YSU opens football camp Thursday

YOUNGSTOWN — Football season has finally arrived and with it brings the first day of Youngstown State’s preseason camp.

The Penguins’ first practice is today from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium and practices will continue this weekend on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

YSU and second-year head coach Bo Pelini are looking to bounce back from last season’s 5-6 campaign. The Penguins opened up last season 3-1 before losing five of their last seven games, missing out on the FCS playoffs for the ninth straight year.

Pelini said his team was missing small pieces when the Penguins were able to win close games. YSU lost three games by a total of eight points a season ago. Two of those games were 27-24 defeats at home to North Dakota State and at Indiana State to close out the year.

“I think the mental toughness, the attention to detail and the little things that add up that allow you to survive and win those games were lacking,” Pelini said during an interview from the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s media day.

Visit Vindy.com and read Thursday's Vindicator sports section for complete details.