YSU FOOTBALL Penguins face big challenge from motivated McNeese St.

The Cowboys are coming off their worst home loss to a I-AA opponent in history.
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Youngstown State is coming off a disappointing home loss. The Penguins will get no sympathy from their next opponent.
While the Penguins (1-1) try to rebound from a 22-16 overtime setback to Florida International, McNeese State (1-1) is reeling from the worst home loss to a I-AA opponent in school history.
The Cowboys' 51-17 loss to Southeastern Louisiana dropped them 11 spots in The Sports Network poll, to No. 17, and was their second straight home rout.
McNeese State lost 35-3 to Northern Arizona in the first round of the I-AA playoffs to end last season.
"We better go get ready for this team really fast, because they're [ready]," said YSU coach Jon Heacock.
The Penguins led Florida International 13-0 at halftime before losing in overtime.
"You just keep looking for some glaring, critical, major letdown and I don't know that we had it," said Heacock. "We made some good plays in, they made a few more and that's where it ended up."
Heacock said it's important to move on.
"Every minute you waste worrying about the last [one] is a minute you're going to get your brains beat in, in the next one."
Anxious
McNeese State coach Tommy Tate is also anxious to get back on the field.
"Anytime you lose a football game, you want a chance to redeem yourself, you want a chance to get out there and play as soon as possible," Tate said. "Everyone's gonna fall sometimes, and there's no disgrace in falling."
McNeese State proved very vulnerable to SE Louisiana's passing game, which accounted for 439 yards and five touchdowns. The Cowboys are allowing an average of 357.5 yards per game through the air.
"That's behind us," McNeese safety Cedric Lars said. "What happened on the field Saturday, stays on the field. It's a whole new week, whole other day."
The Cowboys have also allowed an average of 147.5 yards per game rushing this season. YSU, by contrast, has rushed for an average of 164 yards in its two games, including 173 last Saturday.
Center Ryan Jewell is pleased with the strides the team has made in the first two games. "I think we're improving just like we should. We're right on schedule," he said.
Quarterback Tom Zetts has completed almost 65 percent of his passes for 375 yards and he hasn't thrown an interception. He has been sacked four times, though, and will face a defense led by All-American tackle John Paul Jones.
Heacock said McNeese's defensive line is stronger than Florida International's.
Leaders
The Cowboys are led offensively by quarterback Scott Pendarvis, a three-year starter and two-time All-Southland Conference second team selection.
Pendarvis began the season with 33 touchdown passes and just 13 interceptions for his career, but has three TD throws and has been picked off four times in the first two games.
The top receiver is Henry Smith (9-173-1 TD), but Drew Blanchard (5-106-1) has also proven to have big-play capability.
Kris Bush leads the rushing attack with 161 yards and two scores; he's averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
The Cowboys also traditionally are strong in special teams. Steve Whitehead and Carlese Franklin are both averaging more than 25 yards on kickoff returns, and Franklin is averaging 15 yards per punt return.
"McNeese has a good returner," said YSU punter Joe Bishop. "We've got to keep the ball away from him, take him out of the game."
Also, preseason All-America kicker John Marino is expected back Saturday after missing last week's game with an injury. In his absence, Travis Pickering kicked a 35-yard field goal and made two PATs.