Racing out to a 4-0 start is a good thing.  Collapsing on the road for two key conference games is not such a good thing.  Saturday, #15 Youngstown State (4-2, 1-2) will try to regain the winning form that vaulted them into being ranked as high as third in the polls when they take the field for their first home game since September 22.  Southern Illinois, one of the hottest teams in the league, comes in at 4-2, but are 3-1 in the conference.  The task is not easy, but the Penguins need to start winning again.

“Our backs are against the wall and we need to respond”, said Penguins junior QB Kurt Hess.  “We are still growing as a team and cannot afford to hurt ourselves with small penalties.”

In last week’s loss to Illinois State, the Penguins didn’t break any records for penalty yardage, but the timing of at least two penalties proved very costly.

“We got a penalty on a kickoff and had to re-kick”, said Penguins Coach Eric Wolford. “Instead of having them pinned deep, we kick again and they get the ball around midfield.  We also had a personal foul penalty that was a dumb mistake on our part.  To win games in this conference, you just can’t make those kind of mistakes.”

Southern Illinois has a tremendous talent at tight end in MyCole Pruitt.  Pruitt has 32 catches for 362 yards and three touchdowns.  He is also a pretty good blocking tight end.  Pruitt commented on what his team has to do to come away with a big road win.

“I expect this year’s game to be like last year”, said Pruitt.  “It can probably go down to the end and the team who wins will make a play.”

Pruitt moves like a wide receiver, but looks like a lineman at 6’3″ and 247 pounds.

“I feel like there isn’t a linebacker in the conference that can cover me.”

Saluki QB Kory Faulkner is a dual-threat after starting a play.  He can run (47 yard rushing touchdown last week), or he can beat you with his arm (had a 384 yard passing game this season).  Southern Illinois keeps a defense off balance with plenty of motion and shifting.  The Penguins seem like they know what is coming, but can they execute?

YSU center, Mark Pratt, reflected on what the last two weeks have been like.

“I hate losing.  I get sick to my stomach and I don’t eat right.  I didn’t talk to my wife much and I didn’t sleep well either.”

Wolford knows that Southern Illinois is a worthy opponent and that the Penguins need to be on their game, all three phases, and have to convert third downs, avoid penalties, and not commit turnovers.

“It gets agonizing to sit and watch films when you keep seeing the four or five plays that beat you,” said Wolford.  “You don’t know going into a game which four or five plays will define a game, but at the end, you definitely know which plays they were.”

Wolford said that there will be changes.  Jamarius Boatwright will get the start in the defensive backfield.  The defensive line also looks to be shaken up, but Wolford would not say who would be where because it would be based on who performed the best in practice this week.

“We need to get back to having fun again”, said Wolford.

Everyone smiles on a winning team from the top down.  In this battle of a couple of teams who dominated the I-AA division in sections of years, one team will leave the field smiling, attempting to regain championship form from years past at their respective universities.  The other will leave scratching their heads wondering why it is so difficult to rekindle the magic that once defined their team as a powerhouse in this sport.

YSU 37, Southern Illinois 29.