YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Youngstown State University football has a postseason berth.
YSU has made the FCS playoffs after a record of 7-4, third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
The Penguins will play Duquesne in the first round, on Nov. 25 at 5 p.m at Stambaugh Stadium. YSU is 5-0 vs. Duquesne all time.
The team missed out on the playoffs last season and last made it in 2016.
Twenty-four teams total make the FCS postseason. The top eight teams get a seed and first-round byes.
“I had to hold back, I think I felt tears come, I mean, I’ve never experienced it,” said YSU head coach Doug Phillips. “Man, I never had that type of emotion because you don’t know and then when you hear it, that emotion really came to the top. Then it’s just celebrating.”
“Everybody is just happy, a breath of a new air, words can’t explain, just happy and just excited,” said YSU junior lineman Chris Fitzgerald. “All we asked for was a chance as long as we get it, that’s all we ask. When we got in we’re going somewhere, we’re going to make a run.”
Coach Phillips said he is ecstatic his players get the chance to experience the postseason.
“Tons of phone calls from all the people that support this program and the excitement that this generates,” said Phillips. “This is what we worked for a year ago today, this has always been the goal to get this program back into the playoffs. Just proud of our kids and the effort and it’s not been perfect.”
