The Jackrabbits (4-0) head east to start their MVFC schedule as they take on the #24 YSU Penguins (3-1).  They Penguins have one of the most electric quarterbacks in the FCS and have seemingly improved their defense from their 2024.  Doug Phillips is still the head coach of YSU and did a better job of retaining his players after last season.  I think that was huge for the program considering that they went 4-8 last season after having some major defections following the 2023 season.  I’ve been a fan of Phillips and glad to see that he may have steadied the ship.

Offense

The Penguin offense is off to a strong start scoring 33.75 points per game.  They’re averaging a whopping 6.4 yards per carry and 214.3 yards per game.  They are also pretty balanced averaging 200.5 yards per game passing.  They are pretty efficient converting on 45.83% of their 3rd down opportunities and are 8 of 10 on 4th down attempts.  In the redzone they are very efficient scoring on 18 of 19 scoring opportunities.  They’ve scored touchdowns on 15 of those.  They are possessing the ball for 29:58 per game as well.

As previously mentioned, #12 Beau Brungard (6-0, 215) has become one of the best playmaking quarterbacks in the FCS and he is YSU’s leading passer and leading rusher by a wide margin.  He is completing 66% of his passes this season for 755 yards and 4 TDs.  His legs are what truly make him dangerous though and he has rushed for 561 gross yards (7.5 ypc) and 8 TD.   Michigan State did hold him to just 17 yards on the ground on 14 attempts but JI Team member Dallas Clarksean (who was at the game for his sons recruiting visit) has reported that most really weren’t designed runs.  We’ll see what Coach Bergstrom can scheme up to contain Brungard.  The Jackrabbit defense has done a terrific job of running to to the ball and rally tackling this season and that may be a key part of the plan.

The Penguins top running back is #7 Jaden Gilbert (5-10, 180) and he has 192 yards (6.0 ypc) and 2 TDs on the season.  He is also the second leading pass catcher with 15 receptions for 151 yards (long of 39).  Gilbert only had 18 carries in 2024 so this has been a pretty big jump in production for him.  #0 Tahir Mills (6-0, 220) is the top backup but only has 12 attempts for 46 yards.  Mills transferred in after a productive 3 years at East Stroudsburg (NCAA D2).  The Penguins will likely get #2 Ethan Wright (6-1, 195) back this week.  The former Cincinnati transfer was the top running back for YSU last season and rushed for 677 yards (5 ypc avg) and 4 TDs.  Against the Jacks he was limited to just 41 yards but I noticed that he also attempted a pass which he completed for 15 yards.

The leading wide receiver is a familiar face in #4 Max Tomczak (6-0, 195).  He leads the team in every receiving category this season with 21 receptions for 306 yards and 1 TD.  In his career, Tomczak has played in 40 games and has 176 receptions for 2,309 yards and 8 TDs.  He’s a really good receiver and the Jackrabbit secondary will have their hands full.  #1 Ky “Flash” Wilson (5-9, 180) is the next guy up and he has 11 receptions for 96 yards and a TD.  Wilson transferred in from Slippery Rock where he recorded 1,524 all purpose yards in 2024.  He is a dynamic kick returner as well.  #11 Mike Solomon (6-3, 210) is listed as a starter and has 7 receptions for 65 yards on the year.   Solomon has spent time at both Slippery Rock and D2 Notre Dame College and has over 100 career receptions and over 1,500 yards in his career.  The final starter is #3 RK Dandridge (5-11, 170) has 5 receptions for 45 yards and 1 TD.  According to reports, #6 Luke Hensley (6’2, 195) will be making his season debut.  He had 11 receptions for 145 yards (13.2 yard avg) last season.    The starting tight end is #17 Alex McDonald (6-4, 250) and he has 4 receptions for 39 yards and 1 TD.  YSU has a history of good tight ends and they have made some plays against the Jackrabbits in previous matchups.  Second string tight end #85 Austin Bray is out for the season according to reports.

The YSU offensive line has some really solid size.  YSU’s offensive line is historically known for being really physical and hard nosed.  This groups seems no different.  On the season they have surrendered just 5 sacks and again are paving the way for 6.4 yards per carry!  From left to right they go:

LT: #78 Desmeal Leigh (6-7, 325, JR): Full-time starter for the past 2 seasons.  Was an Honorable Mention All-MVFC selection in 2024.
LG: #63 Isaac Perkins (6-4, 305, JR): Transferred in from Colgate where he started 15 games across two seasons.
C: #67 Van Keen (6-4, 305, SO): Has started in 12 games (10 in 2024 and 2 in 2023).
RG: #59 Joe Sferra (6-3, 305, JR): Has appeared in 25 games prior to this season but this is his first year starting.
RT: #62 Shane Keenan (6-5, 305, JR): Started all 12 games in 2024

Defense

The YSU defense again plays an attacking 4-2-5 defense.  This year they are allowing 25.25 point per game but it is hard to know for sure how good they are.  They allowed 15 to Mercyhurst, 17 to Robert Morris, 41 to Michigan State, and 28 to Towson.  They appear to have a pretty good run defense because against FCS competition they are allowing just 66 yards per game and 2.59 yards per carry.  Through the air they have struggled a little more allowing 264.5 yards per game.  YSU has recorded 5 sacks and forced 4 interceptions and 3 fumbles.  On 3rd down they are holding opponents to a 38.3% conversion rate.   However, opponents are having success on 4th down converting on 8 of 11 opportunities.  In the redzone, opponents have scored on 11 of 13 trips (9 touchdowns).

Up front YSU has some size!  At end is #90 Ebony Curry Jr. (6-5, 250, SO), who was a highly regarded recruit a few years ago.  He has 9 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 QBHs and a forced fumble already this season.  Opposite him is #42 Michael Voitus (6-1, 240, JR) who has 3 tackles and a QBH.  The Penguins have some BEEF in the middle as they are anchored by #95 Thomas Jolly (6-3, 305, SR).  The Grand Valley State transfer has 8 total tackles and 1.5 TFL.  Next to him is #98 Collin Vaughn (6-2, 285, SR) who has played at Utah State, Limestone and Concordia (Michigan).  He has 16 tackles and a .5 sack this season.  Saginaw Valley State transfer #8 Cameron Cunningham (6-3, 305, JR) has 2 stops and an INT and #56 Connor Johannesen (6-4, 275) has made 4 stops and including 1 sack and provide some depth on the interior.  On the edge, Robert Morris transfer #44 Parker Jacobs (6-4, 265) has made 4 stops as a reserve.

The defense is quarterbacked by #33 Preston Zandier (6-0, 225, SR).  Zandier made 8 starts in 2024 and this season he is tied for the team lead in tackles with 27.  He has has 1.5 TFL and 1 QBH.  Next to him is #3 Mike Wells (6-3, 250) who has 13 tackles of his own including 4 TFL, 2 sacks, and 4 QBHs.  Iowa State transfer#5 Carston Marshall (6-2, 215) has 23 total tackles, 2.5 TFL, and 2 QBHs while splitting time with Zandier.  #16 Solomon Farrell (6-4, 215) and #35 Graydon Rollins (6-1, 220) have combined for 9 tackles as reserves.

YSU’s 4-2-5 features a big of a “rover” at safety.  They ask a lot out of this guy and so far #39 Dayne Hodge (5-10, 195) is answering the bell this season.  He is tied for the team lead in tackles with 27, has 1 TFL, and 1 QBH.   Hodge started 19 games for Tulsa over the past 3 years.  The other safeties are #33 Makai Shahid (6-0, 190) at strong safety and Yale transfer #11 Dathan Hickey (6-1, 200) at free safety. Shockingly, Hickey joined the Yale football team in 2018!  This season he has 26 tackles 1 INT and 1 forced fumble.  Shahid has 19 total tackles and 2 PBU.  #0 Jussiah Williams-West (6-3, 180) is a talented freshman who has 10 total tackles as a reserve.

The starter corners are Tiffin transfer #8 Justin Wimpye (5-10, 170)  and either #1 DJ Harris (5-11, 185) or #2 Isaiah Hackett (5-11, 185).  Wimpye leads the team with 2 INTs and 4 PBUs.  He also has 17 stops.  Hackett has 8 total tackles and a PBU in 3 games while Harris also has 8 tackles.  Hackett started 3 games last season for YSU.  Harris was named to the “All-Newcomer” team last season after transferring in from Tiffin.   #19 Brandon Chambers Jr. (6-0, 180) has made 9 total tackles and has a PBU.

Special Teams

YSU has a very good special teams group this season.  #40 Brendon Kilpatrick is the reigning FCS punter of the year after averaging 46 per punt. He has improved this season and has a 47.8 yard average.  He has a long of 63, has forced 3 to be fair caught, and has boomed 5- 50+ yards.  He does have 2 touchbacks.  Opponents have been able to return 4 of his punts for a 31.25 yard average but that is inflated due to an 83 yard return.

#30 Josh Wilkins handles the kickoff duties and on 24 attempts has a 61.2 yard average with 8 touchbacks.  The coverage is excellent as opponents have just a 19.4 yard return average.  #24 Andrew Lastovka handles the field goal duties and he is 5-6 on the season with a long of 48 yards.

The YSU return game is also dangerous.  #4 Max Tomczak has just 2 returns, one for 10 yards and one for 1.  He’s been doing it for a long time though and can make the big return if given space.  #1 Ky “Flash” Wilson has 9 kick returns for a 31 yard average.  Again, that average is aided by a 76 yard return.

Prediction

I don’t know why, but I have memories of The Ice Castle being a bit of a “house of horrors” for the Jacks.  That memory is incorrect as the Jacks have done quite well in the D1 era going 7-2 since moving up.  In the last 7 matchups at YSU, the Jacks have scored 34 points per game while allowing just an average of 16 points in that same span.  None of that matters for this years matchup but it certainly knocks down some of the mystique of Stambaugh Stadium.

I think the Jacks come out swinging in this one and that they move the ball through the air with their array of weapons.  Brungard will certainly be a test from the quarterback position but I think the Jacks have a game plan that limits his impact.

Jackrabbits 38- Penguins 10

Go Jacks!

Matt