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Nov. 30, 2009

Four Penguins Named to Valley Football All-Newcomer Squad

St. Louis, Mo. -- The Youngstown State football team had four players named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference's All-Newcomer squad, the league announced on Monday. Redshirt freshmen offensive linemen Andy Kowicki and Andrew Radakovich along with freshman linebacker Taylor Hill and sophomore safety Sir Demarco Bledsoe represented the Penguins on the all-newcomer squad.

Andrew Radakovich, a transfer from Penn State, was named named the the MVFC All-Newcomer squad after starting 10 games in 2009.

On offense, YSU was the only school to have multiple linemen named to the newcomer team. Radakovich started 10 games this year as an offensive tackle. Of his 10 starts, nine came as the Guins' left tackle. Kowicki started the final four games of the year at center.

On defense, Bledsoe was on his way to having an all-conference-type of season before suffering a season-ending knee injury at Southern Illinois. He had 57 total tackles, including an impressive 45 solo collars. Hill, who did not play college football in 2008, became the first freshman to lead the team in tackles since Pat Narduzzi in 1985. Hill finished with a team-high 65 stops.

Illinois State quarterback Matt Brown was named the conference's Freshman of the Year while Missouri State linebacker Antoine Wilkinson was tabbed as the Newcomer of the Year. Missouri State had five players named to the all-newcomer squad followed by YSU and Illinois State, which each had four.

YSU All-Newcomer Team Selections
LB - #15 Taylor Hill, Youngstown State, 6-2, 210, Fr., Youngstown, Ohio (Cardinal Mooney)
Started all 11 games at outside linebacker…had a team-best 65 tackles…first freshman to lead the team in total stops since 1985…had 28 solo stops and 37 assists…had a season-high 12 tackles against South Dakota State…56 of his tackles came in conference play…had at least five tackles on eight occasions.

SS - #25 Sir Demarco Bledsoe, Youngstown State, 6-2, 185, So., Piedmont, Okla. (TCU/Piedmont)
Bledsoe started six of the seven games he appeared in before suffering a season-ending knee injury at Southern Illinois…credited with 57 tackles, including 45 solo stops…had 4.5 tackles for losses, including one sack…had an interception against Northeastern…credited with 385 snaps played by coaching staff…ended season ranking fourth on the team in tackles despite missing last four contests.

OT - #70 Andrew Radakovich, Youngstown State, 6-5, 300, RFr., Steubenville, Ohio (Penn State/Steubenville)
Started nine games and played in all 11 at tackle…started eight games at left tackle, including the final four of the season and had a start at right tackle…played 529 snaps, third most on offensive line…had a season-high 75 plays against Missouri State…season-high grade was 79 percent at Northeastern…YSU averaged 216.2 yards passing per game, the most since 1985.

OL - #69 Andy Kowicki, Youngstown State, 6-5, 280, RFr., Parma, Ohio (Normandy)
Played in all 11 games, making five starts…started final four games at center and opener at Pitt as left guard…played 306 snaps for the campaign…season-high 75 snaps against Missouri State…had a best grade of 79 percent against Northeastern…YSU averaged 216.2 yards passing per game, the most since 1985.