Quarterbacks will be in spotlight in YSU’s Red-White Game
Quarterbacks will be in spotlight
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
After a month of practices, the Youngstown State University football team is ready to show the lessons that have been learned.
Tonight at 7:30, the Penguins will stage the 44th annual Red-White Spring football game at Stambaugh Stadium. Tickets cost $5 and will be available at the gate.
As his second season as head coach approaches, Bo Pelini has plenty to watch as his players battle for starting positions. Last fall, YSU went 5-6, 3-5 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. There is plenty of room for improvement.
At quarterback, YSU returns Hunter Wells, last year’s starter, and Ricky Davis, the backup who saw action in nine games. After a promising 2014 freshman season (14 TDs, seven interceptions), Wells, a 6-foot-5 pocket passer, didn’t progress much last year (13 TDs, seven interceptions).
Among the four junior college players new to the team is quarterback Trent Hosick from Springfield, Mo., who played two seasons at Arizona Western Community College in Yuma, Ariz.
The dual-threat quarterback has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Last fall, Hosick completed 52 of 101 passes for 787 yards and six touchdowns. He also ran 67 times for 216 yards and two scores.
“He’s a competitor,” Pelini said. “The added dimension of being able to run is great.”
Last season, the Penguins lost eight seniors. On signing day, they announced 11 new players (compared to 30 in 2015).