Sioux Falls, S.D. – The Youngstown State football team was tabbed to finish fifth in the preseason Missouri Valley Football Conference poll which was announced on Monday in conjunction with the league's media day at the Sanford Health Complex in Sioux Falls.

Picked to win the league is defending National Champion North Dakota State while South Dakota State was tabbed second, South Dakota was third followed by Illinois State and the Penguins. NDSU received 39 of 42 possible first place votes while the Coyotes netted the other three.

In the lower half of the conference, the team's rounding out the league standings are Southern Illinois, North Dakota, UNI, Indiana State and Murray State.

Voting in the poll included head coaches, media and school athletic communications contacts.

The 2025 MVFC will feature a new commissioner and new head coaches at South Dakota State, South Dakota, North Dakota and UNI.

The Penguins play their first two contests of the season at home against Mercyhust and Robert Morris before visiting Michigan State and Towson on consecutive Saturday's. YSU opens MVFC play on Oct. 4 against South Dakota State at Stambaugh Stadium.