Red team takes Youngstown State Spring Game
The Youngstown State football team closed out Spring Ball under an abundance of sunshine with an energetic Red-White Spring Game at Stambaugh Stadium on Saturday morning.
The Red team was victorious in the contest 37-13 over the white squad.
The white team scored the first touchdown of the game, but after that it was all red team.
Who starred for Youngstown State?
QB Mitch Davidson connected with Bryce Oliver on a seven-yard touchdown toss capping off an eight-play, 75-yard drive. On the drive, Davidson connected with Oliver for 29 yards and Latrell Fordham for 18. Running back Da’Shaun Whatley had a 17-yard burst in the early going.
Davidson led Red team to a score on his next appearance. The unit used some razzle dazzle as Brandon Alexander, a former quarterback, took a backwards toss from Davidson and connected with a wide open Dra Rushton for 33 yards. After a Rushton carry for six yards, Davidson found Jake Benio for the first of his two TDs on the day with a four-yard score.
Big day for Beau Brungard
Beau Brungard led an impressive 11-play, 64-yard march for the Red team. He opened the drive with a 26-yard keeper before connecting with Willie Deal on three passes totaling 28 yards. After Rushton converted a fourth-and-3 with a five-yard run, Brungard connected with Benio on a three-yard score.
Brungard used his arm and legs on his next appearance. He started the drive with a 10-yard completion to Dante Walker then Brungard had a nifty 50-yard scramble where he was tackled at the one-yard line. Walker scored on the next play for the Red team.
The White team moved 75 yards in just five plays on their next drive. Cephus Harris III opened the march with a 20-yard run then Davidson hit Fordham for 11 yards and Blake Exline for six. On second down at the 38-yard line, Harris found some daylight and scooted in for the touchdown in his first extensive playing time before the YSU faithful.
Red defense records a safety for Youngstown State
The red defense added two points after generating a safety. Brendon Kilpatrick’s punt was perfectly downed at the one-yard line. On the first snap for the white team, Harris was stuffed in the backfield and the Red team earned the two points.
Brungard led the Red team on one final drive on the afternoon. He led a seven-play, 70-yard march that saw him connect with Max Tomczak on a 16-yard touchdown strike. Brungard found Walker on a back-to-back hookups for 33 yards and a seven-yard pass to Luke Hensley set up the touchdown to Tomczak.
The final touchdown of the afternoon went to Caleb Mitchell who scored on a 40-yard run. Brungard again led the drive and a long gainer of 16 yards to Hensley.
Defensive standouts for Youngstown State
Leading the White team on defense with three tackles each were Marcus Hooker, Alijah Curtis and Ezekiel Blake. Leading the Red team on defense with five stops was Jordan Trowers. LB Keon Freeman added four stops while Sir Jerome Treadwell, Dylan Dominguez and Tino Pesce each added three.
What’s next for Youngstown State?
The Penguins open the season against Valparaiso.
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This story was originally published April 16, 2023 at 1:53 AM with the headline "Red team takes Youngstown State Spring Game."