Andrews trying to help Thunder

The former YSU standout has been with Mahoning Valley for just two weeks.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Mike Andrews is back in Youngstown these days and the former YSU Penguin might be enjoying his second trip even more than his first.

Andrews, a native of Oldsmar, Fla., played his last season at YSU in 2005 and then spent a year in Europe playing with the Rhyne Fire in NFL Europa.

Now he’s back in the States and in the af2, where he wound up on the league’s Other Exempt list. Two weeks ago, he was picked up by the Mahoning Valley Thunder.

“It’s nice to be back and see old friends,” Andrews said. “I had four great years here with the Penguins.”

The 6-1, 260 pound linebacker has moved right in since joining the Thunder, starting the last two games, a 57-20 win over Cincinnati and a 54-39 loss to Green Bay.

Returns home Saturday

Saturday night, the Thunder returns to the Chevrolet Centre to take on the Quad City Steamwheelers in a 7:05 contest.

Andrews said the biggest difference between regular football and arena football is the speed of the game.

“You really appreciate physical conditioning in this league,” he said. “Just because the game is always moving so quickly.”

“I like it, it’s different, but then again it is still football and I love football,” he added.

Andrews said that he didn’t have a good time in the one season that he spent in Europe.

“Football is so political over there; it wasn’t a lot of fun,” he said.

Andrews said that he went to Europe as a free agent and was picked up by the Fire.

Andrews was a four-year letterman at YSU and was second on the team in total tackles his senior season with 70 and also had a pair of interceptions,

Played well in Cincinnati

He played well in his first game with the Thunder in the win at Cincinnati, getting two tackles, one for a loss.

Last week at Green Bay Andrews said the whole defense played poorly.

“We lost last week, but it was our own fault, we just didn’t play well,” he said.

“I’ve only been here a couple of weeks, but this league is definitely all about offense. Even the rules make it tough on the defense.

“I’m used to playing linebacker and moving around before the ball is snapped, but here you can’t do that. It’s difficult, but it’s still fun to play,” he added.

“In the two weeks that I’ve been here I can see that there is plenty of talent on this team,” he said. “With six games remaining there is still plenty of time to get this thing turned around.”