AT A GLANCE | YSU opponents

SLIPPERY ROCK
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.Where: Stambaugh StadiumCoach: Dr. George Mihalik (17th season, 111-61-4)2003 record: 4-7 (2-4 in PSAC West, fourth place)Starters returning: 15 (7 on offense, 4 on defense, 4 on special teams)Last meeting: 2003 won by YSU 45-12 in YoungstownSeries record: YSU leads 8-0Season outlook: The Rock will be young and inexperienced this season with 60 of their 86 players never having played in a college game. Junior running back Josh Kniess (5-9, 180) returns, while redshirt freshman A. J. Ruperto (6-2, 190) has the inside track at quarterback. The defense is led by All-PSAC nose guard Brian Godfrey (6-3, 300, Sr.)
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
When: Sept. 11, 5 p.m.Where: Stambaugh StadiumCoach: Don Strock (third season, 7-16)2003 record: 2-10Starters returning: 23 (11 on offense, 10 on defense, 2 on special teams)Last meeting: First meetingSeason outlook: In only it's third season of intercollegiate competition, the Golden Panthers begin their first year of transition in to Division I-A. All 11 starters return on offense including sophomore quarterback Josh Padrick (6-3, 190) who threw for a school record 2,493 yards. At running back Minnesota transfer Diamos Demerritt (6-0, 197, Jr.) returns after sitting out last year with a knee injury. On defense last year's player of the year Lance Preston (6-1, 232, Jr.) returns.
MCNEESE STATE
When: Sept. 18, 8 p.m.Where: Cowboy Stadium, Lake Charles, La.Coach: Tommy Tate (fifth season, 39-12)2003 record: 10-2 (5-0 Southland Conference, first place)Starters returning: 9 (five on offense, 4 on defense, 2 special teams)Last meeting: 2002 won by McNeese State 28-13 in YoungstownSeries record: Series is tied 2-2Season outlook: Last year the Cowboys reached the playoffs for the 11th time and won their third straight Southland Conference title. The offense will be led by two-year starter Scott Pendarvis (6-2, 215, Sr.) at quarterback, while four starters returns on the line in center Michael LaBorde (6-3, 311, Sr.), guard Jess Demarest (6-4, 294, Sr.) and both tackles in Cody LeBlanc (6-5, 313, Sr) and Dentrick Cretien (6-2, 289, Sr.). On defense Buck Buchanan canidate John Paul Jones (6-3, 312, Sr.). The conference's leading scorer for the past two years, placekicker John Marino is also back.
LIBERTY
When: Sept. 25, 6 p.m.Where: Stambaugh StadiumCoach: Ken Karcher (fourth season, 14-31)2003 record: 6-6 (3-1 Big South conference)Starters returning: 19 (9 on offense, 10 on defense)Last meeting: 2003 won by YSU 34-3 in Lynchburg, Va.Series record: YSU leads 3-2Season outlook: The Flames return Big South Conference Player of the Year in senior running back Dre Barnes (5-7, 200), who rushed for over 1,300 yards. The only thing missing from the offense is the quarterback as Gus Condon graduated and his backup J.R. Barley didn't return. Defensively the Flames have five all-conference players back led by senior linebacker Nick Vaughn (6-1, 220.)
WESTERN KENTUCKY
When: Oct. 2, 8 p.m.Where: L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, Ky.Coach: David Elson (second season)2003 Record: 9-4 (5-2 Gateway, tied for third)Starters returning: 10 (5 offense, 4 defense, 1 special teams)Last meeting: 2003 won by WKU 37-13 in YoungstownSeries record: WKU leads 9-4Season outlook: The Hilltoppers lost 25 seniors, but are led by All-American offensive lineman Buster Ashley (6-4, 300, Sr.) and All-American candidate at linebacker Charles Thompson (6-1, 240, Sr.). Sophomore quarterback Justin Haddix (6-1, 210) and junior running back Lerron Moore (5-10, 210) both return. Gateway first-team punter Brian Claybourn also returns.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
When: Oct. 9, 6 p.m.Where: Stambaugh StadiumCoach: Jerry Kill (fourth season, 15-20)2003 record: 10-2 (6-1 Gateway, tied for first)Starters returning: 19 (7 on offense, 10 on defense, 2 special teams)Last meeting: 2003 won by SIU 24-17 in Carbondale, Ill.Series record: YSU leads 9-5-1Season outlook: The Salukis lost their backfield tandem of Tom Koutsos and Muhammad Abdulqaadir to graduation, but brought in transfers Brandon Jacobs (6-4, 260, Sr., Auburn) and Terry Jackson (5-11, 195, Sr. Minnesota) to replace them. Two-year starter Joel Sambursky (6-0, 195, Jr.) returns at quarterback, while the defense returns 10 starters led by linebacker Royal Whitaker (6-0, 230, Jr.) and two-time All-American free safety Alexis Moreland (6-1, 205, Sr.) The Salukis were picked No. 1 in the Gateway and No. 2 in the national polls.
NORTHERN IOWA
When: Oct. 16, 4 p.m. (Homecoming)Where: Stambaugh StadiumCoach: Mark Farley (fourth season, 26-12)2003 record: 10-3 (6-1 Gateway, tied for first)Starters returning: 15 (9 on offense, 6 on defense)Last meeting: 2003 won by UNI 47-9 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.Series record: UNI leads 12-6Season outlook: The Panthers are led by three-year starting quarterback Tom Petrie (6-2, 226, Sr.) and running back Terrence Feeney (5-10, 223, Jr.). The Panthers have some holes to fill on defense at linebacker and in the secondary, but were still picked to finish No. 2 in the Gateway and in the top five teams in the national poll.
ILLINOIS STATE
When: Oct. 23, 3:30 p.m.Where: Hancock Stadium, Normal, Ill.Coach: Denver Johnson (fifth season, 21-24)2003 record: 6-6 (3-4 Gateway, fifth place)Starters returning: 18 (7 on offense, 8 on defense, 3 on special teams)Last meeting: 2003 won by Illinois State 35-25 in YoungstownSeries record: Series is tied 6-6Season outlook: A year ago the Redbirds had two four-quarter losses to Western Kentucky (27-24) and Western Illinois (24-20) to cost them a winning season and a chance at the playoffs. ISU returns two-time All-Gateway performer Boomer Grisby (6-1, 241, Sr.) at linebacker. He was the league's defensive player of the year in 2003. They return almost their entire starting offensive line, but must replace top rusher Sha-Ron Edwards and quarerback Mike Souza.
INDIANA STATE
When: Oct. 30, 4 p.m.Where: Stambaugh StadiumCoach: Tim McGuire (seventh season, 20-48)2003 record: 3-9 (0-7 Gateway, eighth place)Starters returning: 17 (8 on offense, 8 on defense, 1 on special teams)Last meeting: 2003 won by YSU 30-24 in overtime at Terre Haute, Ind.Series record: YSU leads 12-1Season outlook: The Sycamores brought in a host of Division I-A and junior college transfers this season including Michigan State transfer Griff Howard (6-2, 185, Fr.) at quarterback. Jake Shields (5-11, 185, Sr.) and Sidney Montfort (5-9, 175, Sr.) return at running back, while defensively linebacker Darryl Morton (6-1, 225, Sr.) returns off a season-leading tackling effort. The Sycamores, who were picked last again in the conference, have not had a winning season in the Gateway since 1996 and that was only their second since joining the league in 1986.
WESTERN ILLINOIS
When: Nov. 6, 2:05 p.m.Where: Hanson Field, Macomb, Ill.Coach: Don Patterson (sixth season, 41-18)2003 record: 9-4 (5-2 Gateway, tied for third)Starters returning: 14 (seven on offense, three on defense, 4 on special teams)Last meeting: won by WIU 54-20 in YoungstownSeries record: WIU leads 10-9Season outlook: The Leathernecks must replace two-time Gateway Player of the Year Russ Mincha, who was 20-6 in two season at starting quarterback. Duke transfer Adam Smith (6-5, 205, Sr.) will battle holdovers Steve LaFalce (6-1, 200, Soph.) and Matt O'Toole (6-3, 210, RFr.) for the starting spot. WIU returns top running back Travis Glasford (5-11, 190, Jr.) and three offensive line starters. The defense has a lot of holes to fill. Senior All-American placekicker Justin Langan and punter James Norris, who led the nation a year ago, both return.
SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STATE
When: Nov. 13, 2 p.m.Where: Plaster Sports Complex, Springfield, Mo.Coach: Randy Ball (sixth season, 24-31)2003 record: 4-7 (1-6 Gateway, seventh place)Starters returning: 14 (eight on offense, 4 on defense, 2 on special teams)Last meeting: 2003 won by YSU 34-7 in YoungstownSeries record: YSU leads 8-0Season outlook: The Bears return junior A.J. Porter (6-4, 225) at quarterback. Porter passed for over 800 yards in the team's final two games of the season, both losses. The teams top rusher from a year ago Cody Pratt (5-10, 215, Sr.) returns, but the Bears have a lot of holes to fill on defense with only four starters back. Kicker Jon Scifres, who led the team in scoring last year, also returns.
Pete Mollica