YSU has to win today in dome

A loss to Northern Iowa would eliminate YSU from the playoff picture.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Youngstown State is the defending Gateway Football Conference champion, but the Penguins’ chances at repeating took a big setback last week when they lost 27-22 to Illinois State.

Today, the Penguins (5-3, 1-2 Gateway) take on undefeated and No. 1-ranked Northern Iowa (7-0, 3-0) at 4:05 p.m. at the UNIDome.

The game, which is a sellout — more than 17,000 are expected to fill the dome — will be televised by WFMJ (21).

YSU still can make the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, but must win its remaining three games. Last year the Penguins ended a five-year postseason drought by earning the Gateway’s automatic berth and reached the semifinals before losing to eventual national champion Appalachian State.

Northern Iowa and the UNIDome have not been kind to the Penguins. YSU is just 6-15 all-time against the Panthers and is 3-7 in the UNIDome. The Panthers are a league-best 56-12 all-time in home Gateway games.

Northern Iowa is one of just five unbeaten teams remaining in the FCS this season.

The Penguins have two conference games remaining — at Indiana State next week and the season finale against Western Illinois Nov. 10 at Stambaugh Stadium. The Panthers finish their Gateway season at Missouri State and home against Indiana State, then close out the regular season against winless Southern Utah at the UNIDome.

Southern Illinois (7-1, 3-1), whose only loss was to Northern Iowa, is idle this week.

Western Illinois (5-3, 2-1) still with an outside chance to share in the league crown, will travel to Illinois State (4-4, 2-2) at 2:30 p.m. in Normal, Ill.

The Leathernecks and Redbirds will be meeting for the 89th time in one of the oldest series in the Gateway, with Western holding the overall series edge 47-38-3. Illinois State snapped a five-game losing streak against the Leathernecks last year, 27-14.

Missouri State (4-4, 1-3) will play host to Indiana State (0-8, 0-3) in the other conference matchup at 2:30 p.m. in Springfield, Mo. The Sycamores had their only victory of 2006 against the Bears, 28-22, but Missouri State holds a 13-8 edge in the series and had won three straight prior to last year.

mollica@vindy.com