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Double ET:
Part 2 of the Tribune/Vindy article today


A look into the 2nd half of YSU’s 2022 season

LOCAL SPORTS
JUL 28, 2022

JOEL WHETZEL
Staff writer
jwhetzel@tribtoday.com
 
 

Correspondent file photo / Robert Hayes. Youngstown State tailback Jaleel McLaughlin takes off for a long run during the Penguins’ upset of Missouri State last season.

YOUNGSTOWN — Having reviewed the first half of YSU’s 2022 season, let’s take a look at what the final stretch brings for the Penguins.


YSU’s final five games are at Western Illinois, against South Dakota, at Illinois State, at Missouri State and then home against Southern Illinois.

The first three weeks of that stretch will be critical, as they’re part of a 5-week slate — which also includes North Dakota and Indiana State — that likely will define how this season is remembered.

Should the Penguins make that 5-week stretch count or manage a late-season upset of Missouri State or Southern Illinois, they could earn a postseason berth as long as the rest of the season stays on track.

Here’s how those final five matchups stack up:


Week 8: AT WESTERN ILLINOIS

On this list of games YSU wanted back last season, this is, without any question, at the top of the list. The Penguins were hammering the Leathernecks 35-14 at halftime, only to watch Western rally back for a stunning 38-35 win. That was one of WIU’s two wins last season.

Western has gone through plenty of change since then. Head coach Jared Elliott was let go after posting a 9-31 record through his four seasons at the helm of the program.

In his place, Myers Hendrickson was hired Dec. 17, 2021. Hendrickson played receiver for Western from 2009-2011.

Gone, too, is starting quarterback Connor Sampson, who threw for 3,183 yards and 22 touchdowns on a 311-for-477 year. Leading rusher Myles Wanza also left via graduation after amassing 487 yards and three touchdowns, and WIU’s top three receivers — Dennis Houston (90 receptions, 1,015 yards, 6 touchdowns), Tony Tate (63 receptions, 598 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Dallas Daniels (44 receptions, 524 yards, 2 touchdowns) — each departed.

On defense, the team’s top two tacklers — Darius Joiner and Michael Lawson — are gone, and the team’s No. 3 tackler — Greg Benton Jr. — transferred to Youngstown State.

WEEK 9: SOUTH DAKOTA

The Penguins last faced the Coyotes in the odd Spring 2021 season. That wound up being Doug Phillips’ first career win, as YSU used a stellar day on defense plus a 303-yard day on the ground to win 28-10.

Last year, the ‘Yotes went 7-5 and made the playoffs before falling to fellow MVFC member Southern Illinois in the first round, 22-10. That seven-win total included impressive victories over then-No. 7 South Dakota State (23-20), at then-No. 16 Northern Iowa (34-21) and against then-No. 13 North Dakota (20-13).

South Dakota returns plenty from that squad, too, as its leading rusher, passer and receiver are all back.

Under center, Carson Camp returns for his sophomore season after posting 2,252 yards and 17 touchdowns in his inaugural campaign. Tailback Nate Thomas, also entering his sophomore season, racked up 717 yards and five scores last year, while fellow running back Travis Theis is also back after posting 677 yards and eight touchdowns.

Out wide, fellow sophomore Carter Bell is back after making 41 grabs for 673 yards and five touchdowns.

Week 10: AT ILLINOIS STATE

If it feels like the Penguins haven’t faced Illinois State in a while, consider this: The last time the Penguins and Redbirds met, Bo Pelini was at the helm of YSU’s program. In fact, that Nov. 23, 2019, game was Pelini’s finale — a 21-3 upset of sixth-ranked ISU that concluded a 6-6 year for Youngstown State. Still, ISU went on to a quarterfinals appearance in the FCS playoffs, where it fell 9-3 to eventual champion North Dakota State.

Last year wasn’t as kind to Illinois State. The Redbirds went 4-7, though they did manage upsets of then-No. 15 South Dakota (20-14) and then-No. 13 UNI (17-10, OT).

The Redbirds bring back quarterback Jackson Waring and tailback Cole Mueller, as well as No. 2 receiver Bryson Deming.

Waring played in eight games and tossed for 879 yards and six touchdowns, while Mueller racked up 977 yards and six scores on 189 carries.

Out wide, Deming caught 14 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns for an offense that averaged 19.4 points per game.

Week 11: AT MISSOURI STATE

MSU represents the first of two opportunities for YSU to upset what likely will be top-15 opponents, and also opponents the Penguins knocked off in 2021.

A year ago at Stambaugh, the Bears were plagued by four turnovers, which YSU parlayed into 14 points. That, coupled by huge days rushing by Demeatric Crenshaw (202 yards, 1 touchdown) and Jaleel McLaughlin (162 yards, 2 touchdowns), led to a 41-33 YSU victory.

Missouri State went on to the FCS playoffs, where it fell 32-31 to UT Martin in the opening round and finished 8-4.

This year’s Bears team is loaded, as MSU’s top passer, rusher and receiver all return.

Jason Shelley, last year’s MVFC Offensive Player of the Year, is back under center after amassing 3,347 yards and 22 touchdowns in the air along with 442 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. Kevon Latulas joins him in the backfield after rushing for 625 yards and three touchdowns last season

At receiver, Tyrone Scott broke the millennium mark with 1,110 yards and eight touchdowns on 66 receptions.

Week 12: SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

The season concludes with SIU for the second time in as many years. A season ago, the Penguins capped their 3-7 campaign by upsetting the Salukis, 35-18, ending a 17-game road contest losing streak that dated to 2017.

SIU still qualified for the FCS playoffs, and knocked off South Dakota in the opening round before falling to NDSU in the second round, 38-7, to finish at 8-5.

Quarterback Nic Baker returns for his junior campaign after throwing for 3,231 yards and 27 touchdowns last season, and leading rusher Javon Williams is back after a 564-yard campaign that included nine touchdowns.

Lead receiver Landon Lenoir (61 receptions, 876 yards, 10 touchdowns) is gone, but Avante Cox (43 receptions, 739 yards, 5 touchdowns) is back, giving Baker a reliable weapon out wide.

YSU opens its season Sept. 3 against Duquesne.

jwhetzel@tribtoday.com

Kandrase:

--- Quote from: Wick250 on July 27, 2022, 12:44:40 PM ---
--- Quote from: guinpen on July 27, 2022, 06:59:48 AM ---The Duquesne game makes me very anxious.

--- End quote ---

When Duquesne beat Ohio last season, it was the Bobcats version of our "Butler fiasco."  Later in the year, Duquense lost to Sacred Heart and Saint Francis. They don't have enough talent to beat us; we can most a$$uredly beat ourselves.

Our coaches are recruiting much better than the lazy Pelini.  We are coming off this staff's first legitimate full off-season in the weight room. If the strength training has improved it should remedy our deficiencies on both lines.  I think that we have the skilled athletes to be pretty good.

--- End quote ---

Our Butler Fiasco was far worse than OU losing to Duquesne, Duquesne at least has 45 scholarships compared to Butlers 0….

But besides the point I’m not worried about Duquesne, certainly can’t overlook them, but they’re not in the same league as an MVFC opponent.

But also you’re right no easy games for us… I guess what I’m saying is anything short of an easy win makes me nervous

Double ET:
From today’s Tribune/Vindy:


Phillips touts size, depth at MVFC Media Day

LOCAL SPORTS
AUG 1, 2022

JOEL WHETZEL
Staff writer
jwhetzel@tribtoday.com
 
 

YOUNGSTOWN — It was an offseason of growth — both physically and otherwise — for the Youngstown State football team, according to head coach Doug Phillips.


Phillips addressed media members via Zoom on Monday during Missouri Valley Football Conference Media Days.

“Coming out of the spring, the one thing that jumped out at us was we got bigger and we got stronger just like every team in the country,” Phillips said. “But for us, we were trying to play catch-up, and we had young men starting for us last season who had never had spring football or a true offseason, so for us it was to play catch-up.”

He added that was especially true along the defensive and offensive lines.

“We really liked the play of our defensive ends last fall in Dylan Wudke and James Jackson, and to see those guys grow and develop in the offseason, see them this spring and have depth there I thought was big on the defensive side of the ball,” Phillips said.


Of the offensive side, he added, “I could count on one hand the 300-pound offensive linemen. Now, out of 20, I can count on three fingers who’s not 300 up to 325 pounds. So to know we got bigger, stronger and know our players know each other, we had competitions this summer.”

That, he noted, is courtesy of new strength and conditioning coach, Jimmy Rodenberg, who was hired in January.

Defensively, Phillips also was pleased with the depth YSU was able to add at safety and linebacker. The Penguins nabbed Western Illinois transfer Greg Benton Jr. at linebacker and Ohio State transfer Marcus Hooker in the secondary, among others.

He also highlighted Caleb Burr, a senior transfer from Lafayette, and Andrew Hardin, a junior transfer from Monroe, at the safety spot.

At linebacker, Benton was joined by Keon Freeman, a Division II transfer from the University of Charleston (WV).

“It changes the room, because guess what? You might not be 100 percent for that practice. You might be 90 percent, which is normal, and now you have to go out and compete because there’s competition and you want to keep your position,” he added.

The defense also went through a bit of transition at the top this offseason, as 2021 defensive coordinator Joe Schaefer departed the program to join Texas A&M as a defensive analyst.

YSU hired Jahmal Brown to replace him, and also installed new position coaches at defensive line (Deonte Gibson), cornerbacks (Christian Dukes) and linebackers (John Haneline).

“I saw huge strides in our defense (this offseason),” Phillips said. “We have to be gap sound in this league. You’re going to be tested each and every week on your gap integrity, and I think these guys bring a simple but complex (approach). We don’t want our guys thinking too much. We want to play fast, but we can’t just sit there and show everything to the offenses.

“I think they put together a good plan, and we’ll see after these 25 camp practices at Game 1.”

On the offensive side, Phillips said the receiver room had a particularly strong offseason, and especially Bryce Oliver, who grabbed 24 receptions for 266 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns.

“I truly believe Bryce Oliver could be one of the best receivers in this league, and he’s got to go prove it,” Phillips said. “We certainly haven’t earned respect in our league, and how do you do that? You go and perform each and every week. But offensively, the wide receiver position and having the opportunity for quarterbacks to work with the receivers, and for Demeatric Crenshaw and Mitch Davidson to be able to throw (was important).

“We brought in Latrell Fordham from Eastern Michigan, another tall, lengthy, athletic player, and C.J. Charleston is 18 pounds heavier at our inside slot. Someone that really jumped out was Max Tomczak. We saw those guys develop in the spring.”

The concern, Phillips noted, is finding depth behind that group.

Overall, however, the third-year head coach feels the Penguins feature more options as fall camp gets rolling.

“What I like this year is I truly believe we have made great strides in the depth in each room,” he said. “If one player isn’t ready to go that day, we have someone that’s going to step in and keep this train rolling.”

YSU begins its fall camp Wednesday.

Other notes from MVFC Media Day:

— MVFC Commissioner Patty Viverito discussed conference realignment and the uncertain footing Division I football is on, but noted the Missouri Valley so far has been “sheltered” from it thanks in part to geography.

But, she added, “Conference realignment continues to be disruptive to the FCS overall.”

She also noted, “If our schools were located in the south, there’s no doubt in my mind that we wouldn’t look the way we look.”

The subdivision lost one of its most prominent members, James Madison (Harrisonburg, Va.), to the FBS during the offseason.

The MVFC, meanwhile, added Murray State to its ranks effective July 2023.

— Viverito also touched on how MVFC scheduling would work with the addition of the Racers.

“There was unanimity (among conference members) that it was really important that we play each other often, and so we have a scheduling principle set up where every school will see every other school four out of six years. There will be a rotation of all the conference members in a healthy way.”

She added that proposed conference schedules for 2023 and 2024 have been given to athletic directors, which will meet this month and potentially approve them.

“But really, in order to make this work, we need to have a six year plan, because that’s the rotation,” she added. “… We think we’ve had a close enough look around the league that what we’ve put together is going to be acceptable (for the two aforementioned seasons) and then it’s going to be hard work to come up with the last four years of that rotation.”

jwhetzel@tribtoday.com

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