Numbers don’t add up for YSU

November 8, 2017 at 12:09a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The Missouri Valley Conference Standings look bleak for Youngstown State.

There are currently six teams with a better league record than the Penguins (5-4, 2-4) and sixth may be the best the Penguins get if they win out.

MVFC leader North Dakota State is making the playoffs.

South Dakota and South Dakota State can do no worse than 7-4.

Illinois State (6-3) has the advantage of a head-to-head win against the Penguins.

Northern Iowa’s (5-4) remaining games are against winless Indiana State and Missouri State (4-5, 2-4) so, it’s unlikely the Panthers lose out.

Same thing for Western Illinois (6-3, 3-3), who close out with Indiana State and Southern Illinois (4-5, 2-4). It’s a big ask for the Football Championship Subdivision to take six teams from the MVFC.

“It doesn’t look good and we realize that. At the same time we control what we can control you know?” senior quarterback Ricky Davis said Tuesday. “We wish we could go back but we can’t, so we just have to look forward and play week to week.”

This week’s opponent? The Southern Illinois Saluskis. After breaking a four-game skid with with a 66-24 win against Indiana State, the focus is finishing the season with a winning record and on a high note.

“Confidence is really high, we realize we might be playing just two games. These games will be memorable for us seniors just because they’re the last ones for us, but it should mean a lot to the younger guys too. They should want to play for us and send us out the right way.”

BEST DRESSED

Senior defensive end Fazson Chapman showed up to the podium Tuesday wearing dress pants, a white buttoned down shirt and a bowtie, an upgrade over his teammates’ usual choice of team apparel.

It’s what he wears when he tutors at Wilson Middle School during the week.

“It’s one of the best things I do in my life. It’s my passion,” the early childhood education major said.

Chapman leads the team in tackles for a loss with 6.5 and is tied for the lead in sacks with four. Saturday’s contest in Carbondale will be a homecoming for the Chicago native.

“I know a lot of guys at Southern Illinois. “They recruited me out of high school.

“I just wanted to get out of Illinois. I wanted a new and different experience. I had never heard of Youngstown or been in Ohio period,” Chapman added. “A lot of family and friends are going to be there.”

INJURY UPDATES

Senior quarterback Hunter Wells will not receive a medical redshirt because he had played too many snaps this year, head coach Bo Pelini said.

Wells, who had suffered a separated shoulder in Week 2 against Robert Morris, made a cameo appearance against Indiana State, but did not attempt a pass. Pelini said Wells will have some availability for Saturday.

Sophomore QB Nathan Mays is day-to-day with nerve damage in his throwing arm. Defensive end Justus Reed, also dealing with his own shoulder issue, is considered to be “close” to being ready to play.