Youngstown State (2-3, 1-1) comes to Brookings for the 2018 Hobo Day game to take on the Jackrabbits (4-1, 1-1). Youngstown is having an up and down 2018 season but is dangerous as always. YSU can be counted on to play tough, physical football. This will be the third game in a row for the Jackrabbits that fits this mold.
Offense
The Youngstown State offense has been plagued by inconsistency in 2018. They are up and down but like any Penguin offense, they like to run the ball. In 2018, they are running the ball for 169 yards per game (YPG) and are passing for 229.6 ypg. They have turned the ball over 7 times, 5 INT’s and 2 fumbles. They convert 39% of their 3rd down opportunities and only score a touchdown on 54% of their redzone visits.
The Youngstown offense is lead by the dynamic #37 Tevin McCaster. The 5’10, 195 senior has 578 rushing yards on the season and is averaging 107 ypg to go along with 6 touchdowns. On his career McCaster has raced for 2,257 yards and 30 touchdowns. He gashed the Jacks for 183 yards and 5.2 ypc average last year in Youngstown. McCaster’s backup, #20 Christian Turner is no slouch either having rushed for 147 yards on the season for a 4.9 ypc average. This is a dangerous duo and I’m sure YSU thinks they will be able to run the ball after watching Indiana State gallop for 293 yard on the ground.
The Jackrabbits will finally face a new Penguin quarterback when #12 Montgomery VanGorder takes the field. He is a grad transfer from Notre Dame and on the season he has connected on 54.5% of his passes. He has passed for 1148 yards and 10 TDS and he is a threat to scramble having gained 193 yards on the ground before accounting for lost sack yardage. However, it appears that VanGorder can be reckless with his passes having thrown a pair of interceptions in each of his last two games (Western Illinois and Southern Illinois).
Catching passes for YSU is a group that I am unfamiliar with. #1 Zach Farrar leads the team in both receptions (19) and yards (292) but he is followed closely by #8 Samuel St. Surin (12 rec. 196 yds, 1 TD) #2 Darius Shackleford (9 rec. 140 yds, 1 TD) and #6 Kendric Mallory (9 rec. 137 yds, 2 TD). Farrar is a transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and is 6-4, 205. This should be a fun matchup for Jordan Brown. Mallory is transferring from Ventura Community College while St. Surin and Shackleford have limited experience at YSU before seeing a more active role in 2018. Christian Turner is a threat out of the backfield having caught 11 passes for 69 yards so far this season. At the tight end position, the Penguins will often give two tight end looks. The four who rotate in and out are #5 Chris Durkin, #4 Kierre Hawkins, #80 Miles Joiner, and #88 Josh Burgett. This group all is in the 6-4, 250 lb range and has caught a combined 6 passes for 35 yards. However, of those 6 passes, 3 were for touchdowns all within the 5 yard line. Watch for play action to these guys if the Penguins make it into the redzone.
The Youngstown State offensive line is typically a pretty solid unit. In 2018 they have surrendered 6 sacks but have again paved the way for 169 yard per game rushing average. From left to right they go #77 Dan Becker (6-6, 290) redshirt freshmen, #60 Gavin Wiggins (6-4, 310) senior, #70 Vitas Hrynkiewicz (6-4, 300) senior, #68 Connor Sharp (6-4, 305) senior, and #72 Charles Baldwin (6-5, 305) senior. Wigins and Hrynkiewicz started for the past two years and were both second-team All-MVFC selection in 2017. Sharp started the final four games in 2017 while Baldwin is a transfer from Kansas and was previously a 5 star offensive tackle coming out of junior college. This is a big and physical group so the Jackrabbit defensive line will need to put forth its best effort for the third consecutive week. I hope to see a good ration along the defensive line to keep guys fresh for the fourth quarter push.
Defense
Much like the offense, the YSU defense has also been up and down in 2018. They’ve held their opponents to a respectable 148.8 ypg rushing but have given up 240.6 ypg passing. In their first two MVFC games they have allowed 151 and 173 yards rushing and 324 and 105 yards passing. See, super inconsistent. The 105 may be misleading as that was against SIU’s backup QB who was making his first start. This group has forced 11 sacks so it may be hard for Taryn to get too comfortable on his drop backs.
The heart and soul of the Penguin defense is middle linebacker #42 Armand Dellovade. Jackrabbit fans will hear his named called plenty of times on Saturday as he leads the Penguins with 43 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 INT. He has been selected as an All-MVFC linebacker for good reason. Flanking him are #3 Cash Mitchell and #35 Christiaan Randall-Posey. Mithcell and Randall-Posey are new to the starting lineup in 2018 but have made an impact with 14 and 22 tackles.
The defensive line, especially the pass rush, is always a quality unit for Youngstown. This year is no different as the group is lead by #50 Shereif Bynum who has 22 tackles and 4 sacks so far. The tackles will have their hands full dealing with him. Opposite Bynum is #33 Johnson Louigene with 8 tackles and 1 sack. Also in the rotation is #12 Ma’lik Richmond who has 13 tackles and 3 sacks of his own. On the interior YSU is stout with #91 Wes Thompson (6-0, 290) and #52 Savon Smith (6-1, 300) clogging things up. Thompson and Smith each have a sack and have 13 and 11 tackles between them. This is a very good group and the #605Hogs will again be tested.
The back end of the defense is solid for YSU but is somewhat inexperienced. At cornerback they have #7 Bryce Gibson who was on the 2017 All-MVFC newcomer team. He is a 5-10 corner who has 13 pass breakups on his career but zero interceptions. On the season he has logged 21 tackles and has forced a fumble. Opposite him is #29 DJ Smalls who has just 6 tackles and 2 pass breakups this season. The free safety is either #2 Devanere Crenshaw, a transfer from Riverside Community College or #15 Avery Larkin. Neither have much experience for YSU but have made 13 and 10 tackles so far this season. #19 Chrispin Lee has the made 36 tackles and a sack so far from his strong safety position. He is also in his first season as a full time starter but appears to be all over the field.
Special Teams
Youngstown State frequently takes the field with an inconsistent kicker. 2018 is pretty much the same. #99 Zak Kennedy is back for his senior year and stands at 5 of 10 so far with a long of 45 yards. For his career Kennedy is 51-68 with a long of 49 yards. On extra points he has converted on all 59 of his attempts the past two years. Kennedy also handles the kick off duties and has forced 9 touchbacks on 25 attempts. Opponents are just getting an average of 19 yards per return so it appears the kick coverage is solid.
The punter for YSU is a junior #85 Mark Schuler. Schuler has punted 21 times for a 37.7 avg. He has forced 10 fair catches and has landed 7 inside the 20. YSU is allowing less than a yard per attempt on punt returns.
Handling the kick return duties for the Penguins are Christian Turner who has a long of 76 yards but is averaging just under 15 yards on his other 3 attempts. #10 Natavious Payne has also been taking some kick return attempts and is also the primary punt returner. On kick returns Payne has a 22.5 yard average while he has 11 punt return attempts for 5.1 average and a long of 16 yards.
Prediction
The Jacks have, in recent history, not played well on Hobo Day. For whatever reason, the team does not always respond the best to the festive atmosphere. I think that changes in 2018. With a near loss to Indiana State, I think the team is focused. I think the defense comes out fast and physical ready to prove that they are as good as they showed in the first three weeks. I think the offense manages the game and is able to consistently move the ball against a good but not great YSU defense. I’m predicting the Jacks win this Hobo Day contest 34-24.
Go Jacks!
Matt
