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Youngstown State football: Can the Penguins compete for the Missouri Valley Conference title in 2018?

By Phil Poling

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Bo Pelini of the Youngstown State Penguins runs off the field at halftime during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on September 2, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Bo Pelini of the Youngstown State Penguins runs off the field at halftime during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on September 2, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Defense

The Penguins’ defense gave up 19 points per game last season. Three times they held their opponents to single digits, including a shutout against Robert Morris in Week 2. However, there were also games where the Penguins surrendered 35, 31, 28 and 27 points, respectively.

Youngstown State lost a number of gifted talents from their defense, though. Leading tackler Jalyn Powell was a senior last season, as well as five of the other top 11 tacklers from the defense.

Armand Dellovade returns for his senior campaign and is expected to lead the defense. He tallied 76 tackles and three sacks as a junior while earning second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors.

Justus Reed, the team’s 2017 sack leader, also returns for his senior season. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound defensive end missed four games in the middle of last year with an injury but is a potential NFL prospect if he can stay healthy and produce. He spent two years playing for the University of Florida under Will Muschamp and Jim McElwain before transferring to YSU.

The 2018 Penguins’ defense isn’t the most veteran group, but Pelini will get them on the same page quickly. The Pitt Panthers typically aren’t anything special, but Pelini’s group was prepared for them in last year’season opener. Expect this tradition to stay consistent.

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