Saturday, October 7
Youngstown, OH
5 PM (CT)
Southern Illinois University
4-1 , 1-1
3
at
31
Youngstown St.
3-2 , 1-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Southern Ill.
0
3
0
0
3
Youngstown St.
7
7
3
14
31
Football falls at Youngstown State
10/07/2023 | 8:45:00 | Football
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Youngstown State knocked Southern Illinois from the ranks of unbeaten teams in the Football Championship Subdivision with a 31-3 victory on Saturday night at rainy Stambaugh Stadium.
Against the nation's top run defense, the Penguins (3-2, 1-1) moved the ball methodically on the ground, ending the day with 167 rushing yards and four rushing TDs. They held a 37:39 to 22:21 advantage in time of possession in a game that took only two hours and 46 minutes to complete.
The No. 5-ranked Salukis (4-1, 1-1) struggled offensively, generating just 100 total yards. The offense was unable to penetrate YSU territory in a rain-soaked second half, in which YSU's average starting field position was the SIU 38.
"It's a humbling game, it's a humbling sport," said SIU head coach Nick Hill. "They whooped us in every fashion."
SIU quarterback Nic Baker was held to a season-low 94 yards passing and was sacked seven times. The offense was 2-for-13 on third down conversions.
"We weren't in any type of rhythm," Hill said. "They pressured us a ton. That comes down to coaching, too. You have to have a plan for what we have to do when teams are coming after us like that."
Youngstown led at halftime, 14-3, and Southern had only three possessions in the first half. The first possession looked promising after Baker hit Izaiah Hartrup for a 16-yard strike down to the YSU 28, but a sack and a procedure penalty forced the Salukis to punt.
The second possession went three-and-out, but the third and final possession of the half went 64 yards in 16 plays and netted a 33-yard Thomas Burks field goal. The Salukis had 1st-and-goal at the YSU 7, but could not punch it in, as Baker was sacked on third down.
In the second half, Baker hit Hartrup for an 18-yard gain on the first play of the third quarter, but that was the offense's only first down of the second half.
"We just never got going (offensively), except maybe the one drive where we stalled out in the red zone right before half," Hill said. "It wasn't the week of practice or guys feeling good about themselves. It's hard to create momentum on the road when things aren't going well. (YSU) just kind of went on methodical drives, kind of lull you to sleep a little bit, and then we weren't doing much on offense."
Southern played without two key weapons on offense — running back Ro Elliott and wide receiver D'Ante' Cox — who were sidelined with injuries. Justin Strong, who has battled injuries, started at running back and carried five times for eight yards, while Leshaun Lester had five carries for six yards.
Baker was the team's most effective ball carrier. Minus the seven sacks, he rushed the ball seven times for 41 yards.
"Not being able to run the football, and then when you get behind, having to throw the football, even there late when it started to pour down rain, isn't ideal," Hill acknowledged. "Momentum is real in this game and (YSU) had the momentum."
Only two FCS teams remain unbeaten after Saturday's action — No. 1 South Dakota State (5-0), which beat Illinois State, and No. 19 Harvard (4-0), which topped Cornell.
"We have no choice but to react in a positive way," said Hartup, who had five catches for 68 yards. "We can't let one loss define us."
The Salukis play at Murray State next Saturday, followed by a Homecoming showdown with South Dakota State.
"The character we have in the room will be tested," Hill said. "We have to swallow this pill. Nobody likes this feeling. Right now, we feel like we've been punched in the gut."
Against the nation's top run defense, the Penguins (3-2, 1-1) moved the ball methodically on the ground, ending the day with 167 rushing yards and four rushing TDs. They held a 37:39 to 22:21 advantage in time of possession in a game that took only two hours and 46 minutes to complete.
The No. 5-ranked Salukis (4-1, 1-1) struggled offensively, generating just 100 total yards. The offense was unable to penetrate YSU territory in a rain-soaked second half, in which YSU's average starting field position was the SIU 38.
"It's a humbling game, it's a humbling sport," said SIU head coach Nick Hill. "They whooped us in every fashion."
SIU quarterback Nic Baker was held to a season-low 94 yards passing and was sacked seven times. The offense was 2-for-13 on third down conversions.
"We weren't in any type of rhythm," Hill said. "They pressured us a ton. That comes down to coaching, too. You have to have a plan for what we have to do when teams are coming after us like that."
Youngstown led at halftime, 14-3, and Southern had only three possessions in the first half. The first possession looked promising after Baker hit Izaiah Hartrup for a 16-yard strike down to the YSU 28, but a sack and a procedure penalty forced the Salukis to punt.
The second possession went three-and-out, but the third and final possession of the half went 64 yards in 16 plays and netted a 33-yard Thomas Burks field goal. The Salukis had 1st-and-goal at the YSU 7, but could not punch it in, as Baker was sacked on third down.
In the second half, Baker hit Hartrup for an 18-yard gain on the first play of the third quarter, but that was the offense's only first down of the second half.
"We just never got going (offensively), except maybe the one drive where we stalled out in the red zone right before half," Hill said. "It wasn't the week of practice or guys feeling good about themselves. It's hard to create momentum on the road when things aren't going well. (YSU) just kind of went on methodical drives, kind of lull you to sleep a little bit, and then we weren't doing much on offense."
Southern played without two key weapons on offense — running back Ro Elliott and wide receiver D'Ante' Cox — who were sidelined with injuries. Justin Strong, who has battled injuries, started at running back and carried five times for eight yards, while Leshaun Lester had five carries for six yards.
Baker was the team's most effective ball carrier. Minus the seven sacks, he rushed the ball seven times for 41 yards.
"Not being able to run the football, and then when you get behind, having to throw the football, even there late when it started to pour down rain, isn't ideal," Hill acknowledged. "Momentum is real in this game and (YSU) had the momentum."
Only two FCS teams remain unbeaten after Saturday's action — No. 1 South Dakota State (5-0), which beat Illinois State, and No. 19 Harvard (4-0), which topped Cornell.
"We have no choice but to react in a positive way," said Hartup, who had five catches for 68 yards. "We can't let one loss define us."
The Salukis play at Murray State next Saturday, followed by a Homecoming showdown with South Dakota State.
"The character we have in the room will be tested," Hill said. "We have to swallow this pill. Nobody likes this feeling. Right now, we feel like we've been punched in the gut."
Team Stats
SIU
YSU
Total Yards
100
323
Pass Yards
94
156
Rushing Yards
6
167
Penalty Yards
45
24
1st Downs
8
17
3rd Downs
2
7
4th Downs
2
2
TOP
22:21
37:39
1st Quarter
SIU 0, YSU 7
YSU - King,Tyshon 40 yd run (Lastovka,Andrew kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:17
2nd Quarter
SIU 0, YSU 14
YSU - Rushton,Dra 2 yd run (Lastovka,Andrew kick), 13 plays, 96 yards, TOP 05:55
SIU 3, YSU 14
SIU - Burks,Thomas 33 yd field goal 16 plays, 64 yards, TOP 07:05
3rd Quarter
SIU 3, YSU 17
YSU - Lastovka,Andrew 22 yd field goal 4 plays, -3 yards, TOP 02:04
4th Quarter
SIU 3, YSU 24
YSU - King,Tyshon 2 yd run (Lastovka,Andrew kick), 5 plays, 19 yards, TOP 01:44
SIU 3, YSU 31
YSU - Rushton,Dra 1 yd run (Lastovka,Andrew kick), 7 plays, 36 yards, TOP 05:01
Players Mentioned
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RB
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RB
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