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YSU NOTEBOOK More from Saturday’s game at Stambaugh Stadium
TARGETING
Senior defensive end Tyler Sims was ejected for targeting in the second quarter of Youngstown State’s 17-14 win against Southern Illinois. It occurred on the ensuing kickoff following Zak Kennedy’s 24-yard field goal. He hit Southern Illinois’ D.J. Davis with enough force to knock Davis’ helmet off. He lost the ball and the Penguins recovered it. After an official review, Sims was ejected from the contest and the Salukis kept the ball.
Pelini didn’t dispute the targeting call after the game, but said he learned a wrinkle in the rulebook after wondering why the fumble was overturned.
“They said the targeting caused the fumble and because the hit caused the fumble, the ball was dead,” Pelini said. “That’s news to me. Apparently that’s the rule. I’ve never seen it before. I’ve been coaching a long time and I’ve never seen it happen where a fumble is just dead.”
Southern Illinois defensive back Jeremy Chinn was ejected early in the third quarter following a hit on tight end Miles Joiner that sent his helmet flying. Joiner never returned to the game. Pelini said Joiner could have returned to the game.
“We’re conservative in a situation like that,” he said.
YSU linebacker Cash Mitchell did not play after he was ejected from last week’s 45-38 loss to Western Illinois for targeting. Cardinal Mooney grad Ray Anderson got the start and collected two tackles.
GUMMY STRUGGLES
Montgomery VanGorder’s followup to last week’s record-setting performance did not go well. He was 15 for 36 for 137 yards and two picks. He was sacked three times and rushed for 48 yards.
“I got caught trying to do too much at times,” VanGorder said. “I was down at the goal line and they brought internal pressure. I tried to float one over the top and safeties in this league will get it every time.”
ALL SQUARE
Things are even between the offense and defense. YSU’s defense was looking to bounce back after conceding 48 points last week.
“I told the offense, ‘You guys picked us up the last game. We didn’t play the best game,’ and I told the defense ,‘We’ll pick the offense up this game,’” defensive tackle Savon Smith said. “That’s what it has to be, but now we’re even and now that the offense and defense got one, let’s go get one together.”