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Local talents give YSU special teams edge
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown State head football coach Bo Pelini will be the first to tell you that special teams play a big role in whether a team advances or gets sent packing in the postseason.
In placekicker Zak Kennedy and punter Mark Schuler, the Penguins have arguably two of the best “game changers” of the eight teams remaining in the FCS playoffs.
Perhaps it’s the fact that both Kennedy, a sophomore from Cardinal Mooney High School. and Schuler, a redshirt freshman from Springfield have, postseason experience, albeit in high school.
Either way, the consistency that both have exhibited through 13 games and most especially in the postseason now has the Penguins a win away from the FCS final four and having plenty of fun after a 10-year playoff absence.
“Zak is one of the hardest workers on the team and it’s great to have him back at 100 percent again. He had an outstanding game last week and we know we can depend on him at any time,” said special teams coach Ron Stoops. “He has had two great seasons with us. As for Mark, he has a tremendous knack for punting the football, can kick it a long way when he has to can pin the opponent deep with a variety of punts. His first season this year was great and he is very deserving of all-conference recognition.”
Kennedy had a stellar scholastic career for the Cardinals where he experienced the play-offs three of the four seasons that he played.
He’s connected on 16 of 23 field goal attempts this season, converted all 31 placements and with 79 points, leads the team in scoring — he’s a point ahead of tailback Martin Ruiz, who has scored 13 touchdown and amassed 78 points.
His longest field goal has come from 46 yards out and is almost automatic from 39 yards in where he has nailed 14 of his 16 attempts.
He didn’t realize, however, that he was the team’s leading scorer.
“I’m just trying to do my part and do whatever it takes to help the team. I’m ready to go out there when called upon,” Kennedy said. “I believe in myself because I have done it many times before, but it’s still great having a team that lends support, especially like this team when you are out there trying to do your job.”
Kennedy missed two games due to injury, but credits long snapper Steve Wethli and Schuler, his holder the past several weeks as reasons for his success.
“We’re all clicking right now, but there’s still room for improvement. Steve is an excellent snapper and Mark has been great, but has only been holding the past few weeks,” Kennedy said. “Then good part is that we are able to get in a lot of work during practice.”
Superstitious might be an understatement when describing Kennedy.
“It’s the same routine during the week as it is on game day, however, on game day I get up, have a cup of coffee, make toast, two eggs, add American cheese and sometimes ham,” Kennedy said. “I’ll settle down a bit, go to meetings and then relax. After that I’ll go to the field, draw on my Catholic faith and pray to myself for about 20 minutes or so, kind of feel the crowd around me and then focus on my task.”
Schuler’s first season has been nothing short of fantastic as he has punted 54 times for a 43.5 yard average and nailed 22 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
He’s had 10 fair caught and nine go for touchbacks with a career long 74-yarder two weeks against Samford.
His average is 6.9 yards better than punters in 2015 and five times this season he has pinned opponents inside their 20 twice during the game.
While many players find it hard to accept a red-shirt season, Schuler said red-shirting was personally very helpful.
“Redshirting last year gave me a lot of confidence. It’s a big transition from high school to college so being able to play on scout teams against guys like Derek Rivers and Avery Moss, guys that you respect only gives you a chance to learn,” Schuler said. “You gain confidence through the competition.”
Like Kennedy, Schuler said making the playoffs while in high school has been helpful in maintaining his focus.
“While at Springfield Local we got used to a longer season and the excitement that it brings,” Schuler said. “Just being able to play in those games has been beneficial. At this level, everything tends to be a little bigger from the atmosphere to the excitement. It’s just a good feeling to be in the play-offs, especially in the third round and at home.”
Schuler maintains that he has done nothing differently in transitioning from regular to postseason play.
“My goal is still to change field position if we need to, trying to pin our opponent inside the 20-yard line when possible,” he said. “I’ve been happy with that success as it is the one area that I feel I have been able help us out.”
Through 13 games, YSU has recorded a punt return for a touchdown — that coming from Darien Townsend on Oct. 29, a 79-yard effort against Indiana State – and have yet to yield a special teams’ score.