The FCS Championship is today. It’s the Youngstown State Penguins versus the James Madison Dukes
YSU has more loses but always plays a few D1 opponents. James Madison is a surprise to be in this game.
Seriously, if yinz want to see a great game, check this one out today at noon.
Of course, the YSU Penguins are 7 point dogs, they cover and just might win this.
How they got here
Youngstown State Penguins: Navigating through an always-challenging Missouri Valley Conference schedule is never an easy task, and there were bumps along the way for the Penguins, but ultimately fought their way to a decent 6-2 finish in MVFC play. That saw them finish third behind only those two that defeated them in North Dakota State and South Dakota State. A third loss on the year came at the hands of Big-12 side West Virginia in which they succeeded in reaching half time tied up at 14-14 before succumbing in latter stages, but certainly were not embarrassed against superior opposition. An overall record of 8-3 in the regular season, including a good finish in one of the two toughest conferences in the FCS, was good enough to earn a spot in the playoffs. It did not however, earn them a first round bye.
In what is now becoming a lengthy season, the Penguins have battled through four rounds already to reach this stage. Running back Jody Webb has been the all-purpose playmaker during this post season, leading the way past Samford by 38-24, then to shock #3 ranked Jacksonville State on the road by 40-24, with their extremely talented defense a big factor in that solid victory. Webb in particular was the saviour in overcoming Wofford in the quarters, in a scrappy game that was filled with errors from both teams, but Webb’s school record in all-purpose yards was significant in getting over the line 30-23 in double overtime to set up a 15th game of the season, not that Bo Pelini’s side are complaining. That just left the daunting challenge of going into a freezing Eastern Washington to face the Eagles, and in a high-scoring battle, put up 20 points in the fourth quarter to earn a 40-38 comeback victory and make it to the championship decider.
James Madison Dukes: James Madison qualified for the playoffs and as a high seed on the back of a perfect 8-0 conference record, two games clear of each of Villanova and New Hampshire, having beaten each of their closest rivals during the regular season. Overall, they finished 10-1, with the sole defeat on the road to the North Carolina Tar Heels from the ACC – no shame in that. The strong season saw the Dukes ranked #4 in the playoff seedings, that comes with the prize of a first round bye.
The first match of the brackets saw a rematch with New Hampshire, who they only beat by three points during the season albeit on the road, but no such tension this time around in a convincing 55-22 home win. Even more impressive was last weekend’s demolition of the Sam Houston State Bearkats by 65-7, shutting down that statistically best offense in the nation, while scoring in all three phases themselves. That led to what is, for most, the intimidating prospect of going into the FargoDome to face five-time reigning champions the North Dakota State Bison. They never looked rattled though and outplayed their more experienced opponents, with star running back Khalid Abdullah leading the way with a massive game on the ground as part of the 27-17 win that surely has them entering Texas with confidence at its maximum.
Not only do they score points on offense as well as anyone in averaging well over 45 points a game, they have a tough defense, including a shutdown secondary, allowing around 22 points against on average. Finally, they can convert game-changing plays on special teams with 7 return touchdowns this season.