With the start of the season a little over a week away, Youngstown State is already thinking about the big challenge it will face in the opener.
Make that a Big 10 challenge.
Eric Wolford will make his head coaching debut at Penn State on Saturday, September 4th. The Nittany Lions are 19th in the AP Preseason Poll.
"There's a preparation prior to games like this, much like when I was at North Texas before we played Oklahoma," Wolford said Wednesday after practice. "It's a little bit different as with the emotions involved."
PSU has 15 returning starters from a team which defeated LSU in the Capital One Bowl. Eight are back on offense, led by RB Evan Royster, and seven return on defense.
"They're a good football team. It's a great challenge for us. Great environment. Couldn't ask for a better setting."
But it's not easy for an FCS team to prepare for a top 25 program. "In order for us to simulate Penn State, our good players on offense have to be in there simulating the plays," Wolford said. "We can't put scout guys out there and give them even close to a look as what they're going to get at Penn State. We're doing a little bit of that. The kids have liked it and responded to it."
With 36 of his 90 players new to the program, Wolford and his coaching staff have spent the better part of training camp re-building the roster - and he's happy with the progress so far.
"In order for us to be successful, we have to play fast and we're getting there," said Wolford. "I see it coming."
