Oct. 21, 2009
Penguins Play Three Straight Against Ranked Foes Starting With Salukis
Youngstown -- The Penguins (4-2 and 2-1) play their
first ranked team of the season when they visit No. 3 Southern Illinois this
Saturday...kickoff at McAndrew Stadium is set for 4 p.m. Eastern/3 p.m.
Central...this is the final trip to the 73-year-old stadium with a new facility
set to open in 2010...SIU (5-1 and 4-0) has won five straight following a 27-20
win at UNI last Saturday...it was the Salukis’ first win at the UNI Dome since
1987...SIU has won 10 consecutive conference games...the contest is Coach
Heacock’s 100th game on the sidelines as YSU’s head coach...YSU has won six
straight games following a bye week with its last loss coming at Western
Illinois in 1998 (14-0)...since 1975, YSU has won 24 of 27 games following an
idle weekend...YSU’s last win at McAndrew Stadium was in 2001...the Salukis beat
the Penguins 33-0 last year at Stambaugh Stadium...in its most recent trip to
Carbondale, YSU lost 24-17 in 2007...the Guins lead the all-time series
10-9-1...the Penguins play three ranked teams the next three Saturday’s...the
Guins were 2-4 against ranked teams last year...YSU returns home to host South
Dakota State on Oct. 31.
The Series vs. Southern Illinois
This is the 21st meeting between the two programs. YSU holds
a slim 10-9-1 advantage in the all-time series. In games played at McAndrew
Stadium, the Salukis hold a narrow 5-4-1 edge, having won the past three,
including two decided by a touchdown (24-17 in 2007 and 2003). The 2005 contest
was tied at 17 in the fourth quarter before two SIU scored twice.
The Penguins are 8-0-1 in the series when scoring at least 21
points, but 2-9, including nine straight losses, when scoring 20-or-fewer. SIU
has won five of the last six contests, scoring at least 24 points in every game.
Quick Notes From the WIU Game
• YSU scored 31 points in the first half. It was the most points scored in a
first half and most in a half overall since a 31-point outburst against UC Davis
on Sept. 23, 2006.
• YSU scored touchdowns on its first four possessions and had points on its
first five.
• TB Kevin Smith had a career-high 28 carries against Western Illinois. It was
the third time this year Smith had more than 20 carries in a game.
• The Penguins forced four turnovers in the contest, the third time this year
they have forced four turnovers in game.
• CB Lenny Wicks returned a punt 31 yards. It was a season-long punt return for
YSU.
• QB Brandon Summers has thrown a touchdown pass in five straight games after
tossing two against the Leathernecks. It’s the longest streak in the same season
since 2004.
• LB David Rach snared his first career interception when he picked off a pass
in the fourth quarter.
• Summers completed 10-of-13 passes in the first half for 104 yards and two
scores. In the second half he was 2-of-5 for 30 yards and an interception.
• The Guins had a season-high five sacks against the Leathernecks. In the first
five games, YSU had seven.
• WR Donald Jones has 19 receptions (11 vs. Missouri State and eight vs. WIU) in
the past two games. He ranks 19th in the FCS in receptions per game at 6.33.
• WR Dominique Barnes has caught a pass in 18 straight games while Jones has a
reception in 16 consecutive contests.
Last Meeting: SIU 33, YSU 0
The defense did their best to keep the Penguins in the game,
but YSU just couldn’t take advantage of some opportunities on offense and
ultimately lost 33-0 to Southern Illinois at Stambaugh Stadium last year.
It was the first time the Guins were shut out at home since
Sept. 9, 1995 (27-0 by Stephen F. Austin).
SIU jumped out to a 7-0 lead three plays into the game on a
24-yard pass from Chris Dieker to Joe Allaria. Later in the quarter, Ryan Patton
intercepted a Dailyn Campbell pass and returned it 52 yards for a score.
In the second and third quarters, SIU combined to score five
points, while YSU was stopped on a fourth-and-1 at the Salukis’ 21-yard line and
Brian Palmer, who had made 14 straight field goals, missed chances from 38 and
42 yards.
In the fourth, SIU broke the game open with two touchdown
runs in a 62-second span for the final margin of 33-0.
In his first start, Campbell completed 15-of-29 passes for 102 yards.
Last Game: YSU 31, WIU 21
Youngstown State scored 31 first-half points, including 28 in
the first 20 minutes of the contest, and then had to hold off a late Western
Illinois comeback bid for a 31-21 victory.
In the first quarter, Kevin Smith opened the scoring on a
one-yard rush. Later in the first quarter, Brandon Summers connected on a
three-yard strike to Donald Jones.
In the second quarter, Dana Brown added a one-yard run of his
own before Summers connected with Dominique Barnes on a seven-yard score. Just
before halftime, Stephen Blose converted a 27-yard field goal as the Guins led
31-0 at the break.
WIU made things interesting late in the second half. The
Leathernecks pulled within 10 points with 7:54 remaining, but YSU’s defense
stymied a last-ditch comeback bid on a David Rach interception with 5:41 left.
The Penguins followed with a drive that took more than five
minutes off the clock to help seal the victory.
Extra Week Gives Boost
The Penguins have won six straight games following a bye week
dating back to the 1998 campaign. Their last loss came at Western Illinois in
1998 (14-0).
Historically, the Guins have had success following some time
to catch their breath and get healthy. Since 1975, YSU has won 24 of 27 games
following an idle weekend. YSU did not play on a Saturday in October for the
first time since 1997 when it was off on the 17th.
Heacock Coaches 100th
Coach Jon Heacock is coaching his 100th game at the Penguins’
head coach this Saturday at Southern Illinois. Longevity has long been a strong
suit of the program’s coaches. He is the fourth out of five coaches in YSU
history to coach 100 games with the program. Dike Beede leads the way with 279,
Jim Tressel ranks second with 194 and Bill Narduzzi is third with 120.
Passing Penguins
The Penguins have become more of a passing program than a
rushing one in just over the past two seasons.
This year, YSU has thrown for 1,102 yards while rushing for
923. The Guins have tried to rush the football, having 248 attempts compared to
161 attempted passes, but the yardage is in favor of the passing game.
Last season was the first time since 1995 that the program
passed for more yardage (2,045) than it rushed for (1,988).
In the past 19 games, dating back to the final game of the
2007 season, YSU has passed for 3,461 yards compared to 3,001 on the ground (a
182 to 158 per game average).
Second Half Team?
In a four-game stretch before the WIU contest, YSU had
outscored its opponents 42-41 in the first half. Against WIU, the Guins erupted
for 31 points in the opening half. YSU had not scored on its first drive this
season and had a total of two first downs in five opening drives. Against WIU,
the Guins had three en route to their first opening-drive score of the season.
In the four games prior to the contest with the Leathernecks,
the Penguins had outscored their opposition 66-21 in the second half. Western
Illinois had 21 points while the Guins were held scoreless last time out.
Holding on to the Ball
The Penguins are one of just seven FCS teams who have lost
two fumbles or fewer this season. YSU did not lose a fumble for the first 18
quarters of the year before Kevin Smith lost a fumble at the start of the third
quarter against MSU. Brandon Summers lost a fumble against Western Illinois on
Oct. 10.
Only Yale has not lost a fumble while five teams have lost
just one. YSU is among a group of 11 teams with just two fumbles lost.
interception Numbers Up
Youngstown State is tied for 20th in the FCS with nine interceptions. It is a
dramatic improvement from last year when it had 12 in 12 games.
Only three times since 2001 has YSU finished the year with more interceptions
than games played. The Guins had 18 in 2005 (11 games), 13 in 2003 (12) and 14
in 2001 (11).
YSU has returned two of those interceptions for touchdowns. Andre Elliott
returned a pick 30 yards at Northeastern and Na’eem Outler went 37 yards at
Indiana State.
It is the first time since 2006 that the Penguins returned two interceptions for
scores. The school record for interceptions returned for touchdowns in a year is
three, set in 1991. The program has had two INT returns for scores in 2006,
1997, 1994 and 1977.
Forcing Four Turnovers
The Penguins have won 16 straight games when forcing at least
four turnovers in a contest and are 3-0 this season.
The last loss was at UNI in 2001 when YSU had five giveaways
to the Panthers’ four. The Guins are 17-1 when forcing at least four turnovers
since Coach Heacock took over in 2001.
The Guins have had four takeaways three this season. At
Indiana State, YSU had three interceptions and a fumble recovery. At
Northeastern, YSU had two interceptions, one fumble recovered and pounced on a
muffed onside kick. Against Western Illinois, the Guins recovered three fumbles
and had an interception.
Ranked Foes on Tap
The Penguins are set to take on ranked foes the next three
Saturdays with a stretch that features Southern Illinois (3rd), South Dakota
State (13th) and Northern Iowa (6th). Two of those contests - SIU and UNI - are
on the road.
YSU has not played a ranked team so far this season and last
year posted a 2-4 record against ranked foes. The Guins are 9-8 against ranked
teams since 2006.
The last time the Guins played a top-five team was UNI (No.
4) last year, a 21-20 defeat at home. YSU last defeated a top-five team when it
knocked off No. 2 North Dakota State on Sept. 20, 2008. The last win on the road
over a top-five team was 27-13 on Oct. 28, 2006, at third-ranked Illinois State.
Defense Shows Improvement
Through six games this year, the Penguins defense has allowed
1,710 yards in total offense. Talk about a turnaround. After six games last
year, YSU had surrendered 2,405 yards.
In per game averages, opponents averaged 400.8 yards a
contest in the first six games last year. That is down to 285.0 this season.
Also in six games this year, the most total offensive yards
the Guins have allowed is 390 to Pitt. Last season, YSU surrendered more than
400 yards on six occasions, including four games up to this point in the season.
Solid Against the Rush
So far this year, YSU has held two teams under 70 yards
rushing while only two backs have gone over the century mark (last year nine
did). The last time the Guins held at least two teams under 70 yards rushing in
the same year was 2005 - four times. WIU’s Dre Gibbs had a season-high 155
against YSU on Oct. 10 while Pitt freshman sensation Dion Lewis had 129.
The Penguins have not allowed more than 187 yards rushing so
far this year. Seven times last year the Guins allowed 187-or-more rushing
yards.
Summers’ Last Two Outings
Senior quarterback Brandon Summers was extremely sharp in the
first halves of the last two games. His combined numbers against Missouri State
and Western Illinois were 21-of-25 (84 percent) for 228 yards and three
touchdowns.
In the second half of those two games is where Summers has
struggled to find a rhythm. He was 14-of-32 (44 percent) for 157 yards with
three interceptions. He attempted only five passes against WIU, but the Guins
had a double-digit lead for the entire half. Against Missouri State, he
attempted 27 passes as the Guins tried to overcome a 10-point deficit.
Saturday marks his first career game against Southern
Illinois. He missed last year’s contest with a knee injury.
Impressive Duo at Wideout
Wide receivers Donald Jones and Dominique Barnes have
combined for 69 receptions, 788 yards and eight touchdowns in six contests. Last
year in a 12-game season, the two combined for 69 catches, 878 yards and 10
scores.
In their two years together (18 games), they have 138
receptions for 1,666 yards and scored 18 times. Jones had 31 catches last year
and already has 38 grabs in 2009. Barnes had 38 catches a year ago and has 31
this year.
Two Rushers at 1,000
Senior TBs Kevin Smith and Jabari Scott have each rushed for
more than 1,000 yards in their YSU careers. Scott still holds a small lead as
the team’s active career leader in rushing yards with 1,119 on 202 attempts.
Smith is now at 1,116 on 242 attempts.
WR Donald Jones is nearing 1,000 receiving yards in his
career. Jones has 924 yards and could becomg the first player since Kyle Smith
in 2005 go over the 1,000 mark.
Smith Making Solid Return
Senior TB Kevin Smith has rushed for a team-high 506 yards
this season, including 459 on 102 carries the past five games. He is averaging
4.5 yards per rush and 91.8 yards per game in that span as well.
Smith has had at least 16 carries in all six games this
season, headlined by a 28-carry effort against WIU. His season-best rushing
total is a 116-yard performance versus Austin Peay. In five of the six games
this season he has rushed for at least 72 yards.
Smith sat out the entire 2008 campaign with an injury and has
started the first six games this year.
Brown Out
Senior TB Dana Brown has become a strong addition to the
offensive arsenal. In the past two games he has 25 carries for 121 yards and a
touchdown. Against Missouri State he rushed for a career-high 72 yards on a
career-best 15 carries. Against Western Illinois he had 49 yards on 10 rushes
and picked up his second career touchdown.
This season, Brown has rushed for 249 yards on 52 attempts in
just five games played. Last year, he had 259 yards on 73 rushes.
Nowicki Over Sixtyt Twice
Senior punter Ben Nowicki has had punts of more than 60 yards
twice this season. Nowicki had a 62-yard boot against Missouri State, one week
after connecting on a career-long 67-yarder at Indiana State.
His 67-yard punt against the Sycamores was the longest by a YSU punter since Joe
Bishop’s 67-yarder at Pitt in 2005.
Nowicki ranks third in school history, averaging 39.5 yards
per kick.
The O-Line Shuffle
In six games, the offensive line has shown its depth as
o-line coach Chris Bache has started six different units. Only one player has
started every game, right guard Brian Mellott, the lone senior of the group.
After not starting the opener, Andrew Radakovich has started at both tackle
positions while Eric Rodemoyer has started at left guard in each of the last
five games. Center Tyler Figueroa started the first five games of the year
before sitting out the WIU contest.
Other players to start this year are Andy Kowicki (Pitt),
Bill Dugan (Pitt and Austin Peay), Bobby Coates (Western Illinois), Justin
Rechichar (WIU), Chris Gammon (Pitt and Missouri State) and Greg Sazdanoff
(Indiana State). Dugan, Figueroa, Kowicki and Radakovich have all started for
the first time in their careers.
Holding on 21
The Penguins have not allowed an opponent to score more than
21 points since the opener against Pitt. The Panthers, who joined the Associated
Press AP Top 25 this week, had 38 in the opener. Since that time, YSU has
allowed 21 points (three times), 17 and seven in posting a 4-1 mark in those
games.
YSU ranks 23rd in the nation in total defense and 33rd in
scoring defense.
Yes Sir is Making Tackles
Sophomore SS Sir Demarco Bledsoe has posted two double-figure
tackle games so far this season.
His first year with the Guins was highlighted by a 15-tackle performance,
including 10 solo stops, against Austin Peay. It was the most tackles by a Guin
since Jeremiah Wright had 18 at Missouri State in the 2004 season finale. It was
the most solo stops in a contest since Marty Hutchinson was credited with 10 at
McNeese State in 2004. Bledsoe’s 15 stops were the most by a member of the
secondary since Mike Bracken’s 15 vs. UNI in 2002.
Bledsoe had 10 total tackles, including seven solo stops, and
a fumble recovery against Western Illinois on Oct. 10.
Barnes Becomes Playmaker
Junior WR Dominique Barnes has caught a touchdown pass in
four of the last five games.
Against Western Illinois he caught a seven-yard strike from Brandon Summers. At
Indiana State he hauled in a 36-yard toss, at Northeastern he had a 32-yard
scoring reception, and, against Austin Peay, he had 16-yarder.
Barnes has caught a pass in 18 straight games and has 17
career multi-catch games, including his last 15 contests.
Mr. Jones and Me
Senior wide receiver Donald Jones is off to a strong start
with 38 receptions in the first six games. He tied the school record with 11
catches against Missouri State on Oct. 3.
Last season, Jones had 31 catches for the year in 12 games played.
He has now caught a pass in 16 consecutive games and has had multiple receptions
in the past 14.
Connection is Made
Both Brandon Summers and Dominique Barnes played quarterback
at Southfield High School before moving on to the college ranks. Summers was the
Bluejays’ QB from 2003-04 while Barnes followed from 2005-06.
So far this season, the two have hooked up on four touchdown
passes - seven yards vs. Western Illinois, 36 at Indiana State, 32 at
Northeastern and 16 against Austin Peay. Last year, the two connected on
touchdown passes three times.
Up Next: South Dakota State
Homecoming, Halloween and their second straight ranked
opponent await next week when the Guins play host to South Dakota State.
It is the first home game on Halloween since 1992. All-time
the Guins are 4-4 on Halloween contests. The Jackrabbits beat the Guins 40-7
while YSU won 23-17 at Stambaugh Stadium in 2007.