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New YSU RB coach had S. Dakota St. success
Jackrabbits influence
New RB coach had success at S. Dakota St.
By STEVE WILAJ
YOUNGSTOWN
After three years of carrying the load for Youngstown State’s rushing attack, senior running backs Martin Ruiz and Jody Webb are down to their last season as a Penguins backfield duo, which naturally means one thing.
“We plan to go all-out and make big moves,” Ruiz said after Monday’s spring practice inside the WATTS. “We just want to put big numbers up and be the best backs in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.”
They’ll try to do so under new guidance — someone who has seen plenty of the two from the opposite sideline.
Earlier this month, Nic McKissic-Luke joined YSU’s staff as the new running backs coach. He replaced Pepe Pearson, who left for Marshall’s coaching staff.
It’s the same position McKissic-Luke held for the past three years at South Dakota State, where he most notably coached All-American halfback Zach Zenner for two seasons.
Even though he’s been with the Penguins for less than a month, he already has noticed a difference from his Jackrabbits runners.
“At South Dakota State, I had some guys I had to teach how to be running backs,” McKissic-Luke said. “These guys are naturals — they have the God-given ability. From there, I’m trying to groom them into all-around backs.”
It’s specifically the next step he’s trying to take with Ruiz and Webb.
In 2015, the Penguins’ rushing offense finished fourth in the MVFC with 199.8 rush yards per game — even paired with an inconsistent offensive line and subpar passing attack.
While Ruiz — a second-team all-conference selection as a 1,000-yard runner during his freshman and sophomore campaigns — averaged just 3.9 yards per carry, he still finished with 739 yards and ranked sixth in the MVFC with 67.2 yards per game.
Webb, meanwhile, notched 857 yards and nine TDs on just 122 carries — good for second-team MVFC honors.
“The biggest thing we’re working on with those two is just to become all-around backs,” McKissic-Luke said. “Both of them are great with the ball in their hands.
“Now we have to groom some things when the ball is not in our hands, as far as route-running, catching the ball out of the backfield and blitz pickup.”
McKissic-Luke can teach from first-hand experience.
An Alabama kid, he was with the University of Alabama for two seasons, before transferring to Alabama A&M in 2004 and becoming the school’s all-time leading rusher by the time he left in 2006.
He then spent five seasons assistant coaching at Division II Benedict College and worked two summers (2011, 2012) with the Arizona Cardinals through the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Internship before joining SDSU. When Pearson left the Penguins in February, McKissic-Luke called about the position and was hired after one interview.
“I knew of him and he came in and interviewed and did a really good job,” YSU head coach Bo Pelini said. “I think he’s a really good addition to out staff.
“He’s an experienced guy and a good football coach and I think he’s gonna help us.”
PRACTICE TAKEAWAYS
Junior running back Sidney Sandidge had another nice day of practice. Sandidge and sophomore halfback Tevin McCaster have stood out as potential options behind Ruiz and Webb.
“Sid is having a great spring and Tevin is doing really well,” McKissic-Luke said. “Those two guys, they bring something to the table. Sid is a tall, big guy that can really run. Tevin is a guy that gets behind his pads. Those two compliment each other well.”
Meanwhile, sophomore running back Ryan Moore — who saw action in 2014 before missing all of 2015 with a knee injury — missed practice with an injury. He had been active for the first four sessions. McKissic-Luke couldn’t specify on the injury.
Tight end Shane Kuhn also exited practice when he aggravated his left hamstring after a catch, while senior receiver Will Mahone (Austintown Fitch) was wearing a walking-boot and missed his second consecutive session. He exited Friday’s practice after injuring his ankle and may be done for the spring schedule.
“We won’t know that for about another 24-48 hours,” Pelini said. “He had a foot injury before he came here. So it might be something we have to get fixed or it may just be something where we need a little bit of time.
“But I think regardless of what happens, he’ll be ready for fall camp.”