TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Indiana State is back on the road this weekend as the Sycamores open Missouri Valley Football play at Stambaugh Stadium, taking on Youngstown State in their conference opener. Kickoff between the Sycamores and the Penguins is set for 2 p.m. and will be carried live on ESPN+ and 105.5 The Legend.
Quick Notes
Youngstown State at a Glance
Youngstown State enters the weekend's matchup with a 1-4 overall record, 0-1 in MVFC play. The Penguins fell in their conference opener this past weekend at Missouri State, 38-31. The Penguins' lone win of the 2024 campaign came against Valparaiso back on September 7 in YSU's home opener, 59-25. Like the Sycamores, YSU's lone win has come against a Pioneer League team.
Youngstown State was selected seventh overall in the MVFC's preseason poll. The Penguins received 255 total points after an 8-5 record in 2023. Tyshon King (RB) and Jaison Williams (OL) were both named to the MVFC Preseason First Team, while Max Tomczak (WR) earned Second Team honors. Sam Merryman (LS) and Andrew Lastovka (PK) both earned Honorable Mention honors.
Youngstown State is fifth in the NCAA FCS in 3rd Down Conversions (53.0%) and seventh in 4th Down (87.5%). The Penguins are 11th overall in total first downs (109). YSU's rushing offense is 12th in the FCS in yards per game at 218.2 and first in time of possession (38:00).
On This Date
Indiana State has posted a 2-7 overall record on October 5 thoughout program history according to current records on hand. The Sycamores have taken on Youngstown State twice on the date, both in 2002 and 2013. Indiana State fell in both matchups against the Penguins. The Sycamores last won on October 5 back in 1996 when indiana State topped Western Illinois on the road, 10-7.
- 1957 – vs. DePauw – L, 26-6
- 1963 – at Valparaiso – L, 19-14
- 1968 – vs. Northern Illinois - W, 19-7
- 1985 – at West Texas A&M – L, 29-27
- 1991 – at Illinois State - L, 6-3
- 1996 – at Western Illinois - W, 10-7
- 2002 – at Youngstown State - L, 31-16
- 2013 – vs. Youngstown State - L, 35-24
- 2019 - at South Dakota - L, 38-0
About the Matchup
Indiana State is 3-3 all-time against Youngstown State in Head Coach
Curt Mallory's tenure dating back to the inaugural contest in 2017. The Sycamores' three-game winning streak from 2018-2021 is Indiana State's longest in the series.
- November 4, 2017 vs Youngstown State L, 66-24
- October 27, 2018 at Youngstown State W, 43-17
- November 16, 2019 vs Youngstown State W, 24-17
- October 23, 2021 vs Youngstown State W, 28-17
- October 15, 2022 at Youngstown State L, 48-42
- November 4, 2023 vs. Youngstown State L, 19-7
Opening MVFC Play
Indiana State looks to open Missouri Valley Football play this weekend with a win as the Sycamores make the trip to Youngstown, Ohio to take on Youngstown State. Indiana State has fallen in its previous six conference openers, taking on ranked opponents in three different seasons.
The Sycamores have opened MVFC play on the road in each of the last three seasons and four of the last five dating back to the 2019 season. Indiana State's previous two losses have been one-possession games at both Northern Iowa (20-14) and Murray State (30-28).
The last time Indiana State won its MVFC opener came back in the 2016 season. The Sycamores topped Illinois State at Memorial Stadium, 34-31, on September 24 that season.
Sycamores in MVFC Openers Under Mallory
- Sept. 30, 2017 - at #8 Illinois State - L, 24-13
- Sept. 27, 2018 - vs. #21 Northern Iowa - L, 33-0
- Oct. 5, 2019 - at South Dakota - L, 38-0
- Sept. 25, 2021 - vs. #2 South Dakota State - L, 44-0
- Oct. 1, 2022 - at Northern Iowa - L, 20-14
- Sept. 30, 2023 - at Murray State - L, 30-28
Going the Distance
When Plez Lawrence broke through the left side of the line of scrimmage against Houston Christian, the redshirt sophomore running back was off to the races for one of the longest runs in Indiana State football history. The Kokomo, Ind. native out-ran the HCU defense for an 89-yard touchdown run, his longest touch from scrimmage and the second-longest scoring play for Indiana State this season.
Lawrence's 89-yard touchdown run trails only Ryan Roberts' 91-yard touchdown carry set back against Western Illinois on Oct. 24, 2009. Jorge Valdes' 90-yard interception return for a score against Dayton is the longest scoring play for Indiana State this season.
Longest Scoring Runs Under Mallory
89 yards - Plez Lawrence vs. HCU (Sept. 28, 2024)
82 yards - Justin Dinka vs. NDSU (Oct. 8, 2022)
77 yards - LeMonte Booker vs. YSU (Nov. 4, 2017)
75 yards - Justin Dinka at YSU (Oct. 15, 2022)
62 yards - Ja'Quan Keys at SDSU (Oct. 6, 2018)
Indiana State has had a history of long scoring runs against Youngstown State with four 50-plus yard carries over the last decade.
Longest Runs Against Youngstown
77 yards - LeMonte Booker vs. YSU (Nov. 4, 2017)
75 yards - Justin Dinka at YSU (Oct. 15, 2022)
74 yards - Matt Adam vs. YSU (Nov. 21, 2015)
53 yards - Peterson Kerlegrand vs. YSU (Oct. 23, 2021)
Last Trip to Youngstown
Indiana State had a bit of history on their last trip to Stambaugh Stadium as the Sycamore offense featured a 300-yard passer, 100-yard rusher, and 100-yard receiver. Justin Dinka set the tone early for the Sycamore offense going up the middle for a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage setting off an offensive battle that ended in a 48-42 Youngstown State win.
It marked the first time the Indiana State offense featured all three feats since Oct. 15, 2016 in a double-overtime game against South Dakota.
Indiana State Stat Leaders
Cade Chambers - 15-of-29, 311 yards, 5 total touchdowns
Justin Dinka - 11 carries, 159 rushing yards, one touchdown
Dante Hendrix - 5 receptions, 117 receiving yards
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