2011 MVFC Preview: Youngstown State

Today is the final installment of Missouri Valley Football Conference Previews, featuring Youngstown State. To read previous previews, scroll down and click on the links on the right side of the page.

For some reason, I feel like I know this Youngstown State team already. Maybe it's because I've subconsciously learned more about this nine-team conference than anyone would ever need to know or want to know. Maybe it's because I remember YSU head coach Eric Wolford changing from his sideline gear and into a suit at Coughlin-Alumni Stadium last season. (Frankly, there's nothing classier than a suit.) However, it's most likely because the Penguins return a lot of talented starters from last year's 3-8 squad and I've tabbed Youngstown State as my surprise team in the Valley.

Offense
Last year, Youngstown State turned over the keys to the offense to redshirt freshman Kurt Hess. He responded by winning the conference's freshman of the year award and passing for 2,117 yards. Without question, he has room to improve and he could really excel in his second season of full-time quarterback duties. His primary target last year, Dominique Barnes has graduated but look for Ely Ducatel to increase his level of play to become the main man for Hess.

YSU running back Jamaine Cook

Jamaine Cook is a preseason All-American 3rd Team selection at running back and for good reason. Cook ran for 1,276 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, providing explosiveness that the Penguins will need to run the ball effectively. The good news is that Cook won't have to carry the whole load and he'll share duties with Adaris Bellamy, the former University of South Florida signee. Like Cook, Bellamy also scored 11 touchdowns and did it on less than half as many carries. This has a very good chance to be the Valley's best rushing duo and the only battle will be over who gets more carries. The offensive line loses three starters and was exceptional a year ago, allowing just 13 sacks. A pair of junior-college transfers will look to fill in and should do a viable job.

Defense
Youngstown State experienced some difficulties on defense in 2010, which is an anomaly for the Penguins. Their average for opponent's points per game jumped from 22.1 in 2009 to 31.5 a year ago and relinquished an average of 411 yards per game. The good news for YSU is that they return seven starters and that maligned defense should do nothing but improve.

The Penguins return the top three tacklers from last year, John Sasson, Donald D'Alesio, and David Rach. Sasson and Rach both play linebacker and along with Deonta Tate, should lead a solid linebacking corps to fix this defense's problems. D'Alesio will need to help the secondary improve the pass defense, which finished 4th worst in the FCS in defensive pass efficiency and allowed a 63.7 percent completion percentage against them. Those numbers should improve but it will be uphill battle with a secondary that lacks depth aside from corner Jamarious Boatwright.

Outlook 

YSU quarterback Kurt Hess

Youngstown State should accomplish their objectives on offense. They have explosive pieces in Cook and Bellamy, pairing those two with an accomplished and capable quarterback in Hess. Their defense will be up in the air but their defensive marks can only come down after a poor season last year. Last year, YSU lost to Penn State, won the next three games including a win over #13 Southern Illinois, and was actually ranked 20th before losing the final seven games. The Penguins held a lead in all 11 of their games and led in the fourth quarter in seven of those games. Phil Steele notes in his preview that in the last seven losses, five were decided by six points or less and three were decided in the final minute. 2011 will start with another trip to Happy Valley but count on more of those close game going the way of the Penguins this season.

Thanks for reading the series