Breaking Down Youngstown State’s Offensive Success vs North Dakota State

Youngstown State put up more points on North Dakota State in 2025 than any other team, nearly doubling the next closest offense. Two things stood out on tape: the Penguins ran the ball effectively, averaging 5.8 yards per carry, and they handled pressure better than anyone else the Bison faced. In this article, we’ll break down how they did it and what coaches can take from it.

Combating Pressure

Youngstown State used the Glance RPO to take advantage of pressure. Here’s an example where they replaced the blitz with a high-low route concept. The quarterback makes the right read, delivers a strike, and it moves the chains. First down, Penguins.

Here’s another strong example of how the Penguins handled pressure. You can see the quarterback and right tackle identify the blitz pre-snap, pointing it out and adjusting. It looks like a boundary Smash concept at first, but the quarterback works immediately to the field and hits the slant to beat the blitz. Smart ID, quick decision, and another efficient answer to pressure.