Youngstown State Makes Statement in Dominant Win Over Valpo
The Penguins kicked off their 2023 season at home against Valparaiso on August 31, at 7:30 p.m. Youngstown State's head coach, Doug Phillips, aimed to build on the team's strong 7-4 record from the previous year. On the other side, Valparaiso's head coach, Landon Fox, sought his team's first win against the Penguins, having lost all three previous encounters. The game was largely one-sided, highlighting the Penguins' dominance.
As the game began, the Penguins quickly asserted themselves. Running back Tyshon King set the tone with a 62-yard touchdown sprint. The scoring resumed in the 2nd quarter when Valparaiso kicked a 33 yard field goal, but their excitement was short-lived. Penguins' quarterback Mitch Davidson, who had an impressive 2022 season, led an 80-yard drive that ended in a spinning touchdown by C.J. Charleston. Charleston, who missed the entire 2022 season due to injury, later reflected on his emotional journey back to the field, saying, "It was a blessing when I scored today. I almost shed tears, man."
By halftime, the Penguins led 17-10, but the real story unfolded in the third quarter. The team scored 28 points, matching their own record for the most points scored in a third quarter. The momentum shifted decisively when Michael Voitus blocked a Valpo punt, and Jaylen Castleberry recovered the ball and sprinted into the end zone. "It started with special teams. I mean, I thought our special teams really created [momentum]," Coach Phillips would later say.
The Penguins' defense continued to stifle Valparaiso, forcing three fumbles that led to additional scoring drives. Linebacker Alex Howard, who led the team defensively with nine tackles and two sacks, set the stage with his aggressive play. In the third quarter, Mitch Davidson added another touchdown, and Tyshon King found the end zone again. Beau Brungard, a redshirt freshman quarterback and Springfield graduate, capped off the scoring with a 5-yard TD run with 8:42 remaining in the contest. When the dust settled, the scoreboard read 52-10 in favor of Youngstown State.
After the game, Coach Phillips was both reflective and optimistic. "I want to see a struggle. I want to see how our kids react to things that might not be going right," he said, emphasizing the importance of resilience. "It's hard to win college football games. So we're going to celebrate it." And celebrate they should. With 471 total yards of offense compared to Valpo's 195, and a defense that forced three fumbles and recorded five sacks, the Penguins have every reason to believe this could be the start of something special.
As they celebrate their decisive win over Valparaiso, the Penguins are already setting their sights on their next challenge: a matchup with the #3 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Coming off a lackluster 23-3 win against Indiana, Ohio State will undoubtedly be a significant test for Youngstown State. Coach Doug Phillips is already looking ahead, stating, "I'm thinking about tomorrow, how can we improve upon the mistakes we made today and how we can become a better team on Sunday." He also emphasized the uniqueness of this year's squad, saying, "It's not last year's team; it's a new team." If their opening performance is any indication, Ohio State should brace for a hard-fought game. The season is off to a great start, and it's clear that the Penguins are a team to watch.