Solid practice: YSU had just one practice on Thursday morning and coach Eric Wolford was pleased with his team’s effort. “The kids are working hard,” he said. “I always think it’s easier if you know you’ve got a one-a-day and you’re not saving yourself for the next practice. We got a little sluggish at the midway and had to get it going but that’s usually the job of us coaches, to a light a little fire under their tail.” The practice ended with sophomore RB Jordan Thompson getting stuffed at the goal line on a third-and-1. “That’s the name of the game, keeping them out of the end zone,” Wolford said.
Saturday’s scrimmage: YSU will hold its second and final scrimmage of training camp on Saturday. YSU will warm up around 10 a.m. with the scrimmage starting around 10:30 at Stambaugh Stadium. “We need a good, healthy scrimmage,” Wolford said. “It’s not going to be as long as normal [but] we need to still get a few positions settled.” The Penguins practice twice today, at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. They are off Sunday. Practices are free and open to the public.
Calling it a career: Sophomore linebacker Mark Brandenstein (Mooney), who was redshirted this year due to concussion-related symptoms, said he is done with football. “I went to three doctors and they all said the same thing, that it’s just going to keep coming back,” he said. Brandenstein played mostly special teams last fall, appearing in all 11 games and making 13 tackles. His aggressive, head-first style helped him earn first team All-Ohio honors as a fullback/linebacker his senior year with the Cardinals and he admitted he wasn’t likely to play differently if he resumed his career. He is working with the team’s strength and conditioning staff this season.
