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...

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 als...

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 t...

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 Mer...

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...

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...

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...

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 d...

Special teams were a major issue for YSU last season, directly impacting several key games. In this episode, we break down what went wrong, including coverage breakdowns, fake punt struggles, and inconsistent execution. We also dive into a full offseason reset under new coordinator Thomas Fletcher, departures at key specialist positions, and the young players stepping into major roles. From Evan A...

If there’s one unit that could define YSU’s offense this season, it’s the offensive line. In this episode of the Penguin Nation Fans Podcast, I break down a rare strength in today’s college football landscape — continuity up front. The Penguins return their entire starting offensive line, bringing experience, chemistry, and proven production back to the trenches. We dive into: Why returning all fi...

Youngstown State’s tight end room quietly became one of the most interesting position groups on the roster last season. What started as a two-man rotation quickly changed when injuries opened the door for unexpected contributors. Alex McDonald and Micheal Manna stepped up in a big way, combining for key receptions and touchdowns while establishing themselves as legitimate weapons in the offense. N...

Youngstown State’s wide receiver room will look completely different in 2026. The Penguins lost their top two targets from last season with Max Tomczak graduating after a 1,000-yard campaign and Flash Wilson transferring to UConn. That leaves major production to replace — and YSU attacked the transfer portal to do it. In this episode of the Penguin Nation Podcast, I break down the entire receiver...

Spring preview season continues on the Penguin Nation Fans Podcast. In this episode, we break down Youngstown State’s running back room heading into the 2026 season. With Jaden Gilbert returning as the lead back and sixth-year senior Tahir Mills expected to play a bigger role, the Penguins have a mix of proven production and intriguing young talent. We also discuss how Mike Yurcich’s offensive sys...

Spring football is right around the corner, and position battles are beginning to take shape in Youngstown State’s quarterback room. While reigning Walter Payton Award winner Beau Brungard has already secured the starting job after a historic 2025 season, the competition for the No. 2 quarterback spot is wide open heading into spring practices. In this episode, we break down the key names to watch...

In this episode of the YSU Spring Football Preview Series, we take a deep dive into the Penguins' secondary heading into the 2026 season. After a frustrating 2025 campaign that saw Youngstown State surrender over 250 passing yards per game, the defensive backfield has undergone a complete overhaul. With all five starters gone and new defensive coordinator Ryan Riemedio in place, the coaching staff...

YSU’s linebacker room took a big step forward in 2025 — but can the Penguins build even more depth in 2026? In this episode of the Penguin Nation Fans Podcast, Gino Leone continues the Spring Football Preview Series by breaking down the linebacker position. Returning standouts Carston Marshall and Graydon Rollins headline the unit, while transfers Danny Inglis and Danny Nittoli add intriguing comp...

YSU spring football coverage begins with a deep dive into the defensive line, one of the most improved units on the roster last season. In this episode, I break down returning stars like Michael Wells and Ebony Curry Jr., key interior questions, and the impact of transfer additions Jordan Pritchard-Sewell and Conlan Greene. Plus, I discuss the projected starting lineup, depth pieces, and the bigge...

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 t...

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...

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 pe...

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...

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...

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...