By Dylan Lux / The Jambar
“What an impressive win for the Wildcats, 45 to 28,” said play-by-play announcer James Westling as the last words of the Youngstown State University football team’s 2023-24 campaign.
The Penguins traveled to Villanova, Pennsylvania to face the University of Villanova in the second round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs Dec. 2, 2023. Youngstown State came up short against the Wildcats and ended an eight win, five loss season — their most wins since 2016.
The Penguins garnered a new roster after losing key offensive and defensive players due to graduation and 10 athletes who transferred out.
Despite the roster overhaul, YSU was able to bring in key talent from all over the country, including transfers from the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Youngstown State picked up 10 FBS transfers, two FCS transfers and Division II transfers over the offseason.
Several of the Penguins’ new transfers come from Power Four schools such as the University of Cincinnati, The Pennsylvania State University, Iowa State University, the University of Central Florida and the University of Pittsburgh.
Preseason All-American senior Jaison Williams said the team’s goal is to get the new transfers adjusted to the program.
“Integrating those guys to the culture is what our focus has been,” Williams said. “At Youngstown State, we have a solidified culture so [it’s] just getting those guys up to date on what we have going on.”
Doug Phillips returns to Youngstown State for his fifth season and owns a 19-22 overall record. Most recently, Phillips led the team to notable wins over No. 6 Southern Illinois University and Duquesne University in the FCS Playoffs .
Phillips has one message regarding the mindset of Youngstown State this season. “You want more.”
“I think the standard is that you always want more,” Phillips said. “Unless you win all your games you go in [the offseason] a little salty.”
Phillips said it’s not talent that wins games, but the mindset and effort that takes a team to the next level.
“Usually it’s not about talent — it’s about things that don’t take talent at all that you have to keep building in your program,” Phillips said. “There’s discipline, attitude, effort, focus [and] unselfishness. Those are the things we work very hard on every day.”
In the FCS Coach’s Poll, Youngstown State is ranked 23rd overall in the nation for the preseason. Being ranked so early in the season comes with competition, as six Missouri Valley Football Conference teams are ranked ahead of the Penguins.
Williams said the team isn’t concerned with the rest of the FCS, but rather playing the best they can on the gridiron each week.
“We want to take care of ourselves and everything else will fall in place,” Williams said. “We’re not really concerned with who we stack up against — we’re more so worried about reaching our full potential.”
Outside of the eight Missouri Valley Football Conference games that the Penguins play this season, they have four crucial games to start off the year.
The Penguins will kick off their season with a rematch at Villanova scheduled for 6 p.m. on Aug. 29. YSU will look to amend last year’s loss to the Wildcats.
Week two sees the home opener, as Youngstown State will host Valparaiso University at 2 p.m. on Sept. 7. After Valpo, a second-straight home game for week three against Duquesne — another playoff rematch for the Penguins.
Rounding out non-conference play, the ‘Guins will travel to Pittsburghfor a matchup with Power Four opponent Pitt from the Atlantic Coast Conference.
In conference play, Youngstown State is featured as the “MVFC Game of the Week” on two occasions. The team’s conference opener against Missouri State University on the road and its final game of the year against the University of Northern Illinois inside Stambaugh Stadium.
Phillips said the team doesn’t address exposure against an ACC opponent, or from a “Game of the Week,” but the team does address handling adversity.
“We address how you handle adversity, or how you handle success,” Phillips said. “If the exposure is because of success, how do you handle that?”
Coach said he always leaves one message for his players when handling adversity: “It’s bigger than us.”
The team announced its five captains for the 2024 season Aug. 21 — seniors Williams, Tyshon King, Devin Johnson and Logan Pasco, alongside junior Michael Voitus.
YSU’s clash with Villanova will be broadcasted live at 6 p.m. on Aug. 29 at FloSports.com and on 570 WKBN.