A cold reality for players, fans

By Charles Grove | January 8, 2017 at 12:02a.m.

frisco, texas

It felt like a day to be a Penguin, but in the end the Dukes took the title.

Youngstown State’s bid for a fifth national championship in football came up empty as the Penguins fell to James Madison 28-14 before 14,423 fans at Toyota Stadium in the northern suburbs of Dallas.

The 23-degree temperature at kickoff would’ve been cozy for a penguin, but these Penguins ended up defeating themselves in many ways.

A blocked punt, a botched snap on a field goal, a wacky interception and a snap that sailed over the quarterback’s head were just some of the mistakes YSU made in its matchup with the Dukes, and it ended with JMU students and fans storming the field to celebrate a championship.

The 15 full sections of James Madison fans drowned out the two full sections of YSU fans with others mixed in within four sections along JMU’s sideline. The stadium was near shaking when JMU came up with a big play, but almost quiet when the same would happen to YSU.

Many of the fans who sat in the YSU sections didn’t stick around long enough to see the celebrations after YSU trailed 28-7 entering the fourth quarter and a 21-point deficit felt more like 50.

YSU’s workhorse this playoff season, Jody Webb, was limited to just 41 yards on 17 carries after rushing for more than 100 yards in each of the team’s four playoff games. It was the highlight to a frustrating afternoon for the Penguins on offense.

The loss was a disappointing end to a season that saw YSU rattle off six-straight wins to reach the FCS championship game. The Penguins found their footing after having played four quarterbacks and battling through suspensions to four key players.

The JMU win was sweet revenge for November 2006 when the Penguins defeated the purple and gold 35-31 at Stambaugh Stadium, bouncing the Dukes from the playoffs while YSU went on to a semifinal appearance before falling to Appalachian State.

The title is JMU’s second since 2004, while the Penguins are still looking for their fifth championship since winning their fourth in 1997.