Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes A gang of Penguins bring down Missouri State’s Jason Shelley during YSU’s 41-33 upset win on Oct. 9. YSU is in search of another upset this weekend, as No. 10 South Dakota State comes to the Ice Castle.

As the saying goes, there’s no rest for the weary.

Coming off a disappointing 28-17 loss at Indiana State last weekend, Youngstown State is tasked with regaining its focus to welcome the No. 10 South Dakota State Jackrabbits to the Ice Castle on Saturday afternoon. SDSU finished as the FCS runner-up in the spring.

It’s a tough task on its own, but factor in that YSU is playing without its two starting offensive tackles and potentially its starting quarterback, and that uphill climb just keeps getting steeper.

The Jacks enter with the top offense in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, averaging 41.7 points per game. That’s without last year’s star quarterback Mark Gronowski, who suffered a leg injury in the FCS championship game in the spring. Meanwhile, the SDSU defense allows just 17.4 points per game, third-best in the MVFC behind North Dakota State and South Dakota.

After a 4-0 start to the year, SDSU has dropped two of its last three, but the Jacks are still in the national conversation.

QUARTERBACKS

YSU — Demeatric Crenshaw exited last Saturday’s loss at ISU during the first quarter with what head coach Doug Phillips described as a lower leg injury, and has been day to day this week.

He was replaced by Joe Craycraft, who started his fill-in performance well, rallying the Penguins to a 17-14 lead through YSU’s first drive in the third quarter. From there, however, things went south, as Craycraft was picked off on YSU’s final four possessions.

Even if Crenshaw can play, it’s fair to wonder how much the Penguins can count on him for designed runs and scrambles, which have been his bread and butter this season. Crenshaw’s 83.5 rush yards per game rank 31st in the FCS.

If Crenshaw can’t go, Craycraft is still mobile enough to extend plays and pick up yardage, but he certainly isn’t the ground threat Crenshaw has proven to be.

SDSU — After losing Gronowski to a long-term leg injury, the Jacks hit the transfer portal for a replacement. They came up big, landing graduate transfer Chris Oladokun.

Oladokun made prior stops at FBS South Florida and FCS Samford, and has performed remarkably well with SDSU. He ranks ninth in the FCS in passing efficiency with a rate of 153.53, and has thrown for 1,574 yards and 15 touchdowns.

EDGE — South Dakota State

RUNNING BACKS

YSU — Jaleel McLaughlin ranks second in the FCS in yards per game with an average of 121, and has consistently been YSU’s go-to guy this year. He faces a tall task in SDSU, who has allowed just 86.9 yards per game — the 9th-best mark in the FCS.

SDSU — All-American selection Pierre Strong is likely the top back YSU will face in conference play this year. Strong has 823 yards and 10 touchdowns, and also has 15 receptions.

EDGE — South Dakota State

WIDE RECEIVERS

YSU — Bryce Oliver and Jorge Portorreal each took a step forward at ISU. Oliver set or tied career highs in receptions (5), yards (78), longest catch (30) and touchdowns (1), while Portorreal had season highs in yards (49) and longest catch (24). The two will need to keep that improvement going, especially with YSU’s offense in flux.

SDSU — The Jacks have solid receivers, but where they really make their mark is with tight ends Phillips describes as “NFL caliber.” The top of those guys is Tucker Craft, whose 37 receptions and 459 receiving yards are team highs. He’s scored four touchdowns.

Out wide, twin brothers Jaxon and Jadon Janke have combined for 44 recepetions, 782 yards and eight touchdowns. Jadon’s six receiving scores are a team high.

EDGE — South Dakota State

OFFENSIVE LINE

YSU — Phillips told media members Tuesday that Henry Yoboue is out for the remainder of the season, while Dan Becker is week to week and will be out against SDSU. Sophomore Jaison WIlliams and redshirt freshman David Metzler will start in their place and try to help a unit that’s had an up-and-down campaign.

SDSU — The SDSU front protects Oladokun well, as the 1.14 sacks per game it gives up ranks 16th in the FCS. Additionally, SDSU’s 201.9 yush yards per game are 18th. It’s no shock, given the Jacks don’t start anybody younger than a junior along that front. Right tackle Garrett Greenfield was an All-MVFC First Team selection in the spring.

EDGE — South Dakota State

DEFENSIVE LINE

YSU — Like the offensive line, it’s been an up-and-down season for the defensive front. The ‘Guins rank second-to-last in the MVFC in terms of sacks and rushing defense. When YSU can get pressure and be disruptive, it’s had success forcing turnovers.

SDSU — A two-headed monster in the form of Caleb Sanders and Reece Winkelman awaits YSU. Both players have seven TFLs and 4.5 sacks, and both have forced a turnover, too. SDSU’s front is the second-best rushing defense in the MVFC and is has the fourth-most sacks.

EDGE — South Dakota State

LINEBACKERS

YSU — Grant Dixon is tied for the team lead in tackles with 39, and also has four TFLs. Griffin Hoak has added 32 stops and a TFL.

SDSU — Logan Backhaus is returning from an All-American spring campaign, and has 20 tackles this year. Meanwhile, Adam Bock earned Freshman All-American honors in his first season, and has 58 tackles and three TFLs.

EDGE — South Dakota State

SECONDARY

YSU — YSU ranks last in the MVFC in interceptions (5) and pass defense (289.5 yards per game). Big plays have been a nagging issue for the Penguins this year, and South Dakota State’s talented tight end crew could make things tough this weekend, too. Jordan White leads the group with two picks, while Keyon Martin has 7 PBUs.

SDSU — If SDSU has a weakness, its the pass defense. The Jackrabbits give up 235.3 yards per game, seventh in the MVFC. It’s something YSU will have to be able to attack if it wants to hang around in this one. Cale Reeder has four PBUs, while SDSU as a whole has eight picks.

EDGE — South Dakota State

SPECIALISTS

YSU — Colt McFadden has had a fine 2021 campaign, knocking through 6 of 7 field goals and all 18 PATs. Sam St. Surin returns to the lineup this week, according to the depth chart released Tuesday, which could boost the return game.

SDSU — SDSU ranks 10th in the MVFC in kickoff return yardage and eighth in punt returns, but placekicker Cole Frahm is typically steady. He has had two kicks blocked this year, however.

EDGE — Youngstown State

PREDICTION

With injury issues at quarterback and both offensive tackle positions, as well as questions about the defense, the Penguins could be in for a tough day.

The Jackrabbits are also coming off a disappointing loss, so it’s unlikely they’ll overlook this one.

South Dakota State wins, 35-14.