Fire up support for YSU’s title-game bound Penguins

Talent, teamwork and tenacity have propelled the Youngstown State University football team to its first national championship game in two decades.

As a result, we join YSU students, staff and the greater Mahoning Valley community in congratulating the Penguins for their nail-biting 40-38 victory over Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash., in the FCS semifinals on Saturday night and in their superlative never-say-die performance throughout the 2016 season.

The victory Saturday night sets the stage for the championship matchup against James Madison University of Virginia. It will take place Jan. 7 in the 20,500-seat Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, near Dallas.

But when it comes to tenacious play and an awesome ability to repel adversity, the Penguins are already champions in many of their fans’ eyes.

Throughout the season, the YSU football squad beat the odds some had stacked against it and surprised many with exemplary play.

In games against such Missouri Valley Conference powerhouses as Indiana State, Illinois State and Northern Iowa, the Penguins managed to rally from deficits to pull out final-quarter victories.

In its long playoff season, unseeded YSU upset third-seeded Jacksonville (Ala.) State. YSU then proved its resilience by outlasting Wofford College in double overtime at the Ice Castle on Dec. 10.

Then on Saturday night, they did what many thought to be unthinkable: defeat the No. 2 seed EWU Eagles whose players include some of the most honored in FCS history.

THE AMAZING CATCH

The Red and White did so through talent. Nowhere was that talent on more vibrant display than in the final few seconds of Saturday night’s game in Washington.

Kevin Rader’s one-handed touchdown catch from Hunter Wells in the end zone with one second remaining lifted the team to a comeback victory. That catch will long be remembered as one of the most shining moments in the annals of YSU football history.

Wells further completed 16 of 24 passes for 244 years and two touchdowns while running back Jody Webb ran for 101 yards in the Penguins’ thrilling upset.

We second the praises of YSU coach Bo Pelini , who is playing for a national title in only his second season with the Penguins: “I’m proud of this football team. They showed a lot of character.”

To that, we would add that his Texas-bound players exhibited an abundance of teamwork.

Even though several key players were benched for the game reportedly due to suspensions from drug testing, that did little to dampen team spirit or to weaken team play. The remaining players regrouped and proved their mettle as a collective cohesive unit.

Among other standouts in that unit throughout this championship season have been three Penguins who made the prestigious All-America team compiled by the Associated Press. Senior defensive end Derek Rivers and senior defensive back LeRoy Alexander were both second-teamers. Running back Webb made the third team.

ON TO TEXAS

That signature talent and teamwork must now move into overdrive over the next three weeks as YSU prepares to battle a most formidable foe.

James Madison, after all, amazed many by upsetting the North Dakota State Bisons in the other FCS semifinal game. The Bisons have had a lock on the FCS National Championship for the past five consecutive years.

But just as the Penguins were counted out prematurely by many at various stages this seasons, we prefer to view the championship game as another golden opportunity for the Penguins to meet and beat adversity.

To help them along, YSU students, staff, alumni and fans from throughout the Mahoning Valley should not be sheepish about strutting their Penguin pride.

Many possibilities exist to do so. They can purchase championship T-shirts available at the YSU Bookstore. They can explore options to attend the game. They can organize watch parties in public spaces or homes throughout the area.

Such support is well earned and well warranted. As YSU President Jim Tressel, who led four YSU teams to national titles in the 1990s, said, “Your hard work and perseverance all season long has led you to this point, and we wish all of you well as you seek our fifth national title. All of us in Penguin nation certainly are Y and Proud!”