Friday, November 24, 2006
YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State returns to the postseason Saturday night for the first time since 2000 when the Penguins play host to James Madison University at Stambaugh Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 7:36 p.m. and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
The Penguins, seeded No. 4 in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Series, have three straight games and enter the postseason as the outright Gateway Conference champion.
The Penguins (9-2) had their first off week of the season last Saturday and historically the program has followed an off-week strong, posting an 18-3 record.
James Madison (9-2) has won eight of its last nine games, including a 38-3 win at Towson last Saturday. The Dukes posted a 7-1 mark in the Atlantic 10, winning the South Division title.
The Dukes did not qualify for the playoffs last year after winning the national championship in 2004.
YSU is playing in the program’s first playoff contest since November 2000. The Penguins lost 10-3 at Richmond, which is also a member of the Atlantic 10.