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5566

YSU Penguin Athletics / Boldon Releases 2011-12 YSU Women’s Basketball Schedule

« on: August 24, 2011, 06:00:43 AM »

Youngstown -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team will play 13 games against opponents who won at least 20 games last season and participate in a Thanksgiving tournament in Los Angeles during the 2011-12 season, YSU head coach Bob Boldon announced on Tuesday.

The Penguins will have a challenging start with five of the first eight contests against teams who won 20-plus games a year ago. They'll also play five of their first six contests away from Beeghly Center.

Boldon's second season will start at West Virginia on Friday, Nov. 11, and the Penguins will remain on the road to play at IPFW (Nov. 13) and at Bucknell (Nov. 16). YSU's home opener will be against American on Nov. 21, and the Guins' league opener will be versus Cleveland State on Dec. 31. YSU has just 12 home contests on the 29-game docket.

"This is a very exciting and challenging schedule for us as we continue to build our program," Boldon said. "We have a very demanding non-conference slate that will definitely prepare us for the Horizon League, and we're adding New York City and Los Angeles to our list of attractive travel destinations."

Following the home game against American, YSU will play in a two-game tournament at Loyola Marymount on Nov. 25-26. The Penguins will open against the host Lions and play against either Wyoming or Northern Iowa the following day. Youngstown State's last trip to California was at Pepperdine in 1998. YSU senior Macey Nortey (Long Beach, Calif.) and junior Brandi Brown (Pomona, Calif.) are both from the Los Angeles area.

The Penguins will return home to play back-to-back games against Western Michigan and Bowling Green on Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, and they'll close out their non-conference slate with three road contests at Ohio, Akron and Stony Brook.

The Penguins and Vikings will open Horizon League play and conclude 2011 with a contest on Saturday, Dec. 31, at Beeghly Center. The Guins will then begin their league rotation of playing on Thursdays and Saturdays when they visit Butler and Valparaiso before returning home to play Loyola and UIC on Jan. 12 and Jan. 14.

YSU will head back on the road to play Green Bay and Milwaukee before starting a season-long four-game homestand that will end the first half of Horizon League play and begin the second. The Guins will play Detroit and Wright State on Jan. 26 and Jan. 28 to end the first round against the circuit, and they'll play Valparaiso and Butler on Feb. 2 and Feb. 4 to start the second cycle.

Road games at UIC and Loyola will follow on Feb. 9 and Feb. 11, and the Guins will conclude their home schedule on Feb. 16 and Feb. 18 against Milwaukee and Green Bay. The rest of the regular-season schedule includes games at Wright State, Detroit and Cleveland State.

5567

YSU Penguin Athletics / Interesting quote from coach W

« on: August 23, 2011, 06:20:26 PM »

“If you look at the big picture, we’re gonna do what’s best for the program,” Wolford said. “If things are even and you’ve got a guy that’s going to be around here three or four years and another guy that’s only going to be here for another year or two, he’s had his opportunity. “If you’re gonna let someone come in and take your job, then that’s on you. You’ve got to live with it.”

What is your opinion? I absolutely do not agree with this statement. If two people are even ...you go with the seniors (then work your way down). Anything else can be misinterpreted as favoritism to your recruits over the previous coach. If you have a player that has been "busting his backside" for 4 or 5 years ...he deserves something in return. One loyal deed deserves another. Again this is only if the two in question are 'even'. Because what will happen is that you will lose players & will have no depth. Tressel and Heacock had 8 starting guards/tackles, and two centers on offense. They even rotated starters many times. Sure skilled positions are different, but if you expect to attract players away from larger program offers ...you had better be prepared to hand over the "keys to the city". To put this ins NFL terms ...No one is going to take a signing bonus in lieu of a salary. Do you think Pat Devlin transferred to Delaware, or Bo Levi transferred to Eastern Washington for "a chance" to play? That football was in their hand before they even set foot in camp the first time.

Am I seeing this incorrectly?

5568

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Football Prediction for 2011

« on: August 23, 2011, 11:25:30 AM »

I am saying 6-wins ...hopefully 7 (to me, ILS is the key & that is very early), but I do not think that will make it a 20-team field unless our conference record has us at the 1 or 2 spot in the former GFC. Another wild card is SIU ...Lennon had his own players last year & a few issues. This year they have lost a few key players. If we defeat both SIU and ILS, we will have 7-wins minimum ...and no less than #3 in the MVFC.

5569

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: depth chart

« on: August 22, 2011, 07:28:50 AM »

I would assume Maddy is the starter, which is why Radakovich was at guard. The one to take notice on is QB Nania. He took lots of reps. I would hope we will red-shirt him to get a solid gap between he an Hess. Looks like Rach did not pass his summer class & will sit for 2011. Shaw is doing well. I understand D'Alesio will be healthy by start. We could have a battle at safety.

5570

YSU Penguin Athletics / depth chart

« on: August 21, 2011, 12:21:15 PM »

Any guesses on the depth chart, or at least starters? Here are the ones I saw working on #1 the most. Granted there are injuries & a lot of starters played on 2 & 3 ...

Offense
1	Andre Barboza	WR
2	Christian Bryan	WR
6	Jelani Berassa	WR
12	Kurt Hess	QB
13	David Rogers	TE
35	Jamain Cooke	RB
66	Chris Elkins	OG
72	Andrew Radakovich	OT
75	Eric Franklin	OT
76	Mark Pratt	C
77	DJ Main	OT

Defense
1	Josh Garner	FS
2	Devont'a Davis	CB
90	Obinna Ekweremuba	DE
94	Andre Stanton	DT
44	Andrew Johnson	DT
92	Luis Quinones	DE
11	Davion Rogers	LB
53	John Sasson	LB
10	Josh Lee	SS
4	Travis Williams	LB
5	Deonta Tate	LB

5571

YSU Penguin Athletics / Photos: Today's Scrimmage

« on: August 21, 2011, 12:13:00 AM »

Here are the photos:

http://ysupenguins.com/2011-08-20/

5572

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Tickets

« on: August 21, 2011, 12:10:41 AM »

Mine as well Pita ...no tailgate passes yet. Those always trail the tickets.

5573

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Today's Practice

« on: August 20, 2011, 06:55:53 AM »

Here you are. I apologize that some of the photos are blurry, but you can see the facility and the team:

http://www.ysupenguins.com/2011-08-19/

5574

YSU Penguin Athletics / Photos: Today's Practice

« on: August 19, 2011, 11:03:13 PM »

I went to today's practice. It began to storm with lightning, so we went into WATTS. VERY impressive structure. I have some nice photos ...I will try to get them out tonight for everyone to see. This team in very different than last season. Tomorrow's scrimmage will tell a great deal. There is no written depth-chart ...so this will be the scrimmage to go to. I expect to see people there ...10am.

5575

YSU Penguin Athletics / Vindy 8/19 Football Update

« on: August 19, 2011, 07:45:51 AM »

Solid practice: YSU had just one practice on Thursday morning and coach Eric Wolford was pleased with his team’s effort. “The kids are working hard,” he said. “I always think it’s easier if you know you’ve got a one-a-day and you’re not saving yourself for the next practice. We got a little sluggish at the midway and had to get it going but that’s usually the job of us coaches, to a light a little fire under their tail.” The practice ended with sophomore RB Jordan Thompson getting stuffed at the goal line on a third-and-1. “That’s the name of the game, keeping them out of the end zone,” Wolford said.

Saturday’s scrimmage: YSU will hold its second and final scrimmage of training camp on Saturday. YSU will warm up around 10 a.m. with the scrimmage starting around 10:30 at Stambaugh Stadium. “We need a good, healthy scrimmage,” Wolford said. “It’s not going to be as long as normal [but] we need to still get a few positions settled.” The Penguins practice twice today, at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. They are off Sunday. Practices are free and open to the public.

Calling it a career: Sophomore linebacker Mark Brandenstein (Mooney), who was redshirted this year due to concussion-related symptoms, said he is done with football. “I went to three doctors and they all said the same thing, that it’s just going to keep coming back,” he said. Brandenstein played mostly special teams last fall, appearing in all 11 games and making 13 tackles. His aggressive, head-first style helped him earn first team All-Ohio honors as a fullback/linebacker his senior year with the Cardinals and he admitted he wasn’t likely to play differently if he resumed his career. He is working with the team’s strength and conditioning staff this season.

5576

YSU Penguin Athletics / Stubbs, Liste excel in special teams session

« on: August 17, 2011, 06:44:42 AM »

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State wideout Andre Stubbs has a chance to put the special in special teams.

Stubbs, a true freshman, had lengthy returns on both punt and kickoff returns on Tuesday as the Penguins devoted much of their 12th practice to special teams.

“I like him,” YSU coach Eric Wolford said of Stubbs. “He’s tremendously explosive, he’s fast, he’s good with the ball in his hands and he can make guys miss.

“He’s hard to tackle in a phone booth. He can shake you up real quick.”

Sophomore punter Nick Liste (Niles) also had a good day, booming all four of his punts more than 45 yards. Liste, a preseason all-conference pick, averaged 41.4 yards per kick, placing 15 of his 41 punts inside the 20.

“He’s a great punter,” Wolford said. “He’s obviously hitting the ball really well and he’s placing the ball very well.”

In addition to special teams, YSU worked on some short-yardage plays with the defense getting the best of the offense in third-and-1 situations.

“You’ve got to be able to get one yard,” Wolford said. “I know we’ve got some guys banged up but you’ve got to be 100 percent on third-and-short.”

One of the day’s biggest highlights involved newly-converted tight end Will Shaw, who caught a 40-yard TD pass from Kurt Hess.

“He’s done very well,” Wolford said of Shaw. “It’s only his second day at the position and we’re very encouraged by what we see there.

“He’s strong, he’s athletic and he has a presence to him. I expect him to be a contributing guy on this team.”

YSU returns to practice today for a morning and evening session. The Penguins’ early practice starts at 9 a.m. while the second workout is at 5 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.

The Penguins will hold their second scrimmage on Saturday at 10 a.m. Wolford said he wants to solidify his 60-man roster after that scrimmage.

YSU opens the season on Sept. 2 at Michigan State.

Jackman commits

The Penguins picked up their second verbal commitment of the 2012 class in Lexington senior Tyler Jackman, according to the Mansfield News Journal.

Jackman (6-2, 200), who plays safety, was recruited as an outside linebacker. He had 46 tackles, including 35 solo, last fall and earned first team all-district honors.

He also had offers from Army and Air Force.

The Penguins’ first 2012 commitment came from lineman Matt Bell of Hickory, Pa.

5577

YSU Penguin Athletics / Penguins picked up their second verbal commitment of the 2012 class

« on: August 17, 2011, 06:43:23 AM »

The Penguins picked up their second verbal commitment of the 2012 class in Lexington senior Tyler Jackman, according to the Mansfield News Journal.

Jackman (6-2, 200), who plays safety, was recruited as an outside linebacker. He had 46 tackles, including 35 solo, last fall and earned first team all-district honors.

He also had offers from Army and Air Force.

The Penguins’ first 2012 commitment came from lineman Matt Bell of Hickory, Pa.

5578

YSU Penguin Athletics / Football Updates 8/16

« on: August 16, 2011, 06:15:13 AM »

Position changes: Junior linebacker Will Shaw was switched from linebacker to tight end, one of three position changes announced Monday. Shaw played all 11 games at safety last year, starting eight. He was moved to linebacker in the spring but was limited with a hamstring injury. YSU coach Eric Wolford said he talked with Shaw about the switch on Sunday and Shaw was initially hesitant. “After one practice [Monday morning], he was like, ‘Wow, I can be pretty good at this,’” Wolford said. The other changes involved freshmen: Brandon Green moved from DT to the offensive line and CB Parnell Taylor was moved from CB to WR.

Future in doubt: Senior DE David Rach (South Range) could be academically ineligible this season, Wolford said. “He had a class where he didn’t get the grade he expected to get, which is unfortunate because he busted his tail in it,” Wolford said. “He’s trying to talk to the teacher because he thinks maybe they made a mistake, but if he doesn’t get his grade changed, he will be ineligible.” Rach, a secondary education major, started all 11 games at linebacker last year.

Depth chart: Wolford posted his first depth chart Monday but did not release it to the media. He hinted it has quite a few underclassmen. “Just because you were a starter on a 3-8 team doesn’t mean you’re gong to be a starter this year,” he said. “You’re not grandfathered in.”

5579

YSU Penguin Athletics / An influx of depth and talent has YSU’s defensive line thinking big

« on: August 16, 2011, 06:09:29 AM »

By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

After a solid — and slightly overlooked — first season on Youngstown State’s football team, there is probably no defensive lineman with a safer job than senior Andrew Johnson.

He doesn’t see it that way.

“I feel like I can’t take any plays off [in practice],” said Johnson, who transferred in last summer from Bowling Green. “Just because I’m a senior and this is my last go-around doesn’t mean I’m guaranteed any playing time because we have that much talent.”

That wasn’t the case last year, where players such as Johnson and then-senior DT Torrance Nicholson wore down in games because YSU didn’t have enough depth to give them a breather.

“We definitely went out and recruited with depth in mind,” defensive line coach Tom Sims said. “We wanted to upgrade our talent also and we felt like we did that.”

Junior college transfers Nick DeKraker and Josh Fenderson arrived in the spring and 10 more defensive linemen joined the team this summer, including Grand Rapids Community College transfer Aronde Stanton, a junior defensive tackle.

“He’s really coming on and doing a good job,” Johnson said of Stanton. “Watch out for [No.] 94 this year.”

DeKraker, Johnson, Obinna Ekweremuba and sophomore D.J. Moss (Fitch) were the first team defensive linemen in Saturday’s scrimmage, with Stanton, Fenderson and pass rushing specialist Daniel Stewart also getting first-team looks.

Of those, the undersized (5-foot-11) Moss might be the biggest surprise.

“He’s an overachiever,” Sims said. “He has to do everything right and he has.”

Said Moss, “I’m just working hard, trying to do things right and make a name for myself.”

While an offensive lineman might play all 70 snaps, even the best defensive linemen are limited to 40-50 and Sims plans to rotate liberally, particularly since so many conference teams play an uptempo style.

“The best way to put it is, a great miler will lose to an average relay team,” Sims said. “We’re a work in progress. We feel like we took some steps forward this week but we’ve got a long way to go before our first game.”

YSU coach Eric Wolford’s philosophy is the closer you are to the ball, the less likely you are to play early in your career. Positions such as wide receiver or cornerback rely more on athleticism, whereas positions such as guard or defensive tackle are more strength-oriented.

Since freshmen typically need time to bulk up for the college game, it’s unlikely one of the newcomers is going to snag a starting spot.

But since defensive linemen rotate in and out so often, it wouldn’t be a surprise if a handful earned letters.

“Anybody that proves that they can contribute, we’re going to put them out there and give them opportunity,” Sims said. “So we’ll have a lot of people playing.”

YSU lost two starters to graduation, Nicholson and Luke Matelan, and senior-to-be Stephen Meadows left the team in the offseason after losing his starting spot to Ekweremuba in the final six games.

Like last year, Sims said players will be constantly evaluated.

“It’ll be day-to-day, play-to-play,” he said. “Lot of people talk about starters. I’m looking for finishers, people that I can trust at the end of those ballgames that are going to finish them.”

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Tickets

« on: August 14, 2011, 02:38:07 PM »

I have not received my tickets or passes as of yet. Any other season ticket holders ...have you received yours yet?