BEAVER TOWNSHIP — Currently in his 37th season as play-by-play voice of Youngstown State football, Bob Hannon is more than qualified to talk about the memorable games that he has broadcast.

He said the teams that advanced to seven national championship games were all incredibly special while the players whose exploits he has witnessed were as outstanding as any across the FBS landscape.

Despite their 6-4 record heading into last Saturday’s home finale against Indiana State – they are now 7-4 after defeating the Sycamores, 48-29 – Hannon noted this year’s squad, which was ranked No. 19 overall last week in FCS, is a team that other teams in the division want to avoid come playoff time.

“In my 37 years of calling the play by play action for YSU football, this is one of my favorite teams for a variety of reasons,” Hannon told the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s meeting at Avion Banquet Center. “I was so impressed with their commitment after last year’s disappointing 4-8 season, because not one player transferred, not a one placed their name in the portal. They were determined to turn this around, there was a sense in the spring of a culture shift among the players and you could just feel a difference.

“I find it refreshing in this era of the portal and players looking for the best deal, that this group, collectively, wanted to be part of something special at YSU and get us back to the playoffs.”

Hannon went on to say that head coach Doug Phillips, who is currently in his sixth season at the helm, has the components in place to make a deep playoff run while his ability to keep everyone focused and take things one game at a time has been impressive.

“There are many reasons we are one win from being 8-4 with a return trip to the playoffs on the line,” Hannon said. “It all begins with quarterback Beau Brungard because his skill set is so unique. Start with his improvement in the pass game and you will find that is where he has become a great quarterback. Beau’s accuracy, poise in the pocket and patience to check down to his second and third options has made him the best quarterback in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

“We knew from day one that he could run, but he knows when to run and when to stay in the pocket. That comes with experience and incredible work ethic. He has the respect of the entire team because of his leadership and I believe that he should win the Payton Award as the best offensive player in all of FCS football.

“When you look at his statistics, he ranks in the top-5 in all of the major categories. He is right there in rushing yards per game, rushing touchdowns, total offensive yardage, points per game and he is doing so against the best competition in the Missouri Valley Conference, which is clearly the best conference in FCS.”

Hannon pointed out that credit should also be given to YSU’s new offensive coordinator, Mike Yurcich, for Beau’s emergence.

“Much of Beau’s progression, I believe, is because of new offensive coordinator, Mike Yurcich,” Hannon said. “He coached Mason Rudolph when he was at Oklahoma State and worked with Justin Fields at Ohio State, both of whom are currently in the NFL. He also worked with Sean Clifford at Penn State. Mike’s offense is creative, innovative and we are dynamic offensively.

“The addition of Ky Wilson and Mike Solomon at wide receiver has been a big part of our success. Both came here from Slippery Rock and when you add those two players to Max Tomcazk, one of the best in YSU history, along with Luke Hensley and our entire receiving group, that group is one of the best in the conference.

“Beau went a stretch of three games with only one sack and that credit goes to a veteran, experienced offensive line, a group that has suffered some injuries but coach Phillips has developed depth and we haven’t seemed to miss a beat, even when starters go down.”

He also said the defense as a unit has improved.

“Our defense keeps improving, even with the defensive front decimated due to injuries,” he noted. “In our win over Southern Illinois, we were down four defensive lineman and playing a lot of young guys. Defensive coordinator, John Haneline, has done well to get this unit improving each week. This coaching staff, led by coach Phillips, has done a remarkable job of getting this team in position to make the playoffs. Despite some tough early season conference losses, they are resilient, turned this around yet we are still capable of playing better. I see a deep playoff run ahead because when you come out of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, you are playoff ready.

“I am confident this season is the beginning of many playoff appearances over the next several years. We are young on offense with many of these starters likely returning next season.”

Next Monday, Dana Balash, WFMJ-TV, Channel 21 sports director will serve as guest speaker.