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YSU NOTEBOOK
Turner aiming for more carries
Christian Turner still has plenty of work to do.
Turner will likely become Youngstown State’s top running back following the graduation of Tevin McCaster.
In the past two seasons, Turner has mostly been used in passing situations and has performed well in that role.
He was the team’s leader in receptions last year with 24 for 196 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, he averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Those are signs that the junior is ready for a bigger role, but that isn’t enough for him.
“I’m never really satisfied. There’s always room for improvement. Once you get satisfied, you start to become complacent and that’s never good,” Turner said. “I feel like in pass protection, I can work on my technique. Being able to run between the tackles is something I’ve put a lot of focus into and just being a good overall back where it’s in the run game or the pass game.”
Even by improving his game, there’s a good chance he won’t be all alone in the backfield. Last year, McCaster has 269 of the 323 carries by YSU running backs last year. More backs are expected to contribute.
“They expect everybody to play their role, which is to contribute to the team in anyway that we can,” Turner said. “I think just being in a room with all that talent in me, [Joe Alessi, Braxton Chapman and London Pearson], we all do something different and we all have a role to play.”
Not 7th heaven
Youngstown State was ranked No. 7 out of 10 teams in the Missouri Valley Football Conference’s 2019 preseason poll. The Penguins collected 153 points to put them ahead of Western Illinois, Southern Illinois and last-place Missouri State.
Pelini’s reaction? He was non-plussed.
“I don’t care if we’re picked first or seventh. We’re going to get what we earn,” Pelini said. “You need to take that with a grain of salt. It doesn’t matter. I like our team. I like our chances and we’re ready to put the work.”
North Dakota State is the projected MVFC champion with 392 points.
Bumps and bruises
Wide receiver Darius Shackleford sat out Monday’s practice with a leg brace on his left leg after getting injured last Saturday. Pelini said the junior should be ok, but will receive an MRI. Shackleford had 11 catches for 213 yards and two touchdowns last year.
“He’ll be alright,” Pelini said. “I don’t think it’s anything serious.”