So far, so-so on D, but YSU optimistic

By JOE SCALZO

scalzo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

At one point in Monday’s practice, YSU defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz was on the sideline when he overheard junior linebacker Deonta Tate yelling instructions at his teammates.

“I thought I was coaching because he was teaching the exact same things I was teaching,” said Kravitz.

With less than three weeks before the opener against Penn State and a bevy of new faces on defense, it was the type of moment that brought a smile to Kravitz’s face.

“Experience helps, but you know what? I’ve got guys who are hungry to play and want to get after people and I’ll take that every day over a little bit of experience,” said Kravitz, a longtime coordinator at South Florida. “Our first defense we ever had at South Florida, we started nine freshmen.”

And how did that defense do?

“Finished ninth in the nation,” said Kravitz. “So it can be done.”

Through the first two weeks of training camp, YSU’s offense had the edge on the field and in the headlines.

That changed in Monday’s morning session as the defense dominated.

“Good day all around on defense,” said YSU coach Eric Wolford. “I told the offense Sunday, ‘These guys are gonna come out and smack you around a little bit, so it’s gonna be a question of whether we step up and do something about it.’”

Although the Penguins return 10 defenders who started at least one game last fall, only four started more than than four games: cornerback Brandian Ross, safety Andre Elliott, defensive end Stephen Meadows and nose tackle Luke Matelan. (Those four each started all 11.)

YSU’s inexperience, combined with a new defensive system, has made for some growing pains this summer. But the new faces are starting to jell, Matelan said.

“We’re starting to get it, day by day,” said Matelan. “It’s a daily process to come out here and execute our fundamentals and don’t think too much and just go.

“If we play together, I’ll put us up against whoever.”

Fortunately, Kravitz plays a blitz-heavy scheme, allowing his players to focus on making plays instead of reading and reacting.

“Even when we’ve played poorly, we’ve played hard,” Kravitz said. “We haven’t quit on anything, so that shows me there’s a lot of heart still there.

“We just have to get to the point where we’re dying to get back on the field instead of saying, ‘Boy oh boy, we’re having a tough day.’ You can see it starting to happen.”