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YSU Penguin Athletics => YSU Penguin Athletics => Topic started by: peteonastick on October 21, 2021, 07:42:44 AM
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Must win on the road! Heard they have the number one defensive player in sacks and tackles for loss. Need to control the line! Win this. Go 3-3 into the meat grinder at the end of the year.
Go Guins!
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YSU Scouting Report: Week 8
LOCAL SPORTS
OCT 21, 2021
JOEL WHETZEL
Staff writer
jwhetzel@tribtoday.com
Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Youngstown State quarterback Demeatric Crenshaw (10) tries to evade a pair of Missouri State defenders during the Penguins’ 41-33 upset win two weeks ago. YSU visits Indiana State on Saturday.
Talk about a brutal home stretch.
Entering the second half of its season at 2-3, Youngstown State will face some of the best in the FCS to finish its season out, as three of its remaining five opponents are in this week’s Stats Perform Top 25. Those three are South Dakota State (No. 6), North Dakota State (No. 3) and Southern Illinois (No. 4). In addition, North Dakota just dropped out last week, but could find itself ranked again once it gets back on track.
Before that gauntlet, however, the Penguins travel to Terre Haute, Ind., to face the Indiana State Sycamores, who enter at 3-4 and certainly are beatable.
The term “must win” gets thrown around a lot these days, but this is as close to that as possible if the Penguins want to extend their progress from the 41-33 upset of Missouri State two weeks ago and continue that mojo into the final four weeks of the year.
ISU’s offense has struggled, as it ranks at the bottom of the Missouri Valley Football Conference in points per game (15.6) and total yardage (265.1). Given that YSU has allowed 37.6 points per game this year, we’ll soon find out if that’s due to the prolific offenses the Penguins have faced, or if deeper concerns are present.
Meanwhile, ISU has allowed 30.3 points per game, and YSU is scoring just under that with 28.2 points per game.
QUARTERBACKS
YSU — Demeatric Crenshaw is coming off his most complete performance of the season, having completed 10 of 19 passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 195 yards and a touchdown.
The passing numbers won’t jump off the stat sheet, but being able to complete downfield passes like he did last game will continue to open things up for Crenshaw and the YSU backfield. Crenshaw’s 97.4 rushing yards per game are 16th-best in the FCS.
ISU — Anthony Thompson is 94-of-154 this season with 918 yards and six touchdowns. He’s been picked off five times. His 131.14 yards per game are 84th in the FCS, and he won’t factor into the ISU run game.
EDGE — Youngstown State
RUNNING BACKS
YSU — Jaleel McLaughlin is the FCS’ third-leading rusher at 117.6 yards per game, and the Penguins also get Christian Turner back from injury this week.
The Sycamore defense gives up 152 yards per game on the ground, which ranks seventh in the MVFC.
ISU — Peterson Kerlegrand heads up a Sycamore ground game that ranks 10th out of 11 teams in the MVFC in terms of yardage per game. Kerlegrand has run for 473 yards this year and has scored three times. He also has five receptions for 67 yards.
EDGE — Youngstown State
WIDE RECEIVERS
YSU — Given the opportunity to make plays downfield two weeks ago, YSU’s receivers capitalized. Sam St. Surin hauled in a 28-yard touchdown pass, while Jorge Portorreal had a 6-yard scoring grab.
Tight end Andrew Ogletree has 15 receptions for 120 yards this season, and is often one of Crenshaw’s most preferred targets.
ISU — Dante Hendrix is one of the top receivers in the MVFC, but has been limited to just two games this year due to injury. He played in ISU’s season opener, then didn’t appear again until last week against Missouri State.
That said, he made his presence immediately known, as he hauled in 10 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown against the Bears. Morgan Rontrez has 33 receptions for 241 yards this year, while Phazi McClurge has 22 grabs for 286 yards and three scores.
EDGE — Indiana State
OFFENSIVE LINE
YSU — After the upset of MSU, Penguin head coach Doug Phillips said the offensive linemen sat down in the week before to “kumbaya” and get things together. It showed, as YSU bulldozed what was a top 15 rushing defense for 377 yards and four touchdowns. In addition, Crenshaw finally had time to complete passes beyond the short- to mid-range routes. If the Penguins are to succeed, the front will have to keep progressing off of that step forward.
ISU — The Sycamore front is anchored by guard Isaiah Edwards, who has received MVFC honors during his career at ISU. Indiana State allows 1.71 sacks per game, and the rushing offense is 10th in the MVFC right now.
EDGE — Youngstown State
DEFENSIVE LINE
YSU — The YSU defensive front did a much better job of applying pressure against Missouri State than in previous weeks, as Jason Shelley often was scrambling around and was sacked four times. Hunter Allen had 1.5 of those, while Chris Fitzgerald had a TFL.
ISU — Inoke Moala’s 1.14 sacks per game (8 total) rank him eighth in the nation right now, and Indiana State as a whole averages 3.43 sacks per game, which is 7th in the FCS. Expect Moala to wreak a little havoc on Saturday, as he also has 12 TFLs.
EDGE — Indiana State
LINEBACKERS
YSU — Grant Dixon and Griffin Hoak took a collective step forward two weeks ago, as Hoak led the team with two sacks while Dixon had an assisted sack plus 1.5 TFLs.
ISU — Geoffrey Brown is the top linebacker for the Sycamores, with 31 tackles, six TFLs and a sack. Matt Thompson has notched two TFLs and a sack of his own.
EDGE — Youngstown State
SECONDARY
YSU — The Penguin secondary has been prone to giving up big plays this year, and Hendrix will certainly provide a tough test.
Still, this group is coming off a performance in which Keyon Martin and Jordan White each recorded an interception. White also led the Penguins in tackles that game.
ISU — This unit also has struggled, as the Sycamores have given up the 9th-most yards per game in the MVFC (247). Michael Thomas has two picks this season and two PBUs, while Mekhi Ware has four PBUs. In all, ISU has intercepted five passes this season.
EDGE — Indiana State
SPECIALISTS
YSU — Colt McFadden is 5-for-6 this season, and booted through a pair of kicks against MSU. His long is from 45 yards out. Paddy Lynch and Nick DeSalvo still split punting duties, and have done well together. Sam St. Surin also turned in an explosive kick return that set up a Jaleel McLaughlin touchdown run against the Bears.
ISU — Alan Selzer is 6-for-9 on field goals this season, while Travis Reiner has 13 punts inside the 20 and seven that went beyond 50 yards.
EDGE — Youngstown State
PREDICTION
Coming off a massive win over Missouri State followed by a bye week, the Penguins should be both confident and rested.
Look for YSU to handle business on the road and get back to .500, courtesy of a big day on the ground and what should be the defense’s best performance this season.
Youngstown State wins, 31-17.
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48 hours from kickoff and the game week thread hasn't begun. YSU football is dead!
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We have played three games against dynamic quarterbacks (UIW, WIU, MSU) and two games where we were badly outclassed on the lines (Michigan State and UNI.) Indiana State has neither although they are not a push-over. If we play as hard as we did against Missouri State, the outcome should be favorable.
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GO GUINS!!!!
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To have a chance at winning today I think the key is for us to have a down the field passing game. That opens up our run game if the defense plays it as pass or run. And if they continue to pack the line of scrimmage, we need to continue to pass. If our first play on offense is a run up the middle by 8, I think we could be in trouble. Our offense needs to protect the defense. Indiana State has good players, not great players, so if we can play them honest, we can win. Watched them against Missouri State and they had their hands full. And on defense we need to play a tighter zone or man coverage. Can't just leave open spots in the zone and let the receivers settle in for wide open catches.
A win would be big for our confidense in the new staff and players leading into a tough last 4 games and off season and recruiting.
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Defense needs to step up today. Defense was a pleasant surprise in the spring but has been a disappointment this fall especially pass defense. One of the worst in the FCS. Can't continue to give up 40 points a game. Average QBs leave games with us with highlight films.
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Fire the DC!
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Fire the OC as well!
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Just tuned in, why is Craycraft in?
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Claycraft is in for QB. We are doomed.
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Great play by Dixon! With a cast on his arm too!
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A roster full of D2 and D3 Quarterbacks.
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Yeah. We are in trouble.
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So I missed Crenshaw getting injured. I know he got injured in the 1st, but how did he get injured?
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Fire the OC as well!
If the oc has been fired, fire him again
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Craycraft improved steadily on the those 3 series. Last drive was outstanding. Let's get a couple of 2-back plats in for the second half. Just cannot believe our defense is giving up so much on the ground against the worst team in the conference.
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WE go all the way down to the 4 yard line. Our offensive coordinator screws it up again with his inept play calling!
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Craycraft improved steadily on the those 3 series. Last drive was outstanding. Let's get a couple of 2-back plats in for the second half. Just cannot believe our defense is giving up so much on the ground against the worst team in the conference.
We had alot of three and outs in the end of the 1st and all 2nd quarter... Putting our defense in bad spots.
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let me get this straight, we need a half yard, and run an offensive guard! Get rid of this OC now!
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let me get this straight, we need a half yard, and run an offensive guard! Get rid of this OC now!
Oh man, I know it didn't work, but I do like the idea of handing it off to our d tackle... I just think running an i formation up the gut makes more sense than out of shotgun.
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Yep! I like the idea of giving them an easy touchdown too!
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How is that trick play working for us now?
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Uhhh the 4th down coaching philosophy needs some work.
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Yep! I like the idea of giving them an easy touchdown too!
Well the decision to go for it was right, but we can debate the play call. 4th and 1 should always be a go for it play according to the analytics
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One of the jobs of the OC is to not let the other team gain momentum if possible with well designed run plays or short pass plays! Not running your damn DT when you only need 6 inches. Run a damn fullback, or a QB sneak, or something else. Yep, that rick play gave them all the momentum.
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let me get this straight, we need a half yard, and run an offensive guard! Get rid of this OC now!
We have a 6’3” QB. QB sneak made more sense than to a deep hand off to a slow offensive guard
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let me get this straight, we need a half yard, and run an offensive guard! Get rid of this OC now!
We have a 6’3” QB. QB sneak made more sense than to a deep hand off to a slow offensive guard
Agree
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Yikes… that’s a bad break
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Okay! Time our heads out of rear-ends! The missed FG gives me a little hope!
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Where’s McLaughlin? Are we resting him for the 5th quarter?!!
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Yep! thoroughly out coached!
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I think Phillips has given up
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We should cancel the rest of the season like we did last year
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The MUCH better team won.
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Where’s McLaughlin? Are we resting him for the 5th quarter?!!
He got injured. Both he and Crenshaw are injured
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Where’s McLaughlin? Are we resting him for the 5th quarter?!!
He got injured. Both he and Crenshaw are injured
Thanks I didn't see him get hurt
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Defense needs to step up today. Defense was a pleasant surprise in the spring but has been a disappointment this fall especially pa$$ defense. One of the worst in the FCS. Can't continue to give up 40 points a game. Average QBs leave games with us with highlight films.
This pre-game post turned out to be prophecy! We are indeed among the worst defenses in FCS. We allowed the worst offensive team in the league, led by the worst quarterback in the league, do whatever they wanted to us.
Even with the terrible defense and the injuries, we would have won this game if not for that boneheaded play call on 4th and inches. If you are going to let a defensive tackle carry the ball, fine....give him a chance. Place the quarterback under center with the tackle right behind him. Send the tailback in motion to remove a linebacker from the middle. Then ram it straight down their throat. Did our coaches seriously believe that ISU would not get penetration against our o-line when the tackle receives the ball five years behind the line of scrimmage. Ridiculous.
Think about it. The bungled fourth down try against a bad Western Illinois defense. The bungled play design against this bad defense. With better coaching, we might actually be 4-2 (3-1) instead of heading toward oblivion.
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Defense needs to step up today. Defense was a pleasant surprise in the spring but has been a disappointment this fall especially pa$$ defense. One of the worst in the FCS. Can't continue to give up 40 points a game. Average QBs leave games with us with highlight films.
This pre-game post turned out to be prophecy! We are indeed among the worst defenses in FCS. We allowed the worst offensive team in the league, led by the worst quarterback in the league, do whatever they wanted to us.
Even with the terrible defense and the injuries, we would have won this game if not for that boneheaded play call on 4th and inches. If you are going to let a defensive tackle carry the ball, fine....give him a chance. Place the quarterback under center with the tackle right behind him. Send the tailback in motion to remove a linebacker from the middle. Then ram it straight down their throat. Did our coaches seriously believe that ISU would not get penetration against our o-line when the tackle receives the ball five years behind the line of scrimmage. Ridiculous.
Think about it. The bungled fourth down try against a bad Western Illinois defense. The bungled play design against this bad defense. With better coaching, we might actually be 4-2 (3-1) instead of heading toward oblivion.
Very good point on the 4th down calls. Like I said before I like giving it to a 300 pounder, but don’t put him in a situation where he’s in the open field… we tried to way to cute on that play
But besides the defense it’s turnovers… gotta take care of the ball
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I am still at a loss on how Craycraft is ahead of Wade on the depth chart.
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IM AT A LOSS HOW THIS WILL EVER GET FIXED. WE WONT WIN AGAIN THIS YEAR.
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I am still at a loss on how Craycraft is ahead of Wade on the depth chart.
I couldn’t find him on the roster in this weeks game notes, which isn’t surprising after he entered the transfer portal. They moved him to tight end over the summer anyway if I remember correctly.
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I am still at a loss on how Craycraft is ahead of Wade on the depth chart.
I admit I have no idea how this all works, but if Wade wants to leave why would he still be on the team let alone play. Give the reps to someone that wants to be here.
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We aren’t going to be good or relevant for years. It will not be fixed unless we get more money? Playing in the toughest league means nothing when you have only won it what once or twice in almost 30 years. Look at the stands no interest. Even the diehards have dwindled down to almost extinction. You all think we will strike lightening in a bottle again. The 90,s run was once in a lifetime and college football has changed completely with more teams more media etc etc. The state of Ytown has shrunk immensely. Look at how Wolford focused his recruiting. He got it, just didn’t get the money needed to continue the rebuild . Again we want to run a top flight program on a Dollarr General budget.
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I will provide my observations.
1. When we lost Crenshaw the game was essentially over. Indiana State stacked the box and dared us to throw. Craycraft was inconsistent and that should be expected. He also did not win the starting position. He was third behind Waide.
2. The line play is the root of the issue. They need time for development.
3. The team is relatively young which equates to being highly inconsistent. Most programs don't have to deal with the amount of youth all at one time.
4. They are focused at recruiting linemen in alignment that we need to win in this league.
5. The money is important, but at the end of the day money is not the only thing needed to get good recruits. North Dakota State doesn't even have their own stadium they rent it. What matters more is relationships and trust in coaching. If you look at the players Phillips has recruited, they've been closer to what you want versus any of Pelini recruits. Remember his hands are tied to some degree on the rate of change. But I think Phillips is patient. I happen to think that Phillips is very similar and an older version of PJ Fleck. Fleck is far more nuanced, but they have similar attributes. Interestingly both coached with Tressel. I believe PJ has one of the Tressels' working for him. Look at how long it's taken PJ fleck to make Minnesota respectable. Minnesota would have been one of the top teams in the west had they not lost their running back. They don't have the depth yet, but their starters can play with anyone. And their offensive line is one of the best in the Big ten.
When we lost Crenshaw to that lower body injury we just don't have the depth and consistency to be able to beat teams. It's just going to take time. The only way to speed it up is transfers. However, with the number of local recruits Pellini put on the team, if they let these kids go it will have a negative effect on YSU as a whole in terms of perception in the community. They could quickly lose even more support permanently. Right now there's a bunch of fair weather fans that will turn out if they start winning again. Many of the diehards from the 90s are in retirement homes or dead.
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People don’t care what conference you are in! When YSU was D2 during the Narduzzi and Dempsey playoff runs Fitch stadium was full. When we were an independent the stadium was full. All programs need fare weather fans that is what fills the stands. Winning creates excitement. Yes we will probably get some lineman etc. but are we going to go 9-2 or even 8-3 and win a couple of league championships in 8 years. I doubt it.
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Small time coaches. They will not be successful here. This is not John Carroll....
As for recruiting, yes you may hit a few small time kids if you can develop but the staff has not shown they can do that either. Especially O and D line. They are recruiting mainly D2 players.
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Small time coaches. They will not be successful here. This is not John Carroll....
As for recruiting, yes you may hit a few small time kids if you can develop but the staff has not shown they can do that either. Especially O and D line. They are recruiting mainly D2 players.
To be fair... our last coach was big time and was also not successful here. Don't forget DP was hired in early 2020 and is still mostly working with a roster built from the last coaching staff. The decline of this program is just an extension of the trend we saw happening during Pelini.
If we're giving Wolford's recruiting credit for Pelini's 2016 title run than we should give Pelini's recruiting credit for DPs 2020 and 2021 seasons. I still think it's way too early to criticize this staff from a player and recruiting standpoint.
I was just reviewing 247 sports recruiting ranking and saw that we have a 3 star commit at linebacker from the cla$$ of 2022, 6-4 202lbs. That looks like D1 recruiting to me.
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Do you think Crenshaw is the answer? His pa$$ing game will never be their because his height. You will be worried every single time he runs as to whether or not he is going to get up again.
The play-calling is sub-par. This is not going to change for some time to come. You do not mind a young team when you have experienced staff; but when your staff is just as inexperienced...what are you going to do?. I mean we are happy because the coaches finally see the need for some thunder in the backfield and then we put the QB in at shotgun depth? The back should have run up the middle with Craycratft pushing him from behind; or he should have been making a whole for Craycraft. In either case, THE QB SHOULD BE UP UNDER CENTER. This is HS fundamentals.
Did anyone else notice that the receivers could not catch many of Craycraft's more powerfully thrown pa$$es? Maybe this is something that will change with regular exposure, but it does make me kind of wonder if we have the improved receiving corps that we were thinking.
Line improvement is hard to call. ISU always has huge linemen and we struggle early.
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People don’t care what conference you are in! When YSU was D2 during the Narduzzi and Dempsey playoff runs Fitch stadium was full. When we were an independent the stadium was full. All programs need fare weather fans that is what fills the stands. Winning creates excitement. Yes we will probably get some lineman etc. but are we going to go 9-2 or even 8-3 and win a couple of league championships in 8 years. I doubt it.
IMO D2 today isn’t the D2 when we were in it. To go D2 now, or even OVC IMO, would be an irreversible retreat and an inch away from dissolving the program.
As I’ve commented before, there is lots of reason to believe that someday (soon) mathematics will matter and the MAC will cease to exist in its current form. At that time, opportunities may arise where a regional FCS conference is formed.
As a side note, our prior MCC and OVC partner, Akron, still lists YSU as a rival on Wikipedia.
The problem, of course, is our wildly incompetent “ticketgate”, Slocum & Heacock contract renewing AD will certainly blow such opportunity when it arises.
Until the AD is under new leadership, which won’t happen for at least 10 years...the FB program will continue to languish. There is so much that is broken that there isn’t even one solution (like conference affiliation) that will make the program competitive again.
My goals for the program have been lowered to “please just don’t have more scandals.”
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Poor showing yesterday for sure. And with some luck we ended up tied at half. Lost our QB and number 8 was hurt at some point in the second half. And getting the kick off to start the 2nd half and getting to the 4 yard line, first and goal. We absolutely should have scored a td at that point and the game would have been different in my opinion. Running 8 at that point on 1st and 2nd down fooled no one and we ended up 3rd and goal from the 2. Now a pass was expected and Indiana State coaches who out schemed us all day, brought pressure. Cracraft is not quick enough or good enough under pressure which they found out and our play failed. If 81 caught the flip pass that would have saved the day, but he dropped it. Then the 4th down call with inches to go and we go shotgun with a 300 lb running back. Again out schemed by their coaches and we fail. Game basically over, they know our qb can't survive under pressure. When given time he makes the throws at this point of the game. With our O line we need a mobile elusive qb to survive. With Creshaw down, we are done.
For the future I still have hope for DP. He needs to rebuild and needs time and support to do it. Give him a honest chance and be supportive. In many ways it is our team and our entertainment. Without YSU what do we have? OSU, Kent State, and Akron? I think YSU adds signigicantly to the area and deserves our support. All the negatives don't really help. In many ways people in Youngstown want everything to fail and they will be happy. Almost like the old Vindicator on the area and YSU.
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I don’t want to see us fail. But we don’t have the money to be what we used to be. Even our student population is what like 8800 and they with fees give 70% of our athletic budget which is even less than what Akron students give. We are not understanding the economic hardship we are dealing with.
I’m sure that Phillips can recruit better but in reality now we need to play 2 money games which are losses and we all know we will lose at least 2 games minimum in our conference. So we are for the most part starting with hoping to go 8-4, or 8-3 maybe once in 15 years 9-2. We are just idiots for continuing to think we can be a big player in our conference, as for the comment that one of our teams in our conference is renting a stadium shows you how f***ed up FCS is. Dropping down to the OVC will help us not hurt us. Or whatever. No kid grows up wishing to play in the MVFC where we recruit.
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Do you think Crenshaw is the answer? His pa$$ing game will never be their because his height. You will be worried every single time he runs as to whether or not he is going to get up again.
The play-calling is sub-par. This is not going to change for some time to come. You do not mind a young team when you have experienced staff; but when your staff is just as inexperienced...what are you going to do?. I mean we are happy because the coaches finally see the need for some thunder in the backfield and then we put the QB in at shotgun depth? The back should have run up the middle with Craycratft pushing him from behind; or he should have been making a whole for Craycraft. In either case, THE QB SHOULD BE UP UNDER CENTER. This is HS fundamentals.
Did anyone else notice that the receivers could not catch many of Craycraft's more powerfully thrown pa$$es? Maybe this is something that will change with regular exposure, but it does make me kind of wonder if we have the improved receiving corps that we were thinking.
Line improvement is hard to call. ISU always has huge linemen and we struggle early.
First of all Crenshaw was a Pelini recruit… but also height being a limiting factor for QBs has pretty much been debunked in modern college football. Sure it helps, but no reason a shorter QB can’t be a great pa$$er at our level, Devlin Hodges was 6-1 and set records at Samford. Not to mention Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Johnny Manzel etc
But I agree the play calling was bad
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I cannot agree Kandrase. When you take away your passing game between the hatch marks you become am much more easy offense to defend against. If we decide to integrate an option component, then maybe passing could be more effective. I see no other way.
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We havent had a passing game to defend since Hunter Wells graduated. The offense has regressed since Montgomery left.
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We havent had a pa$$ing game to defend since Hunter Wells graduated. The offense has regressed since Montgomery left.
Why was his nickname “pick 6”?
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We have reached a very low point. Losing to Western Illinois and Indiana State in the same season. Would need a supreme effort to win any of the final four. Looking at a 1-6 spring, 2-8 fall. If we lose all 4, Coach Phillips 3-14 first two seasons is pathetic. Pelini didn't leave the program in this bad of shape.
We are slow, small and lack athleticism other than McLaughlin. On another note, why did he disappear the final part of the fourth quarter on Saturday?
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For YSU to be competitive we have to go 2 deep which would be 44 players with legitimate D1 talent. I'm sorry but this staff isn't capable of recruiting those type of numbers. That means u have hit 50% on your recruits year in and year out to be successful. Thats just the talent equation of the puzzle. Throw in the coaching we currently have and its virtually impossible.
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We have reached a very low point. Losing to Western Illinois and Indiana State in the same season. Would need a supreme effort to win any of the final four. Looking at a 1-6 spring, 2-8 fall. If we lose all 4, Coach Phillips 3-14 first two seasons is pathetic. Pelini didn't leave the program in this bad of shape.
We are slow, small and lack athleticism other than McLaughlin. On another note, why did he disappear the final part of the fourth quarter on Saturday?
I do believe that bo left us in terrible shape. But at the same time I am not totally sold on the new coaching staff. Way too early to judge their recruiting talents. DP seems to have the right demeanor but a lot of the play calling on both sides of the ball have me wondering. DP may not be making these calls but he is responsible for them so lets see what, if any , changes he makes in the off season.
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I am depressed with the state of our football program. DP might be ok, but his assistants are not.
So, I am ready for Basketball.
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High school has a running clock in football (2nd half) and this year basketball has added running clock for the regular season. the quality of high school athletes is not what it used to be. it is difficult for the mid majors and lower to get good players.
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We have reached a very low point. Losing to Western Illinois and Indiana State in the same season. Would need a supreme effort to win any of the final four. Looking at a 1-6 spring, 2-8 fall. If we lose all 4, Coach Phillips 3-14 first two seasons is pathetic. Pelini didn't leave the program in this bad of shape.
We are slow, small and lack athleticism other than McLaughlin. On another note, why did he disappear the final part of the fourth quarter on Saturday?
Sure he did, we were 2-6 in conference his last year, and things were not looking optimistic towards the end.
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We have reached a very low point. Losing to Western Illinois and Indiana State in the same season. Would need a supreme effort to win any of the final four. Looking at a 1-6 spring, 2-8 fall. If we lose all 4, Coach Phillips 3-14 first two seasons is pathetic. Pelini didn't leave the program in this bad of shape.
We are slow, small and lack athleticism other than McLaughlin. On another note, why did he disappear the final part of the fourth quarter on Saturday?
Sure he did, we were 2-6 in conference his last year, and things were not looking optimistic towards the end.
Tressel, Heacock (obviously,) Wolford, and Pelini inherited rosters with way more talent than what Phillips has to deal with.
With the exception of a handful of transfers, all of our seniors, juniors, and sophomores are Pelini's recruits. Honestly, would any team in our league want many of these players? My guess is just one, Becker, but only if he was healthy. Again excepting the transfers, all of Phillip's recruits are freshmen (the covid winter did not count toward eligibility.) It is way too early to evaluate his abilities as a recruiter.
Playing in this league without quality upperclassmen is a prescription for disaster. That does not excuse poor game preparation and idiotic play designs.