COLLEGE FOOTBALL YSU solid against The Rock

The Penguins are 26-0 against Division II opponents since 1981.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The NCAA Division I-AA playoffs are a long way off, 12 weeks to be exact, but even now those playoffs are still on the mind of some of the Youngstown State football team, especially the seniors.
There hasn't been a senior class at Youngstown State since 1987 that hasn't experienced a post-season playoff game.
This year's YSU seniors have not had that pleasure and this is their final chance.
The first step toward making those playoffs begins tonight when the Penguins play host to Division II Slippery Rock University at 7:30 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.
A win over Slippery Rock tonight won't be any big help to the Penguins' playoff hopes, but a loss would certainly destroy their chances.
Never lost to The Rock
YSU has never lost to The Rock in nine previous meetings and since moving up to Division I-AA in 1981, the Penguins have never lost to a Division II opponent in 26 meetings.
YSU senior wide receiver Kyle Smith, one of the team's four captains, says that the playoffs have been on his mind.
"We've talked about it a lot with the seniors and with the entire team," Smith said. "We all know that this is the final year of Coach Heacock's contract and we want to do whatever possible to make sure he's around for a long time to come."
"This is not just a senior thing, this is something that the entire team is geared to accomplish," Smith added.
Ready to break out
Smith thinks the team is ready for a breakout season.
"I know the offense is ready because I can see it every day in practice and I can feel the defense is ready also, just by the way they've been working every day," he said.
Another senior captain, defense end Justin Scholes agreed.
"Getting to the playoffs is always our goal, but it's been difficult in the rugged Gateway Conference," Scholes said. "This is our senior year and our last chance to get there and it's is something that we are going to work very hard to accomplish."
Other Gateway openers
The Penguins are one of six Gateway Conferences teams to open the season tonight.
Defending league champion Southern Illinois will open tonight at Southeast Missouri State at 7 p.m., while the Gateway's other I-AA playoff representative, Western Kentucky, will be at home tonight against West Virginia Tech at 7:30 p.m.
Northern Iowa is at home against Drake in an 8:05 p.m. kickoff at the UNI-Dome, while Indiana State is at home to Eastern Illinois at 8 p.m. Western Illinois opens its season at Toledo in a 7 p.m. contest.
The other two conference teams begin play on Saturday with Missouri State, formerly Southwest Missouri State, opening at Division I-A power Arkansas at 7 p.m., while Illinois State travels to I-A Iowa State for a 7 p.m. contest.