RED-White notebook More from Stambaugh

April 26, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

Bright spot: Sophomore CB Eric Thompson was one of the few bright spots on the Red defense, intercepting a pass on the first series, forcing a Martin Ruiz fumble midway through the first quarter and finishing with 4.5 tackles, including one for loss. Thompson played in seven games last season as a true freshman, including a start against Duquesne. He spent most of the season backing up Julius Childs, who was moved to nickel back in the offseason. “With Dale [Peterman] leaving, they gave me a spot,” Thompson said. “I think I bring a little bit of experience because we’ve got a young DB core. I think I can step in and play a role.” When asked about the defense’s poor performance on Friday, he said, “We didn’t attack the tempo as a defense. We can bounce back. I feel like the offense had a good day, so we need to learn some more. Get in the books and get in the film room and come back from this for the fall.”

Give him a hand: QB Dante Nania and WR Andrew Williams hooked up for the play of the game early in the second quarter. Nania hit a streaking Williams for a 54-yard touchdown, with 45 of those yards coming through the air. Williams caught the pass one-handed, then cruised into the end zone. “I bobbled it to myself, then just thanked God,” Williams said. “Dante put it on the money, I made the effort for it and everything went well.” When asked about YSU’s QB competition between Nania and Ricky Davis, Williams said, “They’re unique in their own way. They both bring good things to the table. You can’t go wrong with either one.”

This and that: Youngstown mayor John McNally served as an honorary offensive coordinator while Phil Kidd, founder of Defend Youngstown, was an honorary defensive coordinator. ... WKBN broadcaster Chad Krispinsky served as the radio analyst with play-by-play man Bob Hannon, since last year’s analyst, Chris Sammarone, couldn’t work the game due to the equal time rule regarding political campaigns. Sammarone is running for Mahoning County probate judge. ... White leads the all-time series 22-20.

— Joe Scalzo, The Vindicator