April 9, 2008

Football: Bob Gratz's 42-Yard Field Goal Seals 15-12 Victory for White Team

    Youngstown – Sophomore placekicker Bob Gratz connected on a 42-yard field goal to help lead the White Team to a come-from-behind 15-12 victory over the Red Squad during a 35-minute kicking scrimmage at Stambaugh Stadium on Wednesday.

    Gratz connected on five-of-six field goals during the scrimmage, making three for the Red team in the first half before assuming hero-role status for the White team in the second half. Gratz's only miss was a 31-yard attempted that drilled the upright.

    Senior placekicker Brian Palmer was 1-of-4 on a windy afternoon converting a 27-yard try. During the scrimmage portion of the workout he had plenty of distance on a 47-yard attempt, but pushed it wide left.
    Sophomore punter Erik Johnson had six punts for an average of 34.2 yards per attempt while sophomore Jarrod Satmare averaged 31.1 yards on eight boots, including a long of 39. De'Angelo Wilson had two punt returns for 32 yards, including a long of 22.

    Highlighting the second half of the scrimmage were three consecutive fakes by the White team. Johnson threw a 53-yard pass to Wilson on a drive that began on the 21-yard line.
    Then the White team drew a pass interference penalty on a Todd Rowan pass to Derrick Bush in end zone. On the next fake, Rowan hit freshman tight end Patrick Bellish on a perfectly thrown 10-yard scoring toss. The White team went for two, but Gratz was knocked out of bounds by Nate Ward short of the goal line.

    Sophomore placekicker Stephen Blose and senior punter Ben Nowicki did not take part in the workout.
    The Penguins resume practice on Friday at 3 p.m. and will hold their spring Jersey Scrimmage on Saturday morning at 10. Sunday's workout will be held at 7:30 p.m. under the Stambaugh Stadium lights.