YOUNGSTOWN — With two weeks of fall camp in the rearview mirror, Youngstown State had its first scrimmage on Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium.
In a format similar to that of the spring’s Red-White Game, the first- and second-team units alternated drives during two 15-minute quarters, while the third- and fourth-team units played the majority of the 25-minute second half.
“We went hard yesterday, so for us, it’s just about getting into that ‘play’ mode,” head coach Doug Phillips said. “We’re playing a lot of guys. So to see them come out and compete, I’m always going to love that.
“I really like how they’re practicing. They’re coming ready and focused every day. The effort, the attitude, they’re competing. Coming off the field, [Friday] was probably one of the better practices we’ve had. But we gotta keep getting better.”
The offense dominated early, as both the first-team and second-team offense scored on each of their opening possessions.
Beau Brungard completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Sanders on the first-team’s drive, and Malachi “Bubba” Lewis hit Lynn Wyche-El from 40 yards out on the second-team’s possession.
The two quarterbacks shined during the first half of the scrimmage, as Brungard completed 12-of-19 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns, while Lewis was 8-for-13 for 198 yards and three touchdowns.
“We’ve got great competition at every position, that’s the funnest part,” offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said. “I think we know who the guy is at quarterback, but Bubba played really well today, so it’s good to see him up his game when live competition starts. I’m encouraged about that, that was probably the thing that really stood out to me today.
“Without having to watch the film, I think with our depth at running back, our depth at tight end, our depth at O-line and really receiver, we can mix guys around. There’s no set positions, so it’s just competition, competition and let’s see what happens.”
In addition to starting drives from the standard 25-yard line, the coaches put the players in a variety of situational possessions, including red zone, starting drives at the 1-yard line, third down, fourth down and special teams. In those situations, some plays were live with tackling, while others were just down by contact.
After the offense scored on those early possessions, the defense began to settle in with a series of stops.
“I think the biggest thing is the guys are understanding defensively what we’re trying to accomplish, and they’re playing a whole lot faster,” defensive coordinator Ryan Riemedio said. “It didn’t show early in practice today, but I think they picked it up and they understand what we got.”
The Penguins got stops in a pair of red zone and short field situations. Then on possessions in which the offense began at the 1-yard line, the defense gave up some yards, but eventually forced a punt and got off the field.
Defensive back Jussiah Williams-West also picked off Brungard and returned the interception 31 yards.
“I think we’ve done a really good job with the play-it periods,” Riemedio said. “I think when you add that next element, when you go live, it’s just a matter of the defense staying even-keeled and understanding that teams are going to get big plays. It’s how we’re going to respond to the next one.
“But it’s like anything else. We’ve gotta come out and match what the offense is bringing every day. Some practices it’s vice-versa, but ultimately it comes down to us sharpening each other. Iron sharpens iron, right? So it’s good for us to get that on tape and learn from it and get back to work on Monday.”
LEWIS STEPS UP
At one point during spring practice, Yurcich indicated that he had yet to see anyone emerge in the battle for the backup quarterback spot behind Brungard.
In fall camp though, it seems Lewis has solidified himself as the No. 2 quarterback ahead of Zeb Kinsey, Cason Diiulio and Jonny Evanchick, according to Yurcich.
“It’s the same thing over and over and over again. It’s more reps,” Yurcich said of Lewis’ growth. “I haven’t changed anything, just getting to know Bubba a little bit more and trying to adapt to his learning style, I think that helps.”
Just like in any offense, making the pre-snap reads, identifying and changing protections and other quarterback fundamentals are important to learning and acclimating to Yurcich’s scheme.
Yurcich credited Lewis for how he has “applied himself” throughout the offseason by putting in the work necessary to take that next step as a quarterback.
“You can provide all the information and you can diagram and practice and instruct, at a certain point, they have to self-correct,” Yurcich said. “We have to know who we’re going to and what adjustments we have to make on every single play, and it’s a lot of work. It takes a long time to do that. … I think he deserves the credit because he’s put in the work. He was in the office in the offseason all the time, and he deserves a ton of credit. We had a great talk yesterday, and it was great to see him come out here and just really perform.”
HUNT EMERGING OUT WIDE
Throughout the offseason, wide receiver has been the focus of one of YSU’s key position battles with all the transfers the Penguins brought in back in January.
Judging by Saturday’s scrimmage, Findlay transfer Bryan Hunt has started to emerge as a go-to target for Brungard. Hunt had five receptions for 142 yards, which included a 52-yard bomb from Brungard and a couple big grabs in traffic.
But overall, between Hunt, Williams, Sanders, Wyche-El, Fresh Walters, Connor Smith and Lorenzo Jenkins, YSU’s options and depth at receiver might be as good as it has been the past few years.
“I’ve been tickled pink with all of them, to be honest with you,” Yurcich said. “Bryan’s done a great job, Dorian’s done a great job, LJ’s done a great job — I’m probably missing somebody — Connor Smith has been a guy we’ve been able to move around. Fresh has done a great job. He was here in the system, so he’s provided us with a spark, and he’s maturing. He’s a team guy and he provides an emotional boost.
“It’s just fun to watch them compete. We don’t have to make decisions right now, just let them continue to battle. It’s been excellent. All of those guys have been productive. They can all get better, but I really like where we’re at from that standpoint. [Receivers] Coach [Chris] Pearry’s done a great job.”
FIFTH-YEAR MANIA
In addition to the NCAA’s “5-in-5” age-based eligibility rule that was finalized for college athletes going forward in June, a recent court ruling in a lawsuit in Colorado granted athletes from the Class of 2022 an extra year of eligibility.
Phillips said Saturday that the ruling benefited some current players on the team, but not necessarily anyone who had already graduated and moved on thinking their eligibility had expired.
“It benefited a few of our guys that maybe transferred in and this was going to be their fourth year, so they get an extra year,” Phillips said. “A lot of our guys are already fifth-year guys, guys that we recruited. It might benefit two freshmen that played last year and lost their redshirt, those guys now have four more years to play. Benefited a transfer like Cam Smith, who was playing his fourth year and thought he was going to be a senior. Now he has an extra year. Dev Holman, a corner of ours that came from Butler, it gave him an extra year.”
Hence then, the article about ysu sees progress in first scrimmage of fall camp was published today ( ) and is available on TribToday ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( YSU sees progress in first scrimmage of fall camp )
Also on site :
- Warner Bros. Uses AI Dog Podcast to Promote ‘The End of Oak Street’: ‘Ewan McGregor Was Excellent With Treats’
- 1970 Song, Written About Eric Clapton's Unrequited Love for Best Friend's Wife, Took Years to Become a Hit
- GLOW Condemns the Confirmation of Todd Blanche; The Senate Hands the Department of Justice to the Lawyer a Federal Court Found Abandoned Its Defense