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YSU defense takes charge in full scrimmage
QBs see need for consistency after first full scrimmage
youngstown
There was plenty to take away from Youngstown State’s full scrimmage on Saturday as fall camp continues.
The defense was totally dominant in the early stages as the offense was met with third-and-long situations no matter who was at quarterback.
“I think the quarterbacks were holding onto the ball too long,” quarterback Ricky Davis said. “We had good protection, we were just holding on too long.
“I don’t know if they were coverage sacks or what but we got into way too many third and longs.”
The offense did eventually find their footing. Davis hit Darien Townsend on a drive that saw multiple first downs, and Hosick found success hitting Anthony Parente.
One of the first-half highlights for the offense was when Nathan Mays drove the second-string offense and found Zack Tobert in the end zone for a touchdown that boosted spirits.
“When I’m pulling the quarterbacks in and out it’s hard to get them into a rhythm when they’re also working with different backs and receivers every couple of plays,” said Shane Montgomery, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
While Montgomery declined to say which quarterbacks stood out until he had a chance to watch the film, the offenses did move best under Davis and Trent Hosick.
Hosick kept the ball on an option and ran up the middle virtually untouched for about a 75-yard touchdown, outrunning the secondary on his way to the end zone.
“Between [Trent] and Ricky, they really give us a running threat,” Montgomery said. Davis got the nod to open up the second portion of the scrimmage with the first team offense as the defense began to mix and match some second-stringers into the first team.
Davis hit tailback Tevin McCaster in the flat and after two broken tackles and a nice move, the offense had eaten up over 30 yards. A few plays later Davis found Damoun Patterson, who got behind his man for a 35-yard touchdown pass.
“We ran play action on a blitz and we picked it up and did a great job,” Montgomery said. “Ricky made a really nice throw.”
Quaterback Hunter Wells also had success throwing to McCaster.
“[Tevin] has been sitting behind some really good running backs since he’s been here and he been waiting for his chance,” Montgomery said. “We’ve been very fortunate Jody [Webb] and Martin [Ruiz] have stayed healthy but Tevin is our third guy and we expect to run him a lot this year.”
Even though the defense wasn’t lights out once the second-stringers got mixed in, defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said creating depth is the most important thing on his side of the ball right now.
“We mixed in a lot of guys today,” Pelini said. “The second stringers get kind of comfortable going against the second team offense and putting them against the ones takes them out of their comfort zone and makes them play faster.
“I think at this point, since we’re so veteran, that’s the most important thing defensively.”
For as much as the offense still has plenty of room for improvement, one area made Montgomery very happy.
“We didn’t have any turnovers today,” Montgomery said. “And that’s where it all has to start with us.”