Offense
Youngstown State came out hot on offense, scoring 21 points in the first half and driving down the field at an efficient rate. The second half was a completely different story, as YSU failed to reach the end zone and often looked one dimensional, relying on a heavy dosage of Beau Brungard to secure the win.
The junior quarterback has grown accustomed to QB power and draw plays, but not to the multitude or volume that he saw Thursday night. With a new offensive coordinator in Mike Yurcich, it was expected that YSU would push the ball down the field more and emphasize explosiveness. However, that wasn’t the case against Mercyhurst.
Beau had 28 carries, being dealt blow after blow and seeing an increased workload. He was productive, totaling 145 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, but he left the field limping after the clock struck zero.
The play selection begs the question: is this approach sustainable? It is a valid concern, yet one that requires a larger sample size to make a fair assessment. What was perhaps more surprising about this offensive game plan was the apparent refusal to give YSU’s tailbacks touches.
Prior to the start of the season, the running back room was spoken highly of and was thought of as one of the deepest and most talented position groups on the roster. Jaden Gilbert and Tahir Mills combined for just ten rushes, contradicting this belief entirely. Again, there could be several explanations for this and time is the only answer.
At wide receiver, Max Tomczak led the team with 43 receiving yards on two receptions. Tomczak hauled in the longest pass of the evening, and Luke Hensley chipped in with an 11-yard snag.
Defense
Front Seven
For Youngstown State, there were a lot of questions about what the defensive line would look like heading into 2025. Although the final result was underwhelming, YSU’s front seven played an outstanding game, holding Mercyhurst to just 63 total rushing yards, and 2.6 yards per rush.
Linebacker Carston Marshall flashed his true potential, racking up 10 tackles, one TFL, and one pass breakup in what was a standout performance. His gap discipline and relentless pursuit of the ball carrier is something that YSU lacked last fall.
Another player that popped on film was transfer defensive tackle Thomas Jolly (Grand Valley State). The stat sheet doesn’t do Jolly full justice – he recorded just one tackle – but he obliterated the interior of the Lakers’ O-Line and disrupted their offensive rhythm. The ‘Guins needed the front line to improve drastically, and it appears the coaching staff has made the necessary adjustments to do so.
YSU moved Michael Wells (6-3, 250) – a linebacker in 2024 – to an Edge/OLB role. This change gives the ‘Guins size and athleticism up front, while not putting them at a serious disadvantage due to Wells' lengthy frame.
Though there were mistakes, Wells thrived with new responsibilities and executed at a high level.
Secondary
The numbers alone might suggest YSU’s secondary had a rough showing, yet that wasn’t the case at all. QB Adam Urena completed 32-of-48 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns, making some remarkable throws and showcasing his lightning-quick release time. This kid can spin it, and there were countless occasions where there was absolutely nothing YSU could do to stop him.
I thought the ‘Guins locked down the Lakers when it mattered the most and were disruptive at pivotal moments. Dathan Hickey broke out and had a good Penguin debut; he led the defense with 13 total tackles and one interception. Justin Wimpye also proved his worth, intercepting a pass and registering two pass breakups.
Final Analysis
YSU had this game in control the entire time. To me, it felt like Mercyhurst never had a real shot of winning, but the offensive output was concerning, particularly in the second half. Yurcich kept things incredibly simple, running what I would consider to be basic install plays. Is he masking our talent at receiver and in the backfield for more meaningful games? I don’t know, but it looked like a vanilla offense that had one goal: milk the clock and get out with a win.
The defense played well and buckled up when the game was on the line. This unit has definitely improved and I feel much better than last season about this group.
