YOUNGSTOWN - After three years and 36 games of patiently waiting for his turn to become Youngstown State's starting quarterback, LaBrae High School graduate Todd Rowan finally comes front and center on Aug. 30.

His prize: The No. 2-ranked team in the nation and arguably the nation's top defense, the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The junior isn't backing down. He said the Penguins aren't worried about the extreme underdog status they'll receive; they're preparing for an upset.

''We're going to go in there and give it everything we have,'' Rowan said. ''We're expecting to win; we're going down there to win. And that's the attitude we have here.''

If that is to happen - similar to how Appalachian State shocked all of college football by beating Michigan last year - Rowan will need to have the game of his life in the first start of his career. He sat behind former YSU quarterback Tom Zetts the last three years, attempting two passes with one completion for 8 yards. Despite the inexperience and the monumental task of beating the Buckeyes, Rowan insists he isn't fazed.

''I'm sure before the game, I'll be looking around a little bit,'' said Rowan of the likely 100,000 fans in attendance. ''But once the game starts, it's just like practice or another game.''

Right ... just add about 80,000 people and another 150 rows to each side of the stadium. But Rowan's been there before, last season when he was the holder on extra points and field goals. While that's not exactly the experience he and coach Jon Heacock would prefer, Rowan said the familiarity will still help.

''I know what to expect, I know what the travel is like, how the process is in the locker room there,'' Rowan said. ''It should be the same game once it starts.''

Rowan hopes it's not exactly the same, since the Penguins lost 38-6 last year at Ohio Stadium. The Penguins boast a different offense this time around, one that caters to the strengths of Rowan, who possesses a strong arm and is more of a pocket passer than Zetts. Offensive coordinator Brian Wright implemented a fast-paced, no-huddle offense in the spring, and Rowan said he feels much more comfortable in the new look.

''(I like) not huddling, not wasting time - just get the play and go,'' he said. ''It helps a lot because you have the full 40 seconds to get up there, get the defense lined up to see what they're going to be doing - see which way they're going to be moving and if they're playing for the pass or run.''

Rowan does have what should be one of the best offensive lines in the Football Championship Subdivision in front of him. All five players started at times last year, and the Penguins brought in Eric Rodemoyer, a 6-2, 305-pound guard who transferred to YSU after starting six games for West Virginia last year. They also welcomed back left tackle Tyler Booth, who sat out all of last year after a tearing ligaments in his knee.

''With all those big guys up there, I'm real comfortable,'' Rowan said. ''I'm not worried about anything.''

The line is comfortable with Rowan as well.

''Tommy (Zetts) is a guy who's going to be missed, he was here for like 300 years, he had a million-and-a-half snaps and has all the records here,'' said Booth, who received a medical redshirt and thus returns for a second senior season. ''Todd's a great guy, he knows what he's doing. We have all the faith in the world in Todd, so it's all the same to us.''

Rowan missed about a week of practices due to a ''tweaked hamstring,'' but he said he's 100 percent now.

And he's going to need to be to contend with likes of James Laurinaitis and the rest of the Ohio State defense.

jsimon@tribtoday.com