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First-place YSU faces a big test
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First-place YSU faces a big test
Northern Iowa has won four straight against the Penguins.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The Youngstown State football team awoke Friday morning to find itself in first place in the Gateway Conference.
Today, though, is a difficult assignment to stay there.
Following Southern Illinois' 31-20 victory over Western Kentucky Thursday night, the Penguins hold a half-game lead over the Salukis and Hilltoppers in the Gateway standings.
Awaiting YSU today at 4:07 p.m., however, is Northern Iowa and the UNI-Dome, where the Penguins (7-1, 4-0) have won only three times in nine previous games.
YSU has not had an easy time beating the Panthers (4-3, 2-2) anywhere recently losing the last four meetings, including a last-second, 22-20 setback last year at Stambaugh Stadium.
Heacock seeks first win
The Panthers have won 13 of the 19 games in the series, and YSU coach Jon Heacock is 0-4 lifetime against UNI.
Youngstown State was embarrassed by the Panthers two years ago at the UNI-Dome, losing 47-9.
But the situation has changed in two years. In 2003 the Panthers were heading for a share of their 11th Gateway Conference title and the I-AA playoffs.
This year the Panthers find themselves in a must win situation to stay alive for the title and the playoffs, while the Penguins control their own destiny.
YSU has never started 5-0 in the Gateway since joining the conference in 1997. The Penguins finished 5-1 in 1999, second to Illinois State, before advancing to the I-AA championship game.
The Penguins, who are ranked No. 11 in both I-AA polls, will try to snap still another streak against the No. 22 Panthers.
YSU has lost 12 straight games to I-AA ranked opponents. The Penguins haven't beaten a ranked opponent since 1999 when they defeated Montana in the I-AA playoffs.
Two showdowns
The Penguins will undoubtedly have two more chances since their final two games are at No. 9 Southern Illinois and at home to No. 1 Western Kentucky.
Elsewhere in the conference today, red-hot Illinois State, coming off a big win over Southern Illinois, will play host to Western Illinois at 2:30 p.m. in Normal, Ill.
The Redbirds (5-3, 2-2) haven't beaten the Leathernecks (2-6, 0-4) in the last four meetings. This is the 87th meeting between the teams with Western holding a 46-37-3 advantage.
Missouri State (3-4, 1-3) will play host to winless Indiana State (0-8, 0-4) today at 2:30 p.m. at Plaster Field in Springfield, Mo.
The Bears lead the series 12-7 and have won two straight, including 31-28 last season.
First-place YSU faces a big test
Northern Iowa has won four straight against the Penguins.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The Youngstown State football team awoke Friday morning to find itself in first place in the Gateway Conference.
Today, though, is a difficult assignment to stay there.
Following Southern Illinois' 31-20 victory over Western Kentucky Thursday night, the Penguins hold a half-game lead over the Salukis and Hilltoppers in the Gateway standings.
Awaiting YSU today at 4:07 p.m., however, is Northern Iowa and the UNI-Dome, where the Penguins (7-1, 4-0) have won only three times in nine previous games.
YSU has not had an easy time beating the Panthers (4-3, 2-2) anywhere recently losing the last four meetings, including a last-second, 22-20 setback last year at Stambaugh Stadium.
Heacock seeks first win
The Panthers have won 13 of the 19 games in the series, and YSU coach Jon Heacock is 0-4 lifetime against UNI.
Youngstown State was embarrassed by the Panthers two years ago at the UNI-Dome, losing 47-9.
But the situation has changed in two years. In 2003 the Panthers were heading for a share of their 11th Gateway Conference title and the I-AA playoffs.
This year the Panthers find themselves in a must win situation to stay alive for the title and the playoffs, while the Penguins control their own destiny.
YSU has never started 5-0 in the Gateway since joining the conference in 1997. The Penguins finished 5-1 in 1999, second to Illinois State, before advancing to the I-AA championship game.
The Penguins, who are ranked No. 11 in both I-AA polls, will try to snap still another streak against the No. 22 Panthers.
YSU has lost 12 straight games to I-AA ranked opponents. The Penguins haven't beaten a ranked opponent since 1999 when they defeated Montana in the I-AA playoffs.
Two showdowns
The Penguins will undoubtedly have two more chances since their final two games are at No. 9 Southern Illinois and at home to No. 1 Western Kentucky.
Elsewhere in the conference today, red-hot Illinois State, coming off a big win over Southern Illinois, will play host to Western Illinois at 2:30 p.m. in Normal, Ill.
The Redbirds (5-3, 2-2) haven't beaten the Leathernecks (2-6, 0-4) in the last four meetings. This is the 87th meeting between the teams with Western holding a 46-37-3 advantage.
Missouri State (3-4, 1-3) will play host to winless Indiana State (0-8, 0-4) today at 2:30 p.m. at Plaster Field in Springfield, Mo.
The Bears lead the series 12-7 and have won two straight, including 31-28 last season.
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