Stubbs, Liste excel in special teams session

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State wideout Andre Stubbs has a chance to put the special in special teams.

Stubbs, a true freshman, had lengthy returns on both punt and kickoff returns on Tuesday as the Penguins devoted much of their 12th practice to special teams.

“I like him,” YSU coach Eric Wolford said of Stubbs. “He’s tremendously explosive, he’s fast, he’s good with the ball in his hands and he can make guys miss.

“He’s hard to tackle in a phone booth. He can shake you up real quick.”

Sophomore punter Nick Liste (Niles) also had a good day, booming all four of his punts more than 45 yards. Liste, a preseason all-conference pick, averaged 41.4 yards per kick, placing 15 of his 41 punts inside the 20.

“He’s a great punter,” Wolford said. “He’s obviously hitting the ball really well and he’s placing the ball very well.”

In addition to special teams, YSU worked on some short-yardage plays with the defense getting the best of the offense in third-and-1 situations.

“You’ve got to be able to get one yard,” Wolford said. “I know we’ve got some guys banged up but you’ve got to be 100 percent on third-and-short.”

One of the day’s biggest highlights involved newly-converted tight end Will Shaw, who caught a 40-yard TD pass from Kurt Hess.

“He’s done very well,” Wolford said of Shaw. “It’s only his second day at the position and we’re very encouraged by what we see there.

“He’s strong, he’s athletic and he has a presence to him. I expect him to be a contributing guy on this team.”

YSU returns to practice today for a morning and evening session. The Penguins’ early practice starts at 9 a.m. while the second workout is at 5 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.

The Penguins will hold their second scrimmage on Saturday at 10 a.m. Wolford said he wants to solidify his 60-man roster after that scrimmage.

YSU opens the season on Sept. 2 at Michigan State.

Jackman commits

The Penguins picked up their second verbal commitment of the 2012 class in Lexington senior Tyler Jackman, according to the Mansfield News Journal.

Jackman (6-2, 200), who plays safety, was recruited as an outside linebacker. He had 46 tackles, including 35 solo, last fall and earned first team all-district honors.

He also had offers from Army and Air Force.

The Penguins’ first 2012 commitment came from lineman Matt Bell of Hickory, Pa.