Penguins football players enjoyed their break,
but welcome preparations for James Madison
By Charles Grove
cgrove@vindy.com
The Youngstown State football team just reached the end of a 10-day break and begins preparation for James Madison for the FCS National Championship game today.
The Penguins hadn’t had a bye week since after their 38-6 win over Robert Morris on Sept. 17. Since then, YSU played a game for 12 straight weeks, which included eight weeks of Missouri Valley Football Conference play and then four straight playoff games.
Needless to say, the players were ready for some time off.
“Not having to worry about football for a while was nice,” said YSU punter Mark Schuler. “During the week it’s so demanding every day over and over. Sometimes it’s nice to have a complete break.”
The break began once the Penguins got back from their win over Eastern Washington the morning of Sunday, Dec. 18. YSU tight end Kevin Rader said he gave himself a few days off and then got right back into the gym.
“I’ve been wanting to get back,” Rader said. “I came home Monday and took off until Wednesday before I started getting back into the gym running and lifting.”
The three-month stretch of practicing four days a week and then games on Saturday was rough enough. Add in classes, film sessions and studying scouting reports as well as class textbooks and for many players, it’s an exhausting regimen.
“During the year it’s just constant,” YSU linebacker Armand Dellovade said. “You’re always doing something. You wake up around 8 a.m. and go to sleep around 11 p.m. In between there’s lifting, class, class, class, lunch, film, practice and then dinner, homework, film again and back to bed. And you do it every single day.”
Both Schuler and Dellovade were able to get back to their high schools and visit old coaches, teachers and friends.
Schuler, a Springfield graduate, was able to go see his brothers, who teach in New Middletown, during his time off.
“It was nice getting back to my high school and seeing all the people who helped me get to where I am and see how they’re all doing,” Schuler said.
“A few of my brothers teach little kids there and some of them know who I am and what’s going on with YSU football. They were amazed I was coming around the school. All [of them] telling me they saw me on TV. It was fun.”
Dellovade ended up shortening his break a little bit, mixing in down time with friends and family while also breaking down film of James Madison on his own.
“The day after we beat Eastern Washington I rewatched [James Madison’s] game against North Dakota State,” Dellovade said.
Dellovade said the national championship is too important to slack off too much in preparation, even if the team was on break.
“This is the granddaddy of them all,” Dellovade said. “You have to leave everything you’ve got and try to win this game during the week.”
Rader has had that preparation itch he hasn’t been able to scratch as well during the team’s time off.
“I’m pumped,” Rader said. “I even told my family that. It’s not often you get to play for a national championship.”
