For the first time in two seasons, the Youngstown State Penguins were able to return to action in the classic Red and White Scrimmage. They had a two-year absence because of the pandemic and then playing in the Spring season. This was also the first YSU Spring game under coach Doug Phillips in 2022 and showed a preview of what to expect for fall practice.
Recapping The Return of the Red and White Spring Game
The defense opened the game strong as D’Marco Augustin sacked quarterback Demeatric Crenshaw. On the next play, Senior Griffin Hoak came into the party, hurrying the quarterback. Later, the defense pressured Crenshaw again, causing him to throw a pick to Tyjon Jones.
Offensively, the ball was not rolling until later in the game. One play changed that when Crenshaw threw a line of scrimmage pass to CJ Charleston. Charleston threw a 46-yard bomb to Liberty Leopard alumni Dra Rushton. Rushton would cap off the drive with a 15-yard rushing touchdown.
The offense wouldn’t stop there, as trailing by two, Crenshaw gave the ball to Austintown Fitch Alumni Randy Smith, showing off the nice madden spin move and going 16-yards for the score. The offense also got a score earlier with a 43-yard field goal from Colten McFadden.
The second half had Salem alumni Mitch Davidson throwing two touchdown passes to Tre Radford for 16-yards. Later Nate Damron for a 17-yard touchdown. Another Valley alumni in Ursulines Dante Walker shined rushing for 23-yards on one drive, leading to a Davidson touchdown.
However, that would be the offensives power as the defense overmatched them well into the later half. Quarterback Brandon Alexander threw a pass and out of nowhere came Logan Pasco with the interception, returning it 35-yards for the touchdown with the final being the defense beating the offense 27 to 24.
What To Expect After The Spring Game
August will come sooner than expected. One thing to know however is that the defense looks like their spring season counterparts. That is where they can hold opponents to low scoring, something that they were missing during the fall 2021 season.
The offense looks to have a lot more trickery coming through, especially practicing that pass with Charleston. Another to watch out for is Crenshaw and Jaleel McLaughlin. Only time will tell with lifting and conditioning in May, first practice in August, and then the first game against Duquesne on September 3rd.
