Buckeyes want to put YSU on their schedule

The matchup would pit the Penguins against their former coach, Jim Tressel.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Late next week Ohio State will release its football schedules for the next three years -- and for the first time a Division I-AA opponent likely will be coming to Ohio Stadium.
Athletic director Gene Smith said Saturday that with the NCAA's approval of a 12-game schedule beginning in the 2006 season, the Buckeyes decided to talk to I-AA Youngstown State about filling gaps.
"We want to play Ohio schools in our nonconference schedule," Smith said before Ohio State's season opener against Miami [Ohio]. "The inventory is such that some schools will periodically play I-AA schools, and for us it makes total sense to play Youngstown State."
Ohio State has not played a team from a lower division since beating Case Western 76-0 in 1934.
The main difference between Division I-A and I-AA schools is that I-AA football programs do not need to meet minimum attendance requirements. Most I-AA programs also have fewer scholarship players than their I-A counterparts.
Openings exist on the Buckeyes schedule for the sixth game in 2006, and the first, second and fourth games in 2008.
Youngstown State had approached Ohio State about playing the Buckeyes in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Jim Tressel was the Penguins coach. Tressel now coaches Ohio State.
Worth the money?
Tickets to Ohio State home games cost $58. Smith was asked if fans might be upset by paying that much to see a I-AA opponent.
"I'm not concerned with that at all," Smith said. "It's good football. Those [Youngstown State] kids play good, hard-nosed football. They've been a national championship program at that level. I've seen I-AA teams take I-A teams to the wire. It's a great opportunity for those kids."
Miami (Ohio) received $375,000 to play at Ohio Stadium on Saturday. Smith said scheduling Ohio colleges keeps that money in the state.
"I'm doing the right thing," Smith said. "It helps Youngstown State financially, just like it helps Miami or Bowling Green or whatever. I'd rather help them than help someone from way down South."