The FCS decision to exclude Youngstown State from the post season tournament in no way diminishes one of the great comebacks in YSU football history.
YSU down two scores with 10 minutes to play came back to win the contest 28-21. Mitch Davidson engineered a drive to tie the game with a minute plus to play.
A foul by Southern Illinois was enforced on the kickoff allowing YSU to pin Southern on the 3. YSU aided by Southern Illinois throwing an incompletion put the ball back in the Penguins hands with about a minute to go. With great field position most were hoping for a game winning field goal but the eraser Jaleel Mcglauflin took a handoff and sprinted 30 yards to the endzone.
Southern still had a chance as YSU kicked off out of bounds. Southern squandered their slim chance by throwing a long interception. YSU playoff hopes were still alive at least for the next 16 hours.
The FCS selection committee snuffed out those hopes just after lunch yesterday. With identical records North Dakota got the nod because they beat YSU in the regular season.
The committee has been known to take 4 teams from the MVC but with all the talk of the MVC being the SVC of FCS the voting committee likely brought the MVC down a peg. Insiders said YSU was among 10 teams competing for 5 spots.
Sour grapes tell me YSU should have replaced Delaware who lost 3 of their final 4 games. Montana sneaks in at 7 and 4 after being thrashed by Montana State Saturday. Southeast Missouri gets in on a coin flip. Idaho gets in with the same record as YSU 7 and 4.
Davidson is included in the tournament after slipping past Dayton 28 to 27 whom YSU beat by 4 touchdowns. One regret is not being able to see Jaleel Mcglauflin in the playoffs. I thought that might sway the committee, having the all time collegiate rushing leader in the FCS playoffs.
Ok, that's my sour grapes, but as I said, Saturday was a great victory and shows the progress made by coach Philips for the program. I would hope YSU would begin talks of a contract extension for Doug Philips. Philips knows how to build a program. He is easy to work with and Philips is from the area and loves it here. I only wish him continued success.
Dan Rivers
Talk Host 9a-Noon
News Radio 570 WKBN