The five games selected feature three postseason victories and two regular-season thrillers. The playoff games selected were wins over Villanova (1991), Florida A&M (1999) and James Madison (2006) while the regular-season tilts tabbed were the two-overtime win over Hofstra (2000) and a 21-point comeback against Western Illinois (1999).
    In the three playoff cases, seasons and careers were over, but somehow the Penguins overcame all obstacles to continue their season.

    The top game was the Penguins' 27-24 win during the NCAA semifinals on Dec. 11, 1999. Trailing 24-13 in the fourth, linebacker Tim Johnson intercepted a pass at the Guin two-yard line to stop the Rattlers' momentum. In the final stages of the game, Jeff Ryan completed two touchdown passes to complete the comeback.

    Coming in second was an improbable double-overtime win over Hofstra on Nov. 4, 2000. YSU trailed 35-21 before rallying to tie the game with 15 seconds remaining in regulation. After both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime, the Penguins went ahead 42-35 on a Brandon Pedraza 25-yard touchdown reception. Johnson intercepted a desperation pass on fourth down to preserve the win.

    The greatest comeback and perhaps most unbelievable goal-line stand capped 28-24 win over Western Illinois on Sept. 25, 1999 - the third-best game. YSU trailed 21-0 in the second quarter before tying the game in the third. After going ahead 28-24, the Guins had to stop the Leathernecks on five chances inside the five-yard line, including two from the one in the game's last minute.

    Last year's playoff thriller against James Madison ranked as the fourth-best contest. The Penguins trailed 31-21 in the fourth before scoring two touchdowns to pull in front 35-31. The defense stopped the Dukes on a fourth-down play in Youngstown State territory to survive and advance.

    The fifth-best contest dates back to the start of Stambaugh Stadium's playoff "Penguin Magic". The Guins trailed Villanova 16-14 in the fourth quarter when Herb Williams' acrobatic reception on fourth down kept a late drive alive. Jeff Wilkins kicked a field goal in the final seconds to pull out the victory.

Greatest Game Recaps

YSU 35, James Madison 31 | Nov. 25, 2006

YSU 42, Hofstra 35 (2 OT) | Nov. 4, 2000

YSU 27, Florida A&M 24 | Dec. 11, 1999
YSU 28, Western Illinois 24 | Sept. 25, 1999

YSU 17, Villanova 16 | Nov. 30, 1991