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Tight end Bush ready for fourth season
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Tight end Patrick bellish dets a hug from his mother, Lynne, of Canfield.
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In this photo from Youngstown State's annual football media day in 2008, Tyler Griffin kisses his daughter.
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READY FOR POSITION ADJUSTMENT: Youngstown State tight end Derrick bush adjusts his helmet during practice this week at Stambaugh Stadium. YSU's tight ends will line up all over the field this season and Bush is excited about it.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State senior tight end Derrick Bush likes the Penguins’ new home jerseys, but he knows it’s going to be the effort that’s put forth in those uniforms that’s will make the difference for the Penguins this fall.
Bush and the rest of the YSU football team went through photo day Thursday, which was moved inside Stambaugh Stadium because of the weather. The new red home jerseys were a hit with everybody, including the fans.
“It’s nice and flashy, but it still comes down to getting the job done down on the field,” said Bush. “I’m not concerned with the look as much as I am getting the job done out on the field.”
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Bush then said what the team needed to do to get the job done.
“It’s all about winning games and we just have to go out there and do the best we can with what we have and continue to keep working hard all camp and hopefully we’ll be ready,” he added.
The Circleville native said this might be the toughest fall camp he’s been through at YSU.
“The conditioning, the running has been really emphasized and we’ve been going after each other every day in drills and scrimmages,” he said.
“This camp reminds me of the one in 2006 when we went to the [NCAA tournament] semifinals,” he added. “We just keep competing every day and the coaches keep track of who’s winning on offense and defense. It has really been intense.”
Bush has been a regular with the YSU offense ever since he walked onto the campus in 2005.
He was one of seven true freshman to play that season, seeing action in all 11 games. In 2006 and 2007 he earned All-Gate4way Conference second-team honors. Last season he caught a career-high 30 passes, third-best on the team, including one touchdown.
Bush was somewhat disappointed the Penguins were picked to finish third in the newly named Missouri Valley Football Conference.
“I was little disappointed, but then the two teams that were picked ahead of us did have great seasons a year ago, but all it means is that we have to go out and prove everybody wrong,” he said.
Bush feels the offense is really starting to come together this fall.
“There are still things that we need to work on like timing and continuity and we are still a long way from where we need to be, but it’s coming and the more we work the better we’re going to get,” he added.
Being from Circleville, which is close to Columbus, Bush said it will be exciting again to play Ohio State in the opening contest.
“Being from so close to there it’s really exciting for me, but it still comes down to being another football game and another chance to get a win,” he said.
“For a lot of us it will be a little easier this year,” he added. “Last year walking out there before 105,000 fans was really something. I know that I was really nervous before the game. I think this year will be a lot different for a lot of us who have been there before.”
In the Penguins’ offense this year the tight ends will have a new role.
“You won’t see us lining up too much on the offensive line like in the past,” he said. “We’ll be all over, split out and sometimes in the backfield.”
Still he feels the offensive line will be a strength for the Penguins.
“If they do their job like they are capable then it doesn’t matter who’s back behind them because the backs will have good holes and the quarterbacks will have plenty of time to throw the ball,” he said.
The Penguins were scheduled to hold two practices today, at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Coach Jon Heacock said the team would work heavily on special teams in the morning in full pads and then have a light session in the afternoon as they get ready for Saturday’s jersey scrimmage, which will be held at noon at Stambaugh Stadium.
mollica@vindy.com