YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Youngstown State University kicks off its fall season Thursday night at Stambaugh Stadium.

The Penguins kick off the 2021 season after playing a shortened season in the spring due to the coronavirus pandemic.

YSU played seven games between February 21 and April 17, going 1-6 in that span.

The shortened spring season was the first for Doug Phillips as head coach for the Penguins.

Phillips was hired after spending three seasons with the University of Cincinnati as a position coach. He has also made stops at Ohio State and Bowling Green and was head coach at Springfield Local and Salem High Schools in the early to mid-2000s.

The Penguins open at 7 p.m. Thursday against Incarnate Word.

The game against Incarnate Word marks 40 years at Stambaugh Stadium. The "Ice Castle" held its first YSU football game on September 4, 1982 and has served as the team's home ever since.

YSU has a .750 winning percentage at Stambaugh and hosted numerous playoff games throughout the years. During their time at Stambaugh, YSU has collected four national titles (1991, 1993, 1994, 1999).