Youngstown State Penguins
Missouri Valley
Youngstown State qualified for the playoffs with an at-large bid after a good season in the strong Missouri Valley Conference after being picked fifth in the Conference Preseason Poll. The Penguins got off to a great start to the 2013 season, winning eight of their first nine, with the only loss being at Michigan State. This is their first playoff appearance since 2006, but this team is no stranger to big games, playing in the same conference as defending national champion North Dakota State, as well as playing at Michigan State twice in the last three years and beating Pittsburgh to open last season.
2013 Record: 8-4, 5-3
Coach: Eric Wolford
Big Wins: 9/28 at Southern Illinois (28-27), 10/12 Illinois State (59-21)
Bad Losses: 11/9 at Northern Iowa (20-22), 11/16 North Dakota State (17-35)
Strengths:
This team is led by its efficient offense and its overall team discipline. The offense has done well in key game situations, ranking 4th in the country in 4th down efficiency and 2nd in Red Zone Offense, as well as 11th in the country in team passing efficiency. Senior QB Kurt Hess leads the balanced offensive. He has thrown for over 2,000 yards this year, and takes care of the ball well. The receiving corp is led by a balanced attack, as four different receivers have at least 20 receptions. Teams can’t be just worried about the pass though, as freshman RB Martin Ruiz has rushed for over 1,000 yards. The offensive line has done well this season, something that has become expected under Coach Wolford. They turned in some impressive performances, including the game against top ranked North Dakota State, where they didn’t allow a sack. This year’s team has been one of the best disciplined, averaging only 4.27 penalty flags and 38.45 penalty yards per game, good for 8th and 7th in the country respectively.
Weaknesses:
Defense has been a major weakness for the Penguins this season. Teams have scored over 20 points on them eight times this year. That is a number Youngstown State will try to keep down, as they have never lost under Coach Wolford while allowing less than 20 points. The defense also ranks in the bottom third of the country in passing yards allowed and third down conversion percentage. Numbers are improving though, as they have bettered their interceptions from four a year ago to 10 this year. Junior LB Teven Williams, junior CB Julius Childs, and junior S D’Alesio Donald, who all have over 60 tackles, as well as senior DE Kyle Sirl, who has 12 tackles for a loss, lead the defense.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Martin Ruiz, RB, 1,129 yards
Passing: Kurt Hess, QB, 2,229 yards
Receiving: Andrew Williams, WR, 395 yards
Tackles: Teven Williams, LB, 81
Sacks: Kyle Sirl, DE, 4.0; Emmanuel Kromak, DT, 4.0; Vince Coleman, DE, 4.0
Interceptions: Dale Peterman, CB, 3
2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 206.4 (24th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 210.8 (60, 3)
Total Offense: 417.2 (41, 2)
Scoring Offense: 35.6 (20, 2)
Rushing Defense: 149.4 (48, 6)
Pass Defense: 254.2 (103, 9)
Total Defense: 403.5 (75, 10)
Scoring Defense: 24.7 (53, 6)
Turnover Margin: 0.5 (28, 3)
Sacks: 1.91 (67, 9)
Sacks Allowed: 1.27 (24, 2)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2006 First Round Defeated James Madison
2006 Quarterfinals Defeated Illinois State
2006 Semifinals Lost to Appalachian State
2000 First Round Lost to Richmond
1999 First Round Defeated Montana
1999 Quarterfinals Defeated North Carolina A&T
1999 Semifinals Defeated Florida A&M
1999 Championship Lost to Georgia Southern
1997 First Round Defeated Hampton
1997 Quarterfinals Defeated Villanova
1997 Semifinals Defeated Eastern Washington
1997 Championship Defeated McNeese State
1994 First Round Defeated Alcorn State
1994 Quarterfinals Defeated Eastern Kentucky
1994 Semifinals Defeated Montana
1994 Championship Defeated Boise State
1993 First Round Defeated UCF
1993 Quarterfinals Defeated Georgia Southern
1993 Semifinals Defeated Idaho
1993 Championship Defeated Marshall
1992 First Round Defeated Villanova
1992 Quarterfinals Defeated Citadel
1992 Semifinals Defeated Northern Iowa
1992 Championship Lost to Marshall
1991 First Round Defeated Villanova
1991 Quarterfinals Defeated Nevada
1991 Semifinals Defeated Samford
1991 Championship Defeated Marshall
1990 First Round Lost to UCF
1989 First Round Defeated Eastern Kentucky
1989 Quarterfinals Lost to Furman
1987 First Round Lost to Northern Iowa
*all team stats through 11/16
