Defense spreads honors around

Seniors Justin Dellarose and Matt Mechling earned the top awards for the Penguins.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Nobody is surprised at the fact that Youngstown State defensive unit has been the key to the Penguins success this season.
One of the big reason for that success is the fact that nine of the 11 starters are all returning from a year ago and another reason is that this group of young men are playing so well together as a team.
Senior linebacker Jon Tekac has been the statistical leader on the team through the first five games, however, for the first time in five games Tekac was not the leading tackler last Saturday in the 31-16 victory over Indiana State.
While senior defensive back Anthony Barone held that honor with eight tackles, Tekac, senior linebacker Russell Stuvaints, senior linebacker Justin Dellarose and junior defensive back Scott Theissen all finished with seven tackles.
Rugged linbacking crew
Tekac, Stuvaints and Dellarose, the three starting linebackers, combined for 21 tackles.
Dellarose, the 6-foot-2, 232-pound senior from Labelle, Pa., was named the defensive player of the game. Not only did he have seven tackles, three of them for 12 yards in losses, but he also forced a fumble, added two pass breakups and one quarterback sack.
"We're playing well, but there is still plenty of room for improvement," said Dellarose following Saturday's game. "We [the linebackers] work together very well, but we've had great support from the defensive line and the secondary this year."
Stuvaints, the 6-0, 215 senior from McKeesport, Pa., earned the Wash-on-Wheels Derrick Pixley Hit of the week for his tackle in the first half on an ISU ball carrier.
The third defensive player earning honors this week was senior defensive tackle Matt Mechling, the Jermaine Hopkins defensive lineman of the game.
The 6-4, 240 Mechling, from North Canton, had three tackles, one for a loss and recovered a fumble.
Mays leads offense again
Offensive player of the game honors went to senior tailback P.J. Mays for the third time this year. Mays, the 5-9, 220 from Youngstown, had a season high 176 yard on 30 carries and scored one touchdown against the Sycamores.
The Jim Zdelar offensive lineman of the game was senior tackle Andy DeNiro of Youngstown and Cardinal Mooney High. The 6-3, 285, led a YSU line that opened up huge holes for the Penguin backs to rush for 250 yards.
Mays was also selected the Haines Family Player of the Game, as selected by radio broadcast team.
The Penguins (3-2, 2-1 Gateway) will be on the road this Saturday when they travel to meet Florida Atlantic (0-5) in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, home of the NFL Dolphins.
mollica@vindy.com