YSU plays contests against Ohio State, Stony Brook, and Southern Utah in first-ever meetings. The Penguins also play Lock Haven for just the third time and South Dakota State for the first time since the 1979 Division II playoffs.
    The 2007 Gateway slate features home games against Missouri State, Illinois State and Western Illinois while the road tilts are against Southern Illinois, Northern Iowa and Indiana State.
    The seven regular-season home contests are the most since the 2003 campaign. It marks the 19th consecutive season in which the program will play at least six home games.

    Youngstown State opens the campaign on Sept. 1 playing against Football Bowl Subdivision National Championship Game participant Ohio State at the Horseshoe in Columbus.

    It is the first time since 1995 that the Penguins will open with a contest on the road. That was also the last time YSU lost a season opener and will take an 11-game season-opening victory streak into the contest.

    Following the tilt with the Buckeyes, YSU plays four consecutive regular-season home games for the first time since 1993.

    The home opener is against Football Championship Subdivision transitional foe South Dakota State on Sept. 8. The Jackrabbits were 7-4 in 2006 and finished the year ranked 23rd in the final polls. This will be the ninth all-time meeting between the programs, but first since a 50-7 win in the 1979 Division II playoffs. YSU will play at SDSU in 2008 as part of a home-and-home agreement.
    The following Saturday (Sept. 15), the Penguins will play host to Stony Brook. The Seawolves were 5-6 in 2006 winning five of their final seven games.
    YSU continues its homestand playing Division II school Lock Haven on Sept. 22. The Bald Eagles are coached by former long-time Penguin assistant coach John Klacik. Youngstown State beat Lock Haven 38-7 in Coach Jon Heacock's debut to open the 2001 campaign.
      The two-time defending Gateway Conference champions open defense of their title against Missouri State on Sept. 29. The Penguins have beaten the Bears in 10 of 11 all-time meetings. It is the second straight year and fourth time since joining the Gateway in 1997 that the Guins open against Missouri State.
    YSU's second road test of the campaign comes at FCS Playoff participant Southern Illinois on Oct. 6. Youngstown State's thrilling 31-24 win in 2006 gave it a 10-7-1 lead in the all-time series.
    Sandwiched among the Gateway schedule is a first-ever meeting with Southern Utah on Oct. 13. The Thunderbirds, who are members of the Great West Conference, finished the 2006 campaign with a 3-8 mark. YSU is also scheduled to return the game in 2008. SUU was added to the schedule replacing the vacancy filled when Western Kentucky voted to leave the Gateway following the season.

    The Penguins will play host to Illinois State in the annual Homecoming Game on Oct. 20. YSU defeated the Redbirds twice in 2006, including a 28-21 quarterfinal playoff victory last month at Stambaugh Stadium.
    YSU hits the road for two straight following the ISU contest. The Penguins head to Northern Iowa on Oct. 27 before playing at Indiana State on Nov. 3. Youngstown State has lost six straight to the Panthers while it has beaten the Sycamores 10 consecutive times and 15 of 16 all-time.
    The Guins conclude the regular season at Stambaugh Stadium against Western Illinois on Nov. 10. It marks the first time since 1997 that YSU will end the regular season against the Leathernecks.

    YSU will play 11 consecutive weeks during the course of the season. The Division I Football Championship playoffs are scheduled to start Nov. 24 at campus sites.
    Future schedules will be released by the Athletic Department at a later date. The Penguins will be able to schedule 12 games during the 2008 regular-season.
    Spring practice starts on Thursday, March 29, with the Annual Red-White Spring Game set for Friday, April 20.