FCS-CFB Game Preview: South Dakota State Jackrabbits (4-0) vs. Youngstown State Penguins (3-1)

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Venue & Game Info

Stadium: Arnold D. Stambaugh Stadium (capacity ~20,630)

Location: Youngstown, Ohio

Kickoff Time: 6:00 PM ET (5:00 PM CT)

Broadcast: ESPN+ Jackrabbit Sports Network YSU Sports Network

Weather Forecast (Youngstown, OH)

Conditions: Partly cloudy

Temperature: ~77°F at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by evening

Wind: 6–10 mph, light crosswind

Impact: Passing/kicking game minimally affected; otherwise excellent football weather

Injury Report

South Dakota State Jackrabbits:

RB Jadon Janke – Probable (ankle)

LB Adam Bock – Questionable (knee)

Youngstown State Penguins:

QB Mitch Davidson – Probable (shoulder soreness)

WR Bryce Oliver – Questionable (hamstring)

Key Player Matchups

QB Chase Mason (SDSU) vs LB Grant Dixon (YSU)

Mason: 910 passing yards, 8 TDs, 73/102 completions. Dixon leads YSU’s defense in tackles.

RB Jadon Janke (SDSU) vs DL Chris Fitzgerald (YSU)

Janke is a versatile back; Fitzgerald anchors YSU’s defensive line.

QB Beau Brungard (YSU) vs SDSU Secondary

Brungard: 755 passing yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, plus 526 rushing yards and 8 rushing TDs.

WR Logan O’Groske (SDSU) vs CB Jordan Trowers (YSU)

O’Groske: 304 receiving yards, 3 TDs. Trowers is YSU’s top cover corner.

Recent Team Form

South Dakota State (4–0, #2 nationally)

W 51–7 vs Mercer

W 37–21 vs Drake

W 30–24 (2OT) @ Montana State

W 20–3 vs Sacramento State

Offense: 34.5 PPG Defense: 13.8 PPG

Youngstown State (3–1, ranked #18/24 nationally)

W 31–28 @ Towson

L 41–24 @ Michigan State (FBS)

W 56–17 vs Robert Morris

W 24–15 vs Mercer

Offense: 27.0 PPG Defense: 22.5 PPG

Series History

All‑time: South Dakota State leads 18–7

Recent:

2024: SDSU 34–0

2023: SDSU 38–7

Trend: SDSU has won 14 of the last 16 meetings since joining the MVFC.

ATS (Against the Spread):

SDSU: 3–2 ATS last 5

YSU: 2–3 ATS last 5

Historical Betting Results:

SDSU has covered in 3 of last 4 vs YSU

YSU has failed to cover in 2 of last 3 home games

Projected Score: South Dakota State 34 – Youngstown State 20

Game Odds

South Dakota State Jackrabbits                 – 14

Youngstown State Penguins                        56

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 3, 2025