Better effort, better chatter

By Joe Scalzo

scalzo@vindy.com

Youngstown

Youngstown State senior lineman Bobby Coates stood on the sideline at the end of Monday’s practice, watching backup quarterback Kurt Hess run the two-minute drill.

Hess rolled out, then stepped up to throw. Just before Hess released a deep ball, the coaches blew their whistles, signalling the play was dead because Hess had been touched, which meant he’d been sacked.

“He didn’t get touched!” Coates yelled.

Just then, a YSU defensive back jumped up and intercepted the pass.

“He got sacked!” Coates said.

After a lackluster practice Saturday, Penguins coach Eric Wolford was pleased with Monday’s effort, which featured better energy — and better chatter.

“I think the kids came out with the right attitude,” he said. “We got off to a good start and put some new stuff in on defense.

“I like their enthusiasm.”

The “Oklahoma Drill” — which has replaced the “Hoot ‘N Holler” drill from the former regime — was a particular highlight, with a local TV cameraman joking that he got terrific video but can’t use the too-blue audio.

“They understood the expectations a little bit better and we addressed that in our team meeting before we came out here,” Wolford said. “We’re going to learn how to smack pads. And we’re going to do it every day until I like the cracking I hear.”

Monday’s practice was just the second in full pads and fourth overall. The Penguins will practice again on Wednesday and Friday before Saturday’s 10 a.m. scrimmage.