Gateway guide gives fans a boost

ST. LOUIS -- Three days before Youngstown State football players report to camp, the Gateway Conference held its Media Day on Thursday at the Renaissance Hotel.
The following is a Gateway glossary, created to sharpen your own skills before the 2003 season.
UAug. 28: Youngstown State's season opener against Division II opponent Edinboro at Stambaugh Stadium.
UBest quote of Media Day, from SW Missouri State lineman Brad Durham: "There's no difference in our [Div. I-AA] football than in a Big 12 game. A player might be an inch taller or 20 pounds heavier than me, but I'm going to hit just as hard."
UConference Challenge Series: Pits Gateway teams against Ohio Valley Conference teams eight times this season.
UDellarose, Justin: Only returning starter from the Penguins' front seven on defense. The linebacker made 67 tackles last season.
UElson, David: Gateway's only new head coach. He takes over for Jack Harbaugh at Western Kentucky.
UFive hundred: Winning percentage above which the Penguins finished for the seventh straight season in 2002.
UGiddy: Gateway officials on a television contract that will show a minimum of seven games this season on Fox Sports Net affiliates.
UHeacock, Jon: Begins his third season as the Penguins' coach. He owns a 15-7 record.
UInjuries: Because many Div. I-AA teams lack depth, coaches are basing their success on an injury-free season.
UJust one: Number of players Youngstown State had named to the 2003 Gateway Preseason Team. Senior lineman Josh Davis earned that distinction. Defensive back Sherod Holmes and Dellarose were Honorable Mention.
UKent State: Week 3 road opponent. In their last meeting, in 2000 at Kent, the Penguins won 26-20.
ULeathernecks: of Western Illinois, the defending Gateway champions and the preseason poll's favorite to repeat.
UMays, P.J.: All-American running back whom the Penguins must replace. Josiah Doby and Mike Burns will carry much of the load.
UNot since 2000: Last time Youngstown State qualified for the playoffs.
UOlsavsky, Jerry: Chaney High graduate and former Steeler who enters his first season on the Penguins' coaching staff. He will coach linebackers.
UParks, Trevor: Sports information director who was part of Thursday's caravan to St. Louis. A Nebraska native, he is in his fourth year with the Penguins.
UQuarterback: Five players were shuffled there in 2002, with Aaron Marshall starting the last seven games. Marshall returns to battle Luis Gonzalez and Matt Rycraft. The presence of Tom Zetts, a freshman from Boardman, should add intrigue to the position.
URoberts, Nick: Senior center who could miss up to six weeks with an ailing back.
UStambaugh Stadium: Home of the Penguins, who are 106-33-1 on their field since 1982.
UTwelve: Number of regular-season games the Penguins will play this season, for the first time in the program's 63-year history.
UUpthegrove, Jay: Boardman native and sophomore cornerback for Southern Illinois.
UViverito, Patty: Gateway commissioner.
UWestern Kentucky: Defending Div. I-AA national champions.
UXbox: One of several video game devices that allow its users to enjoy graphics of college football software, including coach's faces and home stadiums.
UYoungstown State: Picked third in the preseason poll for the fourth time since it entered the conference in 1997. It's made the playoffs in each of those three seasons.
UZero: Number of Gateway Conference championships the Penguins have won. Will the drought end this season? We're about to find out.
XBrian Richesson is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write to him at richesson@vindy.com.