YOUNGSTOWN - One of the primary goals for Youngstown State's spring football workouts is for the Penguins to become a more physical team.
Second-year coach Eric Wolford believes that is critical if YSU is going to return to prominence in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
The Penguins were just 3-8 overall and 1-7 in the MVFC in Wolford's first season. Too often, Wolford felt, YSU came out on the wrong side of physical matchups.
After a scrimmage last Saturday, he said that is beginning to change.
"I'm happy with where we are," Wolford said. "We're progressing along. I think you guys can tell by standing here listening that we're a more physical football team. You actually hear some pads popping. That's encouraging."
The Penguins of the 1990s usually managed to be more physical than most opponents during their run of Division I-AA championships and appearances in the title game. To re-establish itself as a power in the Football Championship Subdivision, Wolford said YSU first must catch up with its MVFC rivals.
"It's a very physical league," he said. "There are some physical teams in this league and that's a compliment to them. We have to raise our level of being a physical football team in order to have an opportunity to win the league."
But for now, the Penguins' only chance to get physical is with one another. Spring practice continues this week and concludes at 12:05 p.m. on Saturday with the 39th annual Red-White Spring Game.
YSU's No. 1 offense and No. 2 defense will make up the Red team. The White team will consist of the Penguins' No. 1 defense and No. 2 offense.
The game will be broadcast live by WKBN-570 AM. Tickets are available by calling the YSU Athletic Ticket Office at 330-941-1978. Tickets are $5. The university is offering $15 tailgate passes.
A women's coaching clinic is set for Friday at 5:30 p.m.
COACHES SET: Red team coaches include YSU assistants Shane Montgomery, Louie Matsakis, Andre Coleman, Tom Sims, Frank Buffano and Rollen Smith. The honorary coaches on offense are Sam Covelli and Ohio Sen. Joe Schiavoni. Former Ohio Sen. Harry Meshel and U.S. Judge Peter C. Economus are the honorary defensive coaches.
The White staff includes Penguins assistants Carmen Bricillo, Mauro Monz, George Clarke, Rick Kravitz, Ron Stoops and Sal Guagliardo. Honorary coaches on offense are Eric Ryan and Penguin Club president Walter "Buzz" Pishkur. Kelly Pavlik and Jim Gasior are the honorary defensive coaches.
epuskas@tribtoday.com
