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Ma’lik Richmond gets playing time in Saturday’s YSU win

Tribune Chronicle / R. Michael Semple Youngstown State University defensive end Ma’lik Richmond was in full uniform for Saturday’s game against Central Connecticut State at Stambaugh Stadium. He did get some playing time in the Penguins’ lopsided 59-9 victory after a Thursday court ruling allowing him to play.

YOUNGSTOWN — All Youngstown State University defensive end Ma’lik Richmond has wanted is playing time. On Saturday, that’s exactly what he got.

Midway through the third quarter in YSU’s 59-9 victory over Central Connecticut State, Richmond was on the field at Stambaugh Stadium. He saw about 20 snaps on three separate CCSU possessions.

“Well, I’m happy for the kid but it’s not about me,” YSU coach Bo Pelini said.

Richmond recorded two solo tackles, including a tackle for loss. His first tackle was followed by a round of applause from the fans still in the stadium.

Pelini said the entire defensive unit helped make Richmond’s play fit right in.

Richmond, 21, was convicted of rape as a teenager in Steubenville, and he sued Youngstown State last week after the school allowed him to join the football team but then told him he couldn’t play this season. The school backed off its initial decision after a petition began circulating on campus demanding Richmond not be allowed to play.

Richmond was unavailable for comment after the game, but linebacker Lee Wright commented on Richmond’s opportunity to see game action.

“It was great, honestly,” Wright said. “The young guys always talk about what they are going to do when they get in. When they get in, we get excited to see it.”

Wright said it is important for guys to get into game action instead of always practicing without the opportunity to play in games.

On Friday morning, Youngstown State had asked the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to throw out a Thursday decision by U.S. District Court Judge Benita Pearson that temporarily allowed Richmond to play football for the school for at least the next 14 days, including Saturday’s game. Pearson has scheduled a Sept. 28 hearing to determine whether to make the decision permanent.

The appeals court dismissed YSU’s appeal Friday afternoon. The university argued the school has a right to stop Richmond from playing to prevent campus protests and disruptions to the team.

The appeals court, however, said Youngstown State failed to show that a temporary order allowing Richmond back on the team “has serious or irreparable consequences.”

Richmond served about 10 months in a juvenile prison after he and a Steubenville High School teammate were convicted in 2013 of raping a 16-year-old girl during an alcohol-fueled party. The case made international headlines and led to allegations of a cover-up to protect Steubenville’s storied Big Red football team.

He was released in January 2014 and attended colleges in West Virginia and Pennsylvania before transferring to Youngstown State in the fall of 2016 as a sophomore.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

sports@tribtoday.com

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