Youngstown State Penguins slated to finish third in MVFC preseason poll

The Youngstown State football team was tabbed to finish third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference for the upcoming season with the release of the preseason poll during the conference’s annual media day on Tuesday in Sioux Falls, S.D.

The Penguins, who finished 5-3 in the MVFC last season, garnered 235 points and were ranked behind South Dakota State and Illinois State. The Jackrabbits received 312 votes while the Redbirds, who played in the FCS title game last season, had 256.

In fourth was North Dakota with 211 while South Dakota was fifth at 196 and Southern Illinois came in sixth at 186.

Five of the top six all received a first place vote with South Dakota State leading the way with 28. YSU was the only team in top six not to be placed at the top of the league standing on any of the preseason ballots by the coaches, school communications contacts and league media.

The third-place prediction is the highest for the Guins since 2017, following their appearance in the FCS title game.

YSU is led by 2025 Walter Payton Award winning quarterback Beau Brungard who returns to lead a talented Penguin squad.

Preseason Poll

South Dakota State (28) - 312

Illinois State (3) - 256

Youngstown State - 235

North Dakota (2) - 211

South Dakota (2) - 196

Southern Illinois (1) - 186

Northern Iowa - 99

Indiana State - 80

Murray State - 45