Messages

4876

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Saturday's Scrimmage is Closed to Public

« on: August 20, 2012, 02:44:01 PM »

I was at the scrimmage. A few things I noticed:

1. By YSU standards ...we are stacked at receivers ...and not just WR. TE's, X, and RB's as well. If Wheary is not red-shirted ...you will really like him. He can be another Bryant. Caver looks great as well. Disher looks about 2" taller than last year. JUCO Antuan Williams looks like an over-achiever ...could be something special.

2. You will not even recognize Angle. He looks like he grew, and he reads much better ...deeper and quicker. Very good stroke on the pass.

3. Kicking looked very good both times I have visited this summer. Brown looking better than ever ...as is Liste. Liste is leaning much further back & getting real height on the ball. The most hang-time yet. Coverage was always blown dead before it did much more than develop ...but I am still not impressed. Both times the return man was whistled down off of a touch in the back ...in a real game that would be a huge gain.

4. Hymes, Belamy, and Pace seeing most reps at tail. Unlike last week ...Pace looked very tough yesterday. The kid from Farrell adds a different style of running & he has hands. So he may not red-shirt, as this adds a nice weapon for Hess. Needs to bulk-up if he plans on a career at x-back or TE. He is not the 200lbs he is listed at.

5. People must still be playing for positions, as it seemed like the hitting was fierce at times.

6. That Kyle Bryant (transfer from BG) is not as fat as I expected for 310lbs ...Extremely tall.

7. The LB out of Ravenna looks like a nice pick-up. Does anyone know anything about him? Why is he a soph? Maybe an injury with no medical year? Maybe I missed him last year?


I took video of these guys and more. I am just learning video so it may be the weekend. I can tell it looks bad already.

4877

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Baseball recruits

« on: August 17, 2012, 03:50:27 PM »

Another nice find Indy. I could not find any video. I do see where he was 1st-team all-area and second team all-region. That is a big and mixed area. Lot's of Dominicans ...who just live for baseball. Any time we can pull in a west coast player ..it is opening a serious door. My father worked in nearby Downey.

There is a pitcher that looked like him in an area all-star game video ...but it does not say. If so, he hangs his arm very low ...like a big-time pitcher looking to conceal. He is a southpaw & throws very hard. More to the side than top on arm motion. Very wide stance. His stats show him hitting over .300 ...very interesting. He also is on Max Preps for basketball.

4878

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Penguin Club membership prizes

« on: August 16, 2012, 04:18:16 PM »

Here is the page with the winner:


http://www.ysusports.com/penguin_club/releases/2012-13/30_days_winners

I am holding out for those Loge tickets   

4879

YSU Penguin Athletics / Saturday's Scrimmage is Closed to Public

« on: August 16, 2012, 10:34:02 AM »

Just so everyone knows, this Saturday's scrimmage is closed to the public ...

The Youngstown State football team worked out twice on Wednesday. The Penguins had a solid two-hour practice in full pads in the morning then worked out in helmets later in the afternoon.

During the morning session, YSU went through individual drills for nearly an hour then spent a long team period with the offense going against the defense. On the first play, Andrew Williams caught an 80-yard touchdown pass. YSU also spent a good amount of time on live special teams situations during the workout.

In the afternoon session, the units practiced in just helmets. Once again the Penguins worked on individual drills and had a 25-minute team period.

Head Coach Eric Wolford said YSU is working on more installation of plays and formations this week. Also he said backup quarterback Patrick Angle is getting a good portion of the work with the No. 1 unit. Wolford also said most positions have been solid but was looking for a little more consistency from the wide receivers and the secondary.

In the morning session the Guins' offense performance pleased Wolford he said.

YSU will hold a 10 a.m. practice on Thursday before returning for two sessions on Friday.

Please not that Saturday morning's scrimmage at Stambaugh Stadium is closed to the general public. The Penguins appreciate your cooperation in the matter.

Season and individual game tickets are available by calling the YSU Athletic Ticket Office at (330) 941-1978.

4880

YSU Penguin Athletics / Scrimmage Updates

« on: August 11, 2012, 02:58:41 PM »

Again, I missed the scrimmage due to a case of "buickitis". However, here is what I have heard so far from those that were there:

1. Back-ups were in very early, and did well in most cases.

2. Defense has speed, but lacking some in control. Not bad for first game, and looked better that they did in spring.

3. Hymes did not play, Cooke only played one series. Pace was most consistent, but Bellamy was better today. Taylor moved to defense ...almost had an INT today ...dropped it.

4. Lots of defender s blitzing and trying to strip the ball ..much more than we would expect for an internal scrimmage. Again we looked suspect for the "big play" ...need more control.

5. Best performers on defense were Stanton, Childs, Edwards, Nwadiogbu, Lengyel, Peterman.

I have heard almost nothing specific on offense as of yet.

4881

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Guins Report Today

« on: August 11, 2012, 12:22:01 PM »

My car broke down on the way up, so I am not at the scrimmage. I will be at next week's scrimmage with some pictures.

4882

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Phil Steele Picks YSU as Top Team in MVFC

« on: August 10, 2012, 08:08:28 AM »

Great point Power. Also, even before the additions ...the instant dominance of Old Dominion (no pun intended), brought concerns about the CAA's credibility. Although I think they are wrong to worry about this, it has to be a concern to the media.

After all, we could look at Buffalo ...like Albany, part of the SUNY system, and an absolute nothing sports school. Yet, the state of NY gave them million$ to build up for the World Collegiate game years ago, and they now have the top facilities in the MAC. Took our spot as I recall. So Albany has potential. SBU has good non-football sports ...baseball, basketball, track are all great. Location is the main concern for adding these two programs to the CAA, as it should be. The problem with the CAA are their fans ...a bunch of arrogant bas****ds that think schools are going to leave good conferences for them ...they are even talking IA/FBS programs. This nice slap in the face, should hopefully get their minds back on football ...they needed some bottom-feeders. They need to offer these programs full membership soon, as I know the MAC wants SBU. Baseball is the new focus of the MAC. Look at the salary increases for coaches. Even assistants are paid more than our head coach. SBU's run in the CWS has opened many of doors of opportunity.



In comparison, look at the recent new entries into the Gateway/MVFC:
-YSU came in and won a national championship. (2 years)
-WKU came in an won a national championship. (2 years)
-NDSU came and won a national championship. (3 years)

4883

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Phil Steele Picks YSU as Top Team in MVFC

« on: August 09, 2012, 03:09:37 PM »

More Info out today:

Entire List:

1) Sam Houston St
2) James Madiso n
3) Montana St
4) Youngstown St
5) Wofford
6) North Da kota St
7) EASTERN WASHING TON
TOWSON
9) Stony Broo k
10) Georgia Southern
11) NEW HAMPSHIRE
12) Delaware
13) Stephen F. Austin
14) NORTHERN ARIZONA
15) Northern Iowa
16) Appalachian St
17) EASTERN KENTUCKY
18) Lehigh
19) OLD DOMINION
20) MONTANA
21) Illinois St
22) SOUTH CAROLINA ST
23) HARVARD
24) JACKSONVILLE ST
25) ALABAMA ST
26) SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
27) MCNEESE ST
28) Grambling St
29) CHATTANOOGA
30) MAINE
31) CENTRAL ARKANSAS
32) MURRAY ST
33) INDIANA ST
34) WILLIAM & MARY
35) PENN
36) NoRFOLK ST
37) DUQUESNE
38) UT MARTIN
39) LIBERTY
40) HOLY CROSS


All America Teams ...NO GUINS, so I am not going to bother listing all of them.

http://www.ovcsports.com/documents/2012/8/8/Phil%20Steele%27s%20Preseason%20FCS%20Release.pdf

4884

YSU Penguin Athletics / Stony Brook and Albany Move CAA

« on: August 09, 2012, 01:42:34 PM »

RICHMOND, Va. (August 7, 2012) -- The University at Albany and Stony Brook University have both accepted offers of membership into CAA Football beginning July 2013, Commissioner Tom Yeager announced today.

“This is certainly a momentous day for CAA Football,” Yeager said.  “The addition of Albany and Stony Brook bring playoff-tested programs from the Northeast into an already nationally-prominent league.”

Albany’s recent success at the FCS level is evidenced by its Northeast Conference title and Division I NCAA Championship berth in 2011.  The Great Danes, under 39-year head coach Bob Ford, have won 30 games and two NEC championships dating back to the 2008 season.   Albany won eight of its final nine regular-season games in 2011, helping it earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Playoffs.  The Great Danes’ offense was among the nation’s best last season averaging better than 33 points/game and holding a pass-efficiency mark of 148.4 which ranked 13th in the country.

“Albany’s success last season is evidence Coach Ford has built a program that will be ready to compete right away in our league,” Yeager said.  “Coinciding with its new on-campus football stadium opening in 2013, we are looking forward to having the Great Danes create some great conference rivalries immediately.”

Under head coach Chuck Priore, Stony Brook has captured three consecutive Big South championships and earned the program’s first-ever NCAA Division I Football Championship berth in 2011.  The Seawolves, which produced a program-best nine-game winning streak during the 2011 season, advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a thrilling 31-28, first-round win over Albany before losing to national runner-up Sam Houston State. The Seawolves finished the season nationally ranked for the first time ever and were the nation’s top scoring offense at 38.0 points per game.  Several preseason publications have Stony Brook ranked heading into the 2012 season.

“Coach Priore has Stony Brook poised for yet another run for the NCAA Playoffs,” Yeager said.  “Welcoming the Seawolves into our league next season will present our current members with yet another challenging matchup come Saturday’s in the fall.”

Five National Championships, nine NCAA Championship game appearances, 18 NCAA semifinal appearances and more than 70 postseason wins...Unprecedented numbers in terms of Football Championship Subdivision success dating back to the Yankee Conference  and Atlantic 10 Conference days.  CAA Football raised the profile of league since it took the conference reins in 2007, now five years into the CAA’s leadership the league has cemented itself as an FCS power conference in terms of television exposure, marketability and success of its players at the next level.  On the field CAA Football squads have registered 23 postseason berths since 2007, including three seasons in which an NCAA-record five league squads reached the postseason.

Beginning in 2012, CAA Football will kickoff a five-year agreement the Colonial Athletic Association inked with the NBC Sports Group in February.  The broadcast agreement will provide CAA Football a minimum of five national television broadcasts on the NBC Sports Network and continue its regional television coverage with an additional 13 broadcasts using the Comcast SportsNet regional networks.  The CAA and CAA Football was the first collegiate athletic conference to sign a broadcast agreement with the NBC Sports Network, which launched on January 2, 2012.

CAA Football is poised for another successful season on the field in 2012.  New Hampshire’s Matt Evans, the 2011 Buck Buchanan National Defensive Player of the Year, and Towson’s Terrance West, the 2011 Jerry Rice National Freshman of the Year lead a cast of 14 First Team All-CAA Football honorees who return in 2012.  Towson head coach Rob Ambrose, the 2011 Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year, returns 19 starters from a squad which captured its first-ever league crown last season.  The Tigers are not the only squad to boast a load of returners as each league squad returns no fewer than 14 starters from 2011.

What They Are Saying...

CAA Football Commissioner Tom Yeager
On the addition of both Albany and Stony Brook:
“This is certainly a momentous day for CAA Football.  The addition of Albany and Stony Brook bring playoff-tested programs from the Northeast into an already nationally-prominent league.”

On Albany:
“Albany’s success last season is evidence Coach Ford has built a program that will be ready to compete right away in our league.  Coinciding with its new on-campus football stadium opening in 2013, we are looking forward to having the Great Danes create some great conference rivalries immediately.”

On Stony Brook:
“Coach Priore has Stony Brook poised for yet another run for the NCAA Playoffs.  Welcoming the Seawolves into our league next season will present our current members with yet another challenging matchup come Saturday’s in the fall.”

Albany Athletics Director Lee McElroy
“The invitation to join the CAA is reflection of the outstanding leadership of President Phillip. UAlbany football, under Bob Ford, is excited to compete in the top FCS conference in the nation. Our student-athletes, fans, alums, and staff look forward to promoting the tradition, pride, and achievement of the Great Danes.”

Albany Head Football Coach Bob Ford
“We are excited about being invited into the best conference in the country at this level of football. Every team in the CAA has established themselves in one way or another with great football. There are some great coaches and some very good football players who have played professionally out of this conference. We are very excited to accept this invitation.”

Stony Brook Athletics Director Jim Fiore
“We are honored by this opportunity to become a member of CAA Football.  We will now compete in arguably the most challenging and respected conference in the Football Championship Subdivision, while also allowing us to continue to develop regional rivalries through conference participation.  Stony Brook Football has come very far, very fast over the last five years, and now is the time to elevate our program further and to put ourselves in a position to win national championships.  The CAA has a clear pedigree and built an unrivaled tradition of excellence, and I am confident that under Coach Chuck Priore’s leadership, our football program will continue to grow and annually compete for league and national championships as members of the CAA.  Clearly, as we join this outstanding conference today, our best days are ahead of us.

Stony Brook Head Football Coach Chuck Priore
“Joining CAA Football will surely raise the profile of our program as we will now compete against the best of the best in Football Championship Subdivision.  As we take on premier FCS teams within our conference and continue to play a challenging non-conference schedule, we will have the opportunity to expand our recruiting efforts and find the best and the brightest to come to Stony Brook University.  Our coaches and student-athletes are eager for the challenge, and we expect that this opportunity will allow us to annually compete for a national championship each year.”

4885

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Phil Steele Picks YSU as Top Team in MVFC

« on: August 08, 2012, 08:23:21 PM »

Interesting pick for YSU, and SIU. This man does some homework. SIU and ILS are really going to tough this year in my mind as well. Of course Steele is a Buckeye if I am not mistaken, and always likes Tressel. So it probably only takes a couple of rumors to get him to like us.

4886

YSU Penguin Athletics / Phil Steele Picks YSU as Top Team in MVFC

« on: August 08, 2012, 08:22:09 PM »

1. Sam Houston State
2. James Madison
3. Montana State
4. Youngstown State
5. Wofford
6. N. Dakota State
21. Illinois State
26. Southern Illinois
33. Indiana State

4887

YSU Penguin Athletics / Scalzo: YSU’s Rich overcomes poor odds

« on: August 08, 2012, 04:35:39 PM »

By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

There’s probably a nicer way to say this but, for the sake of brevity, we’ll stick with the direct approach: Dom Rich has no business being a starting linebacker at Youngstown State.

The Canfield High graduate started his career as a walk-on (strike one) under Jon Heacock (strike two, at least once Eric Wolford arrived) and has battled knee and hip injuries (strike three) as Wolford brought in a bevy of linebacker recruits (strike four) — some of them transfers from major colleges (strike five) — and ... well, you get the idea.

“Coming in without any scholarship money, I had a chip on my shoulder because I thought I deserved it,” said Rich, one of just 11 players remaining from the Heacock era. “It took a couple years but the coaching staff, they finally got that respect [for my ability].”

As a redshirt freshman in 2010, Rich worked his way into the lineup at Will (weakside) linebacker for the final three games, earning a scholarship for the 2011 season. He played in the first three games last fall before suffering (or, more accurately, discovering) a season-ending hip fracture.

Now healthy again, he’s ahead of Ali Cheaib on the depth chart for the starting Sam linebacker spot manned last season by Davion Rogers, who left the program in December.

“Dom, no question, is an overachiever,” Wolford said. “He’s done a good job. We put him on scholarship last year and deservingly so.

“When guys come in, work hard and do things right, they’re going to be rewarded. That’s the way it should be. Dom didn’t feel entitled to anything and he continues to get better. We expect big things from him.”

Sophomores Teven Williams (Mike) and Travis Williams (Will) are back at the two other linebacker spots in YSU’s 4-3 alignment. Teven missed part of the spring with a knee injury but said he is back to 100 percent.

“He had a little hitch in his giddyup [in the spring] but he’s back to the Teven we know,” Wolford said. “He’s faster, stronger, more physical, smarter, more coachable and that’s part of the process too.

“If you let us coach you, you’ve got the opportunity to be special.”

As a true freshman last summer, Teven Williams (6-0, 220) played all 11 games, beating out senior captain John Sasson for the starting spot in week four. He stayed there the rest of the year, leading the team in total tackles (67) and unassisted tackles (38) to earn honorable mention all-conference honors.

“I got some experience under my belt and that’s definitely key,” said Teven, a preseason all-conference pick. “You can’t really beat experience. I had a much better summer [this year] as far as developing myself and preparing myself for the work to come.”

On paper, linebackers are the strength of YSU’s defense — and you’ll get no argument from them.

“I feel like the linebacking crew sets the tone for the rest of the defense,” Teven said. “I feel like the other guys feed off us. If we’re amped, it’s just contagious.

“It’s our responsibility to get everyone in order, making checks, making calls. When we’re succeeding, everyone is working together for one goal.”

4888

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Coach Gillispie Meets with Media in First Day at YSU

« on: August 07, 2012, 05:53:59 PM »

Makes sense ...he went to Hubbard, or maybe Howland I think.

4889

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Guins Report Today

« on: August 07, 2012, 12:01:54 PM »

Scrimmage this weekend. I will be there. Anyone else going?

4890

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Hardaway Releases 2012 YSU Volleyball Schedule

« on: August 07, 2012, 06:28:40 AM »

I am cautiously optimistic. This is the best schedule that I have seen in a while. A few nice tournaments. Coach Hardaway came from BG, which pays attention to volleyball. I know football is just around the corner, but good luck Lady Pens ...we will be watching!!