Penguin Nation Fans Podcast w/ Gino Leone

New episode of the Penguin Nation Fans Podcast is out now! 🎙️
I’m previewing the Horizon League Tournament and breaking down Youngstown State’s First Round matchup at Robert Morris. Can the Penguins regroup after two tough losses and make a run in March?
I dive into:• The new Horizon League Tournament format• What went wrong for YSU down the stretch• Key stats from both RMU matchups• Keys to the game for the Penguins to pull the upset
Listen now and don’t forget to leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review!
#GoGuins
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In this episode of the Penguin Nation Fans Podcast, I recap Youngstown State’s 85-63 loss to Green Bay in the regular season finale. I break down the key team statistics and individual performances from the matchup as the Phoenix controlled the game on their home floor.
Tune in for the full breakdown of how the game unfolded and what led to the Penguins’ loss.
Listen now and don’t forget to leave a five-star review!#YSU #GoGuins #HLMBB #YoungstownState
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YSU dropped a tough 76-70 road game to Detroit Mercy in the second meeting between the two teams this season. In this episode, I break down how the Titans controlled the game from start to finish with physical defense, limited YSU’s three-point shooting, and capitalized on turnovers and fast-break opportunities.
I dive into the key team stats that decided the game, highlight standout individual performances — including Tae Blackshear’s career-high 22 points on perfect shooting — and discuss what went wrong for the Penguins in a game where they trailed the entire way for the first time this season.
Plus, I look ahead to YSU’s upcoming rivalry matchup against Cleveland State and what the Penguins need to clean up moving forward.
Be sure to leave a five-star review and follow the podcast for more Penguin coverage. Go ‘Guins!
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Youngstown State keeps heating up at the right time.
In this episode, we break down YSU’s huge 86–82 road win over Oakland — a game that showcased clutch free throw shooting, elite ball movement, and standout individual performances. The Penguins have now won four of their last six games, including key road wins over Purdue Fort Wayne and Oakland, and are starting to look like a team nobody wants to face down the stretch.
We dive into the key team stats that decided the game, highlight massive performances from Cam Polak, Bryson Dawkins, and Cris Carroll, and talk about what this win means moving forward. Plus, we look ahead to YSU’s upcoming matchup against Detroit Mercy.
If you’re a Penguin fan, you won’t want to miss this one.
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North Dakota State is officially leaving the Missouri Valley Football Conference to join the Mountain West as a football-only member beginning in 2026 — and the ripple effects could reshape the entire FCS landscape. In this episode, we break down the reported financial cost of the move, NDSU’s transition to the FBS level, and the temporary postseason restrictions the Bison will face.
We also take a step back to recognize one of the greatest dynasties in college football history, with NDSU winning 10 of the last 15 FCS national championships and dominating the postseason for over a decade under multiple championship-winning head coaches.
Most importantly, what does this mean for the MVFC moving forward? With the conference dropping to nine members, we discuss potential scheduling changes, the possibility of expansion, and how the balance of power could shift — including what this opportunity means for a Youngstown State program with high expectations.
If you’re an FCS fan, MVFC follower, or Penguin supporter, this is a can’t-miss breakdown of one of the biggest conference moves in recent memory.
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Youngstown State didn’t just need a defensive coordinator — they needed answers. In this episode of the Penguin Nation Fans Podcast, Gino Leone reacts to YSU’s hiring of Ryan Riemedio and breaks down why this move makes sense on multiple levels.
From Riemedio’s long coaching climb at Mercyhurst to his defensive identity built on coverage integrity and red zone discipline, we dive into the numbers that matter most. You’ll hear how his defenses held up through a massive transition from Division II to the FCS, why Mercyhurst’s passing defense quietly became a strength, and how those trends directly line up with the areas YSU struggled most in 2025.
This isn’t about splash — it’s about structure, situational football, and fixing real problems. If the Penguins take a step forward in pass defense and red zone efficiency, this hire could age very well, very quickly.
As always, make sure to leave a five-star review and support the show on social media.
For now, I’m Gino Leone — and as always, go ’Guins! 🐧
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Youngstown State showed two sides of its season over the weekend.
The Penguins delivered the response they needed Thursday night, knocking off Green Bay 88–81 behind a historic shooting performance from Cris Carroll, who erupted for a career-high 34 points and eight three-pointers. YSU controlled the game from the perimeter, led for 93% of the night, and used a dominant second-half run to secure a much-needed conference win.
But just two days later, the frustration returned.
YSU came up one possession short against Milwaukee in a 65–64 loss, marking the eighth time this season the Penguins have lost by six points or fewer. Despite strong performances from Carroll and Rich Rolf, turnovers and missed chances once again proved costly in a game decided by the thinnest of margins.
In this episode, we break down what went right against Green Bay, what went wrong against Milwaukee, and why close losses continue to define YSU’s season.
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Youngstown State completely rebuilt its secondary this offseason — and in this episode, we break down why the overhaul was necessary and what the coaching staff is betting on moving forward.
After surrendering 252 passing yards per game in 2025 and losing all five starters, the Penguins turned to the transfer portal, adding six defensive backs from the FBS, FCS, and Division II levels. We dive into the context behind the moves, the portal strategy, and what it means for the defense as a whole.
Plus, a full player-by-player breakdown of each addition, including Devaon Holman, Julius Jackson, Darvens Tunis, Raleigh Collins III, Cam Smith, and Stanley Clyne — what they bring, where they fit, and how the competition in the secondary could shake out.
Can this new-look group cut down explosive plays and stabilize the defense in 2026? Let’s break it all down.
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YSU lost its top four wide receivers this offseason and responded by adding seven transfers through the portal. In this episode, I break down the overhaul, the standout additions, and what it means for the Penguins’ offense moving forward.
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The Youngstown State men’s basketball team is officially at a crossroads.
With 13 Horizon League games remaining and the Penguins sitting ninth in the standings, the margin for error is gone. In this episode, I break down why this stretch represents the most important part of YSU’s season, what it would realistically take to climb into the top four, and why every single possession matters from here on out.
We also preview a massive two-game road trip against Wright State and Cleveland State, revisit the razor-thin losses that have defined the season so far, and discuss why this team may be closer than its record suggests. YSU has proven it can compete with quality opponents — now the challenge is cleaning up late-game execution and eliminating self-inflicted mistakes.
If the Penguins can tighten the details, there’s still a path forward. But the time to start stacking wins is now.
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