Different role, same goal: YSU’s Bush willing to lead

By Pete Mollica

The three-year letterwinner knows he’ll have more pressure on him this season.

YOUNGSTOWN — At 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, Youngstown State senior Derrick Bush stands out away from the football field.

A three-year letterwinner at tight end, Bush heads into his final season with the Penguins knowing his role has changed.

“I’m a senior now and I’ve got a lot more responsibility,” Bush said. “There’s also a little more pressure, but it’s exciting and I’m really looking forward to my last season.”

A native of Circleville, Bush has been a big asset since his freshman year in 2005.

He’s played in 34 of the Penguins’ 36 games since he’s come to YSU and has seen starting action in all three seasons, including nine starts a year ago when he had his best season with YSU.

Bush caught three passes for 33 yards and a touchdown in his first year, then added six receptions for 74 yards his sophomore season. Last year he had career highs in receptions (30) and receiving yards (310) and also caught another TD pass.

Bush was named to the All-Gateway second team in both his sophomore and junior seasons and is considered one of the best blockers on the offensive line as well as being an excellent receiver who rarely drops a pass.

The last three years Bush has worked with veteran quarterback Tom Zetts, but he’ll have a new partner this season with Zetts graduating.

“It hasn’t been that much of a change,” Bush said. “All three of them are very smart guys. The difference is Tom Zetts took control of the entire offense when he was in there, while these guys are still learning, but they are learning quickly and there shouldn’t be any problems when whoever takes over.”

Bush said there has been some changes in the offense.

“There are a few changes, but nothing really major,” he said. “We’ll be taking advantage of our playmakers more this year and we’ve added a ripple or two here and there.”

The big senior feels that he’ll be called on to do more this season on offense.

“I feel that I need to communicate more with the other players on the line especially early on when the quarterbacks have so many other things to concentrate on,” he continued.

Because he’s had a couple of good years he feels that he will have more pressure put on him this season.

“But I feel real good about this group of guys,” he added. “We were not satisfied with last season’s results and you can just see everybody working that much harder this spring and that should help us to have a good season.”

The Penguins open the season against Ohio State and Bush is excited about that.

“Your senior season and you open in the Horseshoe,” he said. “It will be exciting, but to me it’s really just another football game.”

The Penguins never got out on the field Friday for a practice session, but held a meeting with the seniors that lasted over 21‚Ñ2 hours. They will resume practice this morning at Stambaugh Stadium.

mollica@vindy.com