Category: Youngstown State Penguins
Missouri Valley Football Conference Recognizes "Silver Anniversary Team"
Founded in 1985 as the Gateway Football Conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference is celebrating its 25th season of FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) football during the 2009 season. As part of a season-long celebration, the conference is paying tribute to its all-time greats by selecting a Silver Anniversary Team. Also selected was an NFL Greats and Institutional Greats team.
- 3203 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Southern Illinois Salukis, Indiana State Sycamores, South Dakota State Jackrabbits, North Dakota State Bison, Northern Iowa Panthers, Youngstown State Penguins, Western Illinois Leathernecks, Missouri State Bears, Illinois State Redbirds Young (but experienced) YSU gets ready for Week One test
The Penguins, who are 0-4 against Bowl Subdivision teams, will face the Pitt Panthers on Saturday at Heinz Field.
YOUNGSTOWN — Today officially begins Pitt week for the Youngstown State football team.
The Penguins will open their 2009 season on Saturday when they travel to meet the Panthers in a 1 p.m. contest at Heinz Field.
YSU is coming off a disappointing 4-8 season and the Penguins haven’t had much success in their four previous encounters against Bowl Subdivision opponents. Not unexpectedly, they are 0-4 in those four contest, but the Penguins also have not scored a touchdown in those games.
Offense still seeing red as Penguins wrap camp
YSU’s offense led from start to finish to keep the red practice jerseys in the team’s jersey scrimmage.
YOUNGSTOWN — The offense retained the red practice jerseys, YSU coach Jon Heacock saw definite improvement and the Penguin football team wrapped up fall camp here Saturday morning.
The Penguins, who begin classes on Monday, have another week of practice before getting into game week for their season opener at the University of Pittsburgh on Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. at Heinz Field.
Last week the offense had to come from behind with a trick play on the last play of the scrimmage to pull out a win. Saturday, it led from start to finish (although it was a close contest) for a 28-20 win to keep the red practice jerseys for the remainder of the season.
Senior Mellott likes YSU’s offensive line
The Austintown native will lead a veteran and deep offensive line in today’s jersey scrimmage at Stambaugh Stadium
YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State’s first jersey scrimmage of fall football camp is this morning at Stambaugh Stadium and nobody is more excited about it than senior offensive guard Brian Mellott.
Mellott (6-foot-3, 280-pounds), an Austintown native, is in his fourth season with the Penguins since he transferred to YSU from Ohio University.
After spending one season with the YSU defense, Mellott has moved back to offense where he’s been as standout, seeing action at guard, center and even some tight end. He’s back at a starting guard position this season and will head up a veteran line that also has some of the best depth in years.
Back in the fold
Mike Kolakowski returns to the YSU staff
Although it’s been nearly three years since Mike Kolakowski roamed the sidelines at Stambaugh Stadium, it seems like just a few days to the veteran coach.
Kolakowski re-joined the Youngstown State football team last month as a defensive assistant coach in charge of safeties. He took over for Michael Zordich, who coached the Penguins through spring practice before leaving to take an assistant coaching position in the NFL.
Kolakowski was the defensive coordinator for the Penguins from 2004 through 2006. He spent the past two seasons as the safeties coach and special teams coordinator at Central Michigan University.
YSU GETS STARTED
First-year players take the field
The first day of practice is always an exciting time for the players at any level of play, but for those who were taking part in their first session of college football, the experience was one they’ll always remember.
Youngstown State coach Jon Heacock got his first real look at the 19 true freshmen that he’ll have on the roster this season Thursday morning when he put about 40 players through opening drills at Stambaugh Stadium.
The remainder of the YSU squad, mostly veterans, took part in the afternoon session. They’ll do the same thing today, which is the final day of summer school classes at the university where many of the veterans were taking part.
Local FB Players Prepare for Next (FCS) Level
There’s a decent possibility Emmitt Terrell will be downright sick of running by the time August 17 rolls around. That’s when the former State College standout reports to Cornell for his first college practice.
In the meantime, Terrell will continue the rigorous summer conditioning and lifting regimen Cornell planned for him.
One particularly interesting workout goes like this: It starts with a 15-second all-out sprint, followed by a 45-second jog, then back to the 15-second sprint. The cycle is continued for 15 minutes. No rests. No water. No mercy.
“It’s grueling,” Terrell said. “But it whips you into real good shape.”
Four more Buchanan Award candidates announced by Sports Network
UNI’s Ruffin heads up latest group of Buchanan candidates
Missouri Valley Football Conference defensive player of the year James Ruffin is among the four latest candidates added to the watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually to the top defensive player in FCS.
Ruffin racked up 18 tackles for loss (first in conference), 10 sacks, 69 tackles, and three forced fumbles for the Panthers last year, en route to All- America and All-MVFC honors.
Other players added to the list were Richmond cornerback Justin Rogers, Youngstown State defensive tackle Mychal Savage and William & Mary defensive end Adrian Tracy.
- 834 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, CAA, Richmond Spiders, William & Mary Tribe, Northern Iowa Panthers, Youngstown State Penguins TSN: UNI, SIU teams to beat in MVFC
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - There was little doubt that the addition of North Dakota State and South Dakota State would make a brutal Missouri Valley Fall Conference race even more competitive.
But when the dust had settled last season, it was traditional powerhouses Northern Iowa and Southern Illinois sitting on top of the league. Things will likely be just as competitive in 2009, but UNI and SIU are again the teams that should set the pace.
Northern Iowa is looking for a share of its third consecutive MVFC title and has developed into one of the more consistent programs in FCS under coach Mark Farley, going from a top-10 team to a squad capable of winning a national title in almost any given year.
- 2240 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Southern Illinois Salukis, Indiana State Sycamores, South Dakota State Jackrabbits, North Dakota State Bison, Northern Iowa Panthers, Youngstown State Penguins, Western Illinois Leathernecks, Missouri State Bears, Illinois State Redbirds MVFC Recognizes "All-Select NFL Team"
ST. LOUIS – Founded in 1985 as the Gateway Football Conference, the Missouri Valley Football Conference will celebrate its 25th season of FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) football during the 2009 season. To kick off the league’s 25th Year Celebration, the Missouri Valley Football Conference is paying tribute to its all-time greats - those who have had stellar careers or played with distinction in the National Football League.
Included in the list are former NFL Most Valuable Players, Pro-Bowl selections and Super Bowl participants. In all, former conference players have combined to play in 15 Pro Bowls and earned four MVP honors, while 12 players have combined for 23 Super Bowl appearances. Notably, 16 former league players on the list are currently active in the NFL.
- 1657 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Southern Illinois Salukis, Indiana State Sycamores, South Dakota State Jackrabbits, North Dakota State Bison, Northern Iowa Panthers, Youngstown State Penguins, Western Illinois Leathernecks, Missouri State Bears, Illinois State Redbirds FCS ADA Elects 2009-10 Officers
CLEVELAND - The members of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) have selected Peter Fields, director of athletics at Montana State University, to serve as President for 2009-10.
“We have just completed an outstanding year for our Association,” stated Fields. “I want to thank Tim Van Alstine (Past President) for his leadership. This is an exciting time for our organization, and I look forward to serving as President during the 2009-10 year.”
- 308 words - FCS News Articles, Monmouth Hawks, Youngstown State Penguins, Northwestern State Demons South Endzone Scoreboard Installed at YSU's Stambaugh Stadium
Youngstown, Ohio – In an ongoing effort to enhance football game-day atmosphere at Stambaugh Stadium, the Youngstown State Athletics Department has purchased and installed a new scoreboard in the south endzone of Stambaugh Stadium, YSU Executive Director of Athletics Ron Strollo announced on Tuesday.
“The installation of the south endzone scoreboard is an important addition to our stadium,” Strollo said. “We want our fans and players to have the best possible game-day experience and feel this improvement adds to our tradition-filled atmosphere.”
- 149 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Youngstown State Penguins Missouri Valley Football Conference Announces 2008 Academic Awards
Thirteen student-athletes highlight nearly 400 who earned selection to the 2008 Missouri Valley Football Conference Honor Roll, as announced by the league office.
- 1077 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Southern Illinois Salukis, Indiana State Sycamores, South Dakota State Jackrabbits, North Dakota State Bison, Northern Iowa Panthers, Youngstown State Penguins, Western Illinois Leathernecks, Missouri State Bears, Illinois State Redbirds YSU's Nowicki getting his last kicks
For Youngstown State senior punter Ben Nowicki, life after football might involve becoming a sports agent, since the Gilbert, Ariz., native had was successful selling himself to the Penguins.
After the 6-foot, 170-pounder graduated from Mesquite High School, he enrolled at Mesa Community College where he had a great freshman season, leading the nation in punting with a 44.2 yard per average and earning first team All-National Junior College Athletic Association honors.
- 626 words - Missouri Valley Football Conference, Youngstown State Penguins FCS Playoffs Netted Profit for JMU
HARRISONBURG - It’s not BCS money, but James Madison turned a small profit by hosting three rounds of the NCAA Division I-AA football playoffs this past season, according to the university.
Figured finalized last month show that JMU took in $37,301 on the three games, mostly in ticket sales, but incurred $22,462 in additional costs because of housing and meals for the athletes during the school’s Thanksgiving break.
That translated into a $14,839 profit.
Pitt, Penn State Trips on Docket for YSU
YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State will make return trips to Pittsburgh and Penn State as part of their football schedules the next two seasons.
The Penguins, coming off a 4-8 season marked by player injuries and defections, will visit Pittsburgh this fall and go to Happy Valley to face the Nittany Lions in 2010.
Those games will mark the fifth and sixth, respectively, against BCS-conference schools.
Notable Names among those Applying to Fill Demons' Coaching Vacancy
Nearly 40 people have applied to be Northwestern State’s next football coach, including some names familiar to local and national college football fans.
A couple of candidates – NSU defensive coordinator Brad Laird and former NSU and current Arkansas State defensive coordinator Kevin Corless – were obvious choices when people started talking about who would take over after Scott Stoker’s contract was not renewed.
Coach Farley Says UNI Still Can Improve
Cedar Falls, Ia. — Northern Iowa football coach Mark Farley left Stambaugh Stadium - Youngstown State’s venue dubbed “the Ice Castle” - feeling slightly frosted.
The Panthers held on for a 21-20 win Saturday to remain tied atop the Missouri Valley Conference, but performed at a mediocre, not superior level.
“We were very poor on special teams, ” said Farley, whose No. 5 team faces fellow league frontrunner, Western Illinois, at noon Saturday in Macomb, Ill.
Steamrolling Salukis Pulverize Wounded Penguins, 33-0
YSU couldn’t stop Southern Illinois’ solid rushing attack.
YOUNGSTOWN — Things keep going downhill for the Youngstown State football team.
Playing with a patched-up lineup due to injuries and with their fourth and fifth string quarterbacks handling the offense, the Penguins went into Saturday’s Missouri Valley Football Conference game with Southern Illinois needing to start a five-game winning streak to finish the season.
They didn’t come close.
Unable to run the football and not able to stop the Salukis most of the game, the Penguins saw any hopes of playing in the postseason go right down the drain with a 33-0 setback before an announced crowd of 14,679 at Stambaugh Stadium.
Opinion: Football at Cleveland State? Wrong Idea
A football team for Cleveland State?
Talk about the wrong idea for the wrong time at the wrong place.
CSU President Michael Schwartz floated the concept of football, along with changing the name of school to the University of Cleveland. The new name doesn’t exactly seem inspiring, at least to this CSU graduate. But at least it would not cost as much as football, which is an outrageously expensive proposition.
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