YSU Penguin Football News

Intensity High As Penguins Start Spring Drills on a Sunny Wednesday

Wednesday, March 17 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

Youngstown -- The Youngstown State football team opened Spring Football Practice on a near perfect day at Stambaugh Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The group worked out with great intensity and enthusiasm for new Head Coach Eric Wolford and his staff. Coach and his staff emphasized the fact that the first workout will not only set the tone for the spring, but the entire 2010 campaign.

The Penguins took the field just before 4 p.m. and wrapped up practice around 6:20, working almost non-stop for two-and-a-half hours. The first hour plus was dedicated to individual work amongst the offensive and defensive units. The final 90 minutes were spent with the offense working against the defense in a variety of situations.

"I saw some good things out there," Wolford said. "I think as a coach, you have to look at the positives. Sometimes you have a tendency to dwell on the negatives. I told our players after practice today if we can find a way to get better everyday at one thing, if each player just gets better each day at one thing, then as we continue to progress, we will have a chance to be a much better football team."

Wolford said one area the team needs to correct is making mistakes - false starts, offsides, alignments - before the whistle. But he attributed that to some anxiousness of the players to make a good first impression on the new coaching staff.

Most of the 80-plus Penguins who are out for Spring Drills took part in the workout. A handful of players did not practice, but worked out for the duration of the workout.

Wolford said some positions had some good competition while at others so players were still trying to find a role right now. Four quarterbacks, with only one having game experience, are vying for playing time while the offensive line has a wealth of experience with all but one player returning from last year's squad.

YSU returns to its practice sessions on Friday at 4 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium. The team will also practice on Saturday at 1 p.m. Friday marks the first day of the Coaches Clinic for area

Wolford said he was excited about the effort and emotion of everyone involved in Wednesday's practice.

"We wanted to set the tone early," Wolford said. "We're not getting today back. We are going to set the tone for this football team today and I feel good about where we are going. We're not going to accept anything less than their best effort."

Wolford Takes Field For First Time With 2010 Penguins

Tuesday, March 16 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

Youngstown -- Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Eric Wolford, and an entire new coaching staff, the Youngstown State football team begins spring drills on Wednesday afternoon.

For just the sixth time in school history, a new head coach will lead the program and in 2010, Wolford is ready to mold this group, which features 20 seniors, into a fundamentally sound and accountable squad as quickly as possible.

The Penguins are scheduled to practice each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday the next four weeks with the culmination of Spring Drills set for Saturday, April 10 with the annual Red-White Spring Game. The first day in pads is Saturday, March 20, while scrimmages are set for March 27 and April 3.

YSU does return a good amount of experience from last season's 6-5 squad.

On offense, all-conference selections Eric Rodemoyer and Dominique Barnes lead the way for new coordinator Shane Montgomery. Rodemoyer played primarily left guard last season, but say some action later in the campaign as a left tackle. He was a second-team All-Missouri Valley Football and named the team's top Offensive Lineman. Barnes, an honorable-mention pick, led the conference in touchdown receptions with eight and caught 60 passes, which ranks as the sixth-highest single-season total in school history.
Senior wide receiver Dominique Barnes caught 60 passes, including a conference-leading eight touchdown grabs in 2009.

The positions on offense that will garner the most attention will be quarterback and tailback. Only two players, out of nine at those spots on the roster, have played in an FCS contest -- quarterback Marc Kanetsky and tailback Jamaine Cook.

Kanestsky started and played the first quarter in the season finale last November at North Dakota State. Kurt Hess and Gannon Hulea each redshirted last season while freshman Meiko Locksley joined the program in January after graduating from high school in December. Brandon Summers had been the primary starter the past two years and leaves the program having set a record for career and season completion percentage.

Cook had 20 carries for 111 yards during his true freshman season in 2009. Torrian Pace redshirted last year while Devanuel Samuel and Paris Wicks were members of the team, but did not see action.

At fullback, senior Kyle Banna has the only experience. Banna missed the first four games last season after recovering from a knee injury he suffered in 2009. His brother, Dan, and Rob Stupar both redshirted last season as freshmen.

Barnes leads a talented group of wide receivers. Entering his senior campaign, he has a reception in 21 consecutive contests and has caught 101 passes in his career. Josh Lee had four receptions - two versus Austin Peay and two against North Dakota State - and will be counted on to play a larger role. Jelani Berassa caught four passes last season in his inaugural campaign. Others who could be called on to see action are Ely Ducatel, Dionte Snow, Trey Rich and Trevell Brown.

At tight end, both David Rogers and Andy Colegrove return. Each saw time as a starter in 2009. Rogers was the leading receiver with eight catches, while Colegrove's lone grab was for a touchdown. Rogers suffered an injury in the season finale at North Dakota State and is trying to return for spring ball. Carson Sharbaugh and Kyle Sirl both redshirted in the fall.

The offensive line is the most experienced of the unit. Eric Rodemoyer, Bobby Coates, Andrew Radakovich, Tyler Figueroa, Greg Sazdanoff, Chris Gammon, Bill Dugan and Justin Rechichar all started at some point in 2009. Rodemoyer was a second-team all-conference pick as a guard. YSU lost only one lineman from last season's team in right guard Brian Mellott.

D.J. Main, Kyle Brown, Marcus O'Hara, redshirt freshman Brandon White and Bowling Green transfer Marc Stevens will look to find time at a deep area.

The defensive front lost stalwarts Mychal Savage and Crispin Fernandez, but the cupboard is not bare. Luke Matelan started all 11 games last season while fellow senior Torrance Nicholson has been a starter in the past and was a top-line reserve last year. Junior Joe Marshall has also seen significant playing time in the past two seasons. Linebacker John Sasson has moved up to an end position and will join Josh Myers and Jaimie Frasure as experienced players at those positions. Also on the front line, seniors Roger Gillum, Rob Fernback and Brad Miller have seen action in the past. Others that will help out across the front are Fred Herdman, Obinna Ekweremuba, Brett Lemke, D.J. Moss and Jimmy Dickson.

The linebackers are a strong group with Taylor Hill, Deonta Tate, Stephen Meadows, Na'eem Outler and David Rach having starting experience. Meadows was the Guins' starting rush end for all 11 games last season and is joined by Joel Younkins as players who have experience. Hill became the first freshman to lead in the team in tackles since 1986 a year ago, while Outler led the position in tackles for losses and sacks. Others who could see action are Noah Taylor and Michael Kreatsoulas who have each been with the program for three seasons. Sophomore Mike Williams redshirted last season and is joined by Chase Lemke and Ethan Slark.
Rush end Stephen Meadows started all 11 games for the Guins last season.

At cornerback, senior Brandian Ross started all 11 games, while the other position is up for grabs. Ross had 47 tackles and tied for the team lead with two interceptions in 2009. The other corner spot is vacant with the departure of Lenny Wicks. Randy Louis and Jerome Swinton each saw some action last season. Louis has the most experience of that duo. The other individuals playing the position this spring are Matt Romeo, Vance Gibbs, Christian Smith and Kevin Sims.

The safeties feature experience at both spots. Honorable-Mention All-MVFC selection Andre Elliott returns and has started each of the past two years at free safety. Scott Sentner and David Fleming each bring experience to the back end at the free spot. At strong safety, Nick Gooden has started nine games in the past two seasons while David Fleming saw solid action last year as a redshirt freshman. Others who could contribute at either safety spot are redshirt Dom Rich along with Mike McGlone and Troy Rice.

On special teams, senior placekicker/kickoff specialist Stephen Blose returns along with punter Erik Johnson. Blose made all 27 of his PAT conversions last season and was 9-of-16 on field-goal attempts. Blose has handled kickoff duties each of the past three seasons. Johnson punted 11 times, however four were downed inside the 20-yard line and just two were returned. Bob Gratz and Nick Liste, a redshirt, will vie for time at the placekicker spot while Jarrod Satmare help with punting duties. Nate Schkurko and Bryan Whitaker return as long snappers while Kanetsky is back as the holder for the third consecutive year.

Barnes and Cook combined to return 29 kickoffs. Barnes had 20 runbacks while Cook returned nine. Lee has also been in the mix as a kickoff returner the past two years. As far as punt returns, the Penguins will be looking for a playmaker to file that role this spring.

Here is the Spring Schedule:

Wednesday, March 17 4 p.m. Practice #1
Friday, March 19 4 p.m. Practice #2
Football Clinic
Saturday, March 20 1 p.m. Practice #3
Football Clinic
Monday, March 22 4 p.m. Practice #4
Wednesday, March 24 4 p.m. Practice #5
Friday, March 26 4 p.m. Practice #6
Saturday, March 27 10 a.m. Practice #7
Monday, March 29 4 p.m. Practice #8
Wednesday, March 31 4 p.m. Practice #9
Friday, April 2 4 p.m. Practice #10
Saturday, April 3 10 a.m. Practice #11
Monday, April 5 4 p.m. Practice #12
Tuesday, April 6 Noon Bob Dove
Spring Luncheon
Wednesday, April 7 4 p.m. Practice #13
Friday, April 14 4 p.m. Practice #14
Saturday, April 10 12:05 p.m. Red-White
Spring Game

Wolford: No one’s job is safe

Tuesday, March 16 2010

Courtesy of: JOE SCALZO Vindicator sports staff

When YSU coach Eric Wolford was an upperclassman playing offensive line at Kansas State in the early 1990s, the coaches annually brought in recruits who wanted to take his job.

“And you know what? It wasn’t going to happen,” said Wolford, a four-year starter under Bill Snyder. “That’s the type of mentality you have to have.”

Since being hired in December, Wolford has made it clear that no jobs will be guaranteed based on reputation or experience, vowing to start younger players if they’re just as good as the upperclassmen.

With spring practice starting Wednesday and YSU’s staff promising the depth chart will be wide open, that could make for some uneasy upperclassmen.

“I was taught at a young age in this profession, if you have a guy that’s a sophomore and you have a guy who’s going to be a senior and they’re both equal, the sophomore is going to be with you for two more years,” Wolford said. “In my eyes, a senior should never let a sophomore beat you out.

“You should have enough pride that you won’t let that happen.”

It’s sure to be an unsettling stance for players who are already unsure of their role with the new coaching staff. But after going 10-13 the past two seasons, Wolford believes the players need to impress his staff and not vice versa.

“I think it’s exciting for them because they know they have a fresh start,” he said. “I’ve made it clear to them during this offseason what the expectations are around here. They know that. They have a pretty good idea how we’re going to practice. I think they’ve got a pretty good idea how we’re going to coach them.”

The Penguins have spent the past few weeks working out at 6 a.m. with the coaches and Wolford has shown a tough love approach.

“I want to find out what these guys’ breaking point is and try to instill in them that they can handle a lot more than they think they can,” he said. “We’ve kind of cleared the air at some of these 6 a.m. [workouts] about what exactly it means to do things exactly right and what is effort.

“Everybody’s going to be accountable. Our players will be accountable for their actions.”

Wolford said he’s looking for players who are willing to compete hard and be prepared, even if they’re not starters. Because there’s always a chance the player in front of you might miss practice for injury or sickness, opening the door to get more playing time.

“You don’t know when your opportunity’s going to come,” he said. “Why not seize it?

“Why not say, ‘You know what? You’re not getting your job back today. It’s mine now.’ ”

Chargers Claim RB Mason Off Waivers From Redskins

Tuesday, March 9 2010

Courtesy of: AP Wire

SAN DIEGO (AP) ― The Chargers have claimed running back Marcus Mason off waivers from the Washington Redskins, beginning the process of restocking their backfield.

Mason spent most of his first two NFL seasons on the practice squads of the Redskins and Baltimore Ravens. He played in nine games last season for the Redskins, gaining 127 yards on 32 carries.

The Chargers recently released running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Bennett.

Penguin Coaching Staff Hosts Clinic on March 19-20

Thursday, March 4 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

Youngstown -- The Youngstown State football coaching staff is holding its Spring Coaches Clinic on March 19-20 during the first weekend of spring football practices. The cost of the clinic is $30 each in advance or $40 for on-site registration. As part of the clinic program, coaches will attend two practices and take part in at least five sessions with the YSU staff. Meals and parking are included in the registration fee.

The clinic offers an excellent chance for area coaches to get to know the new YSU staff, talk football and build relationships within the community coaching ranks.

Coaches will attend YSU practices on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Friday night will feature a welcome session by Head Coach Eric Wolford. Offensive Coordinator Shane Montgomery and Defensive Coordinator Rick Kravitz will each hold hour-long sessions. Late-night breakout sessions and a social will be held beginning at 10 p.m.

Saturday's clinic will begin in the morning with the an hour on special teams, an hour on defensive line play and fundamental demonstrations by YSU's assistant coaches. After time for lunch, coaches can attend the Penguins' Saturday afternoon practice session.

For more information contact Director of Football Operations Dan Kopp at (330) 941-2180 or dmkopp@ysu.edu. The deadline for pre-registration is March 18.

Clinic Schedule

Friday, March 19
3-4 p.m. - REGISTRATION (DeBartolo Stadium Club)
4-6:15 p.m. - PRACTICE (Stambaugh Stadium)
6:30 p.m. - DINNER
7:40 p.m. - "WELCOME" - ERIC WOLFORD, HEAD COACH
8 p.m. - YSU OFFENSE - SHANE MONTGOMERY, OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/QBs
9 p.m. - YSU DEFENSE - RICK KRAVITZ, DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR/LBs
10 p.m. - BREAKOUT SESSIONS/SOCIAL

Dinner and Speakers will be at Chestnut Room in Kilcawley Center

Saturday, March 20
8-9 a.m. - CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
9 a.m. - YSU SPECIAL TEAMS - LOUIE MATSAKIS, SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR/RBs
10 a.m. - YSU D-LINE PLAY -TOM SIMS, ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/DEFENSIVE LINE
11 a.m. - FUNDAMENTAL DEMONSTRATIONS
OL - CARMEN BRICILLO (OFFENSIVE LINE)
DB - FRANK BUFFANO (SECONDARY)
DB - RON STOOPS (SECONDARY)
WR - PHIL LONGO (WIDE RECEIVERS/RECRUITING COORDINATOR)
Noon-1 p.m. - LUNCH
1 p.m. - PRACTICE

Clinic Brochure

| Share Feb. 24, 2010 Long-Time Ursuline Assistant Coach Rollen Smith Named to Staff

Friday, February 26 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

Youngstown -- Youngstown State Head Football Coach Eric Wolford announced on Wednesday the completion of his coaching staff with the addition of long-time high school assistant coach Rollen Smith. Smith, who has nearly 30 years of experience coaching at the local high school level, will serve as an assistant defensive line coach for the Penguins.

"Rollen Smith is a person of high integrity, who has a tremendous reputation both as a football coach and for what he has done within the community," Wolford said. "He is someone our players can talk to and his experiences can teach them a lot. He is a great football coach and we are excited to have him as a member of our coaching staff."

A Youngstown native, Smith has been an assistant high school coach in Youngstown since 1980. He was at Youngstown South from 1980 through 1988 and spent the last 20 seasons as an assistant under five different head coaches for the Irish. At Ursuline he coached the running backs and cornerbacks while also handling the strength and conditioning duties for the program.

In his final two years, Ursuline won the state's Division V Championship. The Irish were a perfect 15-0 in 2008 and went 11-3 in 2009. He was also a member of the staff in 2000 when the Irish won the Division IV crown posting a 14-1 mark. While with the program, he coached for Dick Angle, Scott Niedzwicki, Jim Vivo, Dan Murphy and Dan Reardon. Ursuline qualified for the state playoffs 13 times during his tenure.

He has worked at the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center since 1983 where he has been a group leader, supervisor, behavior specialist and director of programming. He is also a prevention specialist for the Mahoning County Chemical Dependency Program of Youngstown.

Smith has served on the Mahoning County area AIDS task force since 1988, been a volunteer at the Boys & Girls Club of Youngstown since 1988 and been on the Mahoning Valley task force against crime since 1990. He has been involved with the Mahoning County Joint Vocational School, the Mahoning County Chemical Dependency Program, served as a case worker in Community Corrections and worked as a teacher and mentor at the Tod Vocational School.

Smith was a standout defensive back in his two seasons with Arkansas. As a junior, he was a first-team All-Southwest Conference selection for coach Frank Broyles. He was a team captain in 1974 and following the season played in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic. He was a sixth-round draft choice by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1975 and later signed with the St. Louis Cardinals before returning to Youngstown in 1980.

He earned his degree from Arkansas in 1976 after earning an associates degree from Garden City Community College in 1973. A Youngstown native, he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School.

RB Bellamy to sign with Youngstown State

Thursday, February 25 2010

Courtesy of: tampabay.com

Former Dunedin running back Adaris Bellamy, who signed with USF in 2009 but was told last month there was no longer a scholarship available to him with the Bulls, will sign today with Division I-AA Youngstown State, his high school coach said Wednesday.

"He could play at a higher level, but I think he'll be a star there," Mark Everett said. "He's excited. He just told me his goal is to win the Walter Payton Award (given to the top player in I-AA football)."

Bellamy, who spent last fall at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia and was able to raise his grades and test scores to meet NCAA requirements, had hoped to enroll at USF as was the plan when he went to Fork Union last summer. But in the transition from Jim Leavitt to Skip Holtz, USF ran out of scholarships for running backs. Bellamy was rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com last year.

When news broke that he wasn't going to USF, he drew immediate interest from Cincinnati, but Everett said he wasn't able to make a scheduled visit to the Bearcats because he hadn't signed his release from USF. Everett spoke with Cincinnati head coach Butch Jones last week and again Monday, but said Bellamy decided not to wait any longer and sign with the Penguins, who signed a high school teammate of his this month in linebacker Ali Cheaib.

Youngstown State has several USF ties -- its head coach, Eric Wolford, was an assistant on USF's original staff in 1996, and the assistant who recruited Bellamy is defensive coordinator Rick Kravitz, who worked on Leavitt's staff at USF from 1996-2005.

Wolford’s staff looking strong

Friday, February 12 2010

Courtesy of: JOE SIMON Tribune Chronicle

There seemed to be a bit of surprise last week when members of the media first glanced at the recruiting class assembled by Youngstown State football coach Eric Wolford.

Some people took a second look to make sure they were looking at the right kids going to the right school.

They were.

Players destined for Division I conferences like the Big Ten, Mountain West and Mid-American Conference ended up staying home to play for the Penguins. Wolford must be one heck of a salesman.

Further proving that point is the coaching staff he compiled, which might be more impressive than the recruiting class.

Over the past six weeks, Wolford has rounded up coaches from all over the country - some young, some old, some middle-aged. Some possess a vast amount of experience at Division I universities, while others are leaving nearby high schools to get their first taste of college coaching.

The successful programs many of the more experienced coaches come from is especially impressive. Furthermore, many of these coaches are leaving good, upper-echelon schools to be part of YSU. It's hard to understand why they would make such a move when they were doing so well already. Wolford said their decisions were based on prior relationships and being involved with a place they truly believed could flourish.

''You have to remember I've coached at like 50 different places,'' joked Wolford, who has made stops at eight different schools spanning from one side of the country (Arizona) to the other (South Carolina). ''I've created relationships at all those places and I've been able to keep in touch with a lot of those guys over the years.

''People want to be at a place where they feel comfortable. They want to be at a school that believes in winning and part of a group of people who all have the same vision.''

That vision is to return YSU to a national powerhouse. The short list of coaches hoping to initiate that process looks something like this:

* ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/DEFENSIVE LINE - TOM SIMS: Sims is a former NFL player who's spent the last eight years at the Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision) level. He spent last year at Kansas, where the Jayhawks ranked 26th in the nation with 2.58 sacks per game. Prior to that, he spent 2005-08 at Illinois, where he and Wolford coached together in '07 and '08. He coached Minnesota's defensive front from '01 to '04.

* DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR - RICK KRAVITZ: Kravitz holds 20 years of experience as a 'D' coordinator. His most impressive stint came at South Florida, where he met Wolford, from 1996 to 2005. Kravitz played a big role in the Bulls' rapid ascent to the Division I level. The USF defense finished 17th in the nation in 2002, 2003 and 2005. In '02, USF led the nation in turnover margin, forcing 36 miscues (22 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries).

* OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR - SHANE MONTGOMERY: The man who helped Ben Roethlisberger rewrite the record books at the University of Miami (Ohio) has coached at the D-I level his entire career, so this will be his first stint at I-AA. He was the RedHawks' offensive coordinator from 2001 to 2004, before being promoted to head coach, a post he held until '08. Aside from mentoring Roethlisberger, he also helped develop Josh Betts, who is second all time at Miami in passing yards. During his time as offensive coordinator, he was a two-time finalist for the Frank Broyles Award, which annually goes to the nation's top assistant coach.

Those are just three of the many coaches now leading the Penguins. Wolford pieced together such a vast collection of coaches, it's hard to break down each person. Yet, to further show how strong of staff it is, consider that former Southern Illinois offensive coordinator Phil Longo left the Salukis, who were 15-1 the past two years with him coaching the offense, to be the wide receivers at YSU. To take a step down such as that speaks volumes about Wolford's ability to communicate well with other coaches.

One other hire, in particular, that I thought was interesting was bringing in Ron Stoops Jr., a defensive coordinator at Cardinal Mooney for the past nine years.

During Wolford's initial press conference, he talked about how he wanted to increase interaction with high school coaches to pick their brains, and how he may even consider adding a few to his staff. The thought was he was simply putting on a show to try and impress area coaches, but he wasn't kidding. Stoops was his first hire. He will help coach the secondary and serve as the newly created director of high school relations, a position that further displays Wolford's intelligence in recruiting.

Having someone who can relate to high school kids (Stoops coached them for nine years) will certainly help Wolford persuade them into joining the Penguins. Stoops' background at Mooney certainly had to play a role in landing three Cardinal recruits, including two of their best linemen. Furthermore, having other coaches who played in the NFL and at elite, Division I colleges will help give players a better gauge as to their chances of making it to the NFL.

It's an impressive group Wolford has compiled, and if he continues to bring in talent like he did with this past recruiting class, the glory days of YSU may soon be returning.

jsimon@tribtoday.com

Head Coach Eric Wolford Lands Talented First Recruiting Class

Thursday, February 4 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

Youngstown -- Youngstown State Head Football Coach Eric Wolford unveiled a solid 2010 signing class on National Letter of Intent signing day on Feb. 3. In just six weeks, Wolford and his new staff added 19 players, including 13 from the state of Ohio. The most signees by position were offensive linemen with seven. Of the group, three were named a Player of the Year, while 10 earned all-state honors in 2009.

* Nate Adams, TE, 6-5, 225, Newark Catholic, Newark, OH
* Patrick Angle , QB, 6-2, 215, Logan, OH
* Jamarious Boatwright, CB, 5-11, 180, Largo, FL
* Ali Cheaib, LB, 6-2, 220, Dunedin, FL
* Donald D'Alesio, DB, 5-11, 180, Cardinal Mooney HS, Youngstown, OH
* Chris Elkins, OL, 6-5, 270, Beaver Falls, PA
* Eric Franklin, OL, 6-7, 310, Cardinal Mooney HS, Youngstown, OH
* Allen Jones, RB, 5-10, 180, Ursuline HS, Youngstown, OH
* Zach Larson, RB, 6-3, 285, Cardinal Mooney HS, Youngstown, OH
* Meiko Locksley, ATH, 6-1, 180, Centennial HS (N.M.), Champaign, IL
* J.P. May, OL, 6-6, 280, Worthington HS, Columbus, OH
* Grant Mayes, DB, 5-10, 195, Seton Hall Prep (Syracuse, N.Y.), Roselle, NJ
* Stephen Page, DE, 6-4, 235, Newton Falls, OH
* Michael Shope, OL, 6-6, 270, Kettering-Fairmont HS, Kettering, OH
* Andrew Sinko, OL, 6-5, 280, Strongsville, OH
* Thomas Sprague, LB, 6-1, 220, Gainesville, GA
* Marc Stevens, C, 6-5, 300, Lexington HS, Mansfield, OH
* Jordan Thompson, RB, 6-1, 215, Lakota West, Cincinnati, OH
* Kevin Watts, WR, 6-0, 215, Middletown, OH

Three Former Penguins to Appear in OhioCollegeFootball.com Senior Bowl

Tuesday, February 2 2010

Courtesy of: OhioCollegeFootball.com/YSU

Youngstown -- Former Youngstown State football players Kevin Smith (San Diego, Calif.), Aaron Pitts (Marion, Ohio) and Crispin Fernandez (Porterville, Calif.) were named to the OhioCollegeFootball.com Senior Bowl roster, the website announced on Wednesday.

The former Penguins will take the field for the North squad at Marv Moorehead Stadium in Upper Arlington on April 20, at 1 p.m. The game is set to be televised on Sports Time Ohio.

During the 2009 season Smith, a tailback, started in nine out of 10 contests rushing for a team-high 780 yards on 182 rushes. Smith scored four touchdowns, caught 15 passes for 92 yards, had four 100-yard rushing games and had a season-high in carries 28 for 113 yards versus Western Illinois. He had a season best in yards (121) on 27 rushes versus Illinois State and finished the year with 872 all-purpose yards. Smith earned his second letter and was named team’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player.

Fernandez, a defensive tackle, during the 2009 season started in nine out of 10 contests. Fernandez finished the season with 23 total tackles, was credited with nine solo stops and 14 assisted collars, had a season-high five tackles at UNI and had a season-high two solos versus Missouri State. Fernandez was named the YSU Jermaine Hopkins Defensive Lineman of the Year for the second consecutive season and earned his second letter.

During the 2009 season Ohio native and wide receiver Pitts played in all 11 games, starting against Pitt and South Dakota State. Pitts caught a career-best 33 passes for 397 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught a high of seven passes for a best of 102 yards at SIU and caught passes in 10 of 11 games, and completed a 19-yard pass to quarterback Brandon Summers on a trick play at Northeastern. Pitts earned his third letter and was recipient of team’s Dr. Spurgeon Torchbearer Award.