The Youngstown State Penguins and Mercyhurst Lakers have rescheduled their football game in 2027, FBSchedules.com has learned. A copy of an amendment to the original contract was obtained from Youngstown State University via a state open records request.
The Penguins had been slated to travel to Erie, Pa., to face the Lakers at Saxon Field on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2027, as we previously reported. Under the amended agreement, Youngstown State will instead visit Mercyhurst the following season on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2028. Mercyhurst will not pay a guarantee for the contest, consistent with the terms of the original deal.
Youngstown State won the inaugural meeting between the programs, a 24–15 victory at Stambaugh Stadium in 2024. The teams opened the current season on Thursday, Aug. 27, with the Penguins earning a 43–10 home win.
The 2027 date was moved after Youngstown State added a road game at Toledo for the same day the Mercyhurst matchup had been scheduled.
Youngstown State competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC), while Mercyhurst plays in the Northeast Conference (NEC) after moving up from Division II to the FCS in 2024.
With Mercyhurst now set for Aug. 24, Youngstown State has tentatively completed its 2028 non‑conference slate. Following the trip to Erie, the Penguins are scheduled to host Valparaiso on Sept. 2, visit West Virginia on Sept. 9, and host Towson on Sept. 16.
Mercyhurst currently has two confirmed non‑conference opponents for 2028, with the Lakers also slated to visit San Jose State on Sept. 2.