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YOUNGSTOWN -- In a number of ways, Youngstown State took a needed step forward in Week 2's 49-16 decimation of Dayton.
The offense had a record-setting day through the air, Jaleel McLaughlin once again broke the century mark and the defense was stingy for most of the day.
However, as YSU coach Doug Phillips pointed out, the performance wasn't perfect, particularly during a lull in which Dayton rallied to within 35-16 after YSU (2-0) had led 28-3.
"Sometimes it feels like the good, the bad and the ugly, and we had all of that in the game (Saturday)," Phillips said. "Ultimately, we're not looking at the scoreboard. We're measuring our work, what we need to do to get better to prepare us to play in the toughest FCS conference in the country. Do I believe we took a step in that direction? Without question."
On that note, let's start with the good.
After going 14-of-29 in a less-than-impressive Week 1 victory over Duquesne, Demeatric Crenshaw was sharper against Dayton, going 11-for-17 for a career-high 230 yards and five touchdowns. That scoring mark tied the YSU single-game record for individual passing touchdowns, and Mitch Davidson's late-game scoring toss helped set a new program mark for team passing touchdowns in a game.
One of Crenshaw's touchdowns was a shovel pass to McLaughlin, who took off for a 52-yard score, and Phillips acknowledged as much. But overall, Crenshaw had a better day, even if he was called upon less. He showed nice touch on both of his touchdowns to Bryce Oliver, as well as his fade to Latrell Fordham.
In pass protection, Crenshaw was never sacked in the win.
"They took a little bit of that run away from us, and we were able to break some there in the fourth quarter. To be able to go to our passing game and hit those deep routes (was important)," Phillips added.
Oliver had a team-high four receptions, and Max Tomczak was once again present during critical situations, catching three passes for 92 yards and a touchdown, which came on a play Crenshaw had to evade pressure and just hoist it away to Tomczak.
On the ground, McLaughlin was, well, McLaughlin, but Liberty-product Dra Rushton has impressed through two games, too. The back-up tailback ran for 70 yards on 10 carries, and once again provided a nice change of pace from McLaughlin.
Defensively, the Penguins once again dominated in the ground game, as Dayton ran for just 55 yards on 35 attempts -- 1.6 yards per rush.
Safety Quincy Lenton said the improved run defense comes down to the Penguins understanding their individual jobs on the field.
"Everybody playing together, man -- everybody knowing their responsibilities," he said. "We're playing together and fitting things up like we need to."
The secondary also took a step forward this week, as Lenton and Harding grad Troy Jakubec came up with interceptions and the Flyers were kept to 134 yards passing.
So, too, did the pass rush. After not recording a sack in Week 1 against Duquesne's quick-release quarterback, the Penguins dropped Dante Casciola five times Saturday.
Dayton doesn't feature a stellar pass game by any means, but it was encouraging to see the pass defense improve in each aspect.
Now for the bad and the ugly.
The Penguins had four fumbles Saturday, two by Crenshaw, another by Oliver and one by Randy Smith on a punt.
On the note of special teams, Colt McFadden missed a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter and is now 1-for-3 on the year. He was mostly sure-footed a season ago, however, providing some reassurance that this won't last. He also went 7-for-7 on PATs.
The Penguins also were hit with eight penalties for 92 yards.
And, of course, there was the aforementioned lull. It didn't cost YSU on Saturday, but the Penguins can ill afford to allow those lapses moving forward, particularly as the schedule becomes significantly tougher. The Penguins are visiting FBS No. 9 Kentucky this weekend, have a bye week, then head to defending FCS champion and FCS No. 1 North Dakota State.
"We're going to go through corrections (Sunday) when we go out on the practice field," Phillips said. "Right now, it gets real hard real fast."
jwhetzel@tribtoday.com