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Davidson provides a spark

Former Salem All-Ohioan Mitch Davidson had a strong season. (Morning Journal/Ron Firth)

YOUNGSTOWN — There were plenty of times Salem graduate Mitch Davidson could have quit the Youngstown State University football team after spending three seasons on the bench.

As a walk-on and non-scholarship player, no one would have questioned him if he decided to end his career. He said it didn’t cross his mind.

“Never,” he said. “Because of the love for the game, I guess.”

Davidson kept plugging away at practice every day.

“I knew at some point my time would come,” he said.

Davidson, YSU’s third-string quarterback, got his chance last Saturday after Demeatric Crenshaw and Joe Craycraft were out with injuries.

With YSU trailing South Dakota State 31-3, Davidson entered the game with two minutes remaining in the third quarter, his first collegiate action at quarterback.

He completed his first five passes and went 6-for-7 for 111 yards and two touchdowns along with a 4-yard run.

“It was awesome,” Davidson said. “It was something I have been waiting for for a long time.”

It was his first time at quarterback since his senior season at Salem High School in 2017.

“I’ve been preparing for it,” Davidson said. “Finally after three years waiting for it, I said this is my shot.”

He said his teammates in the huddle realized the moment and offered encouragement.

“I trusted my line,” Davidson said. “They said it was your time now. For my teammates to trust me, you can’t ask for anything more than that.”

He completed touchdown passes of 35 and 31 yards to Bryce Oliver, who played 18 games at the University of Kentucky the last two seasons before transferring.

“That first touchdown was giving one of our best guys a chance to get to the ball,” Davidson said. “When Bryce goes after the 50-50 balls, it’s more like 80-20 with him.”

Davidson’s play gave a spark to the Penguins, who now have seven touchdown passes in a 2-5 start.

He directed the YSU offense to 130 yards on the final 12 snaps of the game after the Penguins had just 107 yards on the first 32 plays.

Davidson was named YSU’s offensive player of the game for his breakout performance.

“A lot of old coaches were texting me,” Davidson said. “Baseball coaches I had in high school were texting me.”

He played in five games as a holder in the spring season, which replaced the fall season that was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Davidson said he hasn’t done that duty this fall because it takes away from his practice time at quarterback, usually running the scout team.

The top three quarterbacks were back at practice this week.

YSU head coach Doug Phillips said Thursday that if Crenshaw can’t play, Davidson will get the start behind center against North Dakota on Saturday.

“It kind of gets under your skin (being the third-string quarterback),” Davidson said. “You have trust and believe in yourself.”

YSU notes

¯ Davidson said he wears No. 14 after former Salem player Tyler Pierce.

“When I was in the first grade, I got a shirt from my mom with No. 14 and Pierce on the back,” he said.

¯ His siblings also wear No. 14 at Salem High School –Ross, a sophomore starting defensive back on the football team, and Abbie, a junior on the basketball team.

“It kind of runs in the family,” Mitch said.

¯ Mitch has watched his brother in two Salem games this season, but won’t be at tonight’s game against Youngstown Ursuline at YSU’s Stambaugh Stadium. The Penguins are leaving this afternoon for their first game at North Dakota since 1962.

“He’s a player,” Mitch said. “I’m excited for him.”

¯ Mitch said he still keeps in touch with the Salem football team.

“(Salem coach Ron Johnson) called and congratulated me,” he said. “I’m close with those guys. When I was in high school, my brother, Jackson Johnson and Brock Young were the ball boys. It feels like I’m getting old.

¯ Davidson said he did not know Phillips — a former Salem head coach — until he took the YSU job.

“I was too young,” Davidson said. “I never met him or anything like that when he was in Salem. I totally forget he was here.”

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