Correspondent Photo / Robert Hayes YSU receiver Max Tomczak tries to slip past two Pittsburgh defenders after making a catch during last week’s game against the Panthers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State is looking to reset after wrapping up non-conference play and opening up Missouri Valley Football Conference play this week.
The Penguins have struggled against non-league opponents, going 1-3 in their last four games, with two of those losses coming by a disappointing one-point margin.
“We have to learn from the disappointment and hopefully we can apply those lessons to the league.” Head coach Doug Phillips said. “We’ve had a lot of instances where we’ve gone into the league feeling pretty good and then suddenly lost two of our first three games. It’s a new season for us and we’ve been preparing for it. … We just have to be prepared to go out there and play with a bang and show how much we’ve improved since last week.”
How the Penguins start conference play could have huge implications in determining the outcome of their entire season.
If they win their first two games against Missouri State and Indiana State, YSU will suddenly have a more consistent 3-3 record before facing five straight games against higher-ranked opponents.
“Coach Phillips said we’re 0-0 right now and we need to go into every game like it’s our last and go all out and win.” said junior linebacker Preston Zandier. “You have to start each week as if it were your last, to seize the opportunities and seize the moments that are in front of you.”
The Penguins lost their first two games in the MVFC with losses to Western Illinois and Northern Iowa as YSU went 3-7 in 2021. In 2022, YSU saw the same result, winning five of their next six games after losses to North Dakota State and North Dakota.
Then last season, the Penguins lost narrowly to Northern Iowa, but returned home the following week to beat top-ranked Southern Illinois. YSU finished both the 2022 and 2023 regular seasons with a 7-4 record.
“This league is a rollercoaster.” Phillips said. “Last year we went on the road to UNI and lost by three points, it was such a tough game that people thought we were crazy and down. Then we beat a Southern Illinois team at home that was in good form. So it’s really a week-long season and we’ve got to stay focused on the mission we’re trying to accomplish.”
This Saturday at 3 p.m. against Missouri State (ESPN+/570 WKBN) will be YSU’s final game as an MVFC opponent, as Missouri State is set to move up to the FBS level and join Conference USA in 2025.
YSU “In progress” The defense’s challenges will continue this week as they face off against a Bears offense.
The Penguins and Missouri State are averaging 388.8 yards per game this season, good for 30th in the FCS, but the Bears’ offense is more pass-heavy while YSU’s is more run-heavy.
Missouri State is averaging 301.2 passing yards per game, good for fourth in the FCS, and it all starts with senior quarterback Jacob Clark.
“He’s a guy that can pitch anything.” Phillips said. “(Clark) is 6-foot-5, 220 pounds and can run if he wants to, but he prefers to throw the football.”
Clark played in the Bears’ first four games last season but then suffered a season-ending injury and did not play in YSU’s 44-28 win over Missouri State last October.
Leading rusher Jacardia Wright also returns for the Bears and led the team’s ground attack with 287 yards rushing and five touchdowns.
Hunter Wood and Jamariye Robinson are Clark’s favorite targets, each with more than 240 receiving yards this season, but tight end Lance Mason is Missouri State’s big-play threat, averaging 23.7 yards per reception, good for eighth in the FCS.
“They’re going to be challenging in every aspect, offensively and defensively.” Phillips said. “You have to come prepared. We told our kids (Tuesday) ‘trust the how and know the why.’ But to me, it’s not about what we know, it’s about what you guys know and how quickly you know is how quickly you can play. You haven’t seen our team play at full speed yet. We’ll have to see that on Saturday.”
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