Correspondent file photo / Robert Hayes Youngstown State senior receiver Max Tomczak makes a move downfield after hauling in a pass from quarterback Beau Brungard during the Penguins’ scrimmage on Aug. 9 at Stambaugh Stadium.

YOUNGSTOWN — A process that began in the spring has started to materialize during fall camp, as Youngstown State prepares for the upcoming season opener.

When new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich arrived at the beginning of the year, he began installing his system and playbook during spring practice. Then this fall, YSU worked on improving execution, timing and fine tuning the plays within the new offense.

“I think we’ve got a variety of ways in which we can attack defenses,” head coach Doug Phillips said. “Our kids are getting on the same page as the coaches. I think after game one or game two, I think you’re going to see tremendous progress by the offensive side of the ball.”

While he says the Penguins still have work to do, Yurcich said he’s satisfied with the offense’s progress with Mercyhurst looming on Thursday.

“It’s going very well. I’m pleased with the overall development of each individual and the offense as a whole,” Yurcich said. “As far as just our system and how we can operate with our language and terminology, I think we’ve done a good amount of work. We’re not there and we’re not finished, by any stretch. We’re still learning, but now it is about really reining in and getting ready to play games and be focused singularly on one opponent.”

Learning and perfecting the new offense hasn’t come without bumps in the road.

On the very first day of fall camp, Yurcich was dissatisfied with what he saw from the offense near the end of practice. While the defense continued to do drills on one half of the field, Yurcich pulled the offense off to the sideline, had them take a knee and animatedly addressed his concerns.

Something similar happened on Aug. 16 after YSU’s second intrasquad scrimmage of camp. The defense had outplayed the offense, and Yurcich wanted to make sure the offense learned from that experience.

“The defense, they played very well against us, and they were more ready to play than we were,” Yurcich said. “I guess the biggest thing that I wanted to get through to the young men at that point was that it’s all about our preparation and our work that leads up to a performance. So if there’s any fault, there’s only one thing to do, and that’s go back to work.

“If you work hard enough each day and you put in that dedication and truly try to get better each practice, then the results are the results. … There’s ups and downs through the season, and you have to be focused on getting better. It’s a long season, and we need everybody that we had in spring and the new guys that have come into our program to continue to improve and get to the highest level they can. You can’t get distracted. Even though you may have a bad performance, you have to learn how to bounce back.”

Just like on defense, the Penguins’ offense has plenty of returning experience this season, including junior quarterback Beau Brungard, who’s back for his second season as the starter under center.

Brungard threw for 2,141 yards and 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a 67% completion percentage. He also ran for 998 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The connection through the air Brungard has built with senior receiver Max Tomczak will also continue to grow this season.

Tomczak had a breakout season last year, earning All-Missouri Valley Football Conference First Team honors with 890 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

His past success has earned him a fair share of preseason honors this year, as well. He was one of only five FCS players to be listed amongst the Top 300 list for the 2026 Senior Bowl. He’s also on the watch list for the East-West Shrine Bowl, and he earned FCS Preseason Third-Team All-American honors.

“I feel like I’ve always had that fake it till you make it attitude,” Tomczak said. “So I’ve always felt like I’m the player that I guess people are giving me credit for. So it doesn’t mean much to me. Obviously it feels good to be noticed, but I’m just going to keep going how I’ve been going and attacking things the same way.”

Elsewhere at receiver, senior Luke Hensley looks primed for success after battling injuries in the past. Plus, Richard Dandridge and Andrew Jacobs figure to be part of the rotation out wide, and YSU added Kylon Wilson and Mike Solomon out of the transfer portal from Slippery Rock this offseason.

The Penguins’ lack of a deep downfield passing threat hurt them last year and hope Wilson’s explosiveness can fill that void.

“I think you’re going to see a lot of new names and a lot of new guys making plays for us this year,” Tomczak said. “We got a lot of playmakers. I think skill-wise and trenches-wise, we’re probably going to have one of the best offenses in the conference. We just gotta put it together. We got a lot of different guys that can do a lot of different things. We got our gadget guys, we got our true receivers, route runners, jump-ball guys, we have it all.”

In the backfield, the Penguins have several options until Ethan Wright’s recovery allows him to return, including Jaden Gilbert, Tahir Mills, Da’Shaun Whatley, Antuan Gardner and TC Caffey.

On the offensive line, YSU returns three starters in juniors Van Keen, Desmeal Leigh and Shane Keenan.

Nielsen and Joe Sferra also saw snaps last year, and the coaching staff has been high on Isaac Perkins’ performance in fall camp.

“Those guys are a special unit,” Yurcich said. “They work so hard, they’re demanding. They get hit every play, they’re physical every play and they’re gelling. I think coach (Austen) Bujnoch does a heck of a job to make sure that they’re versatile, so that if something does happen, you can move guys around. … I give a lot of credit to Van Keen. He’s done a tremendous job of leading us and I don’t think he’s missed a snap. He’s tremendously tough, but he’s very smart as well. He’s kind of the heartbeat up front.”

The Penguins open the season Thursday at 6 p.m. against Mercyhurst at Stambaugh Stadium.