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Year 2 kicks off
By STEVE WILAJ
YOUNGSTOWN
There’s a big difference from Bo Pelini Year One to Bo Pelini Year Two, which began on Monday afternoon at Stambaugh Stadium with the Youngstown State football team’s first spring practice.
And, no, it’s not junior quarterback Hunter Wells’ switch from long, shoulder-length hair to a trimmed cut that he sported in the debut session.
It’s this.
“We understand the standard,” said Wells, YSU’s two-year starter. “The first year [Pelini] was here — not saying we didn’t get what he was saying — but he really enforces it now and we’re clear what he wants.
“His expectations are as high as they can be. And that’s how it should be, because we have the talent on this team to do whatever we want.”
The Penguins practiced for nearly two hours (without pads) under 60-degree temperatures, doing everything from position drills to 7-on-7 passing to full 11-on-11 scrimmaging.
It was YSU’s first official practice since it finished 2015 with a disappointing 5-6 record and Pelini already likes what he sees.
“It’s much different than when we started a year ago,” Pelini said. “I think they have a lot better understanding as far as the culture that’s needed to win and the things that we’re stressing — I’m starting to see it on a lot more consistent basis. I think that’ll give us the opportunity to be the type of football team we want to be.”
Last season, YSU’s roster — largely a carryover from former head coach Eric Wolford’s regime (2010-14) — had trouble embracing Pelini’s ways. It took until the campaign’s final weeks, but the Penguins finally warmed to the style-change.
Now, the second-year head coach wants to see the process continue.
“We need to be tougher, more accountable and mentally tougher,” Pelini said. “We just have to be better at the details.
“The things that we stress, across the board, we need to take them to heart. I think we have a better understanding, as a football team, of what’s necessary to get it done.
“Because we want to compete for a national championship — compete for a title — and the only way that’s gonna happen is if we have everybody across the board, coaches and players alike, on the same page.”
Senior defensive end standout Derek Rivers said the Penguins have been working towards that for the last few months.
“The offseason was great,” he said. “We worked out really heavy. Everybody’s a lot faster, stronger and a little more explosive.
“It kind of sucked last year since we didn’t do what we’re supposed to. But on defense we have a lot of returners. So that’s a plus.
“Then on offense, we’re doing a little something different this year and it looks good just from what I seen today. So it’s exciting to be back and we have a lot of positive things moving forward.”
PRACTICE HIGHLIGHTS
This was Pelini’s opinion on the debut practice: “I thought the tempo was good. There were a lot of mistakes — a lot of mental mistakes — those types of things with the young guys. But you saw a lot of carry over from the older guys. I thought it was a good start to spring practice.
Wells and fellow junior quarterback’s Ricky Davis and Trent Hosick (junior college transfer) all saw action with the first team offense. Wells looked particularly strong — connecting on a few deep balls — but the entire trio looked sharp for the first session. The three are expected to battle for the starting spot.
The plan for senior Will Mahone (the former Austintown Fitch standout who was kicked out of Notre Dame) is to play slot receiver. The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder joined the Fighting Irish as a linebacker and is listed on YSU’s newest roster as a tailback. However, Pelini said the first-year Penguin will first see action as a receiver.
“I thought he had a good first day,” Pelini said. “He just has to get the rust off. That’s obvious, but that’s to be expected, too .”
Sophomore defensive tackle Lamont Ragland made the play of the day, coming up with a finger-tip interception — much to the delight of his defensive teammates — after a Hosick pass was tipped at the line.