as a football team.
“You can’t be satisfied with just doing your job. You have to do more and play with extraordinary effort.”
Rolling Rivers
YSU junior DE Derek Rivers had a career-best nine tackles (seven solo) and 4.5 tackles for loss against the Colonials. He sealed the game by sacking RMU quarterback Matthew Barr on the final play of overtime.
“I thought Derek played very well,” Pelini said. “It really didn’t lend well to him having a really big day because they max protected. Especially on third down, they doubled both our ends the whole game.
“If we could have got out ahead and made them open up [their offense] a little bit, I think he could have had a very good day.”
Rivers has 19 career sacks, which puts him second on YSU’s career list. (Jermain Hopkins is first with 22.) He set the school’s regular season sack record last season with 14 and has two this season.
“When they [the Colonials] didn’t double him, they made him pay for it,” Pelini said. “He’s a good football player, obviously. I think all our guys up front are playing well. I think that defensive front is doing some good things.”
Under center, in spotlight
After throwing for at least 200 yards in his first five starts, YSU QB Hunter Wells has reached that milestone is just one of his last four starts, including 107 against RMU.
“I don’t think we played well around him at times,” Pelini said. “He’s still a young player and I still think he’s a very good football player.
“For us to really hit on all cylinders, we need 11 guys to do things the way they’re coached to do it.”