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YSU CB Durden trying to make most of potential
Accepting the challenge: Senior CB Kenneth Durden, right, who sat out last season after transferring from South Florida, is penciled in as the starter early in training camp opposite junior Nate Dortch. Durden is one of the most physically talented players on the roster, but he has a lot of work to do, YSU coach Bo Pelini said. “I’m seeing progress but I’m seeing some things he needs to improve on,” Pelini said. “Potential and talent only get you so far. It’s about how you go about things and the details you play with. How hard you’re willing to work on a day-to-day basis.” Durden said one of the biggest differences between Eric Wolford and Pelini is the latter’s emphasis on the secondary. “Coach Pelini is a defensive guy and he’s always in meetings helping us learn,” Durden said. “If the DBs mess up, he’s in our face ASAP. He’s not playing [around].” Pelini’s defense calls for the cornerbacks to play a lot more press coverage, which can be difficult, Durden said. “In Saturday’s practice, he was mad I didn’t get up and challenge a guy on third-and-5,” he said. “It’s really challenging when you’re tired and you’ve got to press. You’ve got to focus in when you’re tired and play with fundamentals and technique.” Durden, who started 11 of USF’s 12 games in 2013, said he’s trying to step up his play this summer. “I just want to win,” he said. “I ain’t no selfish guy. I just want to win as a team and go out with a bang.”
Let there be light: Two more light poles have been installed at Stambaugh Stadium, one in each end zone next to the east (away) side bleachers. YSU already had light poles at each 20-yard-line. YSU also replaced the bulbs on the two fixtures on the home side atop the press box. The upgrades will allow the Penguins to host playoff games at night. Previously, the brightness didn’t meet broadcasting standards. Had the Penguins hosted a first-round playoff game the past two years, they would have needed to kick off at noon, going head-to-head with the Ohio State-Michigan game. “Hopefully, if we get the opportunity to play in the playoffs, it might give us some opportunities that other institutions won’t have for playing some games that might be attractive, game time-wise, with ESPN,” YSU athletic director Ron Strollo said. In the meantime, YSU will use the lights for the first home game of the year, a 7 p.m. kickoff against Robert Morris on Sept. 12. YSU also hosts Illinois State at 7 on Oct. 10. The Redbirds were the national runners-up to North Dakota State last year.