By Cecelia Chase / The Jambar
Youngstown State University football kicks off the 2025 season 6 p.m. today against Mercyhurst University in Stambaugh Stadium.
Youngstown State wrapped up the 2024 season 4-8 overall and 3-5 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Entering the 2025 season, the Penguins ranked fifth in the MVFC preseason poll and hope to improve with new coaches, key transfers and a deeper roster.
During the offseason, the program hired Mike Yurcich as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, following the departure of Troy Rothenbuhler.
Yurcich brings experience from The Pennsylvania State University, University of Texas, The Ohio State University and Oklahoma State University. Three assistant coaches, Michael Zordich, Justin Heacock and YSU alum Chris Parry, were also hired to the staff.
Head Coach Doug Phillips enters his sixth year at the helm of the program. With a new season in an evolving Division I college landscape, Phillips said the team is still learning, but is confident the team will overcome adversity.
“For us, sometimes you have to get knocked in the face and we’re all trying to figure this out in the new world we live in [with] the portal, NIL, managing a roster, coaches [and] hiring. I feel really good where we are right now,” Phillips said.
The Penguins lost important contributors over the offseason. Jaison Williams, a former team captain and All-MVFC honoree, departed the program for the NFL, along with teammate Tyshon King.
Junior Cyrus Traugh transferred to West Virginia University after catching 36 passes for 409 yards and five touchdowns in 2024.
Despite players transferring out, Youngstown State reloaded with key transfers such as Ohio State junior TC Caffey. The program also acquired Slippery Rock University wide receiver tandem in junior Kylon Wilson and senior Mike Solomon.
Alongside newly added players to the roster, seniors Ethan Wright and DJ Harris return to the program.
With Harris transferring in from Tiffin University in 2024, he said players transferring in and out of the program benefit both the team and the players.
“Sometimes it can be a relief and sometimes it can be bad for the team, but it’s always good to keep the players that want to be with the team and want to be with the program,” Harris said. “A lot of times you got to be where your feet are.”
With the 2025 season underway, projected starters include dual-threat junior Beau Brungard, who scored 28 touchdowns in 2024, Wright, the team’s leading rusher last season and senior Max Tomczak, who recorded over 2,000 career receiving yards.
The offensive line returns key players such as All-MVFC Honorable Mention junior Desmeal Leigh, along with juniors Van Keen and Joe Sferra, as well as junior Isaac Perkins from Colgate University.
Returning playmakers include the team’s leading tackler in Harris, seniors Michael Voitus and Preston Zandier and junior Carston Marshall.
The Penguins also return players on special teams. 2024 Football Championship Subdivision Punter of the Year senior Brendon Kilpatrick rejoins the program. Last season, he averaged 46-yards per punt, 14 punts of over 50 yards.
Kilpatrick enters the 2025 season on the FCS preseason watchlist. Junior Andrew Lastovka also returns after going 12-for-17 on field goals and perfect on point after touchdowns last year.
The Penguins face a tough nonconference schedule, as well as marquee matchups against South Dakota State University and defending national champions, North Dakota State University.
Youngstown State will also go head-to-head with Big Ten Conference opponent Michigan State University at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 13. Also on the schedule, the Penguins will face Robert Morris University on Sept. 6 alongside Rothenbuhler, who took the offensive coordinator role.