5 Key Storylines to Watch in the 2017 FCS National Championship Game

Sep 10, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Youngstown State Penguins cornerback Eric Thompson (1) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Youngstown State Penguins cornerback Eric Thompson (1) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Youngstown State Penguins cornerback Eric Thompson (1) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Morgantown, WV, USA; Youngstown State Penguins cornerback Eric Thompson (1) celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Youngstown State’s Defense is Stingy with Points

Youngstown State’s run-based possession offense means that opponents get fewer chances with the football. When they do go on defense, the Penguins have been effective at keeping opponents out of the endzone. Ranked ninth in the FCS in scoring defense, Bo Pelini’s defense allows just 19.4 points per game. Six times this season the Penguins have held opponents to 14 points or less on the scoreboard.

The defense’s dominance starts with a disruptive front seven. Senior defensive end Derek Rivers is second in the country at the FCS level with 13.0 sacks and tied for 15th with 17.5 tackles for loss. Fellow senior lineman Avery Ross, a former Cornhusker who finished his eligibility with the Penguins, has 9.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss off the other edge. The two were the bookends of a unit that averaged more than three sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss each game.

Equally solid at stuffing the run and pressuring the passer, the Penguins were in the top 25 in rushing defense while finishing ninth in sacks per game. Pelini’s crew recovered 11 fumbles and added a dozen interceptions throughout 2016. They will try to continue the pattern against a tough James Madison team that protects the ball better than most.