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YSU, Indiana State both looking to save seasons
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After their first loss in five games, the Youngstown State Penguins host the Indiana State Sycamores in a game that feels like it could determine which way the season will go.
The Sycamores (4-4, 2-3 MVFC) have been a thorn in the side of the Penguins (5-2, 3-1 MVFC) the last two years. Each time YSU dropped a 27-24 decision in critical points in the season.
Last year the Penguins lost on the road in their regular-season finale when YSU was playing for a potential playoff spot. In 2014 YSU lost in overtime in what was the second of three straight losses to end the season. Both games ended on an ISU field goal as the last play of the game.
Over the conference season it has appeared as if each week has brought upon a more difficult opponent, which culminated with South Dakota State a week ago. But Indiana State provides a strong test for a game which will include two teams looking to save their seasons.
The Sycamores have lost two of their last three MVFC games but the team is only a few plays away from being on a three-game winning streak. ISU lost at Western Illinois 36-35 on Oct. 8 before losing to South Dakota in double overtime 33-30. Last week ISU defeated Southern Illinois 22-14.
YSU head coach Bo Pelini said after last week’s 24-10 loss at South Dakota State that starting quarterback Ricky Davis’ job would be up for grabs. Redshirt freshman Nathan Mays finished out the game but Pelini hinted that last year’s starter, Hunter Wells, could play. Wells ran scout team in preparation for South Dakota State and is the only quarterback on the roster not to see the field this year.
In the official YSU game notes, Davis is listed as the starting quarterback. However, Wells was listed as the starter for YSU’s opening game this year and Davis started the game weeks after he had been named the starting quarterback.
Pelini said he thought his defense played “well enough to win” against South Dakota State. The defense limited Jackrabbits quarterback Taryn Christion to 189 yards passing. Christion was averaging 333 yards before last week’s game.
This week will be a similar challenge for the defense. Indiana State quarterback Isaac Harker is averaging 292 yards per game and has thrown for 18 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
Wide receivers Robert Tonyan (79.8 yards per game, nine TDs) and Miles Thompson (78.3 yards per game, six TDs) are Harker’s two favorite targets and will provide another tough test for the YSU secondary.
The ISU defense could be what breaks the YSU offense out of its scoring drought. The Penguins have averaged just 12 points the last two weeks. The Sycamore defense is allowing 33.3 points, 95th in FCS and ninth out of 10 teams in the MVFC.