2013 Football Schedule Released (well most of it)

[ysuindy]

YSU has released the 2013 home football schedule as well as the league road games.

It seems the only game not yet released in the September 14 game at Michigan State.  Don't know if there is potentially an issue with the game or if Sparty just isn't ready to release it yet (for what they should be paying YSU, I am sure YSU will release the info whenever and however Sparty says to).

YSU once again skips Missouri State in the league.  It makes sense to make the "off teams" for two years at a time to keep the home and road splits the same.  I am guessing it is possible that 2014 could see YSU either host or play at a league team for the second year in a row.

August 29 vs. Dayton
Sept. 7 vs. Morehead State
Sept. 21 vs. Duquesne
Sept 28 at Southern Illinois
October 5 at Indiana State
Oct. 12 vs. Illinois State
Oct. 19 vs. Western Illinois
Nov 2 at South Dakota
Nov 9 at Northern Iowa
Nov. 16 vs. North Dakota State
Nov. 23 vs. South Dakota State


http://www.ysusports.com/sports/fball/2012-13/releases/2013-home-game-schedule


The Youngstown State football team will play seven home regular-season games next season, including three against FCS playoff teams the Athletic Department announced on Monday. It is just the second seven-game home regular-season slate in school history.

The only other time YSU played seven regular-season home games was in 2003. Highlighting the conference portion of the slate are 2012 playoff participants North Dakota State, Illinois State and South Dakota State.

The September non-conference slate features two old acquaintances and a new, but geographically close foe.

YSU plays Dayton in the home opener on August 29 for the first time since 1977. In a twist, the Penguins have never defeated the Flyers losing all nine previous meetings, including three in Youngstown. The Flyers are coming off a 6-5 campaign in 2012 and are members of the Pioneer Football League.

The contest against the Flyers will be on a Thursday night marking the Penguins' first weekday night home tilt since 2006. It also marks the first time in seven seasons that the Guins do not open at a BCS foe.

The second game on the home slate is Sept. 7 against Morehead State, also a member of the Pioneer Football League. This marks the 15th all-time meeting between the Eagles and YSU. The Penguins hold a slight 8-6 edge in the all-time series with a 38-14 win coming in the last meeting in 1987. Both teams were members of the Ohio Valley Conference and one point in their histories.

The first-ever meeting with Duquesne is set for Sept. 21. The Dukes, from nearby Pittsburgh, are members of the Northeast Conference. Duquesne posted a 5-6 record in 2012. However, five of the six losses were by a combined total of 25 points.

The league portion of the home schedule begins against Illinois State on Oct. 12. The Penguins dropped a 35-28 contest to the Redbirds in 2012, a contest YSU led 28-7 in the second quarter. In the FCS playoffs, Illinois State won at Appalachian State, 38-37 in overtime before falling in the quarterfinals to Eastern Washington.

Western Illinois makes a visit to the Ice Castle on Oct. 19. The Penguins have beaten the Leathernecks the past two seasons and have won eight of the past nine meetings with WIU.

The final two games of the season could hold have playoff implications for all teams involved. YSU takes on North Dakota State on Nov. 16. The Penguins had to play two consecutive games against the Bison in Fargo, but will get the Bison at home in 2013. NDSU, the defending 2011 FCS Champion, has advanced to the semifinals this year.

The final contest of the regular season is against South Dakota State on Nov. 23. The Jackrabbits went 9-4 in 2012 advancing the the second round of the FCS playoffs.

YSU's conference road games are against Southern Illinois (Sept. 28), Indiana State (Oct. 5), South Dakota (Nov. 2) and UNI (Nov. 9).

YSU went 7-4 in 2012, including a 4-4 mark in the MVFC. The Penguins' victory total has increased each of the past three seasons under Head Coach Eric Wolford.

The FCS playoffs, which for the first time in history will feature 24 teams in 2013, begin on Nov. 30.

2013 Home Football Schedule

August 29 vs. Dayton
Sept. 7 vs. Morehead State
Sept. 21 vs. Duquesne
Oct. 12 vs. Illinois State
Oct. 19 vs. Western Illinois
Nov. 16 vs. North Dakota State
Nov. 23 vs. South Dakota State

[ItalianPenguin]

You are right Indy--the contract w/Mich St dictates that they make the announcement when they release their schedule.

[guinpen]

Well we should start out at least 3-1. Last three games will be tough.

[Lets_Talk]

South Dakota has just released their 2013 schedule. And, it appears they have created a schedule which is a bit too competitive, at least based off their performance in 2012. Interesting to see the different approaches schools from the same conferences use with scheduling.

NOTE: Not a knock on the YSU schedule. With as competitive as MVFC is now, makes total sense to play a "money game", and then 3 schools from lower tier FCS Conferences at home. Allows for 7 home games(which the people who rent the loges like, and they give the "big $$$$"), and also helps get YSU to the 7 wins needed to be eligible for FCS playoffs. And, the 2013 schedule includes teams that people in Ytown area are familiar with. Dayton and Duquesne are nice games to play every season, if the schools can all agree on dates and money terms. All in all a rather nice schedule, and in 2013, it is likely 7-4 will be good enough to get YSO to the playoffs with this schedule and a 24 team playoff field.

South Dakota schedule (School is still looking for game for Sept 14 or Sept 21):
Aug. 31, UC Davis
Sept. 7, at Kansas
Sept. 28, at Western Illinois*
Oct. 5, Missouri State*
Oct. 12, Indiana State*
Oct. 19, at Northern Iowa*
Oct. 26, at Illinois State*
Nov. 2, Youngstown State*
Nov. 9, Montana
Nov. 16, South Dakota State*
Nov. 23, at North Dakota State*
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/news/news.aspx?id=4549187

[IAA Fan]

That would be an excellent schedule for us. Kansas is nothing. Montana is in a bad way right now, and UC-Davis is a great team, but we could certainly win

[ysuguins4]

If Wolford is as good a coach as he thinks he is, then this schedule sets up perfectly for him to have his team playing their best ball for the last three games when they face their best in-conference competition.  We need to go 8-4 in order to make the playoffs.

[guinpen]

And we have all 3 play-off teams at home. No excuse for Wolf next year on not making the dance

[YsuPride]

Just because we play the 3 playoff teams from the MVFC at home does not mean they are the three best teams in the conf. next year.  NDSU will be loaded again but watch out for SIU and UNI who will be very tough next year and we play them on the road.  Ill. St loses a lot so they will be back to reality next year. 
Each year is different and transfers and recruiting play a big part in the teams success.  Unless Wolford can pull a miracle we are looking at 6-5 or 7-4 again.  Remember we lose Cook and the offensive line along with a hose of defenders.  Don't forget our special teams are terrrible.

[IAA Fan]

I would not expect a huge number of recruits this time around. We clearly have a great number of people that we owe scholarships to. Any pick-ups are going to be to fill very specific needs. Losses in the O-line will be our downfall next season.

If Montgomery does not leave us, we will be alright in the running game ...as we are based on speed. However, we need to those linemen.