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Written by LetsGoGuins.com Staff | 08 July 2010

With new Head Coach Eric Wolford at helm of the Youngstown State football program, excitement is brewing for the 2010 season as fans are excited to see how quickly the new coaching staff can turnaround the program. After a disappointing 6-5 season last year, the Penguins will look to improve their record right away and compete for a playoff birth with a talented group of younger players. Below is a brief preseason preview of the 2010 Youngstown State Penguins:

Offense: Last season the YSU offense was without a doubt the biggest disappointment of the year. The Penguins averaged just 21 points per game with a senior quarterback, a trio of senior running backs, and a potential NFL wide receiver in Donald Jones. 

This season the quarterback and running back positions are wide open. Purdue transfer Najee Tyler will compete against redshirt freshman Kurt Hess, junior Marc Kanetsky, and incoming freshmen Patrick Angle for the starting quarterback job. Tyler should have the nod heading into Happy Valley in week one, but it will be interesting to see who will get the #2 spot on the depth chart.

At running back, the Penguins added three running backs to the roster in Rivals four-star Adaris Bellamy, Ursuline star Allen Jones, and Lakota West's Jordan Thompson. Those three will compete against sophomore Jamaine Cook and redshirt freshman power back Torrian Pace. Pace and Bellamy appear to be the early favorites for playing time, but that could change come August drills where the starting position will be won.

The wide receiver position should remain solid for the Penguins with senior Dominique Barnes leading the group that also includes: Miami (OH) transfer Julian Harrell, sophomore Jelani Berassa, and juniors Dionte Snow and Josh Lee. The Banna brothers will own most of the playing time at the fullback position if Ohio State fullback Jermil Martin decides not to become a Penguin. Watch for true freshman Zach Larson and Eric Franklin from Cardinal Mooney to get early playing time on the offensive line, which was lackluster last season. Since Wolford has been an offensive line coach in the past, this aspect of the offense should improve.

This year's offense as a whole will be younger than what we have seen in recent years, but the talent level, as well at the depth at each position, appears to be deeper than what we saw under the previous coaching staff. There will be growing pains on this side of the ball this year, but that is to be expected with a youthful group of players. Look for the Penguins to be a run first offense, utilizing the newfound depth at tailback. The coaching staff will put the quarterback, whoever that may be, in the best possible situation to succeed. We do not expect them to do anything extraordinary or beyond their abilities. (Click the read more button below to read the rest of the preview)

Defense: One of the bright spots of last year's 6-5 season was the Penguin defense. The Penguins gave up just 22 points per game last season, but put the team in a situation to win most games, which is all you can ask from your defense. In the two home losses to Missouri State and South Dakota State, the defense gave the Penguins a chance to win, allowing just 17 points in each game.

The Penguins return a number of players on defense, the most significant of which are sophomore linebacker Taylor Hill, senior safety Andre Elliot, and senior cornerback Brandian Ross. The biggest loss on defense is defense end Mychal Savage. Watch for Na'eem Outler to have a big year at linebacker as the linebackers are expected to be blitzing quite a bit this year. Syracuse transfer Grant Mayes should open some eyes at corner as well.

It will be interesting to see what defensive schemes new defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz will use this upcoming season. He has said in the past that he wants his defense to have some freedom and that they will be putting some pressure on the quarterback. It will be important for the defense to shut down the running games of conference opponents, and to contain their passing games. In our losses last year, the defense would be successful at one of those two aspects, but would struggle in the other; i.e. Missouri State passing all over us in their 17-3 win at Stambaugh.

Special Teams: Within the incoming recruiting class is a handful of running backs and athletes that could give our opponents nightmares this year on kickoff and punt returns. Expect our special teams to give our offense great field position this season. There will be competition at the punter position at senior Erik Johnson of Boardman will battle redshirt freshman Nick Liste from Niles. Johnson has more experience, but Liste was among the best punters in Ohio his senior year at Niles. The kicker should remain senior Stephen Blose, who will also be in charge of kickoffs for his fourth straight year.

Season Prediction: In the past eight months Eric Wolford has assembled an exceptional coaching staff, a solid 2010 recruiting class, and implemented the changes most fans thought were needed in order to make Youngstown State a championship contender once again. Thus far, the Mahoning Valley has been very supportive of Coach Wolford and his staff and believe that in due time, he will return the Penguins back to the promised land.

With a favorable home schedule with the likes of Southern Illinois, North Dakota State, and Northern Iowa coming to Youngstown, the Penguins have a great opportunity to win at least 5 games at home this season. On the road, the Penguins will face Penn State in week one and some formidable conference challenges heading to South Dakota State, Missouri State, and Illinois State, three teams that are all expected to compete for a playoff birth this season. For the Penguins to have a realistic shot at the playoffs, they will need to win at least three of their five road games this season, which will be a difficult task for a team that will rely heavily on a young quarterback and a group of underclassmen at running back.

We predict the 2010 Penguins will finish 7-4 on the season and fourth place in the Missouri Valley Football Conference behind 1. South Dakota State, 2. Southern Illinois, and 3. Missouri State. With the expansion of the playoffs to 20 teams, there is an outside chance that a 7-4 YSU squad could sneak into the playoffs, but that is not likely. The Penguins will begin their pursuit of a national championship in 2011 when the Penguins should have all the building blocks in place to win the Missouri Valley Football Conference and to be a contender for the national title.

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