Penguin Nation Fans Podcast w/ Gino Leone

Responding to Instagram and Twitter prompts. Make sure to leave the show a five star review and support the podcast on social media!

Sponsor: https://www.amysguarantee.com/
The Projecting the Starting 22 series begins with a full preview of Youngstown State’s defensive line heading into the 2026 season.
With new defensive coordinator Ryan Riemedio installing a 3-4 scheme, the Penguins will need to establish depth and disruption in the trenches. YSU appears to have the personnel to do exactly that, combining returning production, portal additions, and developing young talent.
In this episode, I project the starters, second-team rotation, and key depth pieces along the defensive line. I break down what Holy Cross transfer Jordan Pritchard-Sewell could bring to the edge, Thomas Jolly’s potential impact on the interior, Ebony Curry Jr.’s continued development, and several important battles for playing time.
Can this group become one of the best defensive fronts in the MVFC? Who will lead the Penguins in sacks?
Subscribe, leave a review, and follow Penguin Nation Fans Podcast for more YSU football coverage. Go Penguins! 🐧🏈

Sponsor:  https://www.amysguarantee.com/
Kenneth Donaldson joins the Penguin Nation Fans Podcast for a conversation about faith, leadership, community impact, and his role with Youngstown State Football.
Donaldson discusses his journey from Youngstown to college athletics, the importance of mentoring student-athletes, and how player development extends far beyond what fans see on game day. We also talk about building relationships, creating a positive culture within the program, and helping young men prepare for success both on and off the field.
Whether you're a Youngstown State fan, a supporter of college football, or someone interested in leadership and personal development, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.
Topics Covered:🏈 Youngstown State Football🏈 Director of Player Development responsibilities🏈 Building relationships with student-athletes🏈 Leadership and mentorship🏈 Faith and football🏈 The Youngstown community🏈 Life lessons beyond the game

https://www.amysguarantee.com/
Is Montana State really in a tier of its own entering the 2026 FCS season?
On this episode of the Penguin Nation Fans Podcast, I break down the growing “Montana State vs the Field” narrative after Sam Herder compared the Bobcats to the dominant 2023 South Dakota State team.
I dive into:
Why Montana State deserves to be the preseason No. 1
The major defensive losses the Bobcats must replace
How Youngstown State stacks up position-by-position against MSU
Beau Brungard vs Justin Lamson
YSU’s offensive line continuity and defensive upside under Ryan Riemedio
Why the post-NDSU era could create more parity across the FCS
Teams like North Dakota, Tarleton State, Villanova, Montana, and SDSU that could challenge the top tier
Is Montana State truly untouchable? Or is the 2026 FCS title race much more open than people think?

Sponsor: https://www.amysguarantee.com/
The full 2026 Youngstown State football schedule is officially out, and I'm breaking down every game on this episode of the Penguin Nation Fans Podcast.
I go game-by-game through:
The non-conference slate
The brutal MVFC schedule
Key swing games
Revenge spots
Trap games
Playoff implications
Topics include:
Ryan Riemedio’s new 3-4 defense debuting against Mercyhurst
The massive SEC showdown at Kentucky
Revenge against Duquesne
Road trips to Brookings and Carbondale
A potentially huge late-season matchup vs North Dakota
Early thoughts on YSU’s ceiling in 2026
Plus:
Early record projection
Over/under at 8.5 wins
Biggest questions entering the season
Why the passing game and defensive transition could define the year
Can the Penguins become a true MVFC contender in 2026? Let’s talk about it.

The Penguin Pulse Hotline returns for another episode and this time Gino shares his breakdown of the projected top six teams in the MVFC next season. 
Make sure to follow his new X Account @ytown_nation4 and support the podcast on social media.
Sponsor: https://www.amysguarantee.com/

In this episode of the Penguin Nation Podcast, I preview Youngstown State vs South Dakota State in Brookings: a Week Four matchup between two legitimate FCS contenders with conference title and playoff expectations.
I revisit last season’s 35-30 thriller, analyze the key matchups, and discuss:
Beau Brungard vs Chase Mason
YSU’s new 3-4 defense under Ryan Riemedio
Whether the Penguins can slow SDSU’s rushing attack
Trench warfare on both sides
Why this feels much closer than national perception suggests
Plus:
Updated projections for both teams entering the matchup
Key players to watch
Biggest swing factors
Final score prediction
Can YSU finally win in Brookings again and make an early MVFC statement?
#YSU #FCSFootball #MVFC #GoGuins #SouthDakotaState #YoungstownState #CollegeFootball
Sponsor: https://www.amysguarantee.com/

YSU mailbag episode covering two huge offseason topics: the evaluation of the 2026 Youngstown State Men’s Basketball recruiting class and expectations for the Penguins football defense heading into next season.
I break down all five hoops additions, including the upside of Oklahoma transfer Jeff Nwankwo, Jermaine Cole’s fit as a shooting wing, Linus Holmstrom’s elite range, and Jamar Livingston’s bounce-back potential. Plus, discussion on whether this roster still needs a true go-to scorer and point guard before becoming a true contender.
I also answer Owen Bertilacci’s question about the YSU football defense, whether the unit is truly “fixed,” expectations under Ryan Riemedio, concerns surrounding injuries and secondary chemistry, and whether Doug Phillips could face pressure if the Penguins fail to make the playoffs again.
Topics include:• YSU Men’s Basketball transfer class breakdown• Wing depth and lineup outlook• Biggest remaining roster needs• Can the football defense become elite?• Ryan Riemedio’s impact• Doug Phillips hot seat discussion• Playoff expectations for YSU Football
Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and PodBean.
Sponsor: https://www.amysguarantee.com/

In this episode, I break down Youngstown State’s Spring Game, where the defense came out on top 29–23—but the bigger takeaway is just how complete this roster is becoming.
From a loaded wide receiver room and another elite performance from Beau Brungard, to serious depth at running back, tight end, and across the front seven, there’s a lot to be excited about. I also dive into the biggest question marks heading into fall camp, including the backup quarterback battle and an unsettled secondary.
Bottom line: this spring game didn’t just answer questions—it showed that YSU is building something real.
Shoutout to Mark Quigley for the episode request. Let’s get into it.
Sponsor: https://www.amysguarantee.com/

Youngstown State enters the spring with one question hanging over everything: can they finish?
After a dramatic turnaround from 4–8 to 8–4 and a return to the FCS Playoffs, the Penguins looked poised for a statement win — until a stunning second-half collapse against Yale flipped the narrative of their season. Now, that loss has become the foundation of YSU’s offseason.
In this episode, we break down:
How the Yale loss reshaped the program’s mindset under Doug Phillips
The return of Walter Payton Award winner Beau Brungard and an elite offensive core
Why the offensive line could be one of the best units in the MVFC
The biggest concern on offense: wide receiver depth and production
A revamped defense under new coordinator Ryan Riemedio
Transfer portal additions that could define the secondary and WR room
A full special teams reset after costly mistakes last season
The talent is there. The experience is there. The depth is improving.
Now it comes down to one thing: proving they can close.
The spring game won’t answer everything — but it’s the first real glimpse into whether YSU has turned last year’s lesson into growth.
Sponsor: https://www.amysguarantee.com/