YSU scores $800,000
Big payday for contest against powerhouse OSU
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COLUMBUS -- The Youngstown State Penguins fell 35-7 to the Ohio State University Buckeyes on Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
For its trip to Columbus, YSU's athletic department collected $800,000 from OSU.
That money is used in various ways by YSU's athletic department.
YSU plays FBS programs such as Ohio State yearly. A season ago, the Penguins visited the University of Kentucky, a game that yielded YSU $550,000, according to FBSchedules.com. The season before, Michigan State hosted the Penguins for $725,000, the site reported.
Youngstown State has its next four Power 5 "buy games" contracted. The Penguins will visit Pitt next season and then return to Michigan State in 2025. YSU hits the road back to Lexington, Kentucky, in 2026 to visit UK, which is coached by Youngstown native Mark Stoops. In 2027, YSU will travel to the Washington, D.C., area to take on Maryland.
Despite being separated by just 2 1/2 hours, YSU and Ohio State battled for just the third time Saturday. OSU holds a 3-0 record. YSU's first-quarter touchdown was its first in series history with the Buckeyes.
Given the proximity and in-state ties, YSU coach Doug Phillips noted the Penguins were especially eager for their chance to play in the Horseshoe.
"I thank Ohio State for giving ... our players, our program, our university and its fans the opportunity to experience what they're going to experience Saturday and to play against the best," Phillips said ahead of the matchup.
He added, "You look at the schedule. We played Kentucky last year, played Michigan State. In the future, whether it's Pitt or Maryland, I think the difference is we have 79 players from the state of Ohio on our roster. That's a pretty big deal. They probably grew up wanting to be a Buckeye, so this one's just a bit different."