Rycraft ready for new position

The senior from West Branch has been movedto wide receiver.
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;By PETE MOLLICA & lt;/a & gt;
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Matt Rycraft would like to be the quarterback for Youngstown State this season.
Even though he's probably not going to do that, he's ready to help the Penguins rebound in 2004.
Rycraft, a senior from West Branch High, has played quarterback, wide receiver and running back in his two seasons with the Penguins.
Last season, he served as backup quarterback to Aaron Marshall, but this spring he has been moved back to wide receiver, and is expected to play a key role in the Penguins' offense.
"I'm not going to lie. I'd love to still be playing quarterback here," Rycraft said. "But the coaches feel that I can be of more help to this team as a receiver-running back-type, so that's what I'll be doing."
The 6-foot, 175-pound performer played in 10 games last season, and started twice at quarterback, against Indiana State and Illinois State.
He completed 26-for-48 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception, and carried 60 times for 335 yards and five TDs.
He was the team's third-leading rusher in 2003 and was second in touchdowns scored.
As a sophomore, Rycraft saw action mainly as a wide receiver, catching only two passes for 24 yards, both of them against Clarion in the season opener.
He attempted only one pass that season, a halfback-option pass which was completed for 34 yards against Western Illinois.
Rycraft did not play his freshman season while meeting initial NCAA eligibility requirements.
Optimistic
One of the fastest players on the team, Rycraft believes that the Penguins will turn things around this season.
"We were young last year, but this year we just have to pick it up and get it done," he said.
"We definitely have the players to do it. "We have some good young players, we've got some talent at wide receiver and we have three good quarterbacks."
Being on the other end of the quarterback-to-receiver tandem, Rycraft believes the Penguins have the talent to be much better this season.
"We have three very good quarterbacks and they all bring a little something different to the table," he said.
"They can all throw and run, and all we have to do now is to find the one who will take us there."
May have another season
Although Rycraft is listed as a senior, there is still the possibility that he could come back for a fifth season in 2005.
In order to do that, Rycraft must complete his college requirements and graduate with his class next year, something that linebacker Justin Dellarose did a year ago to earn his fifth season.
"We're working on it. Marilyn [O'Bruba, coordinator of YSU academic counseling] and I have been working things out," he said. "I'm going to go to summer school this year, and hopefully I can graduate with my class next spring and earn another season."
The Penguins are scheduled to return to spring drills today at 3 p.m.
The team will also work out Friday at 3:30 p.m.
Next week, they'll hold the "hoot n' holler" drill early in the week, and then the first jersey scrimmage Friday at 3:30 p.m.
& lt;a href=mailto:mollica@vindy.com & gt;mollica@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;