In the crisp autumn air of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, South Dakota State heads into enemy territory this weekend, facing off against Youngstown State in what could shape up as a gritty test of wills. The Jackrabbits, riding a wave of momentum after dismantling Mercyhurst last week, now turn their sights to Stambaugh Stadium, where the Penguins have clawed their way to a middling 3-2 record. It's the kind of matchup that underscores the conference's unforgiving nature—every yard feels like a skirmish.
Youngstown State, under coach Doug Phillips, has shown flashes of that old defensive tenacity that's defined their program for years. They've held opponents to just 22 points per game on average, a stat that might give SDSU pause, especially after the Jacks' offense exploded for 63 unanswered points in their last meeting back in 2023. But don't let the history fool you; the Penguins are no pushovers at home. Their quarterback, Demeatric Crump, has been slinging the ball with precision, completing over 65% of his passes and racking up 1,200 yards already this season. Indeed, if Youngstown can exploit SDSU's occasional lapses in the secondary, this could turn into a shootout.
However, South Dakota State's Mark Gronowski remains the X-factor, the dual-threat signal-caller who's led the Jacks to back-to-back national titles. He's thrown for 1,800 yards and added 400 on the ground, numbers that make defenses sweat. The Jacks boast a 32-game home winning streak, though this road trip adds an extra layer of intrigue—Brookings faithful won't be there to roar them on. Moreover, Youngstown's run game, spearheaded by a backfield that's averaged 150 yards per contest, could grind out clock if the weather turns sloppy.
Recent form tells a story too. SDSU hasn't punted in their past two outings, converting third downs at a clip that borders on ruthless. Youngstown, meanwhile, bounced back from a sluggish start with a convincing win over Valparaiso. Still, the Penguins' six-game skid against the Jacks looms large, a reminder of how lopsided these rivalries can get. As kickoff approaches on Saturday at 3 p.m., both squads know a win here bolsters playoff resumes in a conference stacked with contenders.
What remains to be seen is whether Youngstown's home-field edge can finally crack the Jacks' armor, or if SDSU's machine rolls on unchecked.