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YSU’s Bryant keeps defense motivated
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Late in Tuesday’s spring practice, after his defense gave up a catch-and-run touchdown pass to Derrick Burgess, Youngstown State defensive coordinator Jamie Bryant screamed, “Sprint your [behinds] all the way!”
Once his defenders reached the end zone, he yelled, “Now, sprint your [behinds] back!”
Two practices after replacing Joe Tresey, one thing is clear about Bryant: He’s just as capable as his predecessor of using language that gets replaced by bracketed words in newspaper articles.
“He’s very passionate about what he does,” YSU coach Eric Wolford said. “It’s not his first time calling the shots, so I got confidence he’ll get it done.”
Bryant, a former defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt, has kept the same base formation (4-3) and terminology as Tresey, but he’s simplified the defense so his players can play faster.
“It’s definitely a good move,” said junior defensive tackle Steve Zaborsky, who is playing for his third defensive coordinator in four years. “When Tresey first came [two years ago], everything was different. It [the playbook] was hard for us to understand.
“Me, as a young guy a couple years ago, I had a hard time catching up. But now it seems like the young guys are able to fill in now because they understand what’s going on.”
Zaborsky played in all 12 games last season with eight starts. He’s one of three returning starters (only senior Kyle Sirl is gone) on a unit that played mostly newcomers and underclassmen.
“This is the first time since I’ve been here that the D-line has more experience than the offensive line,” Zaborsky said.
Although Tresey’s defense was so-so in his first year, it regressed badly in 2013.
In conference games, Youngstown State’s defense ranked last in the Missouri Valley in total yards per game (425.4, compared to 312.2 in 2012), passing yards per game (245.2, compared to 217.5 in 2012) and third-down percentage (56.0, compared to 42.7 in 2012).
“We’ve just got to get the defense on the same page,” Zaborsky said. “What held us back last year is just being uncertain of certain things. I think if all of us can play on the same page, obviously we’ll play a lot faster and more physical, know what we’re doing and be able to compete a lot more.”
Zaborsky’s stats last fall weren’t overwhelming — 14 tackles, including eight solos — but that’s not surprising for a defensive tackle, particularly a sophomore. Wolford expects Zaborsky to have a big junior season, on and off the field.
“He brings leadership to the table,” Wolford said. “He doesn’t necessarily play a glamorous position but he’s a rock. He’s solid. He’s definitely worked with [strength] Coach [Mike] Cochran and done a great job getting his body ready to play.
“He’s going to be a force for us on the D-line inside.”