QUARTERBACKS: WIU - Junior transfer Josh Hudson has completed 95 of 157 passes for 1,313 yards and 11 touchdowns, with six interceptions. He has teamed with WR Terriun Crump to form a dangerous tandem. They've connected on a 92-yard touchdown this season. Hudson didn't begin the season as the starter, but quickly overtook senior captain Wil Lunt. YSU - It looks like sophomore Kurt Hess is on his way to owning more than a few school passing records, barring something unforseen. Hess is 120 of 187 for 1,526 yards and 14 TDs this season. He has been intercepted just five times. Just like last week, there should be plenty of opportunies down the field for Hess against a weak WIU secondary.
EDGE: YSU.
RUNNING BACKS: WIU - What has become of the Leathernecks' ground game? WIU has always seemed to have a dominant rusher, from Aaron Stecker in 1998-99, Charles Tharp in 1999-2000, Travis Glasford from 2003-05 and Herb Donaldson from 2006-08. But the Leathernecks are averaging just 2.8 yards per carry and it doesn't look like RB Caulton Ray (473 yards, 3 TDs) is going to match the 1,075 yards he had as a sophomore last season. YSU - Junior Jamaine Cook, barring injury, is likely to go over 1,000 yards today. He has 949 yards and 10 TDs on 164 carries to date. The Penguins are averaging 5.8 yards per carry as a team and have 21 rushing TDs.
EDGE: YSU.
RECEIVERS: WIU - Crump is the Leathernecks' big-play guy, with 41 catches for 743 yards (an 18.1-yard average) and four TDs. He's a big target at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. Backup Charles Chestnut has 19 receptions. YSU - The Penguins are doing a nice job of spreading the ball around between Christian Bryan (33 receptions, four TDs), Jelani Berassa (21 catches, five TDs) and Andre Barboza (15 receptions, three TDs). Kevin Watts has 13 catches.
EDGE: YSU.
OFFENSIVE LINE: WIU - The Leathernecks' blocking has been porous despite three senior starters in LT Enock Presendieu, C Jordan Valle and RT Kyle Caldwell. But Valle missed four games with a hand injury and the run blocking just hasn't been there and WIU has given up 29 sacks. If the Penguins can't get to the QB today, something's wrong. YSU - The Penguins have lots of skill-position weapons with Hess, Cook and a host of WRs, but YSU's offensive success starts up front with a young, but dominant line, including LT Andrew Radakovich, LG Lamar Mady, C Mark Pratt, RG Chris Elkins and RT D.J. Main. YSU's running game might be the best in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Penguins have allowed just six sacks.
EDGE: YSU.
DEFENSIVE LINE: WIU - Want to know why the Leathernecks are 2-5??They're getting beaten up front on both sides of the ball, including on the defensive line. WIU has just seven sacks and is giving up 5.3 yards per rush. YSU - Look for the front four to have another huge edge. DT?Andrew Johnson forced a fumble last week and leads the Penguins with five sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.
EDGE: YSU.
LINEBACKERS: WIU - Senior captain Kevin Palermo is the heart and soul of the Leathernecks' defense. He leads WIU with 63 tackles, including 37 solos. YSU - Freshmen starters Travis Williams,?Teven Williams and Davion Rogers are continuing to develop. The Williamses (no relation) have combined for 81 tackles. Rogers the Penguins' linebackers with 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and five pass breakups.
EDGE: YSU.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: WIU - CB?Kieron?James leads the Leathernecks with six pass breakups and two interceptions. WIU has allowed 17 TD?passes and an average of 214 yards per game. Opposing teams are average 15.8 yards per completion. YSU - The Penguins' seconday is still a work in progress. YSU?is allowing 224 passing yards per game.
EDGE: Even.
SPECIALISTS: WIU - Larry Patterson returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a TD last week in the loss to Missouri State. PK?Pat Smith has made two of four field-goal attempts. P Michael Shroble averages 38.1 yards. YSU - The Penguins have played seven games and still haven't made a field goal. David Brown and Nick?Liste each have missed one. Coach?Eric Wolford was asked about the lack of field goals and said he is not concerned. Wolford reminded reporters seven points (a touchdown and PAT) are more than three points. "We play for touchdowns,"?Wolford said.
EDGE: Even.
PREDICTION: Penguins 35, Leathernecks 13.