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Back in the game, Richmond takes the field late in YSU’s blowout
By Brian Dzenis
YOUNGSTOWN
It was a play of little consequence Saturday, but one many Youngstown State observers wondered would ever happen.
In the fourth quarter of the Penguins 59-9 win against Central Connecticut State, a reserve defensive end made his first career collegiate tackle.
Public address announcer Jeff Kelly made the call.
“In for the tackle, Number 12… Ma’lik Richmond.”
There were a couple cheers in the crowd, which was thinning as the blowout victory wound down. His Penguins teammates clapped.
Richmond, who was one of two former Steubenville football players found delinquent of sexual assault in one of Ohio high school football’s biggest scandals in 2012. Simply being on the field is a matter being debated in court as Richmond sued the university he’s enrolled in on Wednesday. In Richmond’s lawsuit, head coach Bo Pelini appears to be one of the few high-ranking school officials that stood by him as controversy swirled around him.
“You’re happy for the kid,” Pelini said. “It isn’t about me.”
YSU spokesman Trevor Parks declined to make Richmond available for comment.
Youngstown State closed out its non-conference slate with a 2-1 record and dispatched the Blue Devils with such ease that the majority of the starters were gone before the third quarter. YSU had 70 players participate in the victory.
“I think everybody that was eligible played and that’s a good thing,” Pelini said. “They put a lot of work in and it’s good to see them rewarded.”
Sophomore quarterback Nathan Mays started in place of the injured Hunter Wells, who is expected to return after the team’s open week for its next game against South Dakota State.
Mays did most of his damage with his legs, rushing for 96 yards and two touchdowns. He also went eight for 12 for 111 passing yards.
Running back Tevin McCaster led all Penguin backs with 101 rushing yards. He set a new career-best with his longest rush of 60 yards to score a touchdown in the first quarter.
“I thought we played very well. We did what were supposed to do,” McCaster said. “With the ground game, we stepped up and the line did a great job.”
Christian Turner scored the first rushing touchdown of his career and reached at least 100 all-purpose yards for the third straight game. The Cincinnati La Salle graduate had 91 rushing yards on 11 carries and caught a pass for
The defense’s eight-quarter shutout streak that stretched all the way back to the season opener against Pittsburgh came to an end. Central Connecticut reached the end zone midway through the third quarter with Cameron Nash’s 5-yard run. The Blue Devils’ extra point attempt was blocked. Frankie Palmer made a 37-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter.
Even with the streak broken, linebacker Lee Wright called Saturday’s game an improvement.
“We gave up some big plays last week. [Robert Morris] drove on us a little bit, but this week we played really good,” Wright said.
The Penguins have two full weeks to prepare for the Jackrabbits, a team that went into this weekend ranked No. 4 in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.
“You accept it whenever. I’m not really a bye week guy. I’d rather play it out, but you can make use of it,” Pelini said. “I think we’re at a point where we’re going to be in a long stretch in a tough conference and it’s going to be trying, growing and we’ll make good use of this week to get back to work.”