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Opponent Insight: Youngstown State
10/9/2019 9:48:00 AM | Football
It was just a few years ago when the Penguins of Youn,gstown State were marching on the field for their FCS Championship game against the Dukes of James Madison. They posted a 12-4 record (6-2 in the Missouri Valley) that season but eventually were defeated in the championship game.
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Since that defeat, the Penguins have gone 14-13, but it looks like things are starting to once again go in favor for Bo Pelini and his team. The former Super Bowl champion has his squad sporting a 4- 1 record this season, with the only loss coming in their last outing, Oct. 5, in a close battle against Northern Iowa.
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Picked to finish seventh in the MVFC, the Penguins have already tied their win total from last season.
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OFFENSE
The Penguins' key to success this season has, undoubtedly, been their run game. They have scored the most rushing touchdowns (17) of any team in the MVFC and average 248 yards per game on the ground. In their Sept. 7 win against Howard, the Penguins rushed for a staggering 454 yards while only needing 186 passing yards to win 54-28.
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Youngstown State has had seven different players that have rushed for a touchdown this season.
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Senior quarterback Nathan Mayes has not only been a threat with his feet (4 rushing TDs), but has an underrated arm. The Ohio native has the third-highest pass efficiency in the MVFC at 171.0 and also is fifth in the conference in total offense (202.8 yards per game)
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Junior punt returner Jack Coates can also be a threat. Coates has accumulated the most yards in the conference on punt returns this season (201) and has returned one for a touchdown.
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The Penguins are second in the conference in third-down conversions (46.4 percent) and in red zone offense, converting on 94.7 percent of the time and scoring 17 touchdowns.
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DEFENSE
The Penguins have a formidable defense, only allowing 19 points a game. Junior defensive end Justus Reed has been a nightmare for quarterbacks this season. The former Florida Gator has racked up 4.5 sacks this season, tying him for third in the MVFC). Reed also blocked a field goal this season.
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Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Demarko Craig Jr. has eight tackles for loss this season, putting him third on that list for the conference this season. Craig also leads all MVFC freshmen in sacks.
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Senior defensive back Kyle Hegedus suffered a season ending injury last season but is back better than ever. The Ohio native has recorded a team-high 27 tackles for the Penguins, including seven stops against Duquense on Sept. 14.
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The Penguins are equipped with three players who are among the top 10 list for sacks in the conference and as a team they are tied with North Dakota State for the league lead in interceptions with seven.
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SERIES NOTES
Youngstown State has one win under its belt against the Jackrabbits during Pelini's tenure. That win came in 2017 when the Penguins held the Jackrabbits to only 65 rushing yards and minimized their time of possession to only 14:46. The Penguins also converted both of their fourth-down attempts in that game.
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That game was played in Ohio, at Stambaugh Stadium, but fans know it as the "Ice Castle". That win also extended the Penguins home winning streak to 11 games at the time and gave the Jackrabbits their first loss of the MVFC season.
-GoJacks.com-
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Since that defeat, the Penguins have gone 14-13, but it looks like things are starting to once again go in favor for Bo Pelini and his team. The former Super Bowl champion has his squad sporting a 4- 1 record this season, with the only loss coming in their last outing, Oct. 5, in a close battle against Northern Iowa.
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Picked to finish seventh in the MVFC, the Penguins have already tied their win total from last season.
Â
OFFENSE
The Penguins' key to success this season has, undoubtedly, been their run game. They have scored the most rushing touchdowns (17) of any team in the MVFC and average 248 yards per game on the ground. In their Sept. 7 win against Howard, the Penguins rushed for a staggering 454 yards while only needing 186 passing yards to win 54-28.
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Youngstown State has had seven different players that have rushed for a touchdown this season.
Â
Senior quarterback Nathan Mayes has not only been a threat with his feet (4 rushing TDs), but has an underrated arm. The Ohio native has the third-highest pass efficiency in the MVFC at 171.0 and also is fifth in the conference in total offense (202.8 yards per game)
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Junior punt returner Jack Coates can also be a threat. Coates has accumulated the most yards in the conference on punt returns this season (201) and has returned one for a touchdown.
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The Penguins are second in the conference in third-down conversions (46.4 percent) and in red zone offense, converting on 94.7 percent of the time and scoring 17 touchdowns.
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DEFENSE
The Penguins have a formidable defense, only allowing 19 points a game. Junior defensive end Justus Reed has been a nightmare for quarterbacks this season. The former Florida Gator has racked up 4.5 sacks this season, tying him for third in the MVFC). Reed also blocked a field goal this season.
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Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Demarko Craig Jr. has eight tackles for loss this season, putting him third on that list for the conference this season. Craig also leads all MVFC freshmen in sacks.
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Senior defensive back Kyle Hegedus suffered a season ending injury last season but is back better than ever. The Ohio native has recorded a team-high 27 tackles for the Penguins, including seven stops against Duquense on Sept. 14.
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The Penguins are equipped with three players who are among the top 10 list for sacks in the conference and as a team they are tied with North Dakota State for the league lead in interceptions with seven.
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SERIES NOTES
Youngstown State has one win under its belt against the Jackrabbits during Pelini's tenure. That win came in 2017 when the Penguins held the Jackrabbits to only 65 rushing yards and minimized their time of possession to only 14:46. The Penguins also converted both of their fourth-down attempts in that game.
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That game was played in Ohio, at Stambaugh Stadium, but fans know it as the "Ice Castle". That win also extended the Penguins home winning streak to 11 games at the time and gave the Jackrabbits their first loss of the MVFC season.
-GoJacks.com-
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