Dressed in suits and ties, Youngstown State University's football team carried their gear out to waiting buses for the three-and-a-half hour trip to State College.
Saturday they'll kick off the 2010 season facing Penn State University and legendary coach Joe Paterno, something the Penguins' first-year head coach thinks will help the program down the road.
"I think it definitely helps in recruiting, especially when you go out and play well," said YSU Coach Eric Wolford.
Supporters said playing on the same field as Penn State -- or Pitt and Ohio State -- as YSU has in recent years, puts the entire community in the spotlight.
"It reflects real talent personified," said YSU Trustee Harry Meshel, also a 1949 alumnus.
But besides the psychological impact, there is an economic one as well.
According to YSU budget documents, home game ticket sales, guarantees from big-name schools and revenue sharing through the NCAA, account for more than half of all athletic department revenues the last two fiscal years, as well as projected figures for 2011.
Tomorrow's game alone will provide close to $450,000; money that helps pay for scholarships and other athletic programs on campus that can't generate that much money on their own.
But for now, the focus is on the game.
"Obviously it's national exposure for us here at Youngstown and our Valley, and we embrace it," said Wolford.
