Season Preview: Youngstown State Penguins

Last Season: YSU (Division I-AA) was picked to finish sixth last season but played its way into a share of its first Gateway title with Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois with a 5-2 league mark and an 8-3 overall record. This season, the Penguins are picked to finish second with seven players earning preseason Gateway honors.

Offense:
Key Losses:
WR - Kyle Smith– 482 Yards, 5 TDS
WR - Jameson Evans– 368 Yards, 1 TD

Key Returnees:
QB - Tom Zetts – 1949 Yards 14 TDS
RB - Marcus Mason – 892 Yards, 8 TDS
RB - Monquantae Gibson – 547 Yards, 6 TDS
C - Ryan Jewell (Preseason All-American)
Senior laden offensive line

Defense:
Key Losses:
DB - Aaron Scales – 2 INT

Key Returnees:
DB - Codera Jackson (Preseason All-American) – 6 INT
DB - Jason Perry – 2 INT
DT - Mychal Savage – 19 Tackles, 2 TFL
LB - James Terry – 71 Tackles, 10.5 TFL, 4.5 Sacks

Game Outlook: Penn State was left scrambling for a team to fill in for Louisiana Tech when they backed out because of a conference scheduling conflict last year: enter Youngstown State (whose mascot looks like a pissed off Wendy's patron). YSU will have absolutely nothing to lose, and can dig deep into the playbook for every trick possible, but the only thing they will come away with is a nice check. Div I-AA teams just don’t have the size and speed to handle the big boys, that’s why they are Div I-AA. If PSU is looking ahead, and not taking YSU seriously, the Penguins could keep it close for some time and walk away with some confidence, but don’t bet on it.