Youngstown State, under Head Coach Doug Phillips, looks for its second, straight entry into post-season competition this season, coming off an 8-5 record of a year ago.
      The Pens fell in the second round of FCS tournament action to Villanova, 45-28, and open this season on Thurs., Aug. 29 against the Wildcats.
      Villanova is rated as the #6 team in the 2024 Stats FCS Preseason Top-25 Poll., while YSU enters the contest rated at #23 in the same poll.
      The Wildcats went 10-3 last season and take the field on Aug. 29 led by sixth year quarterback Connor Watkins who was chosen as the Coastal Athletic Association preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
      Watkins and fifth year cornerback Isas Waxter have already garnered national buzz this preseason by being named to the watch lists for the Walter Payton Award and the Buck Buchanan Award.
      Watkins started all 13 games for the Wildcats last season and completed 152 of 269 for 2,682 yards to go with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He rushed 96 times 96 carries for 378 yards and 10 scores
      Offensive Outlook
      Youngstown will open with experience on the offensive side of the ledger where four offensive linemen return, led by preseason MVFC selection Jaison Williams. He is joined by Aidan Parker, David Metzler and Desmeal Leigh. Heading-up the YSU backfield will be Tyshon King, an all Missouri Valley Football Conference first-team preseason selection.
      Tight end Brandan Serrano returns after starting eight games and tallying 14 receptions for 93 yards and two TDs last year.
      In 13 games last season, King rushed for 1,011 yards on 187 carries and scored nine touchdowns. He caught 18 passes for 149 yards as well. King was named to MVFC All-Newcomer team in 2023.
      Back for his junior season at wide receiver is Max Tomczak, who is a preseason second-team All MVFC selection; while long snapper Sam Merryman and placekicker Andrew Lastovka are preseason honorable-mention.
      With the departure of starting quarterback Mitch Davidson, Springfield Local High School product Beau Brungard, a sophomore, is expected to be first on the list to start behnd center. He played in all 13 games as a reserve quarterback last season and rushed 18 times for 129 yards and three touchdowns. He completed 14-of-20 passes for 108 yards.
      Rated second on the pre-season YSU depth chart at quarterback is Brady Shannon, who played his prep football at Ursuline. He didn’t play on the gridiron as a college freshman, opting to attend Central Florida where he was a member of the Golden Knights baseball team.
      The Penguins scored 32 points per game last fall, ranking No. 16 in the FCS.
      Defensive Outlook
      The Penguins lose their top nine tacklers from last season after allowing 25.4 points per game (No. 55 in the FCS). They only bring back two of their top-15 tacklers and four of their top 20 leaders in snaps.
      Jaylen Castleberry, a junior, returns after starting seven games at cornerback in 2023. He totaled 27 tackles and seven pass breakups. Defensive end Dawan Martin played 268 snaps last fall, tallying 13 tackles, four sacks, and seven quarterback hurries. And linebacker Devin Johnson added 153 snaps and 18 tackles.
      YSU looks to a mixture of younger talent and transfers to fill its voids in the defense.
      FCS transfers include Campbell defensive back Cole Parvin, Northern Colorado defensive lineman Joe Brown, and Yale defensive back Dathan Hickey.
      FBS transfers include Iowa State linebacker Carston Marshall, Marshall defensive lineman Jabarrek Hopkins, Marshall defensive back Kerion Martin, Penn State defensive back Jace Tutty, Pitt defensive back Stephon Hall, Southern Miss defensive back Jeremiah Robinson, and UNLV defensive back Isaiah Hackett.
      Jackrabbits Top MVFC Pick
      Defending Missouri Valley Football and national champion South Dakota State has been picked as the prohibitive favorite to win a third consecutive Missouri Valley Football Conference title, according to the preseason poll released by league officials.
      The Jackrabbits are also the favorite to claim the FCS national title.
      The Jackrabbits, who went undefeated in league play each of the past two seasons en route to consecutive Football Championship Subdivision national titles, bring a 29-game overall winning streak into the 2024 season
      YSU faces the Jacks on Oct. 12.
      The Penguins are rated in preseason polls at the #7 spot in the Missouri Valley; and either 23rd or 25th in national, preseason polls.