The Youngstown State football team will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of its 1991 FCS National Championship on Oct. 15 when the Penguins play host to UNI. Kickoff for the contest against the Panthers at Stambaugh Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
A group of nearly 50 former players is expected to take part in the weekend. YSU President and former head coach Jim Tressel will participate in all ceremonies as well. The members of the team who will be in attendance for the game will be honored at halftime.
Most will take part in the Football Alumni Tailgate Blast in the M-70 Tailgate Lot prior to the contest. The annual event is expecting one of its biggest turnouts ever thanks in part to the return of the 1991 team members and their families.
The 1991 Penguins are the first team in school history to win a National Championship and set the standard of excellence for the 1990's. Following the 25-17 win over Marshall in the 1991 title, YSU went on to claim three more titles and play in six title games in a nine-year span, including four straight at one point.
YSU stood at 4-3 entering the month of November, but a hard-fought 19-17 win at Georgia Southern sparked a magical run. The Penguins closed out the year with regular-season wins over James Madison, Slippery Rock and Towson State. In the playoffs, YSU rallied for a 17-16 win over Villanova, held on to win at Nevada (30-28), beat Samford 10-0 in the semifinals before returning to Statesboro, Ga., to beat Marshall in the title tilt.
Tickets for the game are available at the Stambaugh Stadium Athletic Ticket Office or by calling the YSU Athletic Ticket Office at (330) 941-1978.
