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Liste helps give Penguins a leg up
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Punters, like offensive linemen, don’t usually get much attention unless they do something wrong, so Youngstown State coach Eric Wolford took time after Tuesday’s practice to credit junior Nick Liste for doing something better than maybe anyone else on the team:
Growing eyebrows.
“Look at them things,” Wolford said. “Have you ever seen anything like that? It’s a little like [strength coach] Mike Cochran’s back.
“They’re like evergreen trees.”
“Yeah, he’ll never let down about my eyebrows,” Liste said, shrugging. “It’s an Italian thing.”
Whether he actually has the team’s bushiest eyebrows is a matter of debate — sophomore DB Donald D’Alesio is no slouch in that area and guard Mason Giacomelli has a ton of potential despite being a true freshman — but there’s no doubt Liste has the team’s strongest leg.
The Niles High graduate served as YSU’s kickoff specialist last season and when the Penguins needed someone to attempt their longest field goal of the season, 41 yards, Wolford turned to Liste and not kicker David Brown. (Alas, he missed.)
Liste has also been a rock in YSU’s otherwise shaky special teams over the past two years, averaging 39.8 yards per punt last season and 41.4 per kick as a freshman.
“He’s a great kid and he’s done a great job and we’ve rewarded him for that,” Wolford said. “He’s a guy that at one time was on a partial scholarship here. We pay you like you play around here. If you pay well, you get paid a little more.
“We’ve taken care of him and it’s well-deserved.”
Liste has looked strong this summer and credits special teams coach Louie Matsakis for aiding his development.
“I’m feeling confident,” said Liste, who also holds on extra points and field goals. “The big thing with kicking, which me and Dave [Brown] really work on, is the little things. Your drops, your holds. If you can’t get a good snap, the odds of getting a good punt off are slim to none. And if your drop is a little bit inside, you can easily shank it.”
Because kicking is more about confidence and repetition than channeling raw emotion, Liste tries to keep an even keel. Having two years of experience is a big help in that area.
“You try to stay calm,” he said. “You don’t want to be out there all jacked up like everyone else.
“The kicker always does his own thing. You keep calm, relaxed and just kick the ball.”