Youngstown State Penguins Offensive Players to Watch vs. Ohio State

Quarterback Mitch Davidson looks to follow up his performance in 2022 with another tremendous year, while running back Dra Rushton takes over starting duties behind the line.

Youngstown State finished the 2022 season with a respectable 7-4 record, but no doubt has larger goals in mind for this coming year.

Eight or more wins certainly seems possible for the Penguins, as they plan a schedule made up almost entirely of fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) opponents. Youngstown State placed third in the MVFC last year, which is higher than six of the seven conference schools on their 2023 lineup.

Unfortunately for the flightless ice birds, the second game of the season is on the road against their toughest non-conference opponent of the year: Ohio State.

Here are three of the biggest offensive players to keep an eye on when the Penguins take on the Buckeyes during September's second weekend.

QB Mitch Davidson

Davidson was good for 1,613 yards through the air in 2022, completing just under 60% of his passes and finishing with a solid 12:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio as well.

The Salem, Ohio-native played behind fellow QB Demeatric Crenshaw for the first three games, in which he combined for just 119 passing yards on 14 attempts. The first week Davidson was in the driver's seat, the then-sophomore threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns in Youngstown State's 35-30 loss against North Dakota.

Davidson went on to lead the Penguins to a 5-1 record over their final six games, including a 28-27 victory against archrival Western Illinois.

With seemingly full command of the quarterback room in 2023, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Davidson should be more relaxed and focused than ever before in his career.

RB Dra Rushton

Rushton tallied 329 yards on 71 carries at the end of last year's campaign, along with two rushing touchdowns and three receptions.

The rising-Senior spent most of his time relieving starting running back Jaleel McLaughlin. Now that McLaughlin has left Youngstown State for the greener pastures of the National Football League (NFL), it will be up to Rushton to lead the way between the tackles.

At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Rushton has a frame capable of escaping converging defensive linemen and tackle-hungry players in the secondary. Whether or not this build plays to Rushton's advantage against the Buckeyes however, remains to be seen.

WR Bryce Oliver

Oliver was responsible for 821 receiving yards in 2022, which was good for the most on the team.

Hailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Oliver spent his first two college football seasons with the Kentucky Wildcats before transferring to Youngstown State in 2021. 

Oliver recorded only eight receptions and 125 yards over his time with the 'Cats, which is significantly fewer than the 24 catches and 266 yards he hauled in during his first year as a Penguin.

The 6-foot-1, 215-pound junior had the best season of his career in 2022, but will that success carry over to the coming year? Finding out the answer to that question is what makes Oliver an interesting player to watch, especially against the Buckeyes.

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