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Pelini hopes earlier spring start is a plus

YOUNGSTOWN — There was no time to ponder what could have been for the Youngstown State University football team — and that’s exactly how coach Bo Pelini wanted it.

Less than two months after a 28-14 loss to James Madison in the NCAA FCS Championship game, Pelini decided to start spring practice early. No need to allow players or coaches time to sulk.

“The earlier you can do it, the better,” said Pelini, who added that extending spring practices through April also gives players time to work out and train during that time period. “We’re spreading it out, which is good. It’s ideal.”

It also keeps the players’ minds off of last year.

The Penguins made an epic playoff run, with upsets, an overtime win and a national semifinal victory in the final seconds thanks to a miraculous, one-handed catch. The buzz and excitement came to a screeching halt as YSU played poorly in the championship, with turnovers, penalties and special teams blunders. The process of going from a team that entered the season unranked and overlooked, yet came within 15 points of a title could weigh on the Penguins’ minds — including Pelini.

The longtime coach said not letting the past creep into the present starts with him.

“I’ve watched it,” said Pelini of the national championship game film. “I watched both sides of the ball. It was basically what I thought. We were right there. We had opportunities. We obviously dug ourselves a hole to start the game.

“(But) I don’t dwell on it,” he added. “It’s not something you dwell on. It is what it is. It’s the last football game. We lost. You move on, and it’s on to the next thing as far as figuring out what you have to do for the football team the next year.”

Last year at this time it was figuring out who would play quarterback. That is no longer a question with senior Hunter Wells now entrenched as the starter.

Wells was buried on the depth chart (fourth string) after losing a QB competition last fall, but injuries led to him taking over midseason, and he came on strong after a slow start. He’s now looked on as one of the team’s leaders, and the role fits the 6-foot-5 senior who played the best football of his career just a few months ago during the postseason.

“It’s a good feeling knowing that I’m first string, but I’ve got to approach every day like I’m battling in a quarterback competition,” said Wells of his approach to spring practices, which includes a weeklong break that starts Monday. “There’s no time to take off, and you’ve got to work harder than you ever have just because, first of all, it’s a very important season coming up for everybody, and this is my last time to go at it. So, I’m going to give it everything I have.”

Making sure everyone else does the same is important too.

The Penguins lost all-conference players and vocal leaders in running back Jody Webb, defensive end Derek Rivers and safety LeRoy Alexander. Those players helped create the “culture” of the team, something Pelini said played a major role in YSU appearing in the FCS Championship for the first time since 1999.

Wells agrees, and he knows he won’t be able to fill their shoes on his own.

“That’s the biggest thing to figure out this spring, going into fall season, is who we can count on and who we can’t,” he said. “Who steps up and who doesn’t and who we can rely on and who we can’t rely on.”

Aside from leadership, Pelini will have his eyes on a secondary that lost all four starters. Several players stepped in late in the season when suspensions led to both safeties missing the final two playoff games. Others played sporadically during the regular season, so Pelini is optimistic.

“Guys graduate, and it’s about getting those next guys ready to go,” he said of the spring. “I was telling this to somebody today, that we lost guys at different positions, but fortunately we play a lot of guys, so it’s not like the people filling in haven’t had any experience and haven’t played a lot of football for us. I like the group coming back.”

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