The Youngstown State football team is looking to take another step in their home opener against Valparaiso.

"You have to start fast and can't let teams jump on you," said fifth year head coach Doug Phillips, whose team trailed 24-3 before cutting the deficit to seven in the fourth quarter.

YSU turned the ball over three times and had a touchdown called back in the first quarter.

"We found out a lot about our team," said running back Ethan Wright. "We shot ourselves in the foot and it was good to see how we reacted."

The Penguins host Valparaiso, a FCS partial scholarship program.   YSU is 4-0 in the history of the series including last season's 52-10 win.

"We can't assume with nobody," said cornerback Jaylen Castleberry. "We have to come out with a one hundred percent effort all day, every day."

Phillips says the focus is more on what they need to do rather than the opponent.

"On any given day and team can beat you," he said, "our job is to make sure were taking steps to get ready for league play and we have to take a huge step and this week we have Valparaiso."

Kickoff from Stambaugh Stadium is 2:00 pm.

PENGUIN NOTES:

Phillips said had they scored a late touchdown against Villanova, which would've made the score 24-23,  they would've went for the two point conversion and the win.

The game against Villanova saw 10 first time starters including 8 on defense.