GATEWAY QB is set, YSU eyes progress

Now that Aaron Marshall is established as the Penguins' quarterback, the team hopes to improve overall.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Now that Youngstown State coach Jon Heacock has settled on his starting quarterback, he can devote more time to getting the Penguins back in the Gateway Conference race.
Freshman red-shirt Aaron Marshall will be the quarterback again Saturday after leading the Penguins to a 24-17 victory over Southwest Missouri State last Saturday in his first-ever start.
Heacock said making this decision will help the offense to go forward the remainder of the season.
Senior Justin Green will be the backup when the Penguins (2-2, 1-1 Gateway) play host to Indiana State (2-3, 0-0) at 7 p.m. at Stambaugh Stadium.
Senior Colby Street, who started the first two games at quarterback, will be used more on special teams situations, said Heacock.
Pleased with Marshall
The coach said he was pleased with Marshall's first start.
"He definitely adds something to the offense. Aaron is very much like Indiana State's Julian Reese, although Julian has a whole lot more experience at the position," Heacock said. "Aaron likes to run the football and you can count on him being more of a runner in the offense. He's not a stay in the pocket-type of quarterback.
"He's going to put a lot more pressure on the defenses."
Heacock is not satisfied with the turnovers and penalties the Penguins have been committing. Last week, they had two turnovers and both were returned for touchdowns.
"We've had problems before," he said. "We've had fumbles and we've had penalties and we were able to come back from those mistakes and still win.
"I think that we can come back again," he continued. "Now if these kids will believe that we will win."
Dlugosz is back
The Penguins are getting healthier, as senior tight end Dennis Dlugosz returned to action last week and senior wide receiver Jerald Burley is almost back to full strength. Only senior defensive tackle Tim Frost remains out, while defensive back Waymann Peters, who suffered a concussion and missed last week's game, is still day-to-day.
The team's strength offensively is still senior tailback P.J. Mays and junior Josiah Doby, who last week combined for over 180 yards.
"Now the defense has to determine whether Marshall is going to hand the ball off or keep it himself," Heacock said.
The defense still has to be the strength of the team.
Led by senior linebacker Jon Tekac, the defense hasn't given up a touchdown in its last six quarters.
Tekac leads the team in tackles (50) and tackles for losses (11), and is tied for the lead in sacks (three) with senior defensive tackle Guy Mazard.
Defense delivers
Last week, with Mazard, senior Martin Stachowicz and Nate Baston all putting pressure on the quarterback, the Penguins came up with three interceptions and five turnovers against Southwest Missouri State.
"I've only asked one thing of these kids and that is to go out and improve every day," said Heacock. "If we play better today than we did yesterday than I'm satisfied.
"We're back at home, but we are not in the situation at YSU that just because we are playing at home gives us that big of an advantage," he added.
mollica@vindy.com