With the Penguins coming off of a disappointing 28-17 loss last Saturday to Indiana State and the injury to Demeatric Crenshaw, it was time to regroup for South Dakota State with experienced quarterback Joe Craycraft. In order to make it to the FCS playoffs, this was the first step, afterwards it was winning out.
The last time these teams met was during the spring season where the Jackrabbits made a go-ahead field goal with the final score 19-17. This time, South Dakota State ran away with the game, beating YSU 47-16.
1st Quarter
South Dakota State got off to a early start against the Penguins defense as now starting quarterback Chris Oladokun found his tight end Zach Heins wide open, 25-yards out to go up 7 to 0 early on.
After forcing a Paddy Lynch punt, the Jackrabbits went down the field again. They needed only nine plays as running back Pierre Strong Jr went five yards making it 14 to 0.
The last points were late in the first by YSU after two big runs by Jaleel McLaughlin and Andrew Olgetree. The drive did stall after a Craycraft incompletion and had to settle for the Colten McFadden field goal making it 14-3 at the end of one.
2nd Quarter
The only points that were scored in the second quarter were on a field goal by South Dakota State kicker Cole Frahm from 52-yards out making it 17-3.
Some other noticeable outlooks in this quarter was the Penguins defense stepping up with an interception by Quincy Lenton and a fumble recovery by Jordan White.
YSU made progress on defense, but there was still a half to go as they looked to get the offensive part rolling. So far the Penguins have not been efficient when it has come in the second half, but that could all change here.
3rd Quarter
Things started to go downhill by the start of the third for both sides of the ball for YSU. Two plays in and Craycraft’s pass was picked off by Malik Lofton, his second of the season. Next was a 35-yard touchdown run by Strong making it 24-3.
After that the whole third quarter were the Jackrabbits hopping in the endzone for another touchdown and pressuring Craycraft. South Dakota State’s final touchdown in the quarter came when backup QB Rudy Voss came in for a wildcat play for a touchdown.
This quarter also saw another injury in a scary moment as Craycraft left the game with an injury and third string now backup Mitch Davidson, the former quarterback for the Salem Quakers came into the lineup.
Two plays for Davidson, and he would find Bryce Oliver at the end of the third making it 31 to nine however after a blocked kick which went all the way for two points making it 33 to nine after three.
4th Quarter
The fourth quarter was mostly a kill the clock quarter for the JackRabbits while putting the second string in. Their first touchdown of the quarter was Oladokun’s one-yard run and their last being a touchdown run by Amar Johnson.
Youngstown State got a score early in the fourth with Davidson getting his second career touchdown once again to Oliver, but it was not enough as the Jackrabbits pulled away from the start to finish with a 47-16 victory.
YSU Stats
Joe Craycraft: four of ten, 36 yards one interception (left game late).
Mitch Davidson: six of seven, 111 yards and two touchdowns.
Jaleel McLaughlin: eight carries for 54 yards
Bryce Oliver: three receptions for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
South Dakota State Stats:
Chris Oldaokun: 16-22 for 260 yards, one touchdown and one interception. One rushing touchdown.
Pierre Strong: 19 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Amar Johnson: 18 Carrie’s for 87 yards and a touchdown.
Rudy Voss: three carries for 42 yards and one touchdown.
Zach Heins: two catches for 38 yards and a touchdown.
Up Next:
Youngstown State (2-5, 1-4 in MVFC) will head to North Dakota to take on the Fighting Hawks (3-5, 1-4 in the MVFC). The first meeting between these two since September 1962. These two teams were originally supposed to play each other in the Spring season, but was cancelled due to COVID. Kickoff is 1pm on ESPN PLUS or can be listened to on 570WKBN.
This is a must win for the Penguins to get their first conference road win since 2017. The Fighting Hawks are coming off of a close loss to Missouri State, but have some momentum with nearly beating the bears
South Dakota State (6-2, 3-2 in MVFC) will host rival North Dakota State (8-0, 5-0 in MVFC). Kickoff is set for 3pm on ESPN PLUS.
