N N IAL CEL O - Youngstown State University

Sports News
Penguins vs. Buckeyes
Penguins Take On Buckeyes for Next Two Season Openers
Two years ago, it was a visit to Heinz Field to clash with
the Pitt Panthers. Last year, it was a trip to Beaver Stadium in
State College, Pa., for a game with Joe Paterno’s Penn State
Nittany Lions.
And, to top it off, YSU’s football squad this year visits
“The Horseshoe” at Ohio State University – the center of college
football in Ohio.
“The opportunity to play a tradition-rich program like
Ohio State in consecutive
years benefits the
entire Valley,” said
Executive Director of
Intercollegiate Athletics
Ron Strollo.
The Penguins open
this season on Sept. 1, at
Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Kickoff is slated for
noon and will be aired
on the Big Ten Network.
The two teams open
against each other again
in 2008. That game is set
for Aug. 30.
The two teams are
coming off successful
yet bittersweet seasons.
The Penguins posted an
11-3 record and won the
Gateway Conference
championship, but fell
one game short of reaching
the NCAA Division
Football Championship
Subdivision championship
game. The Buckeyes posted an undefeated season and
won the Big Ten championship before losing to Florida in the
national championship contest.
The match-up pits Jim Tressel, former YSU head coach
Penguin Football 2007
Sat., Sept. 1 Ohio State, Noon
Sat., Sept. 8 South Dakota State,* 6 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 15 Stony Brook,* 4 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 22 Lock Haven,* 4 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 29 Missouri State,* 6 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 6 Southern Illinois, 3 p.m.
and current Buckeye coach, against his old team. During
15 years at the helm of the Penguins program from 1986 to
2000, Tressel amassed a record of 135-57, including four
national titles.
Since YSU moved to the Division FCS ranks in 1981, this
will be the 41st time that the Penguins have played a
Division Football Bowl Subdivision foe. YSU’s record in
those games is 19-20-1.
Photo of Ohio Stadium, “The Horseshoe,” where the Penguins
will take on the Buckeyes at the season opener on Sept. 1. Next
year, the teams will open against each other again on Aug. 30.
The match-up pits Jim Tressel, former YSU head coach and
current Buckeye coach, against his old team. For more
information, call 330-941-1YSU.
Sat., Oct. 13 Southern Utah,* 4:30 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 20 Illinois State, * 4 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 27 Northern Iowa, 5:05 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 3 Indiana State, Noon
Sat., Nov. 10 Western Illinois, * 1 p.m.
*Stambaugh Stadium
25 Years at the Ice Castle
September is the month that the YSU Athletic Department
begins the official celebration of the 25th Anniversary
of Arnold D. Stambaugh Stadium.
Originally dedicated in September 1982, the upcoming
2007 season marks the 25th anniversary, but the 26th year of
play at the Ice Castle.
Youngstown State’s all-time record
at Stambaugh Stadium is 125-41-1. The
25-year attendance total is 2,149,390,
which covers 167 regular-season and
playoff games.
“We are very proud to
center our 2007 football
marketing efforts
around the 25th
anniversary of our
great stadium,” said
Ron Strollo, executive director of athletics,
adding that as a former player, he knows that
the home field really provides an advantage.
“And the tremendous atmosphere that
Penguin tailgaters and fans bring to this
campus every Saturday in the fall
doesn’t hurt.”
YSU has partnered with Medical
Mutual of Ohio, a long-time sponsor
Smart. Leader. Competitive. Gritty.
Tom Zetts is all of them. But, above all else, he’s a winner.
of YSU Athletics, on many activities throughout the coming
fall home campaign.
The 25th-year activities began in March when the Athletic
Department asked fans to vote for the 25 greatest YSU
players in Stambaugh Stadium history and for the five greatest
games ever played there.
The voting lasted all summer and the
results will be released prior to the season
opener.
YSU will also bring back members from
the 1982 football team, the first to ever play
at Stambaugh, along with players from the
four NCAA National Championship squads.
Then, the university will invite the 25
greatest fan-voted players to a home game this
fall, and the group will be honored at halftime.
Also, a special commemorative poster will be distributed to
fans at that game.
In addition, YSU will offer a Stambaugh Stadium replica
figurine, which will be given away when the Penguins play
host to Southern Utah on Oct. 13.
The Penguins are coming off an 11-3 season in which
they captured the Gateway Conference Championship and
advanced to the national semifinals. Last year at Stambaugh
Stadium, Youngstown State was an impressive 7-1 after posting
a 6-0 mark in 2005.
Tom Zetts: From 10 to 1, a winner all around
A product of Boardman High School, Zetts is a fifth-year senior at YSU and, for the fourth consecutive
season, the quarterback of the Penguins football squad. Number 24 is one of the key returning
players to a team that is seeking its third straight Gateway Conference championship. All that, and
he’s a top student as well.
As he heads into his final season, here are Zetts’ “Tom” 10 Memorable Accomplishments:
10. Two-time member of the Football Championship Subdivision Academic All-Star Team
9. Two-time Academic All-Gateway Conference selection
8. Ranks first in YSU history in passing percentage (58.9 percent)
7. Has thrown for more than 200 yards in a game on 11 occasions
6. Ranks second in school history with 44 touchdown passes
5. Tied the school record with four touchdown passes at Liberty (2005)
4. Threw for a career-high 314 yards in playoff win over James Madison
3. Ran for a career-best 334 yards and four touchdowns in 2006
2. Ranks third in school history with 481 completions and 817 attempts
1. Guided the Penguins to 19 wins the past two seasons, including 11 in 2006
Sports News
42 Youngstown State University Summer 2007 43
Tom Zetts