The members of the 2015 Youngstown State football team under first-year coach Bo Pelini will report to campus on Monday. The Penguins open fall camp on Tuesday and will hold 13 practices before school begins on August 19.
It's an exciting time for the Penguins who were ranked 10th in Athlon's College Football Preseason magazine and in the Sporting News' preview edition. The Guins were No. 22 in Lindy's College Football Preview. Last year, YSU posted a 7-5 overall mark and finished the ranked 22nd by The Sports Network.
The Penguins return 44 of 60 letter-winners from last year's squad. Of those 44, 26 return on offense and 18 are back on defense.
On this year's roster, YSU will have 12 seniors: Tre' Moore, Kenneth Durden, Andre Stubbs, Demond Hymes, Dubem Nwadiogbu, Trevor Strickland, Terrell Williams, Andrew Williams, Kintrell Disher, Eric Myers, Emmanuel Kromah and Steve Zaborsky.
On offense, YSU returns starters quarterback Hunter Wells, tailback Martin Ruiz, wide receiver Andrew Williams, offensive tackle Trevor Strickland, offensive tackle Justin Spencer, guard Brock Eisenhuth and guard Dylan Colucci.
On defense, the Penguins return defensive ends Derek Rivers and Terrell Williams, defensive tackle Kromah, linebackers Nwadiogbu and Jaylin Kelly, free safety Moore and cornerback Nate Dortch.
Rivers, Ruiz and Spencer were named preseason All-Missouri Valley Football Conference while Andrew Williams and Terrell Williams received honorable-mention preseason acknowledgment.
Rivers was a third-team preseason All-American by STATS and was named to the Defensive Player-of-the-Year watch list by the organization.
Pelini is just the seventh head coach in school history dating back to the first season in 1938. The 2015 campaign marks the 75th season of football in school history.
Practices are open, however, due to construction throughout Stambaugh Stadium there is no seating available. Also, field access is restricted to players, coaches, staff members, media and invited guests. If practice sessions are moved into the WATTS, the workouts are closed to the public.
Season tickets are on sale by calling (330) 941-1978 or visiting the YSU Athletic Ticket Office in Stambaugh Stadium. Penguin Club memberships are available by calling (330) 941-2351.
YSU opens the season on Sept. 5 at Pittsburgh. The home opener is Sept. 12 against Robert Morris.
