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Football Promotions Announced
Saturday, July 26 2008

Youngstown -- The Youngstown State Athletic Department will begin selling individual football game tickets for the 2008 campaign on Thursday, August 1, at the YSU Athletic Ticket Office in Stambaugh Stadium.

Individual-game tickets cost $14 for reserved seats and $10 for general admission. Fans can also purchase YSU football season tickets until Sept. 12, the day prior to the home-opener against Central State.

The Youngstown State Athletic Ticket Office is open from 9 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located in the north end of Stambaugh Stadium. For inquires about tickets, call (330) 941-1YSU.

The six-game home schedule includes contests versus Central State (Sept. 13), North Dakota State (Sept. 20), Liberty (Sept. 27), Southern Illinois (Oct. 18), UNI (Oct. 25) and Indiana State (Nov. 8). After playing their first two games on the road, YSU plays three straight at home.

The season opener against the Marauders will be the first of two postgame fireworks nights presented by B.J. Alan/Phantom Fireworks. The contest is a Giant Eagle Advantage card game where fans can use their card to purchase one ticket and receive a second ticket free. The first 15,000 fans will receive a schedule magnet. Prior to the game the YSU Football Alumni Group will host its annual Tailgate Blast party while the band First Degree will be performing in the tailgate lot.

The contest against preseason Missouri Valley Football Conference favorite North Dakota State will be the following Saturday. The 2008 Senior Posters sponsored by National City Bank and Fox 17/62 are the featured giveaway. The day begins with the Kid's Tailgate Day in the M-7 Penguin Party Lot. The band Guys Without Ties will perform prior to the game in the tailgate lot.

A contest against Big South Conference preseason favorite Liberty wraps up the three-game homestand on Sept. 27. The pregame festivities are headlined by State Farm Family Fun Day while all fans attending the game will receive Kids' Activity Books. First Degree returns to perform in the tailgate lot.

After spending the next two Saturday's on the road, YSU is back for two big MVFC clashes against 2007 playoff qualifiers Southern Illinois and UNI. On Oct. 18, the Penguins play host to the Salukis. That contest is the second of two B.J. Alan/Phantom Fireworks postgame shows and all fans will receive a stadium cup courtesy of Lyden Oil, Farmer's National Bank and 21 WFMJ. The band Sugar Fuzz will entertain fans in the tailgate lot prior to the game. The contest is also the second of two Giant Eagle Advantage card games.

Homecoming is slated for Oct. 25 against the UNI Panthers. That contest will be the official finale of the year-long Centennial Celebration. A group of eight will be inducted into the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame in the morning prior to the game. The Homecoming Parade keeps the festivities going before kickoff. Fans in attendance will receive a special light switch plate cover compliments of McDonald's, Coca-Cola and 21 WFMJ. Guys Without Ties returns to the tailgate lot as the final band of the season.

The final regular-season home finale is Nov. 8 against Indiana State. Fans in attendance will receive a 2008 team picture courtesy of WBCB "The CW" and the Warren Tribune-Chronicle.

Hospitality Tents Still Available By Calling the Marketing Departm

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Guins Picked Third: Samsa, Savage, Williams Earn Preseason Football Honors
Tuesday, July 22 2008

St. Louis, Mo. – Youngstown State was picked to finish third behind preseason favorite North Dakota State and UNI in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in a poll conducted by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and media, the conference office announced Tuesday at its annual media day.

The Guins garnered 209 points and one first-place vote while North Dakota State, one of two newcomers to the league, captured 13 first-place votes and a league-best 289 points.

UNI was picked second tallying a league-best 15 first-place votes and 275 points, 66 points ahead of the Penguins.

Western Illinois was picked fourth with four first-place votes and 202 points to edge Southern Illinois, which was ranked fifth with 201 points and two first-place votes.

Valley Football newcomer South Dakota State was tabbed to finish sixth with 149 points while Missouri State (105 points), Illinois State (104 points) and Indiana State (41 points) were picked seventh, eighth and ninth, respectively.

The Guins also placed three players on the 2008 Missouri Valley Football Preseason Team and two players garnered honorable mention laurels.

Senior center Brad Samsa, senior defensive tackle Mychal Savage and senior wide receiver Ferlando Williams were all named to the preseason first-team while senior tight end Derrick Bush and senior place kicker Brian Palmer earned honorable mention honors.

Samsa was a second-team All-America selection by The Associated Press and Honorable-Mention All-American by The Sports Network as an offensive tackle in 2007. Samsa was also tabbed first-team all-conference in 2007 and second-team all-conference in 2006.

Savage, a two-time first-team all-conference selection at defensive tackle, was a third-team The Sports Network All-America selection in 2007. Last season, he posted 43 total tackles, including 26 solo stops, had five tackles for losses and 4.5 sacks for 31 yards in losses.

Williams, the 2007 Gateway Football Conference Newcomer of the Year, was named first-team All-Gateway as a wide receiver. He is the first Penguin wide receiver to earn first-team All-Gateway honors. He posted 464 yards rushing on 74 carries and scored nine touchdowns and caught 42 passes for 499 yards and two scores.



2008 Missouri Valley Football Conference Preseason Poll
Pl. Team (First-Place Votes) Points
1. North Dakota State (13) 289
2. UNI (15) 275
3. Youngstown State (1) 209
4. Western Illinois (4) 202
5. Southern Illinois (2) 201
6. South Dakota State 149
7. Missouri State 105
8. Illinois State 104
9. Indiana State 41

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YSU Football Program Receives Best in the Nation Award
Thursday, July 10 2008

Youngstown -- The 2007 edition of the Youngstown State Football Game Program, "Penguin Power" was named the Best In the Nation by College Sports Information Directors of America. The annual awards were presented at the CoSIDA workshop which was held recently in Tampa, Fla.

It is the fourth time in seven years that Penguin Power has been selected as the FCS's best gameday program. The book was honored as the nation's best in 2001, 2002 and 2006 previously. The 2007-edition featured an impressive 184 pages and for the first time ever had different covers for each home game. The book also featured special inserts on the 25-year history of Stambaugh Stadium.

The Youngstown State sports information and marketing staffs handle all content, editing and design for the book. Pegasus Printing of Youngstown assists in the design and handles all printing of each program.

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Tanner, Zetts Receive NSCA All-America Recognition
Wednesday, July 9 2008

Colorado Springs, Colo. -- Former Youngstown State football players Josh Tanner and Tom Zetts were named National Strength and Conditioning Association All-Americans recently. YSU has now had 40 student-athletes receive NSCA All-America honors.

In 2007, Zetts was a second-team All-Gateway pick and a three-team Academic All-Conference honoree. His senior season, Zetts completed 173-of-277 passes for 1,845 yards and seven touchdowns. His 62.5 percent completion percentage set a school record. He ended his career as the school career record holder in yards (7,643) completions (654) attempts (1,094) touchdowns (51), percentage (59.8), 200-yard games (13) and starts (47). Zetts had a bench press of 335 pounds, a power clean of 290 pounds, a squat of 405 pounds and a 29-inch vertical jump.

Tanner started 32 games as a member of the offensive line during his career, including the final 24. In 2007, he was a second-team All-Gateway selection starting all 11 games at right guard. Tanner had a bench press of 455 pounds, a squat of 600 pounds, a power clean of 300 pounds and 28.5-inch vertical leap.

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Penguins-Buckeyes Kickoff Set For Noon
Thursday, July 3 2008

Chicago, Ill. -- Kickoff for the second consecutive season-opening meeting between Youngstown State and Ohio State on Aug. 30 has been set for Noon at Ohio Stadium and will be aired on The Big Ten Network, the network announced today.

All games produced by the Big Ten Network will be available to cable and satellite operators nationwide as part of their agreements to carry the network.
Whenever the Big Ten Network is producing more than one game airing at the same time, the network will split the feeds regionally among cable operators to allow Big Ten fans to watch the game with the most regional interest. In addition, cable and satellite providers that have agreed to carry the network will be offered the chance to carry the additional games via "overflow" channels. On Aug. 30, the network is scheduled to televise five games.

The Big Ten Network allows fans to see teams regardless of where they live. Available to all cable and satellite providers nationwide, the network currently has agreements with Comcast, DirecTV, DISH Network, AT&T U-Verse and 230 cable operators.
Fans should contact their local cable affiliate to check if the Big Ten Network is carried by their provider.

The 2008 Penguins will return in full force for fall camp on Sunday, August 3.

Also in Columbus that weekend will be the Youngstown State volleyball team. The Penguins play Xavier and Toledo on Friday, Aug. 29 before battling the Buckeyes at 6 p.m. on Saturday following the football game.

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Jeff Wilkins' Return Highlights Upcoming Kicking Camp
Tuesday, June 24 2008

Youngstown – Former standout Youngstown State and NFL placekickers Jeff Wilkins and Paul McFadden will team up to host the Penguins' 2008 Kicking Camp which is set to be held July 7-8 at Stambaugh Stadium.

Wilkins, who retired after a 14-year career in professional football in February, has not been able to attend the camp the past few years because of offseason workouts with the St. Louis Rams.

The camp is $90 for commuters and $150 for individuals who wish to stay overnight on Monday. Fundamentals of kicking, both soccer style and conventional, as well as punting will be stressed. For information contact the football office at (330) 941-3478 or download a form HERE.

Participants need to bring practice clothes, tennis or turf shoes, a football and kicking tees and extra-point blocks. For resident campers a pillow, sheets or sleeping bag, towels and toiletries.

Residents will check-in from 9-10 a.m. on Monday at the Cafaro House while commuters check-in between 9:30-10 a.m. at Stambaugh Stadium. The camp will run all day until 8 p.m. and lunch and dinner will be served.

On Tuesday, the camp begins at 8:30 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. All participants will receive a t-shirt.

Wilkins spent the final 11 seasons of his career playing for the Rams. He did not miss an extra point from 1998 through 2007 while scoring 1,416 career points. Wilkins scored a career-high 163 points with the Rams in 2003. That season he made a career-best 39 field goals in a career-high 42 tries. In 1999, he made 64-of-64 extra-point tries.

He was part of a Super Bowl Champion as St. Louis won the Super Bowl XXIV in 2000. He was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent after kicking for YSU from 1990-93. He spent two years with the San Francisco 49ers before becoming a mainstay for the Rams.

McFadden also brings impressive credentials to the camp. A bare-footed specialist who was a two-time Pro Bowl selection, he played a total of six seasons in the NFL for three teams.

McFadden amassed 520 points in his career, converting 160-of-165 point-after attempts and 120-of-175 field-goal tries. He began his career in Philadelphia scoring a team rookie record 116 points making 30-of-37 field-goal attempts. He was named the NFC’s Rookie of the Year and earned a spot in the Pro Bowl. He spent his first four years with Philadelphia before moving on to New York in 1988 and Atlanta in 1989. He was a 12th round draft pick originally by the Eagles.

McFadden handled kicking duties for the Penguins from 1980-83.

Football

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Gateway Football Conference Changes Its Name
Saturday, June 7 2008

ST. LOUIS – Presidents of the nine-member Gateway Football Conference and the 10-member Missouri Valley Conference have approved a re-branding initiative that changes the football conference name from the Gateway Football Conference to the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The change is effective immediately.

It represents the second name change for the football league, which begins its 24th season this fall. Initially, the conference competed under the Gateway Collegiate Athletic Conference (1985-91) and the Gateway Football Conference (1992-2007).

“This is going to allow the Missouri Valley Football Conference members to take advantage of year-long positive exposure received by the Missouri Valley Conference,” said Missouri Valley Football Conference commissioner Patty Viverito. “Both leagues have developed a tremendous brand name, but the timing for the name change is right. The league expands July 1 with two new members, and with this new, stronger lineup, rebranding now makes sense.”

Although the league will share the Missouri Valley name, the football-playing members will compete under a separate administrative umbrella, as the Missouri Valley Conference and the Missouri Valley Football Conference will remain separate entities.

Members of the Missouri Valley Football Conference (and initial year of membership) include Illinois State University (1985), Indiana State University (1986), Missouri State University (1985), North Dakota State University (2008), the University of Northern Iowa (1985), South Dakota State University (2008), Southern Illinois University (1985), Western Illinois University (1985), and Youngstown State University (1997).

Five Missouri Valley Football Conference members also compete in the Missouri Valley Conference (Illinois State, Indiana State, Missouri State, Northern Iowa, and Southern Illinois). Three league schools compete in the Summit League (North Dakota State, South Dakota State, and Western Illinois), while Youngstown State competes in the Horizon League for its other sports.

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Two YSU players Have NFL Free-Agent Tryouts
Wednesday, April 30 2008

Two Youngstown State senior football players will be trying to earn a berth on a National Football League roster this weekend.

Senior linebacker James Terry of Stafford, Va., a two-time All-Gateway Conference all-star, will leave Thursday for a two-day free agent tryout camp with the Kansas City Chiefs. If things don’t workout there Terry will attend another two-day camp on Saturday with the New York Giants.

Senior free safety Vince Gliatta of Canton will leave today for a two-day tryout camp with the Detroit Lions.

Football

Posted From: BY Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository

McKinley graduate Dorian Chenault confident he can play in NFL
Thursday, April 24 2008

Everybody loves an underdog. For Stark County football fans, the one to watch this weekend might be an ex-Bulldog.

Former McKinley High School standout Dorian Chenault hopes to become the first Youngstown State player taken in the NFL Draft since 1998.

The Patriots are among teams particularly interested. They joined scouts at his pro day, where he ran a 4.4 flat 40-yard dash, vertical jumped 39 inches, and broad jumped 10-foot-10. These are first-day-pick numbers, but it's unclear whether Chenault will even get the call on Day 2.

His best hope might be to sign with a team Sunday night after the draft ends, a process that worked famously for Kent State's Joshua Cribbs in 2005.

"It doesn't matter one way or another," Chenault said Wednesday. "If I get my foot in the door, I believe I'm gonna make a team."

McKinley fans remember Chenault as a dynamo who played tight end, linebacker and special teams. He was a basketball starter. He ran on McKinley sprint relay teams that qualified for three straight state meets.

His high school size forced a position change in college. NFL scouts measured him at 6-foot, 191 pounds.

He went in cold as a YSU safety, learning on the run.

"I definitely improved every year," he said. "I had the opportunity to cover fast receivers from Pitt, Penn State and Ohio State. I was able to keep up with the best of them."

You can almost hear NFL types responding: "We'll be the judge of that."

Scouts tell him the NFL is a different world than he's used to. His workout numbers tell them he has a chance in their world.

"Scouts keep pretty blank faces while they're watching you," he said. "Afterward, they said things like, 'Man, you can run.' "

He would be running down the field on kickoffs, not plugging in as the next Ed Reed. He would be starting at the bottom as a safety. No problem. He has played special teams throughout his young life.

"I love kickoff," he said. "It's guys running full speed trying to knock you blind."

If you search around, you can find a Web site that sees Chenault worthy of a pick. NFL Draft Dog sees Chenault as a Round 6 pick, right up there with two safeties from big schools, Oklahoma's Darien Williams and West Virginia's Eric Wicks.

It's worth noting that another former Stark County standout, Central Catholic's Vince Gliatta, played safety alongside Chenault and has worked out for NFL scouts.

Meanwhile, Chenault knows the deck can be stacked against underdogs. He was on the field when Youngstown State was routed by Ohio State.

That same day, though, a team that faced the Penguins in the 2006 NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, came back into focus.

"We were on the field in Columbus when they made the announcement," Chenault said. "Appalachian State was beating Michigan. I remember the stadium going crazy.

"It was one of those things that reminds you. There's always a chance."

Reach Repository sports writer Steve Doerschuk at (330) 580-8347 or e-mail: steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com

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Rowan, Stiff Defense Lead Red Team to 15-0 Victory in Spring Game
Saturday, April 19 2008

Youngstown -- Junior quarterback Todd Rowan completed 11-of-16 passes and threw a touchdown, and the Red Team defense allowed just 43 yards to earn its sixth straight victory in the 36th Annual YSU Red-White Spring Game.

The Red defense forced punts on five of seven possessions and came up with the game's lone turnover on White's final drive.

Kevin Smith and Jabari Scott also combined for 84 yards rushing for the Red squad, which racked up 98 as a team on 18 carries.

The Red team had four sacks, including two by Brad Miller, and Andre Elliott intercepted Brandon Summers late in the second half.

Defense dominated the first 18 minutes until the Red squad took over with 12:15 remaining in the first half and drove 81 yards for the game's first score. Rowan raced for 13 yards on the opening play, and Smith later ran for 24 yards on three straight carries. Scott's 18-yard rush down to the 6-yard line set up Josh Lee's touchdown on a tipped pass in the end zone from Rowan.

Ferlando Williams returned the ensuing kickoff 71 yards to the Red 19, but the drive stalled as the running clock ran out with the ball on the 8.

Bob Gratz then put the Red team up 9-0 with a 37-yard field goal with 19:13 remaining in the second half, and a trick play on Red's next possession blew the game open. Scott rushed for 23 yards to start the drive, and Rowan hit Nate Schkurko for a 14-yard catch to the White 22. Dominque Barnes then hit Aaron Pitts in the end zone on a halfback pass for the game's final score.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Paul Corsaro completed all five of his passes for the Red Team for 19 yards. David Rogers, Pitts and Da'Michael Horne all had three receptions with Rogers leading the way with 44 yards.

Summers finished 7-for-17 total for 80 yards after also going under center for the Red on its final drive. Rowan accounted for 92 yards through the air and 13 yards on the ground, and White's Nick Canterino had three catches for 18 yards.

Despite losing the last six games, the White team holds an overall record of 20-16.

The Red-White Game capped off the spring practice season for the Penguins that began on March 26. The Penguins practiced 14 times in the last four-and-a-half weeks. A group of 90-plus players participated in the first practice, including 23 seniors and 37 letterwinners.