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YSU Penguin Athletics => YSU Penguin Athletics => Topic started by: peteonastick on November 17, 2022, 08:39:39 AM
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I can see there is very little interest in this game which is what you would expect. I too am very frustrated with coaching in situations that cost us points. Hopefully there will be changes this winter. One thing I found interesting in listening to DPs presser was that he kept mentioning playoffs. I am wondering if they know something we don’t. Possibly some back door possibility with the #1 NCAA RB in history to get an opportunity to display talent on national scene for a playoff game? Or was he just saying that to keep team interested in game?? I don’t think 7-4 gets us in but stranger things have happened with this committee. Needless to say. I will be there to support the players, seniors and veterans.
Go Guins!!
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I hope that he knows something but would guess that he is trying to pump up the players, giving them some extra incentive.
I will be there supporting the guins!
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per the Vindy
YOUNGSTOWN — It’s not exactly “win and you’re in” for Youngstown State. In fact, it’s more along the lines of “win just to keep any hope.”
Indeed, following a deflating 25-22 loss to Missouri State last week, the Penguins find themselves on the wrong end of the FCS playoff bubble.
If YSU is to even stay in the conversation at this point, it’s going to need a win in its regular season finale as it hosts Southern Illinois at noon Saturday (ESPN3, 570 AM WKBN).
“Definitely a playoff game,” said YSU tailback Jaleel McLaughlin. “We have to win this game, and that’s our mindset going into this game. We need this game. … We want to do something special for the community, special for YSU, and I think we have everything in our hands to be able to do that.”
It likely will take something special if the Penguins (6-4, 4-3 Missouri Valley) are to earn a bid this season, given the sheer number of six- and seven-win teams in the FCS, many with better resumes than YSU. Then, too, there are 11 automatic qualifiers via conference championships, leaving 13 spots for at-large berths.
Of course, none of that is in YSU’s control, and that’s something head coach Doug Phillips is quick to note.
“We can control one thing, and that’s winning out,” he said. “I’m sure Southern Illinois believes if they win six, (including) beating (FBS-level) Northwestern, that there’s going to be a chance. … They’re going to come in here fighting for the same thing we’re fighting for. To be able to have those types of games, yeah, to me, it’s a home playoff game right now, and loser goes home, loser packs the season and heads to the offseason.”
The Salukis (5-5, 3-4 Missouri Valley) have had a season relatively similar to Youngstown State’s, especially such that it’s been one of streaks. SIU began its season with losses to Incarnate Word (presently ranked No. 5 in the StatsPerform FCS Poll) and Southeast Missouri (No. 17 in the StatsPerform poll), before ripping off five consecutive victories.
Since, the Salukis have dropped three straight to South Dakota, Northern Iowa and North Dakota State, likely knocking them out of the postseason hunt, too.
However, both programs still have plenty to play for. The Penguins would relish the opportunity to finish with seven wins and at least give themselves a shot at a postseason. Plus, ending the season winning five of your last six is a great momentum boost heading into the offseason either way.
Southern Illinois, meanwhile, are fighting to finish above .500 and stem a losing streak to end the year.
If the Penguins are to win their second straight against SIU — YSU won last year’s contest in Carbondale, 35-18 — they’ll have to piece together a complete performance, and that’s something Phillips says he’s still searching for from his team.
“I still don’t think that this (YSU) team — we talk about November performance — I still don’t (think) this team has played its best football yet,” Phillips said. “I’ve seen spurts where we play great defense, I’ve seen spurts where we have great offense and I’ve seen spurts where we have great special teams. But when you get to November, you have to be running on all cylinders, and you have to play your best football.”
That, of course, is what sunk the Penguins at MSU last week, as four trips to the red zone yielded three field goals and a touchdown. Meanwhile, the defense held on nearly all game until a final 13-play, 92-yard touchdown drive put the Bears ahead for good. On special teams, Colt McFadden had a strong showing, but the kickoff unit surrendured two lengthy returns that directly resulted in MSU touchdowns.
Those lapses will need to be avoided against an SIU team that features the Missouri Valley’s second-best passing unit with quarterback Nic Baker and receiver Avante Cox.
Baker is 222-for-322 this season with 2,432 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions, while Cox has grabbed 42 receptions for 521 yards and seven touchdowns.
YSU, meanwhile, enjoyed a stretch in which the passing game seemed unstoppable under quarterback Mitch Davidson, but things have slowed in the last two weeks. Davidson went 11-for-23 at MSU with 117 yards, no touchdowns and was sacked on a critical fourth down play late.
Southern Illinois’ secondary, has allowed 235.1 yards per game, seventh in the MVFC.
However, as it’s been since his arrival to Youngstown, the Penguins have been bolstered by the performances of McLaughlin, who set the new NCAA career rushing record with his 227 yards last week.
“It’s definitely something that’s great because my offensive line, those guys talked about that almost day in and day out, wanting to get that for the team and wanting to get that for me,” McLaughlin said of setting the mark. “It was a bittersweet moment, because I was able to get that record, but we weren’t able to pull away with the win. But at the end of the day, you have to look at it as a blessing.”
McLaughlin competing against the SIU defense will be strength on strength, as the Salukis have given up an average of 105 yards per game, second-best in the MVFC behind South Dakota State’s average of 71.4 yards per game.
PREDICTION
There’s still plenty to fight for whether you’re Youngstown State or Southern Illinois.
The Salukis’ run defense may make things tough on McLaughlin, but Davidson and Co. should be more comfortable in alleviating the pressures on McLaughlin in a home game.
With that said, the Penguins win their finale.
Youngstown State wins, 23-20.
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I will be there supporting the Penguins. I believe we can throw the ball on them giving weather conditions aren't too bad. It's going to be cold though. Dress warm!!!!
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Let's play four quarters and get that November victory to finish 7-4 on the season!
Beat the Salukis
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SIU no pushovers! Beat Northwestern on road. Also be ND and Mo State who both took care of us and kept it really close with NDSU. YSU will need to come out firing.
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I expect us to come out firing. if not then season will end on 2 game losing streak and no playoffs AGAIN.
I believe we lost our playoff hopes coming into the week anyways but with a victory we can have a buliding block for next year .
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Dress VERY WARM
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Precedent is against us trying to get into the back door. Ask Jim Tressel and all other coaches when we went 7-4 or 8-3.
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SIU actually favored by 3
O/U 55.5
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Piss poor offensive play calling right from the start!
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Piss poor offensive play calling right from the start!
The defensive play call was even worse
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These coaches stink
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Yep! We really came out firing! this is going to be a long day!
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Can we ever stop anyone on a third and long?
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Nope!
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Well…. That was a s disappointing first half.
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This team can't get out of their own way! SIU is trying to give them the damn game!
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This team is not even close to playoff worthy.
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3 & 10 at the 11 and we run a draw and settle for a missed FG
Play calling awful
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They would not beat anyone anyway with this high school offense!
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Miserable
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These coaches are not the answer. Feels like I'm watching a local high school.
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The offensive line sucks
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Mitch is not the answer. We need to hit the portal for some offensive talent. Like now.
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The OC is horrible. McLaughlin has 16 rushes for 40 yards. Did he not think that SIU was going stuff the box? Let me guess, he called a draw from 5 yards deep with a non-running QB from the RPO? Did he have a game plan to give the guy space?
I'm sorry, because of COVID DP and staff get a pass. It takes time to build a program. BLAH BLAH BLAH. We've heard it all for too long!
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Not over yet.
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Those Missed field goals are a killer
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Wow. We are winning. Unbelievable.
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Wow!!!! Can’t believe this one!!!!
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What a win. 7-4
5-3 in the valley
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Why does this team wait until the last 5 minutes of the fourth quarter to play winning football?
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Didn't the tressel teams win in the 4th quarter too?
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I told everyone we are getting better. The proof is now in the record. As I stated before, after the Kentucky game everyone set expectations way too high. And as I said before. Nobody wants to play us. We are a 4th quarter team because we have superior strength and conditioning.
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I told everyone we are getting better. The proof is now in the record. As I stated before, after the Kentucky game everyone set expectations way too high. And as I said before. Nobody wants to play us. We are a 4th quarter team because we have superior strength and conditioning.
I’m on YOUR team PPower!!!!
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Power, I think I've said it before but I will say it again, I do think DP deserves another year. Hopefully he has another good recruiting class and off-season with strength and conditioning.
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Well that was pretty sweet!
Where the heck were the fans? Weather was not bad, more should have been there to support the team and enjoy the win.
A couple of blown coverages on D that hurt us but after the 1st qtr the D played pretty well. The turnovers did not hurt either.
The O came out flat but responded when it counted. Bothers me that we had to waste the last TO but glad it did not cost us. Not happy with the play calling on those two 3rd qtr drives.
Speaking of play calling how about SIU and that 4th and 1 from around their own 30? Then calling a pass play from their own 2 that helped us by stopping the clock without us burning a TO.
Sure wish that we would not play the music so loud, just makes it so hard to talk to the person next to you.
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Well that was pretty sweet!
Where the heck were the fans? Weather was not bad, more should have been there to support the team and enjoy the win.
A couple of blown coverages on D that hurt us but after the 1st qtr the D played pretty well. The turnovers did not hurt either.
The O came out flat but responded when it counted. Bothers me that we had to waste the last TO but glad it did not cost us. Not happy with the play calling on those two 3rd qtr drives.
Speaking of play calling how about SIU and that 4th and 1 from around their own 30? Then calling a pa$$ play from their own 2 that helped us by stopping the clock without us burning a TO.
Sure wish that we would not play the music so loud, just makes it so hard to talk to the person next to you.
The stands weren't full years ago when we were playing for a national championship. What makes you think people wanna come out and watch this?
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All due respect but I wish we would all stop asking where the fans are. They left with Tressel, who also isn’t coming back. At least not until we start winning like we did while he was here. Had several people say today, “you think if we won last week there would be more people here with Playoffs on the line?” My answer…NO!!! It is what it is. Those of us who were there saw a darn good group of kids who didn’t quit. And then won.
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I was not expecting the stands to be full today. I have been going to games since Jaws was the qb and most years there were plenty of empty seats. I understand the larger crowds in the 90's. I understand the population loss in the area. I get it.
I simply thought that there should have been more fans there today.
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I left in 4th quarter after they scored and was up 21-7. i wish i would have stayed