YSU holds rushers to 147

Defensive tackle Mychal
Savage saw positive results from training camp drills.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

COLUMBUS — Youngstown State senior defensive tackle Mychal Savage knows now what those long, hot fall camp workouts meant to the Penguins’ defense.

The Penguins put forth a tremendous defensive effort Saturday afternoon in a 38-6 loss against No. 10-ranked Ohio State, but it was mainly centered on the Buckeyes’ running game.

YSU held the Buckeyes to 147 rushing yards and held their No. 1 tailback Chris Wells to just 46 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown, a 1-yard run.

“We spent almost our entire fall camp working on stopping the run this season and it seemed to have paid off pretty well here today,” Savage said.

“All those heavy workouts and Coach [Antoine] Smith’s personal one-on-one drills really made the difference,” Savage said.

“We loaded up pretty good in the box against them, six and seven men almost every down,” Savage said.

Savage said that the Buckeyes huge offensive line really didn’t make that much difference against the run.

“We worked on techniques at practice to overcome the size difference and the work paid off in a big way,” Savage said.

YSU head coach Jon Heacock praised his defense, especially their play against the run.

“When you can shut down a team like Ohio State, especially when we did it so many times down at the goal line, it is exciting to watch,” Heacock said.

The downside

Savage said that the concentrated effort to stop the run probably cost the Penguins some double coverage in the secondary.

“It put a lot more pressure on our secondary in passing plays and when you are rushing against the pass, those big linemen have a definite advantage,” he said.

“I’m sure we’ll be working extra hard this week in practice to improve on our pass rush,” Savage said.

Savage finished the game with six tackles and one tackle for loss as the Penguins had six tackles for losses on the day for a minus-21 yards. They also had two sacks.

Senior linebacker Jeremiah Wright also felt good about the Penguins’ effort.

“We came out feeling pretty good,” Wright said. “We knew what we needed to do and stopped them at the goal line.

“We stood up and did what we needed to do and it took them a few times to finally get in,” Wright said.

mollica@vindy.com