The Youngstown State football team makes its second trip to Ilinois this season when the Penguins take on Illinois State this Saturday in Normal, Ill. Kickoff for the contest at Hancock Stadium is set for 3 p.m. Eastern/2 p.m. Central time. The game is available live on ESPN+, WBCB TV, WKBN 570 AM and iHeartRadio.
The Penguins (5-3 overall, 3-2 MVFC) picked up their third consecutive win beating South Dakota 45-24 last Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium. YSU scored 38 points in the first half, including four second-quarter touchdowns to blow the game open. Leading 17-10, YSU scored three TDs in less than five minutes to seize control.
The teams traded touchdowns and field goals in the games opening 15:11. YSU took a 7-0 lead on a two-yard run by Jaleel McLaughlin before the Coyotes tied the game. Late in the first quarter, Colt McFadden boomed a career-long 52-yard field goal, but again USD tied the game.
The Guins went in front 17-10 when Mitch Davidson threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Oliver. Davidson’s one-yard TD run pushed the advantage up to 24-10 and just 35 seconds later, Brandon Serrano’s first career touchdown made it a 31-10 advantage. With just 23 seconds left in the half, McLaughlin scored on a three-yard run to cap off an explosive second-quarter by YSU.
The Penguins’ lone score of the second half was a 19-yard pass from Davidson to Oliver for their second touchdown connection of the game. Davidson had a career-high three touchdown passes in the victory.
Illinois State (5-3, 3-2) dropped a 24-7 decision to North Dakota State in the Fargodome last Saturday. The Redbirds took a 7-0 lead against the Bison only to watch NDSU score the final 24 points of the contest.
In the first quarter, Zack Annexstad connected with Daniel Sobkowiczfor a 13-yard scoring toss. However, NDSU answered back tying the contest on a 20-yard pass from Cam Miller to Hunter Luepke. Just before halftime, the Bison kicked a 29-yard field goal to take their first lead of the contest. NDSU added Miller and Cole Payton scoring runs for the final margin.
This is YSU’s first trip to Normal since November 2018. The most recent meeting the series was a 21-3 Penguins win in November 2019.
Last Time Out: YSU 45, USD 24
The Penguins up their third consecutive win beating South Dakota 45-24 last Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium. YSU scored 38 points in the first half, including four second-quarter touchdowns to blow the game open. Leading 17-10, YSU scored three TDs in less than five minutes to seize control.
The teams traded touchdowns and field goals in the games opening 15:11. YSU took a 7-0 lead on a two-yard run by Jaleel McLaughlin before the Coyotes tied the game. Late in the first quarter, Colt McFadden boomed a career-long 52-yard field goal, but again USD tied the game.
The Guins went in front 17-10 when Mitch Davidson threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Bryce Oliver. Davidson’s one-yard TD run pushed the advantage up to 24-10 and just 35 seconds later, Brandon Serrano’s first career touchdown made it a 31-10 advantage. With just 23 seconds left in the half, McLaughlin scored on a three-yard run to cap off an explosive second-quarter by YSU.
The Penguins’ lone score of the second half was a 19-yard pass from Davidson to Oliver for their second touchdown connection of the game. Davidson had a career-high three touchdown passes in the victory.
Moving Up the Charts
TB Jaleel McLaughlin ranks fourth in NCAA history in career rushing yards with 7,760 yards on 1,179 carries (6.6 per rush) and 75 touchdowns in 53 games. He is the active career NCAA leader in attempts, touchdowns and yards. He is now just 35 yards from moving into third place all-time.
In 25 games at YSU, he has rushed for 3,012 yards (120.5 yards per game average) and scored 27 TDs. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in 18 of his last 23 contests at YSU, including six of seven this season. In 28 games at Notre Dame, he had 24 100-yard outings. In 52 games, he has eclipsed the 100-yard mark on 41 occasions.
NCAA Career Rushing Yards Leaders
1. Nate Kmic (Mount Union | 2005-08) 8,074
2. Danny Woodhead (Chadron State | 2004-07) 7,962
3. Levell Coppage (Wis.-Whitewater | 2008-11) 7,795
4. Jaleel McLaughlin (YSU/ND Ohio | 2018-22) 7,760
Davidson Dazzles In Starts
Junior QB Mitch Davidson has led the Penguins to at least 28 points in each of his four starts.
In the past four games as a starter, he is 55-of-107 for 966 yards and seven touchdowns.
Last week against South Dakota he set a personal-best with three touchdown passes in the victory.
In his first career start vs. North Dakota on Oct. 9, he completed 21-of-32 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns. The 280 yards passing were the most in a game by YSU QB since Montgomery VanGorder threw for a school-record 418 yards at Western Illinois on Sept. 29, 2018.
McFadden Booming Kicks
PK Colt McFadden has been dialed in on field goals since the start of Missouri Valley Football Conference play.
McFadden is 10-of-11 in five league games after making a career-long 52-yard field goal in the win over South Dakota. It was the first field goal of more than 50 yards by the Penguins since September 2003.
In the previous game, his 42-yard field goal at the buzzer helped the Penguins to a 28-27 win at Western Illinois. McFadden was named the MVFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week following the game.
Oliver A Top Target
WR Bryce Oliver has been a big touchdown producer for the Guins during his Youngstown State career.
In 17 games played at YSU, Oliver has 65 receptions for 880 yards and 15 touchdowns. He is one of just nine players in school history with 15 touchdown receptions in a career.
This season he has 41 catches for 617 yards and seven touchdowns. In the last three contests he has 429 yards on 26 grabs and five scores.
Rushton Adding 1-2 Punch
While Jaleel McLaughlin has been racking up video-game numbers, Dra Rushton has emerged to give the Guins an outstanding 1-2 punch at running back.
In his last two games, Rushton has carried the ball 25 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns. At Western Illinois, he had a career-high 14 carries and 78 yards.
Entering the contest against Indiana State on Oct. 15, he had yet to score a rushing touchdown in his lengthy YSU career. He has a rushing touchdown in each of the past two games.
This year he has 305 yards on 61 carries. Entering this season he had 18 attempts for 63 yards. Rushton did not play vs. South Dakota.
Wudke Earns MVFC Honor
DE Dylan Wudke was named the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s defensive player of the week for his performance against South Dakota.
Wudke had five solo stops and two sacks in the victory as the defensive unit limited the Coyotes to just 56 yards rushing on 30 carries.
Late in the second quarter, Wudke’s sack, fumble and fumble recovery at the USD 44-yard line with 2:49 left help set up the knockout blow in the contest as the Guins scored with just 19 seconds left in the half and take aa 38-10 lead.
This season, he has 31 total tackles, including team-leading totals in TFLs (11), sacks (five) and forced fumbles (two).
Trowers Steps Up
The top tackler for the Penguins is cornerback Jordan Trowers.
A first-year starter, Trowers leads the team with 46 tackles, including 34 solo stops. Entering the 2022 campaign, Trowers had played in two career games and did not register a tackle.
Trowers had a strong effort in the win over South Dakota last Saturday. He had four tackles, all solos, and registered the first sack of his YSU career in the game.
McLaughlin Second in the FCS
TB Jaleel McLaughlin ranks second in the FCS in rushing yards per game averaging 147.8 a contest. He has been locked in a battle with Monmouth’s Jaden Shirden who is now at 151.7 per contest. In nine games, Shirden has 1,365 yards while McLaughlin is at 1,182 through eight.
In five MVFC contests, McLaughlin has rushed for 814 yards (an eye-popping 162.8 per game). He had a personal-YSU-best 32 carries in wins over Indiana State and Western Illinois.
McLaughlin’s Top YSU Games
242 – UIW (2021)
207 – Western Illinois (2022)
203 – Duquesne (2022)
200 – Indiana State (2022)
185 – Southern Illinois (2021)
200-200-100 A Rarity
YSU had a 200-yard rusher, a 200-yard pass and a 100-yard receiver in the win over Indiana State. It was just the second such occurence in school history.
Mitch Davidson had 223 yards passing, Jaleel McLaughlin had 200 yards rushing and Bryce Oliver had 143 yards receiving vs. ISU.
The only other time that occurred was on Nov. 6, 2012, at Illinois State. Kurt Hess had 250 yards passing, Jamaine Cook had 213 yards rushing and Dominique Barnes had 113 yards receiving.
Impressive Fourths for YSU
The Penguins made finishing games a key during the offseason. In eight games, YSU has allowed just six touchdowns so far.
The Guins have outscored their opponents by a 63-50 margin in the fourth this year.
In the fall of 2021, YSU was outscored by 30 points and in the spring of 2021, the Guins were outscored by 20 points.
So far, the Penguins are a plus-13 in fourth quarter point differential. That’s a 43-point difference since 2021.
Experience On the Lines
The Guins have a wealth of contributors and experience on both the offensive and defensive lines.
The offensive line features Mike McAllister (25 starts), Jaison Williams (25), Aidan Parker (24), David Metzler (15) and Ryan Johnson (12). McAllister, Williams and Parker all started for the first time in the spring of 2021. Metzler made his first-ever start at left tackle at Michigan State in 2021 as a redshirt freshman.
The defensive line features veterans James Jackson (26 starts), Dylan Wudke (21) and Chris Fitzgerald (18). This year Wudke leads the line with 31 tackles while Fitzgerald has 27. The trio has combined for 11 sacks as well.
Tied For 200-Yard Game Mark
TB Jaleel McLaughlin has tied the school record for 200-yard rushing games with four thanks to three efforts this season. His four are now tied with PJ Mays. McLaughlin is one of just four players in school history to rush for at least 200 yards in a game on three occasions.
200-Yard Rushing Games
1. P.J. Mays (2000-02) 4
1. Jaleel McLaughlin (2021-22) 4
Touchdowns By Current Guins
The Penguins have 10 players on their roster who have scored touchdowns while at YSU. TB Jaleel McLaughlin leads the team with 29 total touchdowns while Bryce Oliver is the leader in receiving TDs with 15.
TD Scorers
McLaughlin – 27 rush / 2 pass
Oliver – 15 pass
Crenshaw – 8 rush
Rushton – 1 pass / 2 rush
Davidson – 2 rush
Tomczak – 2 pass
Fordham – 1 pass / 1 KO
Payne – 1 pass
Hensley – 1 pass
Serrano – 1 pass
Numbers of Note
• Turnover Margin: Since 1996, YSU is 150-46 when they win or tie the turnover margin. When committing more turnovers, YSU is just 28-85.
Since 1990 YSU is:
• 173-22-2 when holding opponents to fewer than 21 points in a game.
• 153-22 when rushing for 200-plus yards.
• 175-30 when scoring 28-or-more points.
• 92-14-1 when holding opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing in a game.
• 204-21 when leading entering the fourth.
• 92-3-2 holding opponents to 10 points-or-less.
