Ace Hunt
GoSycamores.com
SETTING THE STAGE
The fourth season of the Trent Miles era continues on Saturday, Sept. 24, as the Sycamores open Missouri Valley Football Conference play against Youngstown State. Saturday's game is set for a 2:05 p.m. (ET) kickoff at Memorial Stadium (12,764). The game will air live on the league's digital network, Valley Live with Joe Zydlio (play-by-play), Vaso Michels (analyst) and Jim Powers (sidelines) on the call. The game will also air live on ESPN Radio (92.7 FM), with Brian Fritz and Tom James calling the action for the Nelligan Sports Marketing Radio Network. Action can be heard live worldwide on GoSycamores.com.
THE YOUNGSTOWN STATE SERIES
Youngstown State owns the all-time series against Indiana State by a 19-2 margin, including a perfect 11-0 mark in games played at Terre Haute. ISU won the last meeting between the two clubs by a 30-24 margin in Youngstown, its first victory over the Penguins since 1995. Indiana State has never won back-to-back meetings with YSU.
THE COACHES
INDIANA STATE: Trent Miles (Indiana State '87)
- Overall: 9-28 (4th Season)
- at Indiana State: 9-28 (4th Season)
- vs. Youngstown State: 1-2
- vs. Missouri Valley Football Conference: 5-19
YOUNGSTOWN ST: Eric Wolford (Kansas State, '94)
- Overall: 5-9 (2nd Season)
- at Youngstown St.: 5-9 (2nd Season)
- vs. Indiana State: 0-1
- vs. Missouri Valley Football Conference: 2-7
QUICK HITS
- Indiana State earned its first victory over a NCAA FBS opponent for the first time since the 2001 campaign with its 44-16 victory last weekend over Western Kentucky. The victory was the first for the Sycamores in its last 13 tries against the Hilltoppers.
- The Sycamores won their Missouri Valley Football Conference home opener last season against Illinois State, the first time they won a league home lid lifter since 2004. A win over Youngstown State would give ISU back-to-back home MVFC opening victories for the first time since a stretch from 1991-1997 when the Sycamores also won their league home opening contests.
An Indiana State Win Over Youngstown State Would ...
• Give Indiana State a Missouri Valley Football Conference home opening victory in consecutive seasons for the first time since ISU won their league lid lifters each year from 1991-97.
• Give ISU a win in its conference opener for the first time since 2004 when ISU downed Illinois State 41-38 in double overtime at Memorial Stadium.
• Give Indiana State a 3-1 start to the season, its best start to a campaign since a 4-1 burst out of the gate in 2004.
• Give Indiana State three consecutive victories in consecutive seasons for the first time since they had three game winning streaks in each of the 1994, 1995 and 1996 seasons.
The Indiana State Head Coach
Indiana State head coach Trent Miles (Indiana State, 1987) is 9-28 (.243) overall in his third season as a head coach, all with the Sycamores. He is 5-19 all-time in MVFC games, including a 4-8 mark at home and a 1-11 mark on the road. During his career, he is 7-11 in all home games, 2-17 on the road and 2-2 in games decided by three points or less. Miles is 1-2 all-time against Youngstown State. With the Trees, Miles is 1-2 in overtime games, and 0-5 in shutouts. Saturday's game is Trent Miles' 38th game as Indiana State head coach.
The Youngstown State Head Coach
Youngstown State is led by second-year head coach Eric Wolford. Wolford is 5-9 at YSU and as a head coach. He is 0-1 all-time against Indiana State, a 30-24 Sycamore victory in Youngstown last season. Wolford is 2-7 againist MVFC members.
Scouting The Penguins
Youngstown State dropped its opener at Michigan State, but has rebounded with back-to-back victories over Valparaiso and Illinois State. Quarterback Kurt Hess is the reigning MVFC Offensive Player Of The Week as he accounted for all five touchdowns in the Penguins' conference-opening win over Illinois State on Saturday. Hess tied a school record with four touchdown passes and had a rushing score in the victory. He threw for a career-high 293 yards completing 21-of-29 passes. He had touchdown throws of 10, 20, 25 and 44 yards in the game and 35-yard completion on a third-and-8 with 2:13 left in the game helped seal the win as ISU was not able to get the ball back the remainder of the game. He is the eighth quarterback in program history to throw four touchdown passes in a game.
A Little History
This marks the 107th season of football at Indiana State, dating back to 1896. The University did not field teams from 1899 to 1900, 1908 or from 1910 to 1919. ISU owns an all-time record of 347-471-22 and is competing for the 26th consecutive season as a member of the MVFC.
Television Particulars
Indiana State's game against Youngstown State will be shown live world wide on Valley Live, the MVFC's digital network on valley-football.org. A link to the broadcast can be found on GoSycamores.com as well.
What's Transpired
Indiana State is 2-1 on the season, dropping its season opener at Penn State by the score of 41-7 and downing Butler in the home opener 48-34. The Sycamores are led in rushing by Brock Lough who has 130 yards on 18 carries, averaging 7.2 yards per touch with three touchdowns. Ronnie Fouch has completed over 63 percent of his passes, connecting on 26-of-41 attempts with two touchdowns. Justin Hilton leads ISU with 10 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown while Jacolby Washington leads the way defensively with 23 total tackles. The Sycamores rolled up 456 yards of total offense against Butler. Larry Carter and Cory Little earned MVFC Player Of The Week honors for their efforts against Western Kentucky as the Sycamores earned a 44-16 road victory over the Hilltoppers. The Sycamores won their first contest against a NCAA FBS Subdivision member since 2001 with the win over WKU.
Larry Carter Named MVFC Defensive Player Of The Week
Indiana State senior cornerback Larry Carter earned his first career MVFC Defensive Player Of The Week honor after he recorded five solo tackles and also had two huge plays in the 44-16 victory over FBS foe Western Kentucky. Carter returned an interception for 65 yards in the waning seconds of the first half which set up an ISU field goal to give the Sycamores a 17-3 halftime lead. With Western Kentucky trying to move on the ISU defense on their first drive of the third quarter, Carter recovered a fumble to end the drive and set up a Sycamore TD to help put the game out of reach. The win against WKU was ISU's first over an NCAA FBS program since 2001.
Cory Little Named MVFC Special Teams Player Of The Week
Indiana State sophomore kicker Cory Little was named the MVFC Special Teams Player Of The Week after he posted a career day for the Sycamores as he was a perfect 3-of-3 on field goal attempts as ISU downed Western Kentucky 44-16 in Bowling Green. Little connected on a career-long of 43 yards as the clock wound down to zeros on the first half and he added field goals of 42 yards and 35 yards. Little became the first Sycamore kicker to hit three field goals in a game since Kyle Hooper did it at Eastern Illinois in 2004. Little was also a perfect 5-fo-5 on PAT's in the contest.
Shakir Bell Has Career-Day To Lead Indiana State Over Western Kentucky
Indiana State sophomore tailback Shakir Bell amassed a career-high 221 yards on the ground at FBS Western Kentucky as the Sycamores earned a 44-16 road victory over the Hilltoppers. His 221 yards mark his first time over the 200-yard mark in his career and is the fifth-best single-game rushing total ever by a Sycamore. Bell rushed the ball a game-high 25 times, reaching the end zone twice. Bell broke open a close game in the first half with a 46-yard scoring rushing in the game's second quarter and then sealed the victory with a 13-yard rushing touchdown with eight minutes to go in the contest. Bell also caught one pass in the game.
Sycamores Beat FBS Western Kentucky In Impressive Fashion
Indiana State defeated NCAA FBS foe Western Kentucky, a current member of the Sun Belt Conference and a former member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (2001-06) by the score of 44-16 in Bowling Green. ISU broke a 12-game losing skid to the Hilltoppers and earned their first victory over a NCAA FBS school since a 2001 victory at Eastern Michigan. ISU's 28-point win over the Hilltoppers is the largest margin of victory for an FCS school over an FBS school since a 30-point victory by North Dakota State over Central Michigan in 2007. ISU's 44 points scored over is tied for the most points scored by a Sycamore squad against an FBS school with a 44 point outburst against Louisville in 1984.
Sycamore Turnover Turnaround Against WKU
Heading into the Western Kentucky contest, the Sycamores were -4 in the turnover margin category, but the Sycamores were +3 against the Hilltoppers. The Sycamores gave up one interception in the contest, but Larry Carter had one on his own and the Sycamores recovered a total of three WKU fumbles in the game.
Back-To-Back Non-Conference Victories For Indiana State
Indiana State's back-to-back victories against Butler and Western Kentucky are the Sycamores' first consecutive non-conference victories against NCAA Division I foes since the Sycamores downed Eastern Illinois, Murray State and UT-Martin in succession back in 2004. Likewise, the Sycamores enter MVFC play with a 2-1 record, its best start to a season since a 4-1 burst out of the gate in 2004.
Ben Obaseki Named To Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List; Solid Start To Season
Junior defensive lineman Ben Obaseki has been named to the 2011 Buck Buchanan Watch List, presented by Fathead.com as announced by The Sports Network. The Buchanan Award is in its 17th season and will be presented to the FCS' outstanding defensive player at the national awards banquet Thursday night, Jan. 5 in Frisco, Texas. This season's winner will join a list of Buchanan Award greats such as Dexter Coakley, Jared Allen, Rashean Mathis, Kroy Biermann and 2010 winner J.C. Sherritt of Eastern Washington. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 21. Obaseki was everywhere for Indiana State at Penn State, totaling five total tackles and putting pressure on the Penn State quarterbacks numerous times over the course of the game on Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Obaseki, a Preseason Buck Buchanan Watchlist Team member, recorded one solo stop and four assists versus the Nittany Lions. He went on to tally eight tackles with a quarterback sack at Western Kentucky. Obaseki now has 12 quarteback sacks in his career, and needs 13.5 more to tie Kyle Mitchell for the school record.
For Valley Openers
Indiana State's 26th season as a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference begins on Saturday when the Sycamores host Youngstown State. It is the first time ISU has opened MVFC play against Youngstown State since the Penguins took a 31-16 decision in Youngstown in 2002. ISU is 6-19 in league lidlifting contests, including 5-7 all-time when opening league play inside Memorial Stadium. The last time ISU opened MVFC play with a 1-0 record came on Oct. 2, 2004 when the Sycamores took a 41-38 double overtime victory over Illinois State at Memorial Stadium.
Versus Nationally Ranked Opponents
No. 24 Youngstown State is the first Sycamore opponent from the FCS to be ranked at the time of the contest this season. ISU will be looking to defeat their first opponent ranked in the Top 25 since taking down No. 19 Western Illinois on Oct. 23, 1999. The last ranked opponent for Indiana State was No. 17 Northern Iowa on November 6, 2010. The Sycamores are 8-71 all-time against FCS nationally-ranked opponents, including a mark of 6-52 against league members that are nationally ranked.
Gaining National Respect In The Polls Themselves
The Indiana State football team received votes in both national FCS polls this week after winning their first game over an FBS school since 2001 at Western Kentucky last week. ISU received 102 votes in The Sports Network/Fathead.com Top 25 Poll, which is good enough for 33rd. ISU also picked up 33 votes in the FCS Coaches Poll and are ranked 31st. Northern Iowa, North Dakota State, Southern Illinois and Youngstown State represent the MVFC in the polls this week.
Sycamores Against The Missouri Valley Football Conference
Indiana State is in its 26th season as a member of the MVFC. ISU's first season as a league member came in 1986 when it went 1-5 through a six-game league schedule. The Sycamores are 44-115 in MVFC contests and have won five of their last 12 league matchups, marking the first time since the 2002 season that an ISU team has won multiple league contests over a similar stretch.
Leonard Riston Kickoff Return For A Touchdown Against Butler
Leonard Riston returned three kickoffs for a total of 156 yards, including a 92-yard touchdown in the second quarter as the Sycamores downed Butler at Memorial Stadium. Riston's 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the Sycamores' first since the 2005 campaign when Cornell Johnson had a 97-yarder against Western Illinois. Riston currently ranks first in the MVFC in kickoff return average with a mark of 32.25 yards, which ranks tied for eighth-best nationally.
Road Trip!
With the Indiana State Sycamores thrilling 30-24 road victory over Youngstown State last season, the Trees broke a 36-game road losing streak, which was the longest in any division of college football. ISU downed Youngstown State for just the second time in 20 all-time tries, with both coming at the "Ice Castle". The road win over the Penguins was the first for an Indiana State football team since downing Eastern Illinois in overtime in the second game of the 2004 campaign and its first victory in league play away from Memorial Stadium since taking down Southern Illinois in 2002.
Bringing Back Memories Of "The Fridge"
Ben Obaseki scored twice last season on offensive as a fullback despite being the team's starting defensive end and a nominee for the 2011 Buck Buchannan Award. Obaseki matched his career total of two rushing touchdowns with a pair against Butler. Obaseki opened the scoring for the Sycamores against Butler with a two-yard scoring rush in the game's first quarter and then added another two-yard TD in the third quarter.
Punter Not Needed
Indiana State did not have to punt against Butler, one week after senior Santino Davis averaged over 40 yards per punt against Penn State. The Sycamores had not punted in a game since a 1992 contest against Lock Haven prior to the contest against the Bulldogs. The Sycamores had 11 drives against Butler, scoring seven touchdowns and had two drives stopped by fumbles. Indiana State also had the ball as time expired on both the first and second halfs.
The "Lough" Down
Brock Lough rushed for 131 yards on 17 attempts in the 48-34 home field victory over Butler. Lough also reached the end zone three times in the contest, on two TD's of three yards and one from 45 yards out. Lough's 131 yards rushing were a career high and the first time in his career that he has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark. His three rushing touchdowns are the most in his career, as he had scored just twice prior to the game. Lough added one pass reception out of the back field for three yards.
Fouch Fantastic Against Butler
Senior quarterback Ronnie Fouch completed each of his first 10 passes against Butler, falling just one short of the school record for consecutive pass completions as he finished with a 15-for-18 passing effort versus the Bulldogs. Fouch passed for 232 yards and connected with Donald Spencer on a 26-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Fouch also found tight end Alex Jones on a long pass of 50 yards in the contest.
Sycamores Picked To Finish Sixth In Missouri Valley Football Conference
The Indiana State football team has been picked to finish sixth in the annual Missouri Valley Football Conference Preseason Poll conducted earlier this summer by a vote of league head coaches, sports information directors and a media panel. It is the highest preseason ranking for the Sycamores since they were picked to finish sixth in a seven-team Gateway Football Conference race in 2000.
Alex Sewall Nominated For 2011 All-State AFCA Good Works Team
Alex Sewall, a senior exercise science major, is one of 132 national nominees for the 2011 All-State AFCA Good Works Team. The award recognizes the selfless contributions to volunteerism and community service made by college football student-athletes across the nation. From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members will select two 11-player Good Works Teams® - one comprising of players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and another representing players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA. The 22 student-athletes named to the 2011 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will be announced in late September.
Fourty-Seven Letterman, 17 Starters Return In 2011
Indiana State returns 47 letterman from last season - 22 on offense, 23 on defense and two specialists. The Sycamores have lost the services of 14 letterman in 2011 - eight on offense, four on defense and two specialists. Indiana State also returns 17 starters from the 2010 squad. Six starters are back on offense, nine on defense and two specialists.
Must See TV
Indiana State is making a school record five appearances on television this season, beginning with the season opener at Penn State. The contest against the Nittany Lions was telecast on the Big Ten Network, the Sycamores second-ever appearance on that network. ISU's 2007 contest at Indiana was one of the network's first live college football telecasts. ISU also appeared on ESPN3.com in its September 17 contest at Western Kentucky and will be on there again during the October 22 road game at Illinois State. The Sycamores also will appear on Valley Live as part of the MVC Television Network on September 24 against Youngstown State. ISU's Homecoming contest against Western Illinois on October 15 will be shown locally on WTWO-TV in the Wabash Valley. The league games against North Dakota State on November 5 and at Missouri State on November 12 are up for wildcard selections by the league office for telecasts on ESPN3.com.
In Overtime
The Sycamores have played in 12 overtime contests since the rule was established for regular season games in the NCAA FCS Subdivision in 1996. The Sycamores are 7-5 in games that have used an extra period. ISU's last overtime contest came in the form of a 38-35 victory against Missouri State in the sixth game of the 2010 season.
Up Next
Indiana State continues Missouri Valley Football Conference play on Saturday, October 1, 2011 when they travel to South Dakota State for the first of back-to-back MVFC road contests for the Sycamores. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. (ET).
