Messages

16

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: RMU Game

« on: February 14, 2024, 12:26:14 PM »

We need more team play instead of individual play in my opinion. Too many 3's taken and not enough of an inside game either driving or getting the ball inside to our bigs. In the league we could have (should have) won just about every game with this approach. And play determined smart defense. Can't believe how many times we were beat off the dribble in the GB game with better athletes.

17

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU Beeghly facilities upgrade

« on: February 14, 2024, 12:21:41 PM »

As I understand it, the new seats will still be roll back like the current seats. The lower level will have arm rests and cup holders. The upper seats will be chair back, but no arm rests or cup holders. Seats will be larger and more space in front for leg room.

Too bad they didn't provide more leg room in the football chairbacks.

18

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: NCAA Playoffs Week 2: YSU at Villanova Saturday 12/2 at 12pm

« on: December 03, 2023, 09:32:28 PM »

It will be interesting to see the moves in jour program over the off season. Who do we bring in from the Portal and recruiting? What assistant coaching changes do we make, etc. There are questions on most of the defense and some key offensive position namely qb, rb, and Oline. Either our current guys are in and develop further or we bring in new players. We will watch this off season, but the proof will be our first game at Villanova next August. I think DP deserves our support and I think he knows what is needed to further improve our program. And will do it the right way with good people.

19

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Yesterday's Oher Conference Games

« on: December 03, 2023, 09:18:39 PM »

I watched the SIU game. They should have won. With score tied and 3 seconds left in the game, they set up for a 41 yard field goal to win the game. Their field goal kicker is having a bad year and entering the game he was just 2 of 6. He made about a 36 yard field goal earlier in the game, but his 41 yard try to win was partially blocked. In overtime SIU was intercepted on 3rd down, and Idaho kicked a field goal to win. SIU was up 10 - 0 in the 1st half and 17 - 10 mid way in the 4th quarter. It seemed like they tired at the end of the game to me.

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: NCAA Playoffs Week 2: YSU at Villanova Saturday 12/2 at 12pm

« on: December 01, 2023, 09:59:01 AM »

I think it is difficult to decide who might be a favorite in this game. No games played as of late between a MVFC team and the conference that Villanova plays in. We always hear about how superior the MVFC is, so this game will be a big test between their conference winner and us, the 3rd place team in the MVFC. The few clips I saw of Villanova shows them to be a big team which would seem to fit in the MVFC. Also we need to see if our pass defense has improved late in the year or still has the significant weakness shown much of the year. In the Tressel years we always peaked at the end of the year in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see if Phillip's team has done the same.

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: NCAA Playoffs Week 2: YSU at Villanova Saturday 12/2 at 12pm

« on: November 29, 2023, 03:12:21 PM »

I see the game is on ESPN+, no local TV from what I see. It would be good to attract the average fan to YSU football by having it on local TV. Anyone know the reason no local TV? Also it seems ESPN is using their own announcers so naybe the cost to broadcast locally may be high or they won't sell it.

22

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Cleveland State next men's basketball game

« on: November 28, 2023, 04:29:54 PM »

I see that we are 4.5 point underdogs. Looking at their roster, it seems like they have good size. Not sure we can run with 2 shorter point guards on the floor at a time like we did against Dayton. Our team needs to jell for us to win like last year. 

23

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: NCAA Playoffs Week 2: YSU at Villanova Saturday 12/2 at 12pm

« on: November 26, 2023, 06:01:58 PM »

I was at the 1997 game. Many from the valley traveled to the game and stayed at a hotel owned by Ron Jaworski. At that point we had more fans than ever so a large group traveled. Their field at the time was at the level of a typical lower tier high school stadium. Not sure if they play at the same place or not. We were behind big and I think got a blocked punt and Harry Deligeonus (sp) wrecked havoc on their qb from the Dline position at the end of the game. He was unlockable.  Great win. The trip home that night was terrible with a snowstorm making driving a challenge, but we were all happy!  Hope we can repeat this Saturday.

24

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: NCAA Playoffs Week 1: Duquesne at YSU Saturday 11/25 at 5pm

« on: November 19, 2023, 09:58:49 PM »

I think it is great that we got in. I think some of the reason is last year’s snub and the performance of teams from our league in the playoffs. If I recall correctly, MVFC teams in last year’s playoffs, 3 of them, only lost to other MVFC teams! All the other games we won. That is hard for others on the selection committee to ignore.

Also to all those on this board who have said over and over we would never get in this year, you were wrong. Based on last year’s selections you were correct, but thankfully this year was different. We all agree we are not a complete team, especially on defense. But we are better this year. I hope Tyshon King is ok; we need him desperately. And I hope against hope our defense improves so we can win a game or two. If we do win two games it is SDSU again which is a big problem for us or anyone else. It will be interesting to see if the coaches can have the players ready and on game day be able to adjust on the fly for things that always go against a team. These extra games should help our young players grow for next year and see just what coaches show improvement and which do not. And it should help recruiting.

Let’s be positive and support our team. Need to be realistic for sure, but all the negative posts, when done to extreme, do no good for us.

25

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: 2023 Football: Constructive Criticism and Compliments

« on: November 12, 2023, 10:03:43 PM »

After yesterday's performance a few things stand out to me that the staff needs to address. And accepting the fact that we are not going to have the funding to get fully developed coaches, we need to hope that we get young assistants that can learn from past results and methods or they need to be replaced. Things that need to improve in my opinion.

1. To me our staff has not done a good job of offensive and defensive stategy to maximize the talent we have. I hope they can learn from this and improve. Can't run the ball every time number 12 comes in. Can't cover talented recievers one on one. Can run the ball most of the time on 1st down. We get no pressure with our front four and yet we seem to have only one on one coverage on wide outs. Where are the other defenders? And we seem to always have the tight end uncovered on mid range passes to the side lines. Pass defense is a definite shortcoming that needs a major overhaul.

2. Need to always bring in talent from the portal each year like most teams at our level. This past year I think we only brought in number 10.

3. Can't build a program on mostly local talent. Fans love it until we have a showing like yesterday.

4. Can't build a program on just developing walk on's to scholarship players.

Lets hope that DP has the ability to right the ship. Lets not forget that our team this year is a big improvement since the end of the Pelini era.  Need to continue the improvement and make changes to get this done.

26

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: SDSU Game Preview

« on: November 08, 2023, 11:58:38 AM »

I watched some of the SDSU games this year. A big strong team with a good qb and running back. Much like Northern Iowa. We are probably not as strong up front as they are, but I think our guys have more speed and quickness. They will be a big challenge, but I think if we play a strong error free game we have a chance. And our coaches will need to do a good job on offensive and defensive strategy. This may be asking a lot of our guys, but I think it is possible. I am just a fan so maybe I really don't see things as they are, but I have hope going into the game. They sure aren't OSU.

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Missouri State Week

« on: October 30, 2023, 10:01:43 AM »

As I recall Wolford hired defensive coordinators that were experienced but had failed at their previous job. They came here and failed again. With salaries what they are in coaching today, assistants at most FBS schools make significantly more than our head coach, let alone our assistants. So we are in a spot where upcoming D2 or D3 assistants are where we have a chance at success. We can't attract really strong experienced candidates; can't afford them. Tressel was much the same. Remember our offensive coordinator, JK, who was the offensive coordinator in name only. Failed in future jobs. But also remember our D coordinators, an unproven Mark Dantonio or John Heacock, both of whom were really good. I think we need to develop coaches, but they need to be under the guidance of the head coach before letting them go and get what we have on D this year.

Our defense is a weak spot. It is either coaching or personnel. Injuries seem to be minimal this year on D. At the very least if we had a known weakness in personnel on D, we should have gotten help from the portal, much like we did at running back. In today's world of college athletics, I think the portal needs to be used to supplement what personnel weaknesses you have to be really good.

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Missouri State Week

« on: October 29, 2023, 02:27:03 PM »

The refs were definitely bad yesterday. Calls and no calls and on either team. I assume our number 45 who was ejected for targeting will be available next week. I don't understand that call or targeting in general anymore.

As for our offense we are doing very well. I think MSU tried to stop our run game, but the pass game was there. Mitch is doing very well and to think he was behind Waid and the 3 star qb from Upper Arlington! Too bad the coaches didn't realize what he was about years earlier. Not sure if it was favoring recruits instead of a lowly walk-on or wanting a running qb instead of a pure passer. I went to scrimmages and my small group always thought Mitch was the best of the group. Much like Hunter Wells of Bo Pellini fame. He was not even taken on trips in our championship season and later in the season took us to the championship game. And our receivers are outstanding with number 2 and 0 leading the way. And our one two punch at rb is really good.

Now for our Defense. Really not up to playoff caliber. I think it is both personnel and scheme for our personnel. We can't cover 1 on 1 on the best receivers and with a four man rush we get no pressure. Even our blitz packages are not very effective. Need dramatic improvement to just win 2 of our last 3. SDSU looks really tough and to be in that game major improvement is needed. Not sure that is possible.

Special teams are ok. Kick offs are short, but covered well most of the time. Punting is ok to better than ok. Punt block needs to be strategically employed and not in certain situations. Seemed to be slowed down this past game which was smart. Field goal kicking is turning into a definite strength I never saw coming. Glad for our number 24 who seems to have both accuracy and range and no fear in difficult situations. A definite asset in close games.

Coaching is at times questionable. But they are young and will hopefully learn from the mistakes.  We will see in the final 3 games which could be 3 - 0 or 0 - 3.  Best guess is 2 - 1, but maybe we have a miracle up our sleave.

29

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Illinois State Week

« on: October 20, 2023, 10:07:02 PM »

Our pass defense is the main problem. If it was just average, we would be 5 and 1. What bothers me the most is that a few years back we had a defensive backs coach who had the players believe in him. I recall they came to practice early and stayed after to work on their foot work and technique. Some of those players are still with us in Troy J and Quency L I think. It was the best pass D we had in a long time. He left the next season for Purdue I think. My issue is that our scheme seems weak, not just the players. I know our front 4 can't get pressure most of the time and that hurts. But we seem to always be chasing the receiver not defending against the pass. The coaches say that the other team is keeping 7 in to block so only 4 are in the pattern. We should have 7 to defend the 4 and they get wide open.

The losses in the league were to experienced coaches who I think control the assistants and the schemes on O and D. They make quick changes to our scheme and mostly win that battle against our coaching staff. In the USD game we came out strong on O, but after 2 series changes were made and we were in trouble the rest of the half. I hope that our coaches can learn from this and get better. I also think the head coach needs to be closely in control of the new and inexperienced assistant coaches so we don't get out schemed with an experienced coach against our inexperienced coaches. Sometimes I feel that assistant coaches who get to be head coaches still have sympathy for assistants and give them too much authority. We can’t afford to hire experienced and proven assistants so we need to guide our assistant coaches until they prove themselves.

We sure need a change in our pass defense scheme so we win some games.

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: South Dakota TV announcers Etc.

« on: October 17, 2023, 08:25:12 AM »

The announcers were not very good. Did not know the down and distance or the players. I heard that they may have been announcing remotely like during Covid. Not at the game. Who knows.