SPORTS digest

YSU swim/dive teams sign class of nine

YOUNGSTOWN

First-year Youngstown State swimming and diving coach Ryan Purdy has announced a signing class of nine future Penguins to National Letters of Intent to join the program.

The Penguins added seven swimmers and a pair of divers from five different states.

YSU has added Allyson Wilson (Kings Mills, Ohio/Kings Mill H.S.), Kayla Wrasman (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead H.S.), Josie Preski (Chatham, Ill./Glenwood H.S.), Taci Miller (Baltimore/Liberty Union), Mallory Pitstick (Ottawa, Ill./Ottawa Township), Tess Weiskopf (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa H.S.), Elizabeth Wompey (Arvada, Colo./Ralston Valley H.S.), Riley Ernst (Hillard, Ohio/Hillard Davidson), Averi McCarthy (Dayton/Beavercreek H.S.).

McCaster, Spencer earn MVFC honors

YOUNGSTOWN

Youngstown State junior tailback Tevin McCaster and senior offensive tackle Justin Spencer were named first-team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference, the league announced on Monday.

Ten Penguins were received all-conference accolades for the 2017 season.

Earning second-team accolades were junior linebacker Armand Dellovade, senior cornerback Billy Nicoe Hurst, junior center Vitas Hrynkiewicz and junior offensive guard Gavin Wiggins.

Honorable-mention All-MVFC honorees were senior tight end Kevin Rader, senior linebacker Lee Wright, senior safety Jalyn Powell and junior long snapper Steven Wethli.

McCaster becomes the sixth YSU tailback to earn first-team All-MVFC honors joining Martin Ruiz (2016), Jamiane Cook (2011), Marcus Mason (2006), P.J. Mays (2001, 2002) and Jake Andreadis (1997).

In 2017, McCaster rushed for 1,066 yards on 221 carries and 13 touchdowns. In conference play, he had 803 yards on 171 attempts and scored 10 times.

It marks the third straight year that Spencer earned all-league honors, but it is the first time he received first-team accolades.

He is the first YSU offensive tackle to be named first-team all-league since Brad Samsa in 2007.

Spencer started all 50 games during his YSU career at various spots along the offensive line.

Barrett probable for Wisconsin game

COLUMBUS

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said quarterback J.T. Barrett is “probable” to play in the Big Ten Championship game on Saturday.

Meyer on Monday said Barrett, who left the game with a knee injury in the third quarter during a win over Michigan on Saturday, is “really doing a nice job with all the rehab.”

The decision whether to start Barrett or backup Dwayne Haskins will be made later in the week. Barrett did not practice Sunday.

Haskins, a redshirt freshman, entered the game with the Buckeyes trailing 20-14 and helped lead a comeback victory.

Barrett said he aggravated a meniscus injury before the game when he was bumped by someone while warming up on the sideline.

The No. 8 Buckeyes play No. 3 Wisconsin Saturday in Indianapolis.

Gordon’s return offers Browns hope

BEREA

Josh Gordon’s imminent return has the Browns buzzing.

Suddenly, there’s a ray of hope in this dreary, dismal season.

With Gordon eligible to play on Sunday in Los Angeles for the first time in the regular season since 2014, coach Hue Jackson can barely contain his excitement in having the wide receiver back.

“My plans for him?” Jackson said Monday. “Oh boy, let me tell you, I have big plans for him.”

Gordon’s return has brought some badly needed optimism to the Browns (0-11), who are running out of time and games to avoid joining the 2008 Detroit Lions as the only 0-16 teams in NFL history.

Staff/wire report