Feb. 12, 2008

Football: Schedule Quirks Highlight Solid, Challenging 2008 Slate

    The 2008 Youngstown State football team will play its first two games on the road for just the fourth time since joining the Division I ranks and the first time since 1993. The 12-game schedule includes six games at Stambaugh Stadium, four of which won at least eight games last year, the Athletic Department announced on Tuesday.

    At home the Penguins are set to play host to Central State, North Dakota State, Liberty, Southern Illinois, UNI and Indiana State. YSU is playing six home regular-season games for the 20th consecutive year.

    On the road, Youngstown State visits Ohio State, South Dakota State, Southern Utah, Missouri State, Illinois State and Western Illinois.

    For the second consecutive campaign, the Penguins open the season at Ohio State. YSU and the Buckeyes are set to battle at Ohio Stadium on August 30. In 2007, the Guins suffered a 38-6 setback to OSU. Ohio State posted a 11-2 record last year.

    The following Saturday on Sept. 6, Youngstown State opens Gateway play making its first visit to South Dakota State since 1974. The Penguins defeated the Jackrabbits 23-17 at Stambaugh Stadium last year. SDSU posted a 7-4 mark winning the Great West Conference last season.

    The home opener is set for Sept. 13 against in-state foe Central State. The Penguins and Marauders have played eight previous times with the last contest being played in 1979 at Austintown Fitch High School.

    YSU returns to league action on Sept. 20 against new Gateway member North Dakota State. The Penguins and Bison have had two prior contests with the last coming in 1973. NDSU posted a 10-1 record last year with its lone loss coming in the season finale at South Dakota State. During the season, North Dakota State won at Minnesota.

    The Guins resume their series against Liberty on Saturday, Sept. 27. YSU beat the Flames 42-0 in 2005, however Liberty is a vastly improved program since that meeting. In 2007, the Flames finished 8-3 and won the Big South Conference championship. The Guins lead the all-time series 6-2 winning the last four games.

    Youngstown State plays its final non-conference game of the year with a return trip to Southern Utah on Oct. 4. The Penguins held on for a thrilling 23-22 win over the Thunderbirds last season. It will be the program’s first-ever trip to Utah.

    Six conference games round out the rest of the season, beginning with a visit to Missouri State on Oct. 11. The Penguins have beaten the Bears 11 times in 12 meetings, including a 49-21 win in 2007.

    National semifinalist Southern Illinois visits Stambaugh Stadium on Oct. 18. The Penguins used a goal-line stand to defeat the Salukis 31-24 in their last meeting in Youngstown. YSU lost 24-17 at SIU last year despite jumping out to a 10-0 lead.

    The following week brings Homecoming festivities to campus and current Penguins nemesis Northern Iowa on Oct. 25. UNI, which was a perfect 11-0 during the regular-season last year, has beaten the Penguins seven straight times, including a 14-13 win in 2007. YSU led last year's contest 13-0 in the fourth quarter.

    YSU goes back on the road to visit Illinois State on Nov. 1. The Penguins have won three of the last four meetings against the Redbirds. YSU knocked off the third-ranked Redbirds 27-13 in 2006 in Normal. The Guins own a 9-8 series advantage.

    Senior Day highlights the home regular-season finale against Indiana State on Nov. 8. The Penguins have beaten the Sycamores in 16 of 17 all-time meetings.

    After a late-season off week (Nov. 15), the Penguins conclude the regular season at Western Illinois on Nov. 22. YSU has won the last four in the series and the previous two trips to Macomb. This will be the 24th meeting between the programs with the Guins holding a 13-10 series edge. The Leathernecks are the second-most played opponent in school history (Akron – 35 games).

    Overall, Youngstown State is playing 12 regular-season games for just the second time in school history. The other 12-contest season was in 2003. The eight conference games also tie the school mark set during the Ohio Valley Conference season of 1981.

    Season tickets are available now as are 2008-09 Penguin Club memberships to help ensure tickets to the season-opener at Ohio State.

    Fireworks games have been designated for the Central State and Southern Illinois games. The popular Kids Tailgate Days will be held prior to the North Dakota State and Liberty games.

Schedule Notes

• The other times the Guins opened the year with two contests on the road were 1987, 1989 and 1993. YSU was able to advance to the playoffs all three years.
• It is only the second time ever the Penguins will play their season and conference openers on the road (1987).
• Eight conference games tie for the most in school history (1981 OVC).
• First time open with two road games to begin a season since 1993. Three times since becoming an FCS program in 1981 have the Guins opened with two games on the road and all three years YSU advanced to the playoffs (1987, 1989 and 1993)• Second time ever (1987) play season opener and conference opener on the road.
• Twelve regular-season games for second time in school history (2003)
• First time playing 11 regular-season games against Division I foes for first time since 1993.
• Play two games against Ohio schools for first time since 1996 (Kent State and Ashland).

• Four conference champions are on the schedule: Gateway – UNI, Big Ten – Ohio State, Big South – Liberty, South Dakota State – Great West.

• YSU is playing six home regular-season games for the 20th consecutive year.