The Youngstown State defense showed that it will not back down from the offense this spring, but the offensive group was still able to make some big plays during the first major scrimmage of spring camp on Saturday at Stambaugh Stadium.
Head Coach Eric Wolford put the offensive unit in a hole right away as they opened scrimmage with series of plays from their own one-yard line. Allen Jones had nice 26-yard run during the set, btu the defense forced three three-and-out sets.
Coach Wolford then flipped he field and put the squad through a series of red-zone situations giving the ball to the offense 1st-and-10 at the 20-yard line.
After placekicker David Brown could not convert a field-goal try, quarterback Kurt Hess connected with Juilian Harrell on over the shoulder catch in right end zone on first play of next series.
On the next series, Adaris Bellamy had a two-yard scoring run after nice 12-yard run by Jamaine Cook.
Allen Jones tacked on a third touchdown scoring on a five-yard run straight up the middle.
But the defense bounced back as Justin Austin intercepted a Najee Tyler pass on a second-and-six play to end a possession at two-yard line.
Hess then scored on a nifty run from 20 yards out. After looking down field he saw open space against the defense took it in for the score.
Later he connected with Harrell again, this time on a two-yard slant in front of good coverage by Grant Mayes. That play was set up following a first down via a pass intererfece penalty.
Sophomore cornerback Matt Romero snuffed out another drive with great interception in back of end zone off redshirt freshman quarterback Patrick Angle. Romeo also had two pass breakups during the scrimmage.
Senior defensive end Daniel Stewart stripped Torrian Pace of the football from behind on a nice hustle play and the defense recovered.
On the next series, Taylor Hill stuffed Pace on third-and-one situation at the 11 forcing a field goal.
Altogether, YSU had 10 situations of red zone work.
At the midpoint of the scrimmage, Coach Wolford had the defense and offense go through some third-and-short situations near midfield.
On third-down plays, the defense had three stops, but also gave up three first downs.
On fourth down, Bellamy was stopped on fourth and one, but Pace blasted a run up middle for a first down.
After taking over at the 30, the offense moved ball to four but drive stalled and Brown converted a 21-yard field to cap 10-play drive.
A nice highlight was a strong effort by Jones late in the workout. He took a handoff down the left sideline for 65-yard score while breaking about five tackles along the way and outran two defenders in the final 20 yards.
Tyler connected on a good fade route to wide receiver Pat White for 24-yard touchdown capping 65-yard drive as the offense had back-to-back scoring drives
The defense forced a second Pace fumble late in the workout as Scott Sentner stripped the ball and Austin had the recovery.
During the two-minute drill, sophomore linebacker Ali Cheaib intercepted Hess on fourth-and-six play from the 15-yard line to end the drive.
The offense's last two-minute drive stalled just past midfield.
YSU returns to practice on Monday at 4 p.m.
Offensive Scoring Summary
Hess 20-yard pass to Harrell
Bellamy 2-yard run
Jones 5-yard run
Hess 20-yard run
Hess 2-yard pass to Harrell
Brown 21-yard field goal
Jones 65-yard run
Tyler 24-yard pass to White
Upcoming Spring Schedule (All Practices at Stambaugh Stadium)
April 4 - Practice | 4 p.m.
April 6 - Practice | 4 p.m.
April 8 - Practice | 4 p.m.
April 9 - Scrimmage | 10 a.m.
April 10 - FCA Banquet (Coach Wolford guest speaker) | 6 p.m.
April 11 - Practice | 4 p.m.
April 12 - Bob Dove Luncheon | Noon
April 13 - Practice | 4 p.m.
April 15 - Women's Coaching Clinic | 5:30 p.m.
April 15 - Practice | 6:30 p.m.
April 16 - Spring Game | 12:05 p.m.
April 17 - No Stone Unturned Pancake Breakfast at Mt. Carmel
May 6 - Football Alumni Reunion - Youngstown Country Club
For Season Ticket or Spring Game information contact the YSU Athletics Ticket Office at (330) 941-1978.
