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Rader’s catch wasn’t YSU’s first big grab
Gallery
By Greg Gulas
YOUNGSTOWN
There have been a multitude of noteworthy individual performances over the course of Youngstown State’s storied, 76-year football history.
There have also been a handful of plays begging fans, players and coaches alike to scratch their heads in wonder and beg to ask the question, “Did I see what I just saw?”
Receivers like Elliott Fedd, whose key grab against Akron in 1986 helped provide the signature win that former head coach and current YSU president Jim Tressel was so desperately seeking in his first season at the helm.
Another receiver, tight end Kevin Rader, might have delivered the most memorable to date as his last second touchdown grab against Eastern Washington back on December 17 helped sealed YSU’s 40-38 victory over the Eagles, sending them to Saturday’s FCS title game in Frisco, Texas against James Madison.
Rader’s catch was the lead story on ESPN’s SportsCenter that night and rightfully stood atop its top-10 plays of the day list. He might even find himself in the audience at this year’s ESPY’s when they announce their top play for 2016.
If you rewind 25 years to YSU’s first championship season, you will find similar story lines between the Penguins’ first title squad in 1991 and what is currently unfolding under second-year head coach Bo Pelini.
In 1991, the Penguins were an ordinary 4-3 at the end of October when they defeated the two-time defending I-AA national champion Georgia Southern, 19-17. winners of 53 of their previous 55 home games — at GSU’s Allen E. Paulson Stadium.
It was a game that kick-started a season-ending four-game win streak and would lead to a third consecutive play-off selection.
Enter Herb Williams, the former Boardman Spartans basketball standout whose star shone brightest when the game was on the line and a player who seemed to be at his best in the post-season.
If not for his catch in the first-round against Villanova at the Ice Castle, YSU’s string of four consecutive title game appearances might very well have been a “wait ‘til next year moment.”
Trailing 16-7, the Penguins’ Leo Hawkins scored on a one yard run in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 17-14. With less than two minutes to play and needing 11 yards on fourth down in order to continue their drive and season, the reception that first became known as “the catch” wasn’t even designed for Williams.
“I remember going into the huddle and quarterback Ray Isaac calling the play. It was ‘Fake 32 Scissors’ and was designed to hit either me or Andre Ballinger,” Williams said. “Over the course of the season and for whatever reason, it always went to Andre. Ray threw the ball up and as the play goes, it’s as if it was unfolding in slow motion for me.”
It was no surprise to Williams or the staff that he ended up coming down with the pigskin.
“I jumped up for the ball and their defender tipped it off my fingers. I never lost sight of the ball and just kept my eyes on it,” Williams added. “I lunged, made the catch and just embraced the moment.”
Former assistant coach Ken Conatser recalled that Williams had a knack for making big plays at the most opportune times.
“I was the defensive coordinator at the time and as I watched the play unfold, I actually thought it was pass interference,” Conatser said. “I was expecting a 15-yard penalty so could continue the drive, but it continued with Herb’s catch.”
Williams’ 41-yard reception not only kept the drive alive, but the season as well for it set up Jeff Wilkins’ 33-yard field with six seconds remaining and gave YSU a 17-16 win with top-seeded Nevada-Reno up next on the road.
On the heels of Williams’ catch, the Penguins proceeded to defeat the Wolfpack the following week 30-28 and then returned home shut out Samford, 10-0.
They then won for the second time in seven weeks at Georgia Southern, defeating Marshall 25-17 for their first of four national championships and the first of four consecutive title game appearances.
According to Conatser, a couple other catches by Williams that season and the following campaign also stood out.
“It might not have been as dramatic, but Herb’s catch in the title game that year against Marshall was every bit as important again, because it kept a drive alive,” Conatser said. “The following year against The Citadel it was the same thing. We were up 17-0, they cut the lead to 17-10 and we were pinned deep in our territory. We were basically using our ground game up until then, but coach Tressel called a pass play, quarterback Nick Cochran then hit Herb at about mid-field and we had new life. It changed the entire complexion of the game. As a basketball player he had a knack for body control and over the course of his career, made a variety of catches that changed the course of a game.”
Though 25 years have passed, Williams is periodically reminded of his catch and he tries to see as many YSU games as possible, either in person, on television or at least listen on the radio.
He called Rader’s catch an “absolute game-changer” and calls this year’s Penguins squad a team of destiny.
“Kevin’s catch was absolutely tremendous. As I looked at it, the timing was critical and wat I couldn’t stop thinking about was that it represented the team, the university and the entire community all at once,” Williams said. “There was no quit in us back in 1991 and there was no quit in Kevin’s pursuit of making his catch. That’s what YSU football has always been about.”