YOUNGSTOWN STATE

[yoteforever]

Seems like a little over 36 hours ago we played Western Illinois in Macomb and got our first conference road win of the season. Very important to get those. But now it's time to focus on Youngstown State. This team has caught my attention from the first week. They are one of three or four teams that can win The Valley in my opinion. They have a great defense and a smash mouth running game. They had 45 minutes time of possession against SDSU in their 19-7 win last week. I did not watch the game or see a replay of it, but when someone holds the ball for 45 minutes against a title contending team you catch people's attention. They not only beat SDSU, the literally kicked the hell out of them. And I still think the Jacks are going to be in it till the end. So what we have coming to Vermillion for D Days is a team looking to knock us off our perch.

Last year YSU was the only team that literally beat us and the game was over before the clock turned 0:00. They simply overpowered us. So to me, if I'm a player on this USD squad, I have an agenda. And that would be to stand up and go toe to toe with them for 60 minutes, if not more. We know offensively we can move the ball against most defenses, but I don't think we've faced one of this caliber yet this year. We are bout to find out if we are for real or not. I've seen all 4 games this year and I think the most improved area on our team is the defensive line. They have played really really well. Now comes the true test. How do we hold up against team that loves to pound the ball? If we hold our own, I like our chances. If they do it 4-7 yards at a time, I don't. I'm betting we get it done. I'm very hopeful that Wessels will be back in the lineup. His shoulder popped out but they got it back in right away. From a medical view I don't know what that means if he can go or not.

Secondly, our young team lost their poise for the first time Saturday and got baited into the muck of trash talking, etc. I think they learned a valuable lesson in Macomb. In addition, there should be about 9000 fans there with their hair on fire yelling for the Coyotes. That could prove to be disruptive for the Penguins. It better be. I think the crowd will be jacked up out of their minds, and putting YSU behind our students is a great move. Students....be relentless.

My honest opinion is if we played them 10 times we would be 3-7 or 4-6. But this is a different Coyote team. They have had a chip on their shoulder, and need to continue playing with that chip. We need to play 4 quarters of crowd inspiring football.

To me this is a 50/50 game. Heads we win...tails we lose.

IT'S HEADS

[GoYotes]

To further break down the time of possession, the Bunnies time of possession for the second half was 3 minutes and 36 seconds. Seems almost impossible, especially with the offensive weapons the Bunnies have.

[obc]

If this matchup doesn’t get you excited, there is no hope for you. Reading YFE’s post gave me goosebumps. The Yotes can win this game and I really think they believe they will!

[usdtator]

Yotes move up to a #6 ranking... YSt comes in at #3... The Dome is gonna be rocking!!!


Rankings - FCS Coaches Poll



Last Updated - October 2, 2017

FCS Coaches Poll

RANK SCHOOL POINTS PREVIOUS RECORD

1 James Madison (25) 649 1 5-0

2 North Dakota State (1) 625 2 4-0

3 Youngstown State 587 T-5 3-1

4 Jacksonville State 549 T-5 3-1

5 Wofford 526 7 4-0

6 South Dakota 465 10 4-0

7 Illinois State 462 T-8 4-0

8 Central Arkansas 455 12 3-1

9 South Dakota State 438 4 3-1

10 Eastern Washington 427 T-8 3-2

11 Sam Houston State 411 3 3-1

12 North Carolina A&T 353 13 5-0

13 New Hampshire 337 14 4-1

14 Richmond 273 15 2-2

15 Villanova 271 17 3-2

16 Weber State 265 18 4-1

17 The Citadel 196 11 3-1

18 Western Illinois 171 21 3-1

19 Grambling State 169 22 4-1

20 Samford 165 23 3-2

21 Northern Iowa 153 20 2-2

22 McNeese 115 25 3-1

23 Elon 97 RV 4-1

24 Stony Brook 90 RV 4-1

25 Nicholls 30 RV 3-2

[stlawson]

Coaches Poll?...come on...that's a horrible poll.
AGS is a much better poll for things like predicting playoff spots, seeding, etc.

In AGS, it's a #3 at #5 matchup. Own that Top 5 ranking, Yotes.

[Cousin Eddie]

My perception of YSU changed completely over the weekend. Seeing the way they played against State and completely controlling the game, I was impressed.

Bo's pattern matching style of defense is built to stop the pass, particularly spread passing. We are going to need to be able to run. Also, our defense needs to keep doing what they have in terms of stopping the run. We cannot have any special teams breakdowns and give up an easy score.

Starting hot will be a key. Bo's teams have generally been front runners that will hold a lead, but are not mentally strong enough to persevere when the going gets tough.

[brass]

Oct 2, 2017 9:08:37 GMT -6 GoYotes said:

To further break down the time of possession, the Bunnies time of possession for the second half was 3 minutes and 36 seconds. Seems almost impossible, especially with the offensive weapons the Bunnies have. 
 

[brass]

Greeting from sunny Youngstown Ohio. The YSU SDSU game was as clearcut as the stats read and worse than the final score. We ended both halves on the Bunny 1 yard line which should have been 14 more points. Frankly, it about time the Dakota States (N & S) take a backseat to some of the up and coming programs like USD and YSU. We look forward to the matchup Saturday. We get to come home and play the buffalos the following Sat. (I know they like bison, but screw NDSU!) Last week there were 7 MVFC teams in the top 25. There is going to be a ton of beating ourselves up this season. We played Jacksonville State, Woford and Eastern Washington in the playoffs last year and the non-MVFC teams were significantly inferior to the league matchups. (James Madison was for real, however)
Good luck to both teams Saturday.

[formeryote]

I watched YSU / MOO-U after the Yotes game. YSU's line looked big and athletic. The final score didn't really reflect how lopsided the game was though.

YSU - 86 total offensive plays for 448 total yards (310 rushing)

MOO-U - 37 total offensive plays for 222 total yards (65 rushing)

The YOTES are going to have bring the "A" game this week.

[brass]

formeryote, former from when? I'm a Penguin from 1967-72 Sorry if I'm a bit slow but MOO-U? I don't get the nickname. I was unimpressed with SDSU lines on both sides of the ball. We lost both DEs from last year to the NFL, (Giants and Patriots) and the bunnies didn't move us much at all. IMO, YSU's D is better than last year. Secondary is definitely better. But with Wells down at QB we can't throw much so should be very interesting game.

[easmus]

SDSU is an Agricultural school. So Moo-U would be a slang for our farm school rival.

[gopheryote]

It seems to me ever since SDSU announced all the redshirts they were going to pull that their D (especially D line) was going to be in for a rough year. Seems like YSU exposed that - YSU's strength overmatching SDSU's weakness. Curious if anyone sees USD's strengths vs. YSU's weaknesses and vice versa?

[thebacksackdad]

I'm never going to list anything on a public forum that would become bulletin board material for the other team. I think we're in for another tough game and we're going to need that 12th man to really show up at the dome!!! Great teams start by making their home turf tough. Coyotes and their fans sure started us off great at the first home game against UND. Let's all do our part to continue the trend! I'm looking forward to a great game!!!

[Coyote Fan]

So far the Coyotes biggest flaw is holding big leads. The good news about this game is that Youngstown is not a team that is built to come from behind. If USD gets out to a big lead in this game (over 14 points) I do not see this one getting away but of course that has been said before and the opponent just keeps coming from behind.

When the Penquins played the Jacks it seems like they played a lethargic defense, especially from the front seven that just didn't have the energy to compete. I think YSU is the kind of teams that you want to play at home and especially in a jacked up setting such as what the Dakota Dome should be on Saturday. A loud home crowd usually helps the home defense more then any other unit and the Coyote defense is already pretty good.

When it comes to the offense they can't come into this game worried about the time of possession advantage Youngstown had last week. They need to do whatever they can to attack the YSU defense the best method that can. It will be up to Nielson and the offensive staff to come up with the best game plan possible. Be unpredictable and put the YSU defense on their heels. The Coyotes did this to a lot of good defenses last year and the Pens may be better then them all but make them worry about what the Coyotes are going, not have the Coyotes worried about what they are doing. I think the Yotes need to keep in that hurry up offense and try to wear them down for later in the game.

The Coyotes D will need to rely on their front 7 or 8 to do what they have done all year and that is to stop the run. I think if the Yotes can stop the between the tackles run I like the team speed to be able to contain a lot of what YSU may try to do running to the outside. YSU wants to come in and have a quick start or at least prevent the Coyotes from getting off to a fast start. If YSU can remain in the lead or within a touchdown that is their comfort zone. If they get behind significantly they will be mostly out of their comfort zone.

YSU could and just might win this game. If their offensive line blows open holes in the Coyote line it will be a long day. I am predicting that doesn't happen in the dome and the Coyotes get out fast once again and win 37-13.

[Yotes]

What an absolutely monumental D-Days game. Games these big are uncommon, and to have it on D-Days makes this easily the most significant game I've ever seen the Yotes playing in. Win this one and I'm convinced we will be playing for the MVFC title in Fargo.