YSU/OSU Live | Final thoughts

YSU at OSU

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Midway through the postgame interviews, a group of “reporters” (please note the quotation marks) gathered near the media center window to watch the final seconds of the Michigan-Appalachian State game on the Ohio State scoreboard. When Appalachian State blocked Michigan’s game-winning field goal attempt, the place erupted.

The morale? People can criticize opening with a Division I-AA opponent, but as Appalachian State proved today, they’re not always easy wins.

Ohio State seemed more interested in getting a lot of players game experience than in blowing out the Penguins, which is a good strategy. Besides, there was no way Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was going to run up the score on his old team.

YSU, meanwhile, looked much better against the Buckeyes than it did against Pitt and Penn State, which seems to indicate they’ll be league and playoff contenders again this year.

I overheard an Ohio State defensive lineman talking to the team’s communications director, who asked him how he played. “OK, considering I was double-teamed all game,” the player said. “Youngstown State’s offensive line is good.” The Penguins’ defensive line was good, too, repeatedly stuffing Buckeye running backs, especially in the red zone.

YSU’s skill position players weren’t good enough to do much damage against Ohio State, but the Penguins felt good about themselves and their performance. They should.

It’s just one game, but it looks like it’s going to be another good season in Youngstown.