Youngstown State University (3-2, 1-1) will play host to North Dakota State (3-2, 1-1) this Saturday at 4 p.m. in Youngstown.  For the Penguins, undefeated at home, it is a chance to redeem themselves after falling 35-25 at Missouri State last week.  For the Bison, winners of three out of their last four road games, a win is a must to stay ranked.  North Dakota State is ranked at #17 this week.

Last season, YSU won a 39-35 shootout at the famed Fargodome.  Youngstown State leads the all-time series 3-1 and has never lost to the Bison at The Ice Castle (2-0).  However, the largest margin of victory in those three wins has been eight points.

If the Penguins can shut down the tandem of WR Warren Holloway and redshirt freshman QB Brock Jensen, they greatly improve their chances of winning this game.  Last week in a 28-16 loss to Western Illinois, the pair hooked up seven times for 184 yards.  With Andre Elliott’s status unknown, the Penguins have to dig in and take the big plays out of the Bison offense.  YSU will also have to play much closer to the first quarter of the last game rather than the last three quarters because North Dakota State boasts a big-play defense that already has ten takeaways this season.  On the ground, DJ McNorton is the Bison workhorse.  McNorton had 105 yards on the ground last week and over two hundred rushing yards the week before.

This will be a good test for first-year Penguins Coach Eric Wolford.  In the past few weeks, Wolford has been adamant about the importance of these Missouri Valley Conference games.  He has also stressed that this 2010 Penguins team is still getting better.  Expect changes on this weeks depth chart on the defensive side of the ball.  A no-nonsense coach with respect for the game, Wolford claimed he would be sick watching last weeks game film.  Believe me, 106 penalty yards are keeping this man awake at night.

Jamaine Cook and Adaris Bellamy need to keep grinding it out to open the passing game up for Kurt Hess.  Once the Penguins got to the second quarter, they really struggled running the football.  Two touchdowns within 90 seconds forced the Penguins to revert to the pass which was ineffective due to the lack of a ground game to keep the opposing defense honest.  Offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery is a great thinker, expect a couple of new wrinkles.

Defensively, YSU played pretty decent last week.  One blown coverage and a couple of drives in the second quarter hurt, but the two offensive turnovers resulting in touchdowns were the difference.  Look for Brandian Ross and Torrance Nicholson (defensive co-capains) to have big games for YSU’s defense.  Also, Luke Matelan, David Rach, and John Sasson have to keep playing big for the Penguins to have a chance.  Donald D’Alesio has stepped up as a true freshman recording 11 tackles in last week’s loss.

The 4 p.m. start will also mark Alumni Day.  Be sure to hit the tailgate lots before the game and make a day of it.  This group of guys are busting their butts to be better.  The new coaching staff is spending countless hours preparing each week, and the enthusiasm is back, it’s in the players eyes this season.

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