This week, coach Eric Wolford was asked during his weekly press conference what his biggest weakness was. The media meant as a team. Wolford had another answer.
"Biggest weakness is eating ice cream late at night when I get home, my wife says it isn't good for me," Wolford said jokingly.
He said his favorite flavor was Handel's Graham Central Station. He also added what YSU's biggest weakness was so far after two games.
"Really, I think overall we want to continue to execute better on third down," Wolford said. "We didn't do as well last week on third down, specifically offensively."
Third down could be a big factor this week as the Penguins try to improve their record to 3-0 against Albany. Cause while Wolford thinks the Penguins need to improve in that category, so do the Great Danes.
In two games, YSU is 15 of 25 on third down. On the other side, Albany is only converting 50 percent, as it is 13 of 26.
"In the first game, we felt we could have been better on third down on offense. And we definitely felt like we could have been better on defense on third-and-medium, third-and-long. I know 100 percent is not realistic, but we practice third down a lot around here and we need to be good at it."
The one thing YSU has been good at all season is putting points on the board. In the opener against Pitt, a game YSU was the underdog in, the potent offense scored 31 points against a Big East team. Last week against Valparaiso, the Penguins knotched 59, including the first touchdown 2 minutes into the game.
The offense will get a good test today against Albany, which is 2-0 on the season. An FCS playoff team last year, the Great Dane defense has allowed 33 points in two games. The defense also has registered five sacks this season and picked off three passes.
This game couldn't be played at a better time for the Penguins, because this is truly the first game on the Penguins' schedule that is just a game - no hoopla, no hype. Just a play four quarters football game.
Against Pitt, it was a quality YSU team going against a school from a major conference with the story line of "could they do it?" Against Valparaiso, it was a game everyone knew the Penguins were going to win by at least 40, so it was very clear that the backups were going to get plenty of playing time. Next week, it will be the beginning of conference play, with longtime nemesis UNI coming to town.
Every time you talk to a YSU player or coach, somehow the phrase "we want to go 1-0 every week" gets on the record. If the Penguins truly believe that statement, it will be shown this week. They are coming off two big wins and have a huge conference rival coming into town next week, if the Penguins were going to overlook a game, this would be the game they could do it.
But they can't. And according to everyone you talk to that wears a Penguin uniform, they won't. Albany made the FCS playoffs last year and though they aren't ranked, they have received votes in the The Sports Network FCS poll. Albany has been where YSU wants to go. Now the Penguins have to go through the Great Danes to get there.
And if they do, maybe Wolford will celebrate with a few scoops of Graham Central Station.