This is the last time, in all probability, that Youngstown State University (2-0) will play Michigan State in a football game.  Two years ago, YSU made it interesting before ultimately falling 28-6.  That loss marked the end of the “money beatings”.  A money beating was when a I-AA, or FCS, school would travel to a larger opponent’s facility and come home with a big check and hopefully, their health.

The level of competitiveness the Penguins showed that night carried over to Pitt last season.  The result was a win, and the “money beating” banter has turned to “hurry up and get these little schools off of your schedule” in the Big-10.

Michigan State is an interesting opponent for the Penguins to face this week for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, the Spartans are on the bubble of cracking into the big poll.  Interestingly enough, Michigan State has six touchdowns in their two wins this season, four by the defense, and just two from the offense.  Three of the Spartans touchdowns have been scored by a defensive end, Shilique Calhoun, which makes him the team leader in scoring.

One of the other six Michigan State touchdowns came from a local who is a Spartan.  Kurtis Drummond, a Hubbard grad, made a spectacular one-handed snag and raced to the end zone.  Speaking with Drummond via telephone, the Spartans will not overlook the Penguins.

“Kurt Hess has a great arm”, said Drummond.  “You don’t just accidentally rack up 700 yards of offense in a week.  He has the ability to put the ball in places that many can’t, and he also reads defenses very well.”

The admiration was clearly mutual coming from Hess.

“I got to see him play when he was in high school”, said Hess.  “I went to a game with Marc Kanetsky and couldn’t believe how fast he {Drummond} was.  He is a ball hawk and plays very fast.”

When asked about next week’s matchup with Notre Dame, Drummond said, “We are not looking ahead at all, this is the game on our schedule this week.  You are the first person to get me to say the words Notre Dame.  Youngstown State was the only college team I ever saw play a game until I got here, so this matchup has added excitement for me.”

Drummond may not be the only excited Spartan welcoming Youngstown.  There is a ton of local connectivity between the two schools.  Head Coach Mark Dantonio was a YSU coach in the mid-to-late eighties, as was his co-offensive coordinator Jim Bollman.  Pat Narduzzi, the current Spartans defensive coordinator, played for his father Bill at YSU in 1986 before transferring.  Jim Tressel’s nephew, Mike Tressel, is the linebackers coach.

YSU Coach Eric Wolford could not praise Dantonio and his staff enough.

“He {Dantonio} should be given credit for turning Cincinnati’s program into a powerhouse.  Those guys that came after him there should give him their bonus checks because he instituted a great program.”

Watching film on Michigan State has to be tough because of the lack of offensive production.

“They have used four quarterbacks”, said D. J. Moss.  “Coach Tresey will have to put together the defensive game plan that could give us a chance to win.  They {MSU} are extremely well coached.”

Wolford knows that the Big-10 games are going to be done for awhile after Illinois next season.  He commented on the opportunity the players have with this game.

“I hate to see that end”, said Wolford.  “Our guys really look forward to going and playing in a special environment like Michigan State or any of the bigger facilities.  It is nice that they can get the chance to play in front of 60,000 to 100,000 fans.  We were a really young football team when we were there two years ago, a lot of our guys were freshmen and sophomores, they are older now, but we know that we can’t sneak in like we did two years ago, and that those coaches will have their team’s attention this week.”

I will not rule out the possibility of the Penguins pulling off a second straight FBS upset.  They have to score a few points and hold a struggling offense down.  If Hess can get hot, and the role players like Carson Sharbaugh, Kyle Sirl, Martin Ruiz, and Joey Cejudo can contribute like they are capable of, it might be another wild day.

“I’m not going to make any predictions”, said Wolford.  “All I can say is that we expect to play well.”

The game will be televised on the Big-10 Network and kickoff is slated for 2 pm.