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It was another early Saturday morning in Youngstown, Ohio, and excitement buzzed in the atmosphere as the YSU Football and Basketball teams prepared for a big day. The football squad would remain in the 330, readying themselves for a conference clash with Northern Iowa. Basketball, on the other hand, had already made the journey to New York, looking to mount a massive upset over Syracuse.
Back at home, clouds covered the sky and a gentle breeze contributed to a relatively chilly day. Temperatures remained in the upper 40s, with a promised high of 49 feeding into the Northeastern Ohio environment. Inside Stambaugh Stadium, the Youngstown State football team worked through their pregame routine, honing in on one critical word that meant everything at the time – finish.
It had been an up-and-down season for the ‘Guins, but momentum is a strange thing, and winning the final game, as both the coaching staff and players understood, could propel the program forward into 2025. There had been countless mistakes throughout the year – many had cost YSU close games – yet that wasn’t the team's mentality. Instead, positivity and optimism echoed through the historic walls of the Ice Castle, fueling a group desperate for the taste of victory.
Passionate fanatics would be in for a treat, as an absolute thriller of a game would unfold before their eyes. YSU came out firing, surging to a 14-0 lead and dominating on both sides of the ball. Seemingly feeding into the chaotic nature of the season, UNI would of course come back, giving the ‘Guins even more adversity to deal with. YSU refused to fold, battling through overtime and ultimately coming out on top in dramatic fashion.
Energy levels were off the charts in the locker room postgame and seniors chanted the fight song with jubilation. For Head Coach Doug Phillips, it was time to get back to work, already asking himself what it would take to become a legitimate threat in the MVFC.
“Recruiting also plays a huge role in making sure that we replenish our roster and bring the players in here that we can compete in this league and win more football games, close isn’t good enough, we gotta win more football games.”
Cashing in on the recruiting trail, YSU brought in an immensely talented high school class and acquired a multitude of instant impact transfers. Retention was also important – the majority of the roster remained intact, with many players turning down money offers to remain in Youngstown.
Phillips understood that a shift in philosophy was needed on offense, so he hired Mike Yurcich as offensive coordinator, an experienced coach with an extensive background at the FBS level.
Though ties were cut and bridges burned, the goal remained the same: construct a team capable of competing for a national championship.
With all the pieces in place, YSU has an opportunity to change the trajectory of the program, and correct the costly mistakes that haunted them last fall.
YSU returns numerous crucial contributors on offense, including three starters on the offensive line, dual-threat quarterback Beau Brungard, running back Ethan Wright, and a handful of reliable targets. Wideouts Max Tomczak and Luke Hensley were productive in 2024, while the tight end duo of Colt Sechrest and Austin Bray offers versatility in both blocking and the pass game.
Despite the overall talent, the coaching staff put a clear emphasis on improving explosiveness – especially in the passing attack. Addressing that area of concern, the ‘Guins brought in dynamic playmakers Kylon Wilson and Mike Solomon from Slippery Rock. The tandem combined for 1,423 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns last fall, giving YSU an immediate boost at wide receiver.
Wilson is a smaller, electric weapon with top-end speed and a quick burst. He thrives in one-on-one matchups and is capable of blowing the brakes off of a defense. Solomon possesses a different skillset – he’s long, athletic, and known for his body control and elite concentration, often making unbelievable adjustments mid-air to reel in tough passes.
The push for offensive firepower didn’t stop with the aerial assault. The backfield also received a significant upgrade via the portal. One of the most surprising moves of the offseason came when former Ohio State tailback TC Caffey committed to YSU. A former Buckeye with a decorated high school career, Caffey was expected to earn snaps in Columbus, but injuries limited his chances. Now healthy and ready to realize his full potential, he’ll have an opportunity to be a pivotal part of the Penguins’ ground game. Joining him is East Stroudsburg transfer Tahir Mills, a balanced, dependable back who rushed for 843 yards and 8 touchdowns last year. Now a senior, Mills will look to prove himself against more physical competition in the MVFC.
Even with new faces at the skill positions, the offensive line remains the backbone of the unit. LT Desmeal Leigh (6-7, 325), C Van Keen (6-4, 305), and RT Shane Keenan (6-5, 305) all return, with Keenan making the transition from right guard to tackle.
Colgate transfer Isaac Perkins (6-4, 305) is the favorite to emerge at left guard, though Easton Korody (6-4, 305) has made it a close battle throughout the offseason. With Keenan sliding to the outside, Joe Sferra (6-3, 305) is set to start at right guard. He’s a veteran presence who has appeared in 25 games the past two seasons.
YSU brings back just three starters on defense but several rotational pieces are poised for larger roles in 2025.
Michael Voitus (6-1, 240) spearheads the defensive front with experience and a highly respected work ethic. He paced the D-Line in total tackles last season (28), also adding 8 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Dashawn Carter (6-3, 240) and Ebony Curry Jr. (6-5, 250) served as reserve edge rushers in 2024 and are expected to take huge steps forward. Carter utilizes his speed and athleticism to slip past blockers; Curry Jr. prefers a more physical, power-driven approach.
Depth on the line is bolstered by Parker Jacobs (6-4, 265) and Michelangelo Loretto (6-1, 260), both of whom come to YSU from Robert Morris.
Inside, Joe Brown (6-2, 335) brings size and power at defensive tackle but will need to improve his consistency to climb the depth chart. The position is loaded with competition: transfers Cameron Cunningham (6-3, 305), Thomas Jolly (6-0, 280), and Collin Vaughn (6-2, 285) are all in the mix for meaningful reps. Cunningham and Vaughn currently lead that group, while youngsters Devaughn Perkins (6-0, 320) and Connor Johannesen (6-4, 275) trail behind.
Preston Zandier anchors the linebacking corps after recording 45 tackles and 6.0 TFLs last season. He’s flanked by a group that is deep and filled with potential. Michael Wells has the physical tools to be successful but must sharpen fundamentals to elevate his craft. Carston Marshall played in all eight conference games in 2024, tallying nine total tackles and seeing his responsibilities increase following his recovery from a fall camp injury.
The ‘Guins bring back their top two tacklers in safeties Makai Shahid and DJ Harris, giving the back end much-needed continuity. Tulsa transfer Dayne Hodge, who started 19 contests at safety over four seasons, will assume the SAM position at YSU.
At cornerback, competition is fierce. Jordan Rudolph, Isaiah Hackett, Dathan Hickey, Jeremiah Piper (Western Illinois), and Justin Wimpye (Tiffin) are all vying for starting jobs. Wimpye and Rudolph booked starts in the spring game, but the battle is far from over.
YSU boasts two of the best specialists in the FCS.
Punter Brendon Kilpatrick was recognized as the FCS Punter of the Year and received third-team All-American honors by Stats Perform and SI.com. Kicker Andrew Lastovka made 12-of-17 field goal attempts and converted all 39 of his PATs.
Byron Floyd transfers in to handle long snapping duties after starting at Pitt (2022-23) and Buffalo (2024).
In the return game, Kylon Wilson is expected to be a threat on both punts and kickoffs.
Bold indicates home game
The first two games – Mercyhurst and Robert Morris – should provide YSU time to build chemistry and momentum. Towson, South Dakota State, North Dakota, and Illinois State make up a season-defining slate, while November tilts with Southern Illinois and Indiana State could determine postseason prospects. This is a talented roster that has the potential to contend in the MVFC. Improvement on the defensive side of the ball will be critical to success. I expect anywhere from 6 to 8 wins.
YSU's offense is going to be a matchup nightmare for many teams in this conference, and I don't think the second tier (SIU, UND, ISUr, etc.) will be able to slow them down. Yurcich has tailored his system to suit Beau's strengths, focusing on play-action and quick roll-outs to stretch defenses. The concern is still the defensive front. Portal additions should help fortify the front line, but depth is a problem. The good news is that there are question marks on defense all across the MVFC.
