Penguin Sporting News

Football

Wolford pleased with first day of workouts

Friday, August 6 2010

Courtesy of: JOE SCALZO the Vindicator

YOUNGSTOWN

Grinning from ear to ear, new YSU football coach Eric Wolford summed up his first training camp practice on Thursday with phrases not heard much during spring practice.

“We had a good day,” he said. “Today’s one of the best days of my life, next to the day I married my wife, I can assure you of that.

“I’ll probably be able to sleep a little better tonight.”

It was a different tone from March and April when Wolford often grew frustrated with his team’s effort and energy level — and wasn’t shy about saying so.

“I think the kids came out and practiced hard,” he said Thursday. “They understand the tempo we expect.

“We have some talent here. We’ve just got to continue to coach it and develop it.”

Thursday’s practice was crisp and organized from the beginning, an encouraging sign for a team trying to integrate 36 new players.

“There’s a lot of new faces — I can’t even name 30-some guys on the team,” said senior defensive lineman Torrance Nicholson, a three-year letterman. “It was exciting [but] it’s one thing to be excited and another to come out here and work.”

Wolford said his two points of emphasis were fundamentals and special teams, believing special teams cost YSU a chance at two or three more wins last season.

“Our message is clear — we want to improve every day,” Wolford said. “No steps back.

“I can honestly say in spring ball, until practice 13, we improved every day. And I want to see if we can carry that through 29 [practices] going into Penn State.”

The first hour of practice was played in intense heat and humidity, then cooled off a bit when the sun set behind the stadium steps. The Penguins wore helmets and shorts. They won’t practice in full pads until Monday night.

“A lot of these young guys are eager to get the pads on,” said Nicholson. “I’m an old guy. I’m eager to get the season going.”

Football

Penguins Report to Camp | First Practice on Tap for Today

Thursday, August 5 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

The Youngstown State football team reported to camp on Thursday afternoon for the first time under new Head Coach Eric Wolford. The 90 members of this year's team moved into their dorm rooms, had a team orientation meeting and underwent physicals as part of their first day.

YSU will get its first taste of fall workouts on Thursday afternoon. The first of five acclimation pratices is set to start at 4 p.m. The Penguins will be in helmets the first two days, helmets and shoulder pads the following two practices before doning pads for the first time on Monday night.

Coach Wolford has invited fans to come out for Monday Night Football that evening starting at 7 o'clock.

While their are 90 members on the roster, of those 36 are joining the program for the first time. The Guins return some experience with 35 letterwinners returning from last season's 6-5 squad.

Wide receiver Dominique Barnes, fullback Kyle Banna, tight ends Andy Colegrove and David Rogers and offensive linemen Bobby Coates, Andrew Radakovich and Eric Rodemoyer return as offensive starters. Cornerback Brandian Ross, free safety Andre Elliott, linebacker Deonta Tate, defensive end Stephen Meadows and nose tackle Luke Matelan all return, among others, on defense.

Football

YSU to prove MVFC wrong

Wednesday, August 4 2010

Courtesy of: MARCUS BARKLEY Tribune Chronicle

YOUNGSTOWN - At a news conference following the Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason poll and team selection, Youngstown State University football coach Eric Wolford had a lot of smiles to share.

But when he opened his mouth to express how he felt his team and players were treated in the annual preseason listings, the vernacular wasn't as sunshiny.

"It's disrespect," Wolford said when asked about the Penguins' seventh spot in the poll, their lowest rank ever in the MVFC, which they joined in 1997. "In some parts of this world we live in, you disrespect someone, you may lose your life, right or wrong. And I don't handle disrespect very well and I'm sure my players won't, either. That's why we've got a job to do."

In the preseason poll, defending MVFC champions Southern Illinois easily took the top spot with 313 points and 30 of the 36 first place votes. In the logjam following the Salukis was South Dakota State in second, Illinois State in third and Northern Iowa in fourth. Missouri State and North Dakota State rounded out the teams ahead of the Penguins, while Western Illinois and Indiana State finished out the list .

Though Wolford's not going to hunt down the voters who favored against his team, he is ready to prove the Penguins deserved more than 130 points in the poll and only two nominations onto the preseason team.

"There's disappointment in only having two players on the preseason team," Wolford said. "We're still working, but we're getting closer. We have guys that can play."

The two Penguins chosen to be on the 28-man roster were seniors Dominique Barnes and Eric Rodemoyer. Barnes is a top wide receiver for the Penguins and a three-year letter winner, while Rodemoyer anchors the YSU offensive line and is a two-year letter winner.

Even though Wolford was unimpressed with the voting process, he is ready to put it behind him and prepare for the season, which will begin with Big Ten juggernaut Penn State on September 4. But in Wolford's excitement over the upcoming season came a strong edict to his team - that the best man will play, regardless of age or experience.

"I'm excited," Wolford said. "And the kids are excited, too. Now it's time for us to come together. And I think nervousness is normal because, if you're not a little bit nervous, you probably don't care enough.

"Spring was a feeling out process and I think a lot of players weren't used to the tempo. Now they know what to expect. And we have 36 new guys that are coming for (the returning players) jobs. And if it's even - we'll play the younger guy because he will be here for longer."

And even more youth is coming for the Penguins, as was evidenced last week when Girard senior wide receiver Landon Smith committed to the Penguins.

One of the major areas where new blood should shake things up is quarterback. There is redshirt freshman Kurt Hess, who Wolford said was "inexperienced, but with a lot of talent", junior Marc Kanetsky from Hubbard, who Wolford called "an underdog who always finds a way to get the job done".

There's also Purdue transfer and redshirt Freshman Najee Tyler, who many see as the obvious choice. But Wolford said that he won't "deem him the savior" and that he'll have to "earn his way". There's also freshman Patrick Angle and redshirt freshman Gannon Hulea from Poland. Wolford refused to count any guy out, but did say the decision will be at or before the Penguins last scrimmage on Aug. 22.

Regardless of who will start behind center, the overwhelming attitude of Wolford and those close to the Penguins is optimism - that the upcoming season is the first step in what could be a resurgence for a program that spent much of the 90s as the top team in Division I-AA, now the Division I Football Championship Subdivision.

"We're just hoping to be a mentally tougher team now," Wolford said. "And it's our job as coaches to take (the players) where they couldn't take themselves."

sports@tribtoday.com

Softball

Softball to Hold Free Clinic Oct. 10

Wednesday, August 4 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

Youngstown, Ohio -- The Youngstown State softball program will hold a free clinic, Sunday, Oct. 10, at McCune Park in Canfield, Ohio.

The clinic will run from Noon to 2:30 p.m. and is open to eighth through 12 graders.

At the clinic, participants will receive instruction on hitting, fielding, throwing and baserunning from the YSU softball coaches and players.

Players are required to bring gloves and appropriate shoes.

To register, please email Assistant Coach Tiffany Patteson at tmpatteson@ysu.edu. Once registered, parents and/or guardians will be required to complete and return a medical release form. Players will not be permitted to participate in the clinic without a signed release form.

Also, Youngstown State will be collecting donations for the American Cancer Society at the clinic.

For more information, please contact Tiffany Patteson at (330) 941-1924 or tmpatteson@ysu.edu.

Basketball

NC State, 16 Home Games Highlight the 2010-11 YSU Men’s Basketball Schedule

Wednesday, August 4 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

Youngstown, Ohio – Nine 20-win teams, six programs that made the 2010 postseason, a mid-December non-league game against Atlantic Coast Conference member North Carolina State, and 16 home games, including four doubleheaders, are on tap during the 2010-11 season for the Youngstown State men's basketball program, sixth-year Head Coach Jerry Slocum announced on Tuesday.

"Our staff has done an outstanding job putting together another exciting schedule for the men's basketball program," Slocum said. "This is a very challenging schedule but one that will prepare us for a very competitive Horizon League.

"Having a chance to play 16 home games in front of our great fans will be very beneficial for our players. Also being able to play a tradition-rich program like North Carolina State is great opportunity for our players and our entire program."

The 16 home contests are the most regular-season home games since the 1991-92 season when the Guins competed as an independent.

The Penguins open the campaign with four of their first five contests in the Beeghly Center beginning with a season-opening tilt against Samford on Friday, Nov. 12, followed by hosting Mid-American Conference member Buffalo, Tuesday, Nov. 16.

It marks the first time since 1979-80 that the Guins will play of their first five games at home.

After a quick trip up Interstate 76 to take visit Akron, who played in the College Basketball Invitational, on Saturday, Nov. 20, the Guins return home to entertain MAC foe Toledo, Wednesday, Nov. 24 and Saint Francis (Pa.), Saturday, Nov. 27. The final two contests in November will also be the first two doubleheaders with the YSU women's program.

For the second straight season, the Guins begin the month of December by opening Horizon League play on the road with a trek through Wisconsin. The Guins visit Milwaukee on Thursday, Dec. 2, and Green Bay, Saturday, Dec. 4.

A third straight away contest at NCAA Tournament participant Robert Morris on Saturday, Dec. 11 precedes a home contest against Division II member Malone on Monday, Dec. 13.

Then the Guins head to "Tobacco Road" for the match up against the Wolfpack of NC State on Thursday, Dec. 16, and return to the State of Ohio for a visit to nearby Kent State on Tuesday, Dec. 21.

After a nine-day break for the Christmas holiday, the Guins close out 2010 and open 2011 with a pair of Horizon League games at the Beeghly Center when they host UIC, Thursday, Dec. 30, and Loyola, Saturday, Jan. 1.

The Guins make their first road trip of 2011 when they visit Valparaiso, Thursday, Jan. 6, and national runner-up Butler, Saturday, Jan. 8.

A non-league match up against Wilberforce, Tuesday, Jan. 11 begins a four-game home stand which features league games against in-state rival Cleveland State, Saturday, Jan. 15, and versus 20-game winners Wright State, Thursday, Jan. 20, and Detroit, Saturday, Jan. 22.

In the second half of the league slate, the Guins return games at Loyola (Jan. 27) and UIC (Jan. 29), Wright State (Feb. 7), Cleveland State (Feb. 12) and Detroit (Feb. 16). YSU hosts Butler (Feb. 3), Valparaiso (Feb. 5), Green Bay (Feb. 24) and Milwaukee (Feb. 26).

The Penguins will also participate in the BracketBusters and will host an opponent to be determined at a later date on Feb. 19.

The Horizon League Men's Basketball Championship begins with first round games on Tuesday, March 1, and second round games on Friday, March 4. The semifinals will be held Saturday, March 5, while the championship game will be televised nationally on ESPN on Tuesday, March 8.

Game times and selected TV games will be announced in the near future. All games will be carried live on 570 WKBN AM.

Date Opponent Result Time/Status Links
Nov. 12 Samford 7:05 PM
Nov. 16 Buffalo 7:05 PM
Nov. 20 at Akron TBA
Nov. 24 Toledo 7:35 PM
Nov. 27 Saint Francis (Pa.) 7:05 PM
Dec. 2 at Milwaukee * TBA
Dec. 4 at Green Bay * TBA
Dec. 11 at Robert Morris TBA
Dec. 13 Malone 7:05 PM
Dec. 16 at North Carolina St. TBA
Dec. 21 at Kent State TBA
Dec. 30 UIC * 7:05 PM
Jan. 1 Loyola * 1:05 PM
Jan. 6 at Valparaiso * TBA
Jan. 8 at Butler * TBA
Jan. 11 Wilberforce 7:05 PM
Jan. 15 Cleveland State * 7:05 PM
Jan. 20 Wright State * 7:35 PM
Jan. 22 Detroit * 7:05 PM
Jan. 27 at Loyola * TBA
Jan. 29 at UIC * TBA
Feb. 3 Butler * 7:05 PM
Feb. 5 Valparaiso * 7:05 PM
Feb. 7 at Wright State * TBA
Feb. 12 at Cleveland State * TBA
Feb. 16 at Detroit * TBA
Feb. 19 ESPN Bracket Buster Game TBA
Feb. 24 Green Bay * 7:05 PM
Feb. 26 Milwaukee * 2:05 PM

Football

Guins Tabbed 7th ...Barnes, Rodemoyer Earn Preseason All-MVFC Honors

Monday, August 2 2010

Courtesy of: YSU

St. Louis, Mo. -- Senior offensive guard Eric Rodemoyer (Sharon, Pa.) and senior wide receiver Dominique Barnes (Detroit, Mich.) were named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference's preseason all-league squad on Monday.

Rodemoyer was a second-team all-conference selection in 2009 while Barnes, who led the league in touchdown receptions, was an honorable-mention selection.

In 2009, Rodemoyer started 10 games on the offensive line, including nine at guard. Barnes and then senior Donald Jones gave the Guins one of the conference's best receiver tandems last year. While Jones caught 77 passes, Barnes finished with 60 receptions for 762 yards and eight scores. He averaged 69.3 yards per game and 12.7 yards per catch.

In the preseason team poll, YSU was tabbed to finish seventh in Coach Eric Wolford's first season. Southern Illinois, which has won the past two MVFC crowns, was selected to remain atop the league standings. SIU received 30 of a possible 36 first-place votes and tallied 313 points.

South Dakota State was second at 252 while Illinois State was third (249) and UNI was fourth (244). Rounding out the poll was Missouri State (fifth), North Dakota State (sixth), YSU, Western Illinois (eighth) and Indiana State (ninth). SDSU, Illinois State and UNI all received first-place votes and only eight votes separated the three teams.

SIU will bring a league-record 14-game conference winning streak to Stambaugh Stadium on Sept. 25 in the conference opener for both schools. The last two preseason favorites (NDSU and UNI) did not win the league, but a preseason favorite has won the league crown 13 times (in 24 previous polls).

The Penguins report to camp on Wednesday with their first practice on tap for Thursday. YSU opens the season at Penn State on Sept. 4. The contest will be carried live on the Big Ten Network and 570 WKBN.2010

Missouri Valley Football Conference Preseason Poll
Team (first-place votes)....................Points
1. Southern Illinois (30)..........................313
2. South Dakota State (2)......................252
3. Illinois State (3)..................................249
4. Northern Iowa (1)...............................244
5. Missouri State....................................164
6. North Dakota State............................151
7. Youngstown State..............................130
8. Western Illinois....................................70
9. Indiana State.......................................47