“Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum…”

That steady sound is the heartbeat of Youngstown State’s FCS playoff hopes, which are still very much alive after a thrilling road victory over a top-10 team on Saturday.

Coming off two straight losses, the Penguins raced out to a fast start and despite falling behind after that, exploded in the fourth quarter for a 40-35 victory over 10th-ranked Illinois State in Normal, Illinois.

“We talked about just thriving through adversity and sometimes that adversity brings you together,” head coach Doug Phillips said after the game by phone. “We knew we were going to have a connected football team. Those losses, you gotta trust the games you played in, trust your training, trust your preparation and trust your brothers. You’re playing for each other.

“I couldn

See Full Page