YSU NEWS

A YSU Recap (1/18/08)-YSU has been a member since the League's existence in 2005. In 2005, they won the Regular Season title but lost in the Championship Game to Mount Union 7-5. In 2006, the Penguins didn't do as good during the Regular Season but played in the Fajita Bowl-losing to Lawrence 5-4. In 2007, they won the last three games to win the Sigma Conference and played in the Fajita Bowl- a tie with Kean 5-5. In three years YSU had the best "Pick Record (All Games)" in two of the three years (2005 and 2007) and was 2nd in 2006. In Bowl Games YSU's record is only 0-2-1.

YSU’s place in changing Football History
Historically, YSU is significant for longtime coach Dwight "Dike" Beede, who after noticing on-field confusion due to officials using whistles to signal a penalty, invented the penalty flag during a game in 1941. The flag is now standard at all football contests.

Team History
YSU has been particularly successful in, and is most recognized for, football. One of the leading programs in NCAA Division I-AA, YSU has won four national championships, second only to Georgia Southern. The Penguins claimed the title in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1997, and won runner-up titles in 1992 and 1999. They were coached through this era by Jim Tressel, who left the university following the 2000 season to coach at Ohio State. His successor, current coach Jon Heacock, has not won a national championship, but has delivered consistent seasons and took them to a national semifinal appearance in 2006 (losing to eventual national champion Appalachian State). In all, YSU has made 11 playoff appearances since I-AA was initiated in 1980. YSU plays its home games at Stambaugh Stadium, nicknamed "The Ice Castle", which has a capacity of over 21,000, one of the largest in I-AA.