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Pelini’s scheme testing YSU’s offense
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
Sophomore Hunter Wells was a four-year starter at quarterback in high school and started six conference games at Youngstown State last season, so he’s witnessed his share of defenses.
Bo Pelini’s is different.
“It’s definitely something I’ve never seen before,” Wells said. “It’s very difficult to understand when you’re out there on the field.
“There’s a lot of twists,” Wells said. “It’s really confusing and it kind of gets to you because usually some stuff usually looks like this, or you’re used to seeing it like that, and then everything’s flipped.
“There’s a lot of different schemes. I’m not going into detail, but it’s very difficult. I’m just glad that they’re on my team, I’ll say that.”
While Eric Wolford and his offensive coordinator, Shane Montgomery, built some of the best offenses in school history over the past five seasons, the defenses were pretty bland, featuring a base 4-3 that usually bent, then broke.
Last year’s defensive coordinator, Jamie Bryant, was more creative, bringing pressure from different angles through stunts and blitzes, but the scheme was still built around simplicity.
Pelini’s scheme, while still a base 4-3, is more complicated. It asks a lot more of his players, which is why he talks a lot about engagement, attention to detail and communication in his post-practice comments. Even though he’s only been at YSU for eight practices, the defense is already making an impression.
Just ask YSU senior tackle Trevor Strickland, who spends every day going up against a defensive front that features two all-conference ends (Derek Rivers and Terrell Williams) and a Nebraska transfer (Avery Moss).
“The different things they do scheme-wise and how well they hide blitzes, it’s a lot more difficult to tell what’s coming,” said Strickland, who started all 12 games at left tackle last fall. “A lot of times, maybe it’s just them on their toes — that’s the only way they give it [the scheme] away. Before, they [YSU’s pre-Pelini defenses] used to show it, but now it’s a lot harder.”
Wells playing well
Wells, who finished second in the voting for Missouri Valley freshman of the year last fall, has impressed Pelini so far.
“He obviously has the arm strength to make all the throws, but his intangibles show,” Pelini said. “He’s a really good leader. He’s very composed. He has that ‘it’ factor that you look for in a quarterback. I just like his approach. For a young guy who’s only played seven or eight games, he really takes control. He takes command of the huddle and that’s a big part of playing that position.”
After setting Stark County’s career passing record at Fairless High, Wells (6-foot-5, 195 pounds) played in 10 games last fall and started the last six. He completed 121 of 202 passes for 1,772 yards, 14 TDs and seven interceptions.
Wells already knows Montgomery’s offense — he said almost nothing has changed since last fall — so he’s working on refining things like his footwork, his fundamentals (especially keeping the ball high) and his leadership.
“You’re taught that being a quarterback, it doesn’t matter what grade you’re in, you’re a leader on the field,” he said. “I know I’m still growing into that role, but I’m trying to get there over the course of the year.”