Football

Posted From: Casey Husband reskins.com

Former Penguin - Mason Looking to Give a 'Special' Effort
Friday, August 8 2008

Marcus Mason was just two yards shy of the century mark in last Sunday's Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.

Reminded of that, Mason, who finished with 98 yards on 18 carries, just laughed.

"I wasn't thinking about 100 yards," said Mason, the Redskins' second-year running back. "The way my offensive line was blocking, I was thinking about 150, 160. Something like that."

As it was, Mason was the talk of the locker room following Washington's 30-16 pre-season win over Indianapolis.

Teammates and coaches were mentioning how quick and decisive Mason looked against the Colts in the nationally-televised game.

"Marcus ran hard and made some great reads," Clinton Portis said. "I like watching him run. He is shifty and has great hands. If he continues to make plays, you have to find somewhere to put him."

Certainly, Mason impressed Stump Mitchell, the Redskins' assistant head coach and running backs coach.

Marcus Mason (Ned Dishman Photo)
"Marcus Mason can play in this league--there's no doubt about that," Mitchell said after the team's Thursday morning practice at Redskins Park. "He has the ability to make quick cuts, he had good vision, and he can catch the ball."

Added Mitchell: "Marcus can do a lot of good things for you. But he's in a situation where he has three guys ahead of him who have proven themselves.

"So, for Marcus, he has to show that he can become an impact player on special teams."

With Portis, Ladell Betts and Rock Cartwright ahead in the pecking order, Mason needed a strong showing in Canton. Mission accomplished.

In this Saturday's preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at FedExField, Mason will be out to prove that he can make plays on Danny Smith's special teams units as well.

"That's what the coaches keep telling me," said Mason, who earned a spot on the Redskins' practice squad last year. "That's what I need to focus on."

High school coaches in the Washington, D.C., area long have known of Mason's skills. He attended Georgetown Prep and became the all-time leading rusher in Maryland high school history with 5,700 yards.

At Youngstown State, not that far from Canton, the 5-9, 215-pound Mason rushed for 1,847 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior.

Said Mason: "I received a lot of phone calls from friends and family members after the game in Canton. That game did a lot to help build my confidence. But still, in my situation, I know I need to keep pushing ahead."

Mason does not expect to play as much against Buffalo, as Portis, Betts and Cartwright settle into a rotation.

Added Mason: "I still will get a good amount. The only thing I can do is try my best when I'm out there, and depend on my offensive line."

The biggest difference between this year and last year?

"Last year, I was star-struck, seeing Clinton, Santana Moss, Chris Cooley and some of these other guys. I was a little nervous, but having been around those guys for a whole year has made me more comfortable.

"I have more confidence this year, and right now I'm just having fun. Coach Mitchell doesn't sugar-coat things. He tells me to stay focused, and he tells me how important the little things are, as far as technique."

At least as far as the preseason opener was concerned, those lessons are paying off for Mason.

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Brian Mellott Nominated for Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
Thursday, August 7 2008

Youngstown – Youngstown State junior offensive lineman Brian Mellott (Austintown, Ohio) is one of only 13 FCS student-athletes and 26 FCS/Division II/III/NAIA candidates to be nominated for the 2008 Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team, the AFCA announced on Thursday.

The Missouri Valley Football Conference is well represented on the list with four candidates. Besides Mellott, North Dakota State running back Tyler Roehl, Illinois State tight end Kedric Meredith and Southern Illinois running back Larry Warner were also nominated.

In order to meet the criteria set forth by Allstate and AFCA, each player must be actively involved and committed to working with a charitable organization, service group or community service while maintaining good academic standing.

Including the FBS ranks, a group of 71 student-athletes were nominated and will be broken down into two squads. On All-FBS team will be selected while an FCS/Division II/III/NAIA squad will be chosen.

Mellott will be a strong candidate to make the team. In the classroom he has a 3.96 grade-point average as a Business Marketing major at YSU. He has posted a perfect 4.0 grade-point average the past four semesters. In 2007, he was a first-team Gateway Academic All-Conference selection.

On the field, he played in 11 games last year, starting nine as a member of the offensive line. He started the first seven games of the season at center before starting the final two at guard. He is a two-time letterwinner for the Guins after beginning his career as a defensive lineman in 2006.

As far as his work in the community, Mellott has helped out the following schools and organizations: Davis Elementary, Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley, Angels for Animals, Youngstown City Schools, Leonard Kurtz School, St. Joseph School and the American Red Cross.

Former YSU linebacker Jeremiah Wright was named to the Good Works Team in August 2005.

Football

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Guins Practice Under the Lights to Begin Fall Camp
Tuesday, August 5 2008

Youngstown – The Youngstown State football team opened its fall camp workouts on Monday night at Stambaugh Stadium. The workout lasted more than two hours under the lights at the Stadium.

Of the group, 20 were participating in their first fall practice with the Guins, while 15 were part of their first-ever YSU practice. The team worked out in helmets and shorts. In the morning the group went through conditioning testing and drills.

Coach Jon Heacock, who is entering his eighth fall, was impressed with the conditioning of the new group, specifically the freshmen.

"To see the effort that they put forth was great," Heacock said. "Usually those players we only ask to run half the tests, but the majority of those players ran them all and made them. It is a pretty impressive group from that standpoint.
"I think our guys did a good job. When everybody doesn't make it there is always room for improvement. We made some good progress today."

The team spent the workout on various position drills, special teams work and conditioning.

The five quarterbacks in camp will be wearing bright yellow jerseys with red numerals. In camp are juniors Todd Rowan and Brandon Summers, redshirt freshman Paul Corsaro and freshmen newcomers Marc Kanetsky of Hubbard and Dailyn Campbell of Kenton, Ohio.

The offensive line was bolstered by the addition of West Virginia transfer Eric Rodemoyer. Rodemoyer started six games for the Mountaineers last season as a redshirt freshman.

"He's had some playing experience and he's a local guy which really excites me," Heacock said. "We always are happy to welcome those players home. I think from what I've gathered is he's an excellent football player. He played a lot before at West Virginia so we look forward to him jumping in at our place."

The Penguins return to the field Tuesday afternoon for their second helmet-only workout. Practice is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.

Football

Posted From: Ed Puskas Tribune Chronicle Sports Editor

Rowan's the guy
Sunday, August 3 2008

YOUNGSTOWN - Todd Rowan has spent the last three seasons as an understudy to then-Youngstown State starting quarterback Tom Zetts.

The good news is it appears the former LaBrae High School star is just a month away from his first college start.

The bad news?

That start is expected to come against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Aug. 30 at Ohio Stadium.

No pressure, right?

YSU coach Jon Heacock no longer has Zetts, a four-year starter, to entrust with the Penguins' offense, but said Thursday he has confidence in Rowan as the team prepares to begin preseason workouts.

''We had the same feeling going in (to spring ball) - confidence - that we had coming out,'' Heacock said. ''We felt like he could do it.''

Zetts was 10-of-16 for 56 yards against Ohio State in last season's opener at the Horseshoe, but the Boardman High School star had the benefit of three previous seasons as a starter.

No such luck for Rowan, who appeared in all 11 games as the Penguins' holder on field-goal attempts and extra-point kicks, but attempted just two passes in four appearances under center. Rowan's only completion went for 8 yards against Indiana State.

''His opening game is going to be in front of 105,000 people, so that's going to be exciting for him,'' Heacock said. ''But he's a tremendous young man. He's worked hard this summer and he's excited about the opportunity. I think he'll do well. I think he'll handle it.

''If you know Todd Rowan at all, he's got a great personality. I think he'll just flat handle it. He'll be fine.''

But while Rowan will enter preseason workouts as the favorite to lock up the starting job, Heacock said the Penguins will find ways to take advantage of the talents of Ferlando Williams, a full-time wide receiver also skilled enough to be effective out of the shotgun, and transfer Brandon Summers, who arrived at YSU in January after transferring from Toledo.

''There may be three of them out there before it's all done, with Ferlando and we've got to find a way to get Brandon Summers on the field,'' Heacock said. ''With what we're doing, Todd obviously is our quarterback at this point. It's always an open position, but I think he's done the things that need to be done.''

That said, Heacock added, there are some other quarterbacks who could end up contributing in significant ways.

''Brandon's a talented guy, Paul Corsaro is a young guy and he's a play or two away from being at quarterback,'' he said. ''You have to have all those guys ready. We're going to have to get them some reps, but we're also going to have to find some ways to get a couple of them on the field, and continue to do what we do with Ferlando.''

Heacock said Summers enters the preseason as Rowan's backup.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Rowan is more of a classic pocket passer - with great arm strength - than the 5-10 Zetts, who did his best work throwing on the run. But Rowan won't be asked to run the same offense Zetts did. Offensive coordinator Brian Wright has installed a no-huddle package.

''I think the players will like it,'' Heacock said. ''We've done a lot of it. I think they'll be fine. We ended up spring on a good note. We've had a chance to simplify some things. The coaches have done a good job of paring things down and making it much more simple and making it run faster and more efficient.''

The Penguins will find out early just how efficient the new offense will be. After opening at Ohio State, YSU plays at South Dakota State - one of two new programs in the newly expanded Missouri Valley Football Conference - on Sept. 6.

''That's the challenge that's at hand, and we just have to understand it and get ready for it,'' Heacock said.

YSU's first official preseason workout is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. on Monday at Stambaugh Stadium.

Football

Posted From: Pete Mollica - The Vindicator

YSU has some big holes to fill
Sunday, August 3 2008

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown State football team officially begins preparations for the 2008 season Monday as veteran head coach Jon Heacock will put some 90 players through opening drills at 6:45 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.

The Penguins will spend the first four days of fall camp in shorts working on conditioning and fundamentals and will put on full equipment for the first time on Saturday.

The Penguins have some big holes to fill going into camp as they lost eight lettermen on offense and 10 on defense, but the biggest hole left was at quarterback, where four-year starter Tom Zetts graduated.

Heacock, who begins his eighth season with a record of 50-31, is counting on junior Todd Rowan (6-3, 215) from LaBrae High, to take over for Zetts.

Rowan has been around the system for three seasons, but has completed just one pass in his collegiate career and saw action in just three games.

But he’s shown signs of being able to do the job, especially in his first two spring Red and White games, where he totally dominated.

Rowan has also had some injury problems, suffering hairline fractures in his shins the past two seasons which kept him out of action except for holding on field goals and extra point attempts.

Rowan isn’t the only quarterback prospect in camp as junior transfer Brandon Summers and redshirt freshman Paul Corsaro are ready to step in if needed.

Summers transferred from the University of Toledo, and was impressive during spring practice, while Corsaro was redshirted a year ago. The Penguins also have wide-receiver/quarterback Ferlando Williams, who the Penguins used quite frequently a year ago running out of the shotgun position.

“We have a lot of confidence in Todd stepping in and taking over,” Heacock said. “We also have several others capable of stepping in. There’s a chance than you might see more than one quarterback on the field at the same time, because of their versatility.”

Quarterback isn’t the only hole for the Penguins; they also lost three starting linebackers.

“We’ll be very young there, but we are talented enough that we should be able to fill those holes,” he added.

The Penguins have strength in both the offensive and defensive lines.

Four starters return offensively, while a fifth, Tyler Booth, returns after missing last season with injuries. Brad Samsa, Brian Mellott, Nhemie Theodore and Bobby Coates all started at times a year ago.

Heacock said redshirt freshman tackle Stiles O’Brien of Ellwood City has left the team. O’Brien played some last season until a season-ending knee injury against Lock Haven.

“Stiles has decided to join the work force and is getting a job,” Heacock said.

Defensively the front line is led by All-American and All-Missouri Valley Conference tackle Mychal Savage along with Torrance Nicholson, while Bobby Lykes-Knight returns after sitting out last season.

The Penguins should have one of the best special teams units in all of the conference led by second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference kicker Brian Palmer of Mineral Ridge and honorable mention All-League punter Ben Nowicki. Palmer, a senior, made his final 11 field goals in 2007. Nowicki is a junior.

Heacock said that the only other player who would not be in camp was freshman recruit Marquel Thomas, a wide receiver from Virginia Beach, Va., who did not meet the academic requirements, but hopes to do so this fall and join the team in 2009.

Football

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Position-By-Position Breakdown Entering Fall Camp
Friday, August 1 2008

The 2008 edition of the Youngstown State football team reports for fall camp on Sunday with the first practice set for Monday evening at Stambaugh Stadium. The Penguins open the season on August 30 at Ohio State and until then will be working hard to set their lineup for opening day. Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the 2008 squad.



Quarterback

Four-year starter Tom Zetts took over the position in the spring of 2004 and never missed a start over the next four years. That spring, Zetts replaced Aaron Marshall, who had a wealth of experience after starting 17 of the previous 20 games.

After years of experience, YSU now has plenty of inexperience at the quarterback position. Also, the spread offense was introduced in the spring so the three quarterbacks will be counted on to learn a lot quickly.

Junior Todd Rowan has been with the program the previous three years. Junior Brandon Summers transferred from Toledo in January. Freshman Paul Corsaro redshirted last year behind Zetts, Rowan and early on Ferlando Williams.

In his backup role, Rowan has completed just one career pass. He played the quarterback spot against UNI, Lock Haven and Indiana State during the 2007 campaign. He is yet to have a career rushing attempt.

Summers did not see action last year for the Rockets, but did see time in 2006. He played in five games, starting two where he completed 14-of-23 passes.

Corsaro has a tremendous amount of talent after showing his versatility as both a passers and a runner in high school at Indianapolis’ Roncalli High School. Freshman Marc Kanetsky had an outstanding career at Hubbard High School.



Tailback

Good depth at the position will help take some of the heat off the quarterbacks.

Kevin Smith and Jabari Scott return after stepping in last year to replace All-American Marcus Mason.

The trio combined for 1,302 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2007. Scott and Smith combined to start all 11 games.

Smith led the way with 610 yards on 123 carries and 10 touchdowns. He was named to the Gateway’s All-Newcomer team for his performances. In Gateway games he found his stride rushing for 461 yards and eight touchdowns. He had nine overall touchdowns in league play, second among players in the league. Sixty-eight of his 123 rushes came in the final four games.

Scott had 524 yards on 93 attempts and scored five touchdowns after using 2006 as a redshirt year. His season ended on his best carry of the year as he twisted an ankle at the end of a 60-yard scamper against Indiana State. Scott was a workhorse early with 19 carries against South Dakota State and 16 in the win over Stony Brook.
Iowa transfer Dana Brown, who had a tremendous high school career in Pennsylvania, joins the fray.

Brown played in two games - Montana and Purdue - with the Hawkeyes in 2006 after redshirting as a freshman. He did not see action last year.



Fullback

The fullbacks will see a different role with most snaps coming from the shotgun.

Senior Ben Lane anchors the unit as one of the best blocking backs in the conference. Lane has seven rushing attempts in his career for 37 yards.

Sophomore Kyle Banna saw increased playing time last year while senior Charles Gresham stepped in as well. Redshirt freshman Joel Younkins will join the mix this fall.



Tight End

Senior Derrick Bush has all the experience while Patrick Bellish, Donny Olson and David Rogers are all redshirt freshmen.

Bush, a second-team All-Gateway performer the past two years, has caught 39 passes in his career following a breakout campaign in 2007 in which he had 30 grabs for 310 yards. Overall he has 417 receiving yards and two touchdowns - both came at the UNI Dome.

Bellish and Olson both had successful high-school careers at tight end while Rogers is a converted quarterback. Rogers had a solid spring making the transition. All four offer good size targets standing 6-foot-2 or taller.



Wide Receiver

The wide receivers have seen a boom in numbers because of the change in offensive philosophy.

The Penguins now list three spots for the position on the two-deep depth chart with the X, Y and J now standard parts of the offense.

Headlining the group is senior Ferlando Williams. Williams had an impressive first campaign with the program last year hauling in a team-high 42 passes for 499 yards. He was just one of two receivers to catch a touchdown pass - junior Aaron Pitts was the other.

Williams was the Gateway Newcomer of the Year and a first-team All-Gateway pick becoming the first wide receiver in school history to earn first-team all-conference accolades as a wide out.

He showed his versatility rushing for 464 yards on 74 carries and scoring nine times. Most of his attempts came on a direct snap from center.

Da’Michael Horne had good productivity with 16 grabs for 214 yards last year making seven starts. He caught six passes, including one for a score in 2006.

Others to reel in receptions were Dominique Barnes, Pitts and Nick Canterino.

Barnes played in six games as a true freshman and caught three passes for 21 yards. Pitts had two receptions for 24 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown grab against Lock Haven. Canterino had a catch at Indiana State.

Kamryn Keys, Ely Ducatel, Josh Lee and Dionte Snow all redshirted as a freshman in 2007. Junior college transfer Donald Jones and freshman Marquel Thomas join the team this fall. Ty Campana has been part of the program for the past two years on the scout team.



Offensive Line

If the Penguins can stay healthy up front, this group may be one of the more talented units in the country.

Last year, YSU’s patchwork offensive line allowed just nine sacks. After the group started 13 of 14 games together in 2006, four different starting lineups were utilized because of injuries in 2007.

Brad Samsa, Brian Mellott, Nhemie Theodore and Bobby Coates all started at some point last year. Joining that group is senior tackle Tyler Booth who missed the final 10 games last year with a knee injury.

Samsa, a first-team All-Gateway selection, is the only player in school history to start on the line at guard, tackle and center. He started one game as a redshirt freshman in 2005, started at guard for the entire 2006 campaign and was moved to tackle because of injuries last year. He is back at center entering his senior year.

Theodore started all 11 games at right tackle, but with the return of Booth will move to the guard spot.

Coates played in nine games starting the final four at center. Mellott played in 11 games, starting nine. He started his first seven contests at center before moving to right guard.

Booth started all 14 games in 2006 at tackle, but a knee injury against Ohio State ended his season early.

Eric Rodemoyer transfers to YSU after starting at guard for West Virginia last year. Rodemoyer started six of the first seven games at right guard for the Mountaineers in 2007.
Also returning from last year’s squad are Kyle Brown, Rob Fernback, Tyler Figueroa, Chris Gammon, Justin Rechichar and redshirts Andy Colegrove and Greg Sazdanoff. Corbin Williamson joined the program in the spring and Bill Dugan and D.J. Main join the Guins this fall.



Defensive Line

The group up front features seven returning letterwinners and will be a major strength in the defense.

Leading the way is first-team All-Gateway selection Mychal Savage. Savage was also an honorable-mention All-America selection for his efforts.

In 2007 he had 43 total tackles, 26 solo stops, 4.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. He came on strong at the end of the season recording 21 tackles in the last two games, including a 12-tackle performance against Western Illinois.

His linemate Torrance Nicholson had an impressive debut season with 42 tackles, including 28 solo stops. Of his 42 tackles, 30 came in the last six games, including a high of eight against Southern Utah. Nicholson was an honorable-mention All-Gateway selection and was named to the league’s all-newcomer squad.

Jon Penick saw action in a reserve role playing in all 11 games while Bruce Palmer moved over from the offensive side in the spring to play on the interior.

Roger Gillum saw playing time as well and Bobby Lykes-Knight returns to the program after sitting out in 2007. He played in 13 games as lineman in 2006. Brad Miller redshirted last season.

On the ends Luke Matelan brings the most experience to the line after playing in all 11 games last year. Matelan had seven tackles, but three were for losses. Na’eem Outler was a reserve in the first nine games finishing with 15 tackles.

Also contributing at the end positions are Nick Mernedakis and Deon’te Williams who both saw action on special teams and as late-game reserves last year. Jaimie Frasure switched from offense to defense in the spring.

Joining the defensive line this season will be freshman Warren Felton, Joe Marshall, Noah Taylor and Mike Williams along with junior Crispin Fernandez.

Led by a strong line, the Penguins led the conference in sacks averaging 2.45 per game and were second in tackles for losses.

As a unit, YSU was second in the Gateway and ranked 18th nationally in total defense. The Guins were third against the run among league schools. Also, YSU was third in the country and ranked 14th in the nation in scoring defense.



Linebacker

After years of familiar faces, the linebackers will see a major shakeup in 2008.

Junior Roshon Simons has the most experience in the group playing in 23 games during his career. He started nine contests as a sophomore recording 55 total tackles. He had five-or-more stops in seven games.

After Simons, Nate Ward and Mike Barlak have the most game experience. However, both of those players’ most action has come on special teams throughout the past three years.

Barlak has been primarily the snapper on placekicks while Ward has been used in a reserve role. Last year, Ward finished with 17 tackles. In his three-year career, Barlak has been credited with 19.

Jordan Edwards, who was a reserve fullback last year, moves over to help out at linebacker. Edwards showed good instincts on special teams last year to instigate the move.

Plenty of young talent will have chances to play. Junior college transfer Draye Ersery made an impact in the spring. Redshirts Adam House, Michael Kreatsoulas, Matt Phipps and David Rach all return. Newcomers Stephen Meadows, Gary Thornton and Deonta Tate could play as true freshmen.



Safeties

A young group is being expected to step in at the safety spots. Sophomores Brandian Ross, Nick Gooden and Andre Elliott will be battling for playing time at the free and strong spots. Last year, three seniors had the bulk of the playing time.

Ross was an active member of special teams finishing with 18 tackles. He saw some action in the secondary as a reserve. Against Indiana State he intercepted his first career pass.

Gooden was another active member of special teams as a true freshman recording 13 tackles. He also saw some time in the secondary and had a fumble recovery.

Elliott sat out last year after transferring from Gardner-Webb. In 2006, he played in 10 games for the Runnin’ Bulldogs recording 21 tackles.

Tony Kavouras is the lone senior of the group while transfer Gary Pezzuolo is the lone junior. Redshirt freshmen Jay Wiezbiski and Scott Sentner are joined by freshman David Fleming.



Cornerbacks

YSU returns its main three cornerbacks from last year in De’Angelo Wilson, Jarvis Richards and Lenny Wicks.

All three started during the year and combined for five interceptions. The three played in all 11 games as well.

Wilson started nine games, including the final eight, after transferring last fall from Nevada. He had 39 total tackles, including 21 solo stops and had two interceptions - Stony Brook and Lock Haven.

Richards started eight games and led the cornerbacks with 53 total tackles, including 39 solo stops. He was a threat to blitz on occasion picking up two sacks - Lock Haven and Western Illinois. His lone interception was at UNI.

Wicks came up with two interceptions and came up with 41 tackles, including 31 solos. He had interceptions against Southern Illinois and Western Illinois. He started five of the first seven contests on the year.

Tyler Griffin returns to the secondary after sitting out last year. In 2006, Griffin played in all 14 games recording 16 tackles. Everett Barney played in the final two games last season and should be healthy in 2008. Joining the mix are senior Tom Krupko, redshirt Randy Louis and newcomer Bryan Gaiters.

YSU was second in the Gateway in passing defense last year.



Special Teams

Special teams is one area where the Penguins should excel this year.

YSU’s placekicker, holder, snapper, punter, kickoff specialist, primary punt returner and kick returners from last year return.

Kicker Brian Palmer was a second-team All-Gateway pick and made his final 11 field-goal attempts of the season. Palmer enters his senior season having made 33-of-42 career field-goal attempts and 123-of-131 extra-point tries. Last year he was 14-of-15 field goals and 34-of-36 PAT kicks for 76 points.

Punter Ben Nowicki was an honorable-mention all-league pick after punting 47 times last year. Nowicki averaged 37.1 yards per kick and placed a league-high 18 punts inside the opposition’s 20-yard line. Erik Johnson returns after attempting three punts last year.

Sophomore Stephen Blose was solid handling the kickoff duties. Blose, who made a 41-yard field goal at Ohio State, had 47 kickoffs last season.

Palmer will have the comfort of relying on three-year holder Rowan and four-year snapper Barlak. The trio has worked together the past two seasons. Barlak also will be in his fourth year snapping on punts and second with Nowicki.

Wilson returned 27 punts for 284 yards and 11 kickoffs for 24.2 yards last season. He averaged 10.5 per punt return and 24.2 per kickoff return.

Horne returned 10 kickoffs for an average of 17.1 yards while Williams had five returns for an 18.5 yard average. Speedsters Lee and Keys will be in the mix to return kicks in 2008.

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Tom Anthony, Mark Spencer Join Staff as Assistant Coaches
Friday, August 1 2008

Youngstown – Youngstown State Head Coach Jon Heacock announced on Friday that Tom Anthony and Mark Spencer have joined the Penguins coaching staff. Anthony will serve as an assistant on defense while Spencer will assist the offensive coaching staff.

Spencer spent the previous season as the defensive backs coach at Iowa Wesleyan for Coach Jason Smelser. Prior to joining the Iowa Wesleyan coaching staff he was a graduate assistant coach at Bluffton in 2005. While at Bluffton he coached the running backs in 2005 and the defensive line in 2006 for coach Greg Brooks.

He served as a graduate assistant for the Cincinnati Bearcats in 2003 and 2004. At UC, he was responsible for quality-control duties as well as video coordination. In 2004 Cincinnati was 7-5 winning the PlainsCapitol Fort Worth Bowl under head coach and former YSU assistant Mark Dantonio.

A native of Columbus, Spencer was a tailback at Ohio from 1991-1994. He joined the program as a walk-on and then earned letters in 1993 and 1994. As a senior he was awarded a full scholarship.

Anthony spent last season as an assistant coach on the NAIA level at St. Francis (Ill.). For the Fighting Saints he served as the wide receivers coach under Mike Uremovich. Two of his freshmen receivers earned all-conference accolades in 2007.

Prior to coaching at St. Francis in 2007, he spent a year coaching the defensive backs at Augustana (Ill.). In 2006, the Vikings captured the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Championship with a 7-3 overall mark and a 6-1 conference record.

A native of Bettendorf, Iowa, he had a stellar career at Augustana.

In 2005, he was a first-team Division III All-America selection while being named the North Region Defensive Back of the Year. He was tabbed first-team all-conference and the CCIV’s Most Valuable Player recording 13 inceptions.

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2008 Individual Football Game Tickets On Sale August 1
Wednesday, July 30 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.

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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.

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Football

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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